Must-see restaurants in Ecuador

  • Lo Nuestro

    Guayaquil

    Housed in a century-old mansion complete with wooden shutters and period furniture, Lo Nuestro is one of the most atmospheric places in Guayaquil to feast…

  • Coco Surf

    The Galápagos Islands

    This sidewalk cafe serves up some of the tastiest seafood dishes in all of the Galápagos, and you'll hardly notice the high price points once the live…

  • El Jardín

    Puyo

    The best food in the Oriente may be at this ambient house by the river inside the charming hotel of the same name, 1km north of town. Award-winning chef…

  • ShamuiCo Espai Gastronòmic

    Southern Highlands

    A surprising find in Saraguro, this unpretentiously sophisticated spot is run by a local chef who trained in some of Europe's best restaurants. Bold…

  • Mishqui Quinde Heladería

    Mindo

    Oswaldo has moved from the old van to a more permanent site, but it's still all quinoa, all the time: in burgers ($4 to $5), pudding, homemade sorbet and…

  • Tiki Limbo

    Montañita

    In the epicenter of town, Montañita's best restaurant has an eclectic menu of global dishes (fajitas, falafels, homemade burgers, sesame-crusted shrimp,…

  • Seaflower Lateneus

    North Coast & Lowlands

    Boasting one of the best chefs along the north coast (born here, trained in Europe), Seaflower serves delicious grilled seafood (try the spaghetti…

  • UKRO Cocina Local

    Quito

    Traditional Ecuadorian cuisine is given a contemporary twist at this sophisticated new restaurant. Dishes from across the country are prepared with fresh,…

  • Zona Refrescante

    South Coast

    The best dining option in town is this inviting air-conditioned place specializing in grilled meats. The seco de pollo (passion-fruit chicken) is…

  • Café Ñucallacta

    Cuenca

    The best cafe in Cuenca. Artisan Ecuadorian coffee is roasted and the resulting brews are the main reason to stop by – along with gleaning an insight into…

  • Yumbo's Chocolate

    Mindo

    Owner Claudio Ponce works with an all-female cooperative of cacao growers near Timbiré, Mujeres Para El Futuro (Women for the Future), bringing the heat…

  • Moliendo Café

    Cuenca

    This is one of the best little eateries you'll find in Ecuador – and that's why Moliendo Café is always rammed. The hearty arepas (maize pancakes, from $4…

  • Cafe Fussion

    Otavalo

    Chef Javier, who studied the culinary arts in Peru, painted this place in Caribbean pastels, and the same artful imagination goes into his recipes: smoked…

  • Zazu

    Quito

    One of Quito’s best restaurants, Zazu serves beautifully prepared seafood dishes, grilled meats and ceviches in a stylish setting of light brick, ambient…

  • Sumac

    Otavalo

    Ecuadorian chef Jorge David Quilumbaqui, trained in French cuisine in Quito, presents artfully plated meat and fish dishes, as well as delicious desserts,…

  • Cafetería Modelo

    Quito

    Opened in 1950, Modelo is one of the city’s oldest cafes and a great spot to try traditional snacks such as empanadas de verde (empanadas made with…

  • La Cosecha Coffee Shop

    Otavalo

    This contemporary cafe with Santa Fe–like adobe walls and minimalist design wouldn't look out of place in a cool outer-borough NYC neighborhood (it even…

  • El Delirio

    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)…

  • El Alabado

    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…

  • Café Tortuga

    Tena

    Everyone in town seems to drop by this superpopular Swiss-run riverfront joint, whether it’s for the wide choice of breakfasts, delicious batidos (fruit…

  • Riscomar

    Loja

    Serving some of Loja's best seafood, Riscomar prepares delicious, Ecuadorian-style ceviche in a civilized dining room. A fillet of corvina (sea bass) in a…

  • La Tasca de Baños

    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…

  • El Morro Restaurant

    South Coast

    Look for this truly delicious eatery with no name on the 2nd floor (the 1st floor is a different restaurant) of the orange and white house at El Morro's…

  • Oasis

    The Galápagos Islands

    Esmeraldas native Geanny Bennett Valencia cooks up some of the best dishes in town. Mouth-watering encocados (coconut stews) are the favorite, served in…

  • Galápagos Deli

    Puerto Ayora

    Tired of standard almuerzos (set lunches)? Head to this sleek and modern place for brick-oven pizza (small $6.50 to $9.75) and high-quality deli…

  • Isla Grill

    Puerto Ayora

    This buzzing grillhouse serves satisfying plates of grilled meat and seafood. Among the top picks: costillitas (pork ribs), mariscada (char-grilled shrimp…

  • Almar

    Puerto Ayora

    Located inside Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge, Almar prepares its seafood dishes with ingredients sourced from local suppliers. The big draw is sitting on…

  • Garrapata

    Puerto Ayora

    Good tunes, cool breezes and tasty Ecuadorian and international dishes (seared tuna, grilled seafood platters and fish in coconut sauce) draw a lively…

  • Il Giardino

    Puerto Ayora

    This open-air Italian trattoria boasts a lovely patio dining area, good meat and seafood dishes, plus decadent desserts. An heladería (ice-cream shop) is…

  • Shawerma Hot

    The Galápagos Islands

    A short stroll east of the main square, a rustic, thatch-roofed hut whips up tasty chicken shawermas, falafel wraps and salchipapas (potatoes and sausage).

  • Heladería Rosalía Suárez

    Northern Highlands

    In 1897, Rosalía Suárez discovered the best ice-cream had no cream at all. Her shop has been a sensation ever since. Now run by her grandson, it serves…

  • Bizcochos San Pedro

    Northern Highlands

    If bizcochos are a religion around Cayambe, Father Rafael Morales is their patron saint. For more than 40 years this gentle-hearted priest has been making…

  • Amalur

    North Coast & Lowlands

    Owned by a Spanish chef (Amalur means ‘Mother Earth’ in Basque), this trim, minimalist restaurant is a major step up from your average Ecuadorian small…

  • EscoBar

    Puyo

    With panache to punch above its weight in Quito's coolest neighborhoods, EscoBar makes palapas (rustic, palm-thatched dwellings) seem chic. Sample…

  • Mestizo

    Vilcabamba

    This beautiful cafe with a people-watching terrace right on the plaza is the best spot in town for a coffee (the owner is Argentine, and knows how to make…

  • Delfin Mágico

    Ruta Spondylus

    In Salango, it's worth stopping in at the under-the-sea-themed Delfin Mágico, which serves outstanding seafood. Order everything from cherna and grouper…

  • Pique & Pase

    Guayaquil

    The best restaurant for traditional Ecuadorian specialties also has traditionally dressed waiters. Sit at the tables with wooden benches and share several…

  • Oui Chef

    South Coast

    This new edition is one of the coolest hangout spots in town. A converted VW campervan food truck fronts onto a sleek patio with fairy lights and wooden…

  • Maverick

    Guayaquil

    This unassuming place on main road Av del Periodista (San Jorge) has white walls, black benches and simple chalkboards with funny slogans and cute…

  • Pedro's Empanadas

    South Coast

    Away from the main tourist drag, one block inland from Chipipe Beach, you'll find this inexpensive local empanada shop with plastic chairs, selling fine…

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