Puyo
It may not look like much, but this cafe emanates a certain elegance and boasts one of the Oriente's few espresso machines – and knows how to use it. They…
Must-see restaurants in Ecuador
North Coast & Lowlands
Puerto Amistad is an expat favorite for its strong cocktails and the attractive and airy deck over the water. The salads, savory crepes, quesadillas,…
The Oriente
On the main plaza, this is a great place to try maito – an Ecuadorian jungle specialty where tilapia (river fish) or chicken are wrapped in a jungle leaf…
North Coast & Lowlands
This amenable grill in the center of Manta’s nightlife area is a great place for a filling parillada (grilled meats for one, enough for two) and a glass…
Cuenca
The second outlet of Cuenca's fabulous Café Ñucallacta serves great coffee, in a dignified, chilled space in the old Casa Asvoria, on the corner of Plaza…
Montañita
Always packed with locals, this cafe has zero atmosphere (it's very basic with simple tables and chairs), but is the place to get a satisfying and…
Vilcabamba
Enjoy great comida típica at local prices at Katherine (pronounced 'kat-reen'), just off the plaza. It's family-run, has the best main-meal deal in town,…
Central Highlands
Half a block downhill from Parque Simón Bolívar, Los 7 Santos offers all that you would expect from an artsy cafe in a much larger city. There’s breakfast…
Quito
Equal parts restaurant and bar, Z(inc) has a multilevel industrial-chic interior of untreated timber, dark metals and exposed brick. It's frequented by a…
South Coast
This welcoming waterfront spot serves good seafood plates, including ceviches, risottos, tasty encocados (seafood stew with coconut milk), and octopus…
South Coast
This simple little cafe with white walls and chunky pine tables serves hand-prepared pizzas. Order a classic margherita, salami and ham, tuna and onion,…
South Coast
Nautical-themed Pepe's is a local favorite, with with dark wood features, shipping memorabilia on the walls, and outdoor seating right next to the pier…
Central Highlands
A great place to sample an Ambato specialty, a kind of porridge-like milky drink made with the morocho grain, which is ground with spices, soaked in water…
Guayaquil
Across from the San Marino Mall, this elegantly set dining room is a showcase for some of Guayaquil's best Peruvian cooking. The expansive menu features…
North Coast & Lowlands
A crisp and formal setting with a varied menu of well-prepared international dishes, vegetarian options and criollo (of Spanish influence) specialties. It…
Otavalo
Right in the heart of town you’ll find this charming vegetarian oasis in the courtyard of an old hacienda. The menu consists of pizza, sandwiches, salads…
South Coast
A 10-minute walk downhill to the left from Plaza de la Independencia you'll find Zaruma's top restaurant. Part coffee shop and part Ecuadorian eatery,…
Quito
Authentic, although expensive, Lebanese fare served up quickly in a comfortable and contemporary dining room with a Middle Eastern soundtrack and…
South Coast
Cevicheria Lojanita is a large, yellow complex with a foodcourt-style setup. Ceviche portions are large and fresh, and come in various flavors. Other…
The Quilotoa Loop
This comparatively swanky restaurant is located right up on the crater rim. Offering classics like locro de papas (potato soup with avocado and cheese)…
Hostería y Restaurante Izhcayluma
Vilcabamba
Bavarian specialties and classic Ecuadorian dishes are the fare here. Using local ingredients where possible, Izhcayluma also offers excellent vegetarian…
The Galápagos Islands
This contemporary little spot on the central plaza has creative, carefully prepared dishes with a changing menu of hits including ceviches (there's also a…
North Coast & Lowlands
Spanish-owned La Terraza has a great beach setting and turns out good pizzas that keep it packed with locals throughout the week. Pepo, who was one of…
Guayaquil
One of the top Japanese restaurants in town, Sushi Isao is a small, casual spot that's popular with Japanese expats. Ingredients are fresh and dishes are…
Guayaquil
Bringing a taste of the coast to the big city, La Culata serves excellent ceviches, encocados (shrimp or fish cooked in a rich, spiced coconut sauce) and…
Cuenca
The pies (peanut butter flavor, mmm!) are outstanding, the home-baked cakes are addictive, the salads are enticing and so the Tardis-like Windhorse baits…
North Coast & Lowlands
A charming team of young locals (who also run the hostel in the same building, and are all keen surfers) serve up mouthwatering burgers, salads and…
Quito
This well-loved restaurant serves good vegetarian food with global influences (burritos, thali, Asian noodle dishes, creamy pastas, burgers, sandwiches…
North Coast & Lowlands
Folks drive over from Canoa to visit this long-lived and well-loved cevicheria. You can get half orders of Pedro Avila's mixto shrimp or lobster ceviche (…
Quito
For innovative Ecuadorian food at a reasonable price close to Mariscal Sucre, check out this atmospheric restaurant where the namesake bananas help shape…
Papallacta
Almost everyone comes to this unassuming restaurant for an excellent fillet of trout and shots of aguardiente (sugarcane alcohol). They also have rooms …
The Oriente
Macas' only proper cafe, La Julieta serves great coffees (including an interesting maple coffee), cheesecakes and brownies, salads and sandwiches with…
Quito
It could be because this tiny, bustling neighborhood joint was once part of the owner's house that it has such a homely, welcoming atmosphere. The food is…
Loja
Real wood-fired pizzas, decent wines, homemade pasta and a cozy atmosphere give Dumas an edge over Loja's other pizza joints. House specialties include…
Cuenca
This Cuenca institution overlooking Parque Calderón is overwhelmingly popular with locals and travelers and stays open late. The menu hangs somewhere…
Quito
This longtime favorite occupies a huge but attractively laid-out space and has an outstanding varied menu of pastas and pizzas, plus other Italian faves…
North Coast & Lowlands
As the name implies (camaron means 'shrimp'), shrimp is the specialty at this casual open-air spot near the water. Order them grilled, with a cocktail,…
Guayaquil
This lovely shaded eating spot sits alongside a small duck pond. Tuck into Ecuadorian eats, ceviches, salads, meat and fish dishes, or stop in for a pasta…
Quito
Vista Hermosa has two locations in Quito Old Town, both sporting a vista hermosa (beautiful view). This location, just down from Parque Itchimbia, lives…
Guayaquil
Ecuador's answer to Starbucks is a popular dark-wood cafe with excellent cakes and quiches (the torta de jamón y queso is quite good); there are many…
