Quito
Authentic, although expensive, Lebanese fare served up quickly in a comfortable and contemporary dining room with a Middle Eastern soundtrack and…
Must-see restaurants in Ecuador
South Coast
Cevicheria Lojanita is a large, yellow complex with a foodcourt-style setup. Ceviche portions are large and fresh, and come in various flavors. Other…
Restaurante Pizzeria El Tigrillo
Mindo
This simple, open-air place across from the Mindo Volunteer Hostel is our favorite pizzeria in town. The pizzas are cooked in a brick oven and offer eight…
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)…
Hostería y Restaurante Izhcayluma
Vilcabamba
Bavarian specialties and classic Ecuadorian dishes are the fare here. Using local ingredients where possible, Izhcayluma also offers excellent vegetarian…
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…
The Galápagos Islands
This contemporary little spot on the central plaza has creative, carefully prepared dishes with a changing menu of hits including ceviches (there's also a…
North Coast & Lowlands
Spanish-owned La Terraza has a great beach setting and turns out good pizzas that keep it packed with locals throughout the week. Pepo, who was one of…
Guayaquil
One of the top Japanese restaurants in town, Sushi Isao is a small, casual spot that's popular with Japanese expats. Ingredients are fresh and dishes are…
Guayaquil
Bringing a taste of the coast to the big city, La Culata serves excellent ceviches, encocados (shrimp or fish cooked in a rich, spiced coconut sauce) and…
Cuenca
The pies (peanut butter flavor, mmm!) are outstanding, the home-baked cakes are addictive, the salads are enticing and so the Tardis-like Windhorse baits…
North Coast & Lowlands
A charming team of young locals (who also run the hostel in the same building, and are all keen surfers) serve up mouthwatering burgers, salads and…
Northern Highlands
A half-dozen or so comedores and stalls selling the same collection of specialty sweets are sandwiched into little slots in the brick fort on the east…
Quito
This well-loved restaurant serves good vegetarian food with global influences (burritos, thali, Asian noodle dishes, creamy pastas, burgers, sandwiches…
North Coast & Lowlands
Folks drive over from Canoa to visit this long-lived and well-loved cevicheria. You can get half orders of Pedro Avila's mixto shrimp or lobster ceviche (…
Quito
For innovative Ecuadorian food at a reasonable price close to Mariscal Sucre, check out this atmospheric restaurant where the namesake bananas help shape…
Papallacta
Almost everyone comes to this unassuming restaurant for an excellent fillet of trout and shots of aguardiente (sugarcane alcohol). They also have rooms …
The Oriente
Macas' only proper cafe, La Julieta serves great coffees (including an interesting maple coffee), cheesecakes and brownies, salads and sandwiches with…
Quito
It could be because this tiny, bustling neighborhood joint was once part of the owner's house that it has such a homely, welcoming atmosphere. The food is…
Cuenca
This Cuenca institution overlooking Parque Calderón is overwhelmingly popular with locals and travelers and stays open late. The menu hangs somewhere…
Loja
Real wood-fired pizzas, decent wines, homemade pasta and a cozy atmosphere give Dumas an edge over Loja's other pizza joints. House specialties include…
North Coast & Lowlands
As the name implies (camaron means 'shrimp'), shrimp is the specialty at this casual open-air spot near the water. Order them grilled, with a cocktail,…
Quito
This longtime favorite occupies a huge but attractively laid-out space and has an outstanding varied menu of pastas and pizzas, plus other Italian faves…
Guayaquil
This lovely shaded eating spot sits alongside a small duck pond. Tuck into Ecuadorian eats, ceviches, salads, meat and fish dishes, or stop in for a pasta…
Quito
Vista Hermosa has two locations in Quito Old Town, both sporting a vista hermosa (beautiful view). This location, just down from Parque Itchimbia, lives…
Guayaquil
Ecuador's answer to Starbucks is a popular dark-wood cafe with excellent cakes and quiches (the torta de jamón y queso is quite good); there are many…
Quito
On the 2nd floor of the historic Teatro Sucre, creative dishes from across Ecuador are served in a theatrically set dining room with heavy curtains and…
Quito
Bicycle lovers shouldn’t miss this small, cleverly designed cafe-restaurant, where nearly everything (chairs, bar stools, tables, hanging lamps) is…
North Coast & Lowlands
On a pleasant pedestrian lane set back just a short distance from the malecón (and Parque de la Madre), this amiable hole-in-the-wall offers frothy…
Quito
Magic Bean packs a crowd with its ample American-style breakfasts and lunches, plus frothy juices, coffees and desserts, best enjoyed on the covered front…
Otavalo
This popular eatery next to Hostal Santa Fé 1 offers up excellent seafood dishes within its dimly lit walls, but not if you’re in a rush: all main courses…
Guayaquil
One of the most atmospheric places downtown is this old-school cafe with swirling overhead fans and black-and-white photos of Guayaquil. Stop in for…
Otavalo
Like the pies, the shopowner Aide can be a bit crusty. Although this isn't a salubrious-looking shop, the homemade fruit-flavored pies are the best in…
Central Highlands
In the Roka Plaza’s central courtyard, this wonderful restaurant serves grilled meats, fresh juices, international dishes and good sushi. The presentation…
Tena
With a locked front door opened by formally attired staff, classical music and attentive service, this is the most formal restaurant for miles around…
Vilcabamba
We love Shanta’s – and have done for years. It serves pizza and big plates of frogs' legs in an innovative rustic setting with saddle seats at the bar and…
The Oriente
Over the bridge about 200m up the road to La Punta, El Jardín is a beautiful addition to the local dining scene. In a flower-festooned garden, you can…
Quito
Inside a yellow colonial house, this place is known for its charming cafe serving breakfasts, sandwiches and great homemade desserts. The coffee served…
South Coast
Restaurant Gran Chifa is one of the many family-style Chinese restaurants scattered throughout town. Dishes include sautéed chicken with vegetables, sweet…
North Coast & Lowlands
There are ceviche stands on the beach and in a couple of central spots along the malecón. Pick a stand that looks clean, and dive into fresh-caught…
