North Coast & Lowlands
Beyond the uninviting decor you’ll find a decent steakhouse specializing in beef and chops. The thatched courtyard seating is preferable to sitting inside.
Must-see restaurants in Ecuador
Quito
Part of a chain, this stylish, minimalist restaurant offers tender, fresh sushi and sashimi, teppanyaki, Kobe beef and a range of other Japanese…
Guayaquil
Two-story upscale cafe and Spanish-style delicatessen (ham and cheese is the specialty), serving good sandwiches. Indoor and outdoor seating available.
Cuenca
Pizzas, lentil burgers and a little good karma to wash it down. It's one of Ecuador's nicest Hare Krishna restaurants. The buffet lunch is $2.50.
Isla San Cristóbal (Chatham)
This 2nd-floor perch whips up tasty smoothies, plus burgers, toasted sandwiches and good breakfasts including granola with fruit and yogurt.
Guayaquil
One of the few restaurant options for meat-free Italian and Ecuadorian dishes, this simple spot has Hindu-style art on the walls. Cash only.
North Coast & Lowlands
Formerly in the main square, Willy's has moved to a side street since the earthquake. Run by a sweet family who serves up tasty grub.
Quito
Bustling La Union always packs a crowd, with its glass displays of croissants, berry tarts and ice cream, plus filling sandwiches.
South Coast
You can't beat the value of these sandwiches, wraps, lasagna, lunch specials and breakfasts, served in a narrow modern dining room.
Quito
This delightful snack stand cooks up kilos of nuts, corn kernels and coquitos (coconut sweets) in a giant copper kettle.
Guayaquil
A modern and inviting cafe in Urdesa that draws people of all ages who come for coffee, decent pastries, quiches and cakes.
The Galápagos Islands
Just past the main plaza, you'll find a tiny bakery selling banana bread, orejas (big cookies) and other treats.
Guayaquil
This cavernous grocery is the most convenient downtown option for self-catering. Looks like a clothing store from outside.
Quito
Linger over a coffee in the plant-filled covered deck at Botánica. The sandwiches, juices and cakes here are sublime.
South Coast
Hearty, piping-hot pizzas, plus pasta and hamburgers, in a packed fast-food-like setting (order at the counter).
South Coast
For midday snacks, nothing beats the piping-hot sweet rolls or dulce de leche–smothered pastries served here.
Coca
Down towards the river, this popular spot is the place for a bowl of frothy ceviche and a cold beer.
Southern Highlands
For lunch in Gualaceo, try the Mercado 25 de Junio, two blocks north and then three east of the main plaza.
Loja
Good, authentic German offerings (particularly the cakes and the beer!) in an intimate setting.
Guayaquil
A top spot for coffee, pastries and savory snacks, while strolling along 9 de Octubre.
Puerto Ayora
Near the passenger pier, this bustling cafeteria is a handy spot for a quick bite.
Isla San Cristóbal (Chatham)
This casual local favorite offers set lunches or dinners at rock-bottom prices.
Mindo
A popular spot for set meals ($3.50 for breakfast or lunch), this basic steakhouse sizzles and is a reliable choice. Try the lomo a la piedra (steak…
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…
Otavalo
Service can be brusque and the international fare mediocre (learn from our experience and avoid the pasta); however, the balcony provides an unbeatable…
North Coast & Lowlands
Right on the main drag, Wendy serves up northern beach fare like fish soup, langostina (king prawns) and fresh ceviche in a thatched-roof, open-air…
Guayaquil
A friendly, family-run tavern serving up delicacies from the old world, with creamy tortillas, arroz negro con calamares (rice with squid ink and calamari…
Quito
This Quebecois-owned place serves up the cholesterol-laden signature dishes of the owner's homeland and evokes the wintry feel of a north country log…
Quito
At the Mirador de Guápulo, this cafe's wooden benches are perfectly positioned to take in the views. Everything sold here is vegan and fair trade, and…
Otavalo
Feeling landlocked? The blue color scheme, maritime-themed wall paintings and more importantly the huge portions (you can order half-size) of cazuelas,…
Otavalo
This new joint next to La Cosecha on the Plaza de Poncho hasn't got its food together quite yet (we'd call it average) but the jazzy ultramodern decor …
Northern Highlands
A clean and modern cafe with a shop selling bizcochos, guava-filled empanadas, and queso de hoja (boiled white cheese). For three decades, Doña Hilda has…
Quito
Colorfully woven tablecloths, Mexican mariachi posters and adobe-esque walls conjure a faint impression of Old Mexico in this Mariscal Sucre eatery…
Montañita
For a quick and cheap snack, head to this hippy-vibe cafe with informal inside and outside seating. It sells coffees, beers, slices of handmade pizza (the…
Northern Highlands
Order at the register and grab a table at this popular restaurant, especially crowded with families on Sunday afternoons, serving up ceviche, cazuela …
Puerto López
This friendly eatery, nothing more than a few outdoor tables, serves delicious Colombian specialties such as arepas (maize pancakes) and its namesake dish…
