Quito
For stall after stall of some of Quito’s most traditional (and cheapest) foods, head straight to the Mercado Central, between Esmeraldas and Manabí, where…
Must-see restaurants in Ecuador
Quito
To sample some of Quito's most authentic and traditional cooking, head to this attractive park in La Floresta where every evening food stalls are set up…
Quito
Feel like a local at this welcoming low-key spot where the wonderfully energetic owner will greet you like family on repeat visits. The menu includes…
Mindo
This laid-back coffee shop and restaurant, easily the largest in town (for better or worse), has excellent coffee plus locally grown beans and chocolate…
Cuenca
Amiable, family-friendly Fabiano's is a tried and tested gringo hangout that garners a following among Ecuadorians too. Pizzas are generous and tasty,…
Otavalo
Belly up to this corner coffee-bar and watch the action unfold on Plaza Bolívar. Inject your central nervous system with an espresso or downshift with a…
Quito
For a completely different dining experience, head to this little-known restaurant inside a colonial home on lovely Junín. Artwork covers every surface of…
South Coast
Inside this clean, modern building with big windows and sleek furniture (including pale green chairs, white walls and spotlights), businesspeople schmooze…
Cuenca
Does exactly what it says on the label. Austrian-esque comfort food such as goulash, strudel and Sachertorte taste particularly divine after days/weeks on…
Northern Highlands
Run by a Colombian husband-and-wife team, this charming little spot on Parque Pedro Moncayo serves locally grown coffee, and cakes and pastries. The small…
Quito
Serving up a mix of Ecuadorian, Greek and Mexican fare near Parque Itchimbia, vine-covered Mosaico is famed for its magnificent views. The open-sided…
Mindo
Head down a narrow dirt road for this small cafe with a few indoor and outdoor tables. Ownership has changed from German to American, but the specialties…
Northern Highlands
The stalls at this outdoor covered food court serve everything from marisquerías to parrillas (seafood to BBQ steak). The food is as good as the tourist…
Northern Highlands
Downtown Ibarra's literary hangout is housed in a stately colonial-era building, and its operators claim it is the top spot to pop the question (a running…
Otavalo
An attractive three-story complex: the ground floor has local handicrafts, the 2nd floor sandwiches and the top floor standard international fare, plus up…
Quito
Owned and operated by Jürgen Spelier, a fourth-generation baker from Holland, this casually sophisticated restaurant with clean lines and blond-wood decor…
Northern Highlands
Sandwiches, nachos, coffee and mixed drinks for the most discerning palates are all served in this comfy cafe based on the theme of 'all things Frida.'…
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…
Puyo
It may not look like much, but this cafe emanates a certain elegance and boasts one of the Oriente's few espresso machines – and knows how to use it. They…
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…
Northern Highlands
A small shop stuffed to the gills with signature Ibarra treats such as nogadas (sweetened treats made from walnuts, sugar, milk and egg whites) and arrope…
North Coast & Lowlands
Puerto Amistad is an expat favorite for its strong cocktails and the attractive and airy deck over the water. The salads, savory crepes, quesadillas,…
Southern Highlands
Serving up typical Ecuadorian fare from tamales to full almuerzos (set lunches), community-based restaurant Tupay utilizes as many organic ingredients as…
The Oriente
On the main plaza, this is a great place to try maito – an Ecuadorian jungle specialty where tilapia (river fish) or chicken are wrapped in a jungle leaf…
North Coast & Lowlands
This amenable grill in the center of Manta’s nightlife area is a great place for a filling parillada (grilled meats for one, enough for two) and a glass…
Montañita
Always packed with locals, this cafe has zero atmosphere (it's very basic with simple tables and chairs), but is the place to get a satisfying and…
Cuenca
The second outlet of Cuenca's fabulous Café Ñucallacta serves great coffee, in a dignified, chilled space in the old Casa Asvoria, on the corner of Plaza…
Northern Highlands
Heat lamps, as well as tequila, warm things up when dining after dark at this spot with only outdoor plaza seating. The tasty, standard Mexican meals,…
Vilcabamba
Enjoy great comida típica at local prices at Katherine (pronounced 'kat-reen'), just off the plaza. It's family-run, has the best main-meal deal in town,…
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…
Southern Highlands
Serving fried fish, churrasco (fried steak with eggs and rice) and fried frogs' legs (which are delicacies, so command high prices), La Choza is a health…
Quito
Equal parts restaurant and bar, Z(inc) has a multilevel industrial-chic interior of untreated timber, dark metals and exposed brick. It's frequented by a…
South Coast
This welcoming waterfront spot serves good seafood plates, including ceviches, risottos, tasty encocados (seafood stew with coconut milk), and octopus…
South Coast
This simple little cafe with white walls and chunky pine tables serves hand-prepared pizzas. Order a classic margherita, salami and ham, tuna and onion,…
South Coast
Nautical-themed Pepe's is a local favorite, with with dark wood features, shipping memorabilia on the walls, and outdoor seating right next to the pier…
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…
Guayaquil
Across from the San Marino Mall, this elegantly set dining room is a showcase for some of Guayaquil's best Peruvian cooking. The expansive menu features…
North Coast & Lowlands
A crisp and formal setting with a varied menu of well-prepared international dishes, vegetarian options and criollo (of Spanish influence) specialties. It…
Otavalo
Right in the heart of town you’ll find this charming vegetarian oasis in the courtyard of an old hacienda. The menu consists of pizza, sandwiches, salads…
South Coast
A 10-minute walk downhill to the left from Plaza de la Independencia you'll find Zaruma's top restaurant. Part coffee shop and part Ecuadorian eatery,…
