Restaurants in The Oriente
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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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La Choza de Don Wilson
Almost everyone comes to this honky-tonk restaurant for an excellent fillet of trout and shots of aguardiente (sugarcane alcohol) to beat off the chills. You’ll find it at the juncture with the road to Termas de Papallacta. Cement-floor rooms out back are plain but clean (per person $15), with views of the village below. An enclosed hot pool is a bonus. Situated 40km along the Quito–Baeza road.
reviewed
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Marquis Grille
With white tablecloths, classical music and attentive service, this is the most formal restaurant for miles. Browse the Chilean wine list then choose from steamed tilapia, rich pastas and lobster. The ocelot skin, which offended many patrons, has been replaced by murals depicting regional mythology. If you’re lucky, the resident sloth will be ‘active.’
reviewed
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Maytos
Serves maitos (fish grilled in palm leaves) Huaorani-style, but with a garlicky twist. Wrapped in banana leaves and steamed over hot coals, the flavors steam into the moist, flaky fish, served alongside patacones (plantain fritters) and rice. Perfect with a tall, cold brew. Next to the Texaco station, just over 3km out of town.
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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O’Sole Mio
A new, modern Italian restaurant, with outdoor patio overlooking twinkling town lights, that serves uncommonly authentic pizzas. Lightly charred crusts are topped with tasty ingredients such as spinach, salami and ricotta. Pastas also make the grade. Ask the owners about upstairs suites.
reviewed
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La Carihuella
Missionaries converge in large groups here, but even nonbelievers are welcome for meaty meals cooked over an open grill. Hungry? The two-person barbecue plate ($12.50) has two kinds of sausage, chicken, pork chop, sirloin, tripe and kidney. Close to the bus station.
reviewed
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Restaurant D’Gust
Restaurant D’Gust is a popular local gathering spot with daily dishes such as tender, saucy chicken legs and papas fritas (french fries). Buses to Cuenca pass through here. Locals know bus times for travel west, south and north.
reviewed
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La Casa del Maito
Stuff yourself between the noisy locals for the heavenly house specialty maito (fish grilled in palm leaves). Sometimes caiman caught upriver splashes onto the menu. The owner connects visitors with local guides.
reviewed
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El Toro Asado
In addition to more-common meats and fish, this elegant grill house serves guanta, an Amazonian…er, rodent, five different ways. The owner swears it tastes like pork, but we’ll leave it to you to find out.
reviewed
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Gran Colombia Restaurant
Oil workers refuel here at the end of the day with set meals doused in lip-burning ají (hot sauce). The regular menu offers tasty plates such as chuleta (pork chops) and ceviche.
reviewed
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Chuquitos
An old favorite over the wide ribbon of the Río Tena creates the perfect spot for a meal or a drink downstairs in the bar. Watch out for tour groups if you’re not in the mood for lingering.
reviewed
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Cevichería Rincon Manaria
Plates piled with crispy chifles (banana slices) preview deep bowls of frothy ceviche served with little wedges of lime. Crowded tables and loud music create a beach-party vibe.
reviewed
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Dayuma
Large plates present standard combinations of surf and turf, meats in wine sauces and a few unimpressive pastas. Hit the attached heladeria (ice-cream shop) for dessert.
reviewed
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La Misión
Eat on the concrete patio overlooking the river or inside the bland restaurant. Dinner means delicious grilled white river fish, crispy salads and friendly service.
reviewed
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El Fariseo
Sit streetside for a frothy cappuccino and slice of cake. Platos fuertes (heavier dishes) include burritos and burgers. Largest cocktail list in town.
reviewed
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Chifa Pagoda
The decor is part–wedding cake and part-diner at the best chifa in town, which serves tasty wonton soup, sweet-and-sour shrimp and fried noodles.
reviewed
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Toke Esmeraldo
A cheery street-shack where you can pull up a stool for some fresh, fast seafood including ceviche and fried tilapia. Sip on a range of fresh juices.
reviewed
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Pizzería Hilton
Gets rave reviews for its reliable pizza menu, which looks much like the other pizzerias in town. Also serves up good rigatoni and lasagna.
reviewed
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Sticky Fingers
A cozy new location serves wonderful cakes, salads and snacks. The Spanish chef/baker recently added a popular happy hour from 8pm to 9pm.
reviewed
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Dagran Restaurant
A large, bright cafeteria with wooden tables ready for the masses. Try the barbecued ribs, but don’t expect to be transported to Texas.
reviewed
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Cositas Ricas
Inside the Hostal Travellers Lodging complex, this favorite serves vegetarian and Ecuadorian plates, salads and fresh juices.
reviewed
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Restaurant Sucus
Eat at the popular Restaurant Sucus for good carne apanada (breaded beef steak) and rice.
reviewed
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Restaurante Ocaso
Locals recommend the saucy meat stews served alongside fluffy rice and hot patacones (plantain fritters).
reviewed
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Pizzería Bella Selva
This thatched-hut pizzeria serves heavily loaded cheese slicks and large piles of pasta. Overlooks the bridge.
reviewed
