Puerto Ayora
This lively restaurant on the main strip serves up seafood and grilled dishes, including peppery seared tuna, pork ribs with pineapple salsa, and linguini…
Must-see restaurants in Ecuador
Quito
Italian-owned Cosa Nostra has a pleasant front patio, cozy dining room and nearly three-dozen varieties of pizza piled with generous toppings and fired up…
Guayaquil
The iconic crustacean is prepared in more than a dozen different ways at this popular and festive restaurant. The theme is underwater world, with bad…
Puerto Ayora
This picturesque open-air spot perched over the water serves tasty fish and lobster, pizzas and bistro fare. It's attached to Angermeyer Point Hotel; to…
Vilcabamba
Divine French goodies – pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant), quiche, and even gluten-free bread on Wednesdays – plus good coffee. Order it to go or eat…
Puerto Ayora
This boho cafe with a few indoor and outdoor patio tables serves excellent breakfasts, sandwiches, empanadas and salads, as well as homemade cakes, fruit…
Isla San Cristóbal (Chatham)
Steps from the pier, this open-air cafe is one of the most popular spots in town. Stop in for tuna or chicken sandwiches, burgers, empanadas, cappuccinos…
Puerto Ayora
A little open-sided place that does ceviche, grilled fish, seco de chivo (goat stew) and balones (mashed plantain balls).
Isla San Cristóbal (Chatham)
Join afternoon crowds for fresh-baked magnificence: chocolate or cinnamon bread, empanadas, pastries, and fruit and custard tarts.
Isla San Cristóbal (Chatham)
Ceviche, lobster and other fresh-caught seafood is served up in a lovely outdoor garden with picnic tables.
Quito
The Louisiana native who owns this eccentrically designed restaurant attached to a 17th-century monastery takes pride in the quality of the ingredients…
South Coast
With big glass windows and a shiny new porch overlooking the waterfront, Casa Grill is a carnivore's heaven. The best-value option is to order the grill…
Quito
Mouthwatering and stomach-enlarging sundaes, as well as several dozen varieties of sweet and savory crepes, waffles, salads and more conventional…
Quito
A much-loved spot in El Centro, Vista Hermosa (Beautiful View) delivers the goods with a magnificent 360-degree panorama over the Old Town from its open…
Otavalo
Puns aside, the tacos, burritos, enchiladas and fajitas are most definitely more beautiful than those of this small, simple restaurant's titular namesake …
Quito
Kitschy religious icons and old-fashioned radios decorate this old-school classic serving Ecuadorian fare to bustling workday crowds. Opt for first-rate…
North Coast & Lowlands
There is a Peruvian sensibility to the fresh seafood served at this relaxed, open-air beachfront spot. It offers fried rice with shellfish, garlic crab…
The Oriente
Easily the most charming place in town, this blue casita is all ambience, from the twinkling porch lights to the stuffed red-leather armchairs. Come to…
Cuenca
Goza, a trendy European-style cafe-bar on a pedestrianized section of Borreo, is equally appealing for the fabulous international breakfasts (like eggs…
Guayaquil
Not far from the Hilton Colon Guayaquil and Mall del Sol, Cocolon has a modern, fun interior with bright-red chairs and photos decorating the walls…
Loja
The almuerzos (set lunches) are good, but the real reason to come is for the delicious quimbolitos, humitas, empanadas de verde and tamales lojanos – all…
North Coast & Lowlands
Ariceli, also Mompiche's yoga instructor par excellence, is known for her wickedly divine desserts, including lemon pie, a vegan crumble, and a chocolate…
Otavalo
Yolanda Cabrera has become famous for delicious local fare such as tortillas de maíz (corn tortillas), empanaditas (Spanish pies) and the local favorite…
Otavalo
Wander back of the Hostal Doña Esther for Otavalo’s only wood-fired oven pizza. Tasty, certainly, and the best in town no doubt, though crusts are cracker…
South Coast
This simple spot does pancakes and continental breakfast in the morning; by night, it's all about seafood. Specials include Lui e Lei shells (shells with…
Quito
Tucked into the stone arches beneath the Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco, this excellent cafe prepares tasty Ecuadorian appetizers (tamales, soups,…
North Coast & Lowlands
Overlooking the fishing boats bobbing on the water, this simple waterside restaurant serves delectable Manabí seafood. It’s famous for the huge shrimp…
Tena
Tena's most atmospheric restaurant serves German-influenced food in an open-sided joint where a bright, well-stocked bar is the focal point. Lovely pastas…
Quito
For stall after stall of some of Quito’s most traditional (and cheapest) foods, head straight to the Mercado Central, between Esmeraldas and Manabí, where…
Quito
To sample some of Quito's most authentic and traditional cooking, head to this attractive park in La Floresta where every evening food stalls are set up…
Quito
Feel like a local at this welcoming low-key spot where the wonderfully energetic owner will greet you like family on repeat visits. The menu includes…
Cuenca
Amiable, family-friendly Fabiano's is a tried and tested gringo hangout that garners a following among Ecuadorians too. Pizzas are generous and tasty,…
Otavalo
Belly up to this corner coffee-bar and watch the action unfold on Plaza Bolívar. Inject your central nervous system with an espresso or downshift with a…
Quito
For a completely different dining experience, head to this little-known restaurant inside a colonial home on lovely Junín. Artwork covers every surface of…
Cuenca
Does exactly what it says on the label. Austrian-esque comfort food such as goulash, strudel and Sachertorte taste particularly divine after days/weeks on…
South Coast
Inside this clean, modern building with big windows and sleek furniture (including pale green chairs, white walls and spotlights), businesspeople schmooze…
Quito
Serving up a mix of Ecuadorian, Greek and Mexican fare near Parque Itchimbia, vine-covered Mosaico is famed for its magnificent views. The open-sided…
Otavalo
An attractive three-story complex: the ground floor has local handicrafts, the 2nd floor sandwiches and the top floor standard international fare, plus up…
Quito
Owned and operated by Jürgen Spelier, a fourth-generation baker from Holland, this casually sophisticated restaurant with clean lines and blond-wood decor…
Baños
Named for owner Ray Hood, a long-standing gringo-in-residence, this excellent cafe has cheap almuerzos (set lunches) and a menu of Asian and South…
