Restaurants in Ecuador
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A
Magic Bean
Long the epicenter of the Mariscal, the Magic Bean serves a variety of well-prepared breakfasts, lunches, juices and snacks for the ever-present crowd of hungry travelers.
reviewed
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B
Moliendo Café
From Ecuador’s neighbors to the north, the hearty arepas (maize pancake) are a specialty here. Topped with anything from beans and cheese to slow-cooked pork, they go well with cold beer or a strong Juan Valdez. Whether you get a little or a lot, it’s essentially old-fashioned comfort food, Colombian-style.
reviewed
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C
Tiestos
Though a hair on the pricey side, one reader claimed they're the best steaks in Ecuador. Formerly known as Las Brasas de San Juan, this grill house is lovely, the owners are friendly and you definitely get what you pay for. Pizzas and pastas too.
reviewed
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D
Café Eucalyptus
The irreverent Eucalyptus menu proudly declares that it doesn’t serve ‘customs officials, crazy bus drivers, or airline executives.’ For the rest of us, dozens of Cuban, Vietnamese, Spanish and other reliably delicious international dishes are served at cozy tables near roaring fireplaces, and an extensive variety of wines and beers flow from the gorgeous bar. This wonderful restaurant should cure any gringo’s hankering for home, and, thankfully, it still serves guidebook writers.
reviewed
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Casa Hood
Named for owner Ray Hood, a long-standing gringo in residence, this excellent café has nourishing breakfasts, a $2 almuerzo (set lunch) and a menu of Thai, Mexican and Middle Eastern dishes. The Casa is a welcoming place to eat, exchange books, meet with friends, chill solito (alone), and even take yoga classes.
reviewed
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Garrapata
This popular outdoor restaurant serves substantial meat, seafood and chicken dishes with Italian and Ecuadorian flavors. Good wine, nice shore breezes and a pebble floor make it an attractive place for the night.
reviewed
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E
ChaCha
This cheap Argentine eatery serves pizza, pasta and empanadas at outdoor tables. Readers and travelers continually recommend it.
reviewed
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Marea
Down a side street towards the beach is Marea, the place for brick-oven pizza.
reviewed
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Uncle Ho’s
Sleek and slender, Uncle Ho’s whips up tasty bowls of pho (noodle soup), sea bass with chili and lime over rice noodles, glazed spare ribs and other Vietnamese hits. Eat at the counter or grab an outdoor table on the quiet street in front.
reviewed
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F
Café Austria
Every caffeinated drink known to humankind, dainty Austrian cakes, pressed sandwiches and goulash make for a great menu at this Austrian-owned café. English-language newspapers are always available.
reviewed
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Angermeyer Point
Rustic and romantic, a candlelit dinner at this picturesque spot perched over the water is highly recommended (grab a water taxi at the pier). With better-than-average seafood and a few international dishes, as well as sushi on Friday nights and tapas in the early evenings, it’s often booked by large groups, so reservations are a good idea.
reviewed
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Lo Nuestro
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 eat seafood dishes typical of the region. Musicians play on Friday and Saturday evenings, when reservations are recommended. At lunchtime the place fills up with local bigwigs.
reviewed
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Café bar Maravilla
This blue casita is all ambience, from the twinkling porch lights to the stuffed red-leather armchairs. It is a great place to chill, with tablas (cutting-boards) of meat and cheese and yuca fries. The drink menu gets creative, with herbal aphrodisiacs and hueso de chuchuguazo (a root mixed with rum).
reviewed
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El Paisano
Despite the bright florescent lighting and faint smell of paint (it doubles as the owner's art studio), El Paisano serves up some of the most nurturing veggie food in town. Try the wholesome veggie surprise known as 'Concierto en A major from Belegum de su Secreto,' one of several oddly named dishes.
reviewed
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G
Caracol Azul
A fine dining institution, this gourmet French-Peruvian restaurant has been serving scrumptious seafood and steak for more than 30 years. Langostinos encocoadas (shrimp in coconut-milk sauce) is especially good. The relatively elegant dining room is more welcoming than stuffy.
reviewed
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El Rey del Burrito
‘The King of the Burrito’ serves large burritos, tacos and enchiladas with super spicy salsa (ole! ). There must be a vegetarian in the house, because they have wonderful options for herbivores. Service is friendly and the atmosphere is enlivened by some cool murals.
reviewed
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El Maíz
Billing itself as purveyor of the ‘new Ecuadorian cuisine,’ El Maíz takes traditional ingredients like quinoa and chochos (marinated lupine beans) and turns them into modern and delicious fusion dishes. This restaurant feels more upmarket than its prices suggest.
reviewed
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Pim’s
Inside the Parque Itchimbia, this new outpost of the Pim’s chain offers fantastic views over the city. Enjoy tasty traditional Ecuadorian fare, plus sandwiches and cocktails in the elegant, if somewhat stuffy, dining room, or on the outside patio.
reviewed
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H
La Barraca
Casual atmosphere and great music complement excellent snacks (guacamole and chips, popcorn and the like), which all make perfect bedmates with an ice-cold beer. The 'international' main courses, however, leave plenty to be desired.
reviewed
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Café Tortuga
A Swiss-run riverfront spot where tourists plan their next move. Start the day with pancakes and fruit, crepes or espresso. Post–river trip, try a house specialty: beer floated with vanilla ice cream and fresh pineapple.
reviewed
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I
La Canoa
One of the more recommended places for a taste of Ecuadorian-style diner food is La Canoa in the Hotel Continental. Instead of hamburgers, the quick dish of choice is ceviche or fried rice with crab.
reviewed
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Arena Bar
Chow down to international rhythms and casual surf decor. Pizza is the staple, but the salads, spruced up with olives and cheese, make a nice change from the norm, as do the homey grilled cheese sandwiches.
reviewed
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Café Sol y Luna
A small Belgian-owned café with a cozy dining patio and warm interior. Food is more healthy than exciting; the slim menu board offers crisp organic salads, home-style pastas and veggie burgers.
reviewed
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J
Kallari
This Quichua coop serves up some delicious, healthy breakfasts and lunches, and stocks its famous chocolate bars. For lunch, try the guacamole sandwich and the grilled plantain with cheese.
reviewed
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K
Tutto Freddo
Across from the main plaza, this is likely the best (and definitely the most popular) spot in town for a mammoth banana split or a towering milkshake. And the upstairs booths are great.
reviewed