Riobamba
Named for a poem by the great liberator, Simón Bolívar, this former hacienda (now in the city center) serves comida típica (traditional Ecuadorian food)…
Must-see restaurants in Central Highlands
Central Highlands
Contemporary furnishings have transformed a historic building dating from 1668 into a chic restaurant. Along with good-quality beef steaks and dishes such…
Baños
It may be difficult to get a table at this tiny tapas restaurant. The selection of small dishes is excellent, ranging from perennial favorites like…
Baños
Named for owner Ray Hood, a long-standing gringo-in-residence, this excellent cafe has cheap almuerzos (set lunches) and a menu of Asian and South…
Riobamba
The women hawking hornado (whole roast pig) put on a pretty hard sell, yelling out for your attention and offering samples. If you can stand the pressure…
Central Highlands
Half a block downhill from Parque Simón Bolívar, Los 7 Santos offers all that you would expect from an artsy cafe in a much larger city. There’s breakfast…
Central Highlands
A great place to sample an Ambato specialty, a kind of porridge-like milky drink made with the morocho grain, which is ground with spices, soaked in water…
The Quilotoa Loop
This comparatively swanky restaurant is located right up on the crater rim. Offering classics like locro de papas (potato soup with avocado and cheese)…
Riobamba
This friendly restaurant is a good bet for breakfasts, lunchtime sandwiches and burgers and evening meals. It's open all day, making it a great place to…
Central Highlands
In the Roka Plaza’s central courtyard, this wonderful restaurant serves grilled meats, fresh juices, international dishes and good sushi. The presentation…
Central Highlands
We really liked Kipi's family vibe and healthy portions (literally) of natural food based on local grains and veggies (and the occasional cuy!). The to-go…
Central Highlands
Pop in for delicious rotisserie chicken served with rice, potatoes and chicken soup. Half a chicken with fries and salad ($7) should be plenty for two…
Central Highlands
This cafeteria has all its tasty quiches, sandwiches and cakes on display out front, and you can order them to go right from the street. Take a seat…
Baños
Mariane’s French-Mediterranean cuisine is a real standout in Baños. The cheese-and-meat fondues are a lot – even for two people – and the pasta and meat…
Central Highlands
On weekend afternoons, you will almost certainly have to wait to dine alongside carloads of Quito day-trippers at this restaurant painted like a black-and…
Central Highlands
The 2nd floor of Ambato’s indoor market has particularly good llapingachos (fried pancakes of mashed potatoes with cheese), served with eggs, avocado…
Central Highlands
Overlooking a courtyard fountain in a pretty colonial building, El Gringo y La Gorda serves hearty breakfasts, huge sandwiches, salads and a good…
Central Highlands
There are several chugchucara restaurants on Quijano y Ordoñez, a few blocks south of downtown. They’re all family friendly, but La Mama Negra is one of…
Central Highlands
The only Mexican joint in town, this small, well-conceived spot has a wide variety of Mexican standards like quesadillas, nachos (without cheese!) and…
Central Highlands
Facing the main plaza, Casa Nostra serves freshly baked pizzas loaded with Salinas' famous cheese, as well as a few pasta dishes and other mains. There's…
Alausí
This small eatery on the north end of Avenida 5 de Junio was recently bought by a native Ecuadorian daughter returning from the wilds of Orlando, Florida…
Central Highlands
Close to Parque Bolívar, La Bohemia serves breakfast, almuerzos (set lunches; $4), sandwiches and bigger mains in a laid-back but attentive atmosphere…
Baños
A good place for fresh fruit shakes, ceviche and other local dishes like llapingachos (potato pancakes stuffed with cheese), and to pick up fruit and…
Baños
The Good serves better-than-good breakfasts and veggie dishes with wholesome brown rice as well as some chicken and fish. The beef dishes, like pepper…
Central Highlands
Cooked in a wood-fired brick oven, this is probably the best pizza in town – though some find it to be a bit doughy. Locals enjoy the cuts of meat here as…
Central Highlands
In its namesake hotel, Rodelu serves early breakfast as well as wood-oven, medium-crust pizzas, sandwiches and pasta. The good value almuerzos (set…
Baños
This small bistro’s cow fetish is evident in its decor and delicious Swiss and European specialties, which include fondue, steaks, big, fresh salads and a…
Central Highlands
This warm and inviting pizzeria serves up savory pizza pies, pasta dishes and fresh salads. The split-level dining room features crooked pictures of the…
Baños
This little spot serves breakfasts, cakes and coffee, but everyone comes for the ‘Ponche Suizo,’ a trade secret treat that’s a cross between a shake and a…
Riobamba
Dozens of different kinds of medium-thick-crust pizzas are prepared before your eyes in Baggios’ wood oven. The oven keeps the whole place nice and toasty.
Riobamba
This fun, Argentine-style grill serves great barbecued steaks, trout and chicken in a ranch-style setting. Don’t miss the cave-like bar in the back.
Alausí
The railroad-inspired Cafetería La Higuera serves breakfasts, sandwiches and simple mains. Conveniently located next to the tourism office.
Riobamba
With open-air seating and friendly service, Jamones La Andaluza is a nice spot for breakfast, a sandwich, or an evening aperitif.
