Montañita
A handy smattering of sandwiches, burgers and pizzas with a prime beachfront location, away from the closeness of downtown. Friendly staff and occasional…
Must-see restaurants in Ecuador
North Coast & Lowlands
Near the heart of the nightlife, the popular Beachcomber is a favorite for its grilled meats. Dine in the lush backyard garden or on the open-sided front…
Quito
This casual and unassuming place with picnic-table seating is popular with locals for its tasty ceviche, cazuelas (seafood stews), encebollado (soup with…
Mindo
An unassuming bakery that doubles as a pizzeria.The owner/chef is alone at the oven, so expect around a half-hour wait. In fall 2017, the business was…
Guayaquil
Carnivores feast on barbecue ribs, steak and chicken at this popular spot near the Plaza de la Merced. Just outside the restaurant is an affiliated food…
North Coast & Lowlands
Probably the best place in town, this laid-back joint serves breakfasts and a wide variety of food, dishes from meat to delicious local seafood. It’s in…
Quito
The go-to spot for skewers of tasty grilled meat (the eponymous souvlaki), this casual spot has a growing following for its speedy service, cheery…
Quito
The selection of sandwiches, grilled dishes, ceviches and burgers here are pricey, but you're paying a premium for the comfortable indoor balcony setting…
Quito
A colorfully decorated spot serving good breakfast, snacks (tamales, empanadas, quimbolitos) as well as heartier mains (grilled fish with shrimp). It has…
Guayaquil
Local chain selling sandwiches and cakes in an informal bakery setting. This is a good place to grab an inexpensive packed lunch or low-priced snack – the…
Central Highlands
In its namesake hotel, Rodelu serves early breakfast as well as wood-oven, medium-crust pizzas, sandwiches and pasta. The good value almuerzos (set…
Tena
The pizza here is as good as you'll get in the Oriente and as a riverfront melting pot of local families, businessmen and tourists it's the most buzzing…
Baños
This small bistro’s cow fetish is evident in its decor and delicious Swiss and European specialties, which include fondue, steaks, big, fresh salads and a…
The Oriente
The owner of Tisho's spent some years in the States, and here are the results: big thick-crust pizzas and even Philly cheese-steak sandwiches. Some pizzas…
Quito
Tucked away on the 2nd floor of a commercial center, Ari is a colorful, if boxy, space serving vegetarian versions of Ecuadorian classics, such as ceviche…
Central Highlands
This warm and inviting pizzeria serves up savory pizza pies, pasta dishes and fresh salads. The split-level dining room features crooked pictures of the…
North Coast & Lowlands
For a bamboo beachfront eatery, try Kikes. It serves up mouthwatering encocada de camarón (shrimp and coconut stew, $8). The batidos (fruit milkshakes)…
Quito
Owned by the Kichwa community of Napo, this co-op is an outlet for the community's famous chocolate bars. Chocolates here are in abundance, but the only…
South Coast
Restaurant Jalisco, a local institution with plastic chairs, has been serving cheap almuerzos, seafood plates and ceviches for some 40 years. Ask about $2…
Otavalo
Catering to groups of Ecuadorian and foreign tourists alike, this Otavalo-themed place has sweet rustic decor. Its fresh ingredients shine in grilled…
North Coast & Lowlands
On the main street, this clean and well-liked spot serves all the local seafood favorites including ceviche and encocado de camarones (shrimp and coconut…
North Coast & Lowlands
One of a handful of Chinese restaurants right off the main plaza. Of the options we visited, it seemed the cleanest and was also the busiest, which we…
The Oriente
A block off the main plaza, Tisho’s Pizzeria offers American dishes inspired by the owner’s years in the States, including Philly cheese-steak sandwiches…
Puerto Ayora
Owing to its location at the busiest intersection in town, lively Hernan Café often packs a crowd, and serves up decent (if unmemorable) pasta, pizza,…
Quito
Fast food Colombian-style, including arepas and ajiaco, a Bogotá specialty of three types of potatoes with chicken and corn. Cheap, filling portions.
Baños
This little spot serves breakfasts, cakes and coffee, but everyone comes for the ‘Ponche Suizo,’ a trade secret treat that’s a cross between a shake and a…
Quito
Office workers crowd this two-floor cafeteria for cheap and filling almuerzos (set lunches). Convenient for those staying at one of the nearby…
The Oriente
On the main square, atmospheric Los Pinchos is a bar which serves the eponymous pinchos (skewered grilled meat and vegetables) street-side for a dollar a…
Quito
In the gorgeous central patio of the Hotel Patio Andaluz, this upscale restaurant serves gourmet Spanish and Ecuadorian fare.
Southern Highlands
‘Mother Spoon,’ as the name aptly means, serves up hearty, tasty meals right on the main plaza. Money goes to the indigenous women’s association that runs…
Quito
Since 1977, La Crêperie has been dishing up traditional French dishes in a handsome dark-wood dining room lined with black-and-white photos of old…
Tena
Right on the malecón across from the southern footbridge, this friendly spot serves up decent, topping-laden pizzas, chicken wings, sandwiches and juices.
North Coast & Lowlands
A popular place for young and old with old-fashioned wood booths, a checkered floor and a satisfying assortment of cold drinks, sandwiches and other snack…
Riobamba
Dozens of different kinds of medium-thick-crust pizzas are prepared before your eyes in Baggios’ wood oven. The oven keeps the whole place nice and toasty.
Riobamba
This fun, Argentine-style grill serves great barbecued steaks, trout and chicken in a ranch-style setting. Don’t miss the cave-like bar in the back.
South Coast
Stretching for several blocks, Machala's massive (and packed) outdoor market is the place for self-caterers to buy fresh fruits and provisions.
South Coast
A good no-nonsense cafeteria-style choice on the main road, with grilled meats, roast chicken and mixed rice, plus inexpensive lunch specials.
Alausí
The railroad-inspired Cafetería La Higuera serves breakfasts, sandwiches and simple mains. Conveniently located next to the tourism office.
Quito
A small but delightful fruit and veg market in the peaceful La Floresta neighborhood. The Thursday market concentrates on organic produce.
Riobamba
With open-air seating and friendly service, Jamones La Andaluza is a nice spot for breakfast, a sandwich, or an evening aperitif.
