Regional restaurants in South America
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A
La Canoa
One of the more recommended places for a taste of Ecuadorian-style diner food is La Canoa in the Hotel Continental. Instead of hamburgers, the quick dish of choice is ceviche or fried rice with crab.
reviewed
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Garrapata
This popular outdoor restaurant serves substantial meat, seafood and chicken dishes with Italian and Ecuadorian flavors. Good wine, nice shore breezes and a pebble floor make it an attractive place for the night.
reviewed
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Escalón 69
On the steps of Las Peñas, this is a charming mix of romantic elegance and casual local spot, with a menu of creative interpretations of typical Ecuadorian dishes: yucca patties served with honey lemon sauce, squid stuffed with Spanish sausage and rock bass ceviche. It's decorated with flowing yellow drapes, hammocks and handwoven tablecloths. Above the restaurant is a welcoming bar with karaoke and live music on weekends.
reviewed
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La Parrilla del Nato
A staple for lunching office workers, this two-story Guayaquil institution (there’s another branch in Urdesa) is always crowded and bustling, even in such a large space. Specializing in personalized grills – meat or seafood – fired up at your table, almost everything is available on the menu, from pastas ($7), pizzas ($3) and sandwiches to good ole standard almuerzos ($4).
reviewed
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B
Guajibamba
This atmospheric restaurant has a small menu of traditional plates like seco de chivo (goat stew) and gourmet fritada (fried pork with hominy, avocado and other garnishes). It’s also one of the best places to try cuy (roast guinea pig); if you’re game, call an hour before you go for prep time ($17 for two).
reviewed
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Restaurant Ronald
Formerly a hole-in-the-wall, strictly almuerzo (set-lunch) place, Ronald’s has gone slightly upscale, at least in terms of décor. It’s still a mom-and-pop-run place but with nice tablecloths and a charming wood floor, and it has standard pasta, chicken and meat dishes and several hearty soups ($3) on the menu.
reviewed
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El Delirio Restaurant
Named for a poem by the great liberator, Simón Bolívar, and located in his house that is a historical monument, the restaurant serves comida típica (traditional Ecuadorian food) in a dimly lit, antique atmosphere. The hostess of many years is a bit on the eccentric side.
reviewed
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Artur’s Café
A longstanding hideaway perched over the Río Guayas in Las Peñas, Artur’s does average food (Ecuadorian and international standards such as pasta). Despite the chintzy decor and dark lighting, it’s still a pleasant spot. There’s live music on many weekends.
reviewed
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Bistrô da Baiana
With delicious Bahian fish specialties served at small tables on the cobblestones, this place is great for a low-key dinner, or a beer and a snack (try the wonderfully fresh acarajé - Bahian style fitters).
reviewed
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C
Tres Estrellas
Long in the business, Tres Estrellas roasts up gourmet cuy (roast guinea pig, $17, serves two). If you’re not up for that squeaky delicacy, there’s outstanding grilled beef, chicken and pork on the menu too.
reviewed
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Botequim do Baiano
You'll understand why locals love this place once you've eaten one of Botequim's homemade pratos feitos (fish or meat with rice, beans and salad). Prices are geared for residents rather than tourists.
reviewed
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D
Bar do Celso
On the main square, this is a locally run Mineiro restaurant with reasonable prices. Folks with less voracious appetites will appreciate the R$16 prato mini, a smaller plate designed for one person.
reviewed
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E
Asadero Costeño
Rotisserie chicken is a dime-a-dozen in Guayaquil, but this place on the east side of Parque del Centenario stands out for its size and efficient ordering system – pay at the caged cashier before sitting.
reviewed
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Tip Top
On the waterfront just down from the ferry dock, Tip Top serves burgers and sandwiches (R$5 to R$7), plus a serviceable lunch buffet (R$24 per kg). Sidewalk seating with sea views completes the picture.
reviewed
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Town Center Eateries
Don't miss azul-marinho, a delicious local stew of fish, rice and green bananas. There are a number of cheap eateries in the town center where you can get a simple meal of fish, rice and beans.
reviewed
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Restaurante Salão Brasil
Right on the main square, this self-serve is popular for its delicious home cooking, tasty desserts and the kind of high-quality cafezinho (after-lunch espresso) you’d expect in Vassouras.
reviewed
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Botequim da Corrente
Opposite the main square of Ossos, this friendly corner place with outdoor seating under the delicate shade of a framboia tree serves extremely tasty fish, rice, beans and juices.
reviewed
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Restaurant Salvavidas
Frequented as much because of it's convenient dockside location as because of its standard seafood and snack menu, Salvavidas has been the daytime harbor hangout of choice for years.
reviewed
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La Abuela Rosa
Drop by Grandma Rosa’s for comida típica (traditional Ecuadorian food) and tasty snacks including sandwiches, chocolate and cheese. Friendly, cozy and popular with locals.
reviewed
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F
Los Capulies
Los Capulies serves delicious, reasonably priced, traditional Ecuadorian meals and livens things up with entertainment on weekends. The cantina out back provides after-dinner fun.
reviewed
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G
Viradas do Largo
This place is among Tiradentes’ best restaurants for traditional Mineiro cuisine. Crowds pack into it on weekends, spilling over into the pleasant outdoor patio and garden area.
reviewed
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Churrascaria do Abel
You can’t go wrong at this friendly, family-run place, which offers generous portions of classic Brazilian home-cooked meals, including grilled meats, rice, beans and salad.
reviewed
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Cevicheria Restaurant
This cevichería (ceviche restaurant) is nothing more than a few outdoor tables next to Rincó de Alma. Specializes in, you guessed it, ceviches.
reviewed
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H
El Toro Asado
Serves good, reasonably priced grilled meats in a casual and busy atmosphere. Asado y menestra (grilled beef with lentils or beans) is the specialty.
reviewed
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I
Raymipampa
This Cuenca institution is popular with locals and travelers and stays open late. The food hangs somewhere between Ecuadorian comfort food and diner fare.
reviewed
