Southern Highlands
A surprising find in Saraguro, this unpretentiously sophisticated spot is run by a local chef who trained in some of Europe's best restaurants. Bold…
Must-see restaurants in Southern Highlands
Cuenca
The best cafe in Cuenca. Artisan Ecuadorian coffee is roasted and the resulting brews are the main reason to stop by – along with gleaning an insight into…
Cuenca
This is one of the best little eateries you'll find in Ecuador – and that's why Moliendo Café is always rammed. The hearty arepas (maize pancakes, from $4…
Loja
Serving some of Loja's best seafood, Riscomar prepares delicious, Ecuadorian-style ceviche in a civilized dining room. A fillet of corvina (sea bass) in a…
Vilcabamba
This beautiful cafe with a people-watching terrace right on the plaza is the best spot in town for a coffee (the owner is Argentine, and knows how to make…
Cuenca
This restaurant has a small menu of traditional plates such as seco de chivo and gourmet fritada (fried chunks of pork, served with hominy, avocado and…
Vilcabamba
Besides the clever name and enviable location next to the church, the Turkish-run UFO gets jammed for its inexpensive and tasty breakfasts, Middle Eastern…
Casa Alonso at Mansión Alcázar
Cuenca
Mansión Alcazar's inviting restaurant, backing onto its beautiful internal garden, maintains the same lofty standards that the hotel does: ornately…
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…
Southern Highlands
All of a sudden, Saraguro has a sweep of seriously good places to eat, with this chirpy cafe bolstering the scene on Saraguro's second (lower) plaza. A…
Cuenca
Goza, a trendy European-style cafe-bar on a pedestrianized section of Borreo, is equally appealing for the fabulous international breakfasts (like eggs…
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…
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,…
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…
Southern Highlands
Serving up typical Ecuadorian fare from tamales to full almuerzos (set lunches), community-based restaurant Tupay utilizes as many organic ingredients as…
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…
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,…
Southern Highlands
Serving fried fish, churrasco (fried steak with eggs and rice) and fried frogs' legs (which are delicacies, so command high prices), La Choza is a health…
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…
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…
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…
Vilcabamba
We love Shanta’s – and have done for years. It serves pizza and big plates of frogs' legs in an innovative rustic setting with saddle seats at the bar and…
Loja
It's difficult to say when we like dropping by this cute French-Ecuadorian place most: probably early evening, as a prequel to a night out. From organic…
Cuenca
El Pedregal serves delicious Mexican food, including lots of vegetarian options, in an atmosphere that’s all ponchos, sombreros and olé! The portions can…
Loja
Pure, all-natural juices, yogurt shakes and fruit salads make up the menu at this small cafe: Loja's definitive breakfast stop and numero uno meeting-up…
Cuenca
Long in the business, Tres Estrellas roasts up gourmet cuy (guinea pig; $17, serves two). If you’re not up for that squeaky delicacy, there’s outstanding…
Vilcabamba
Snag a table outside for a beer and some Central Plaza people-watching, as the location might be the best reason to come here. This busy spot serves…
Loja
Service: indifferent. Meat and fish dishes: good. Views from the balcony over Parque Central: the best. Book at weekends if you want the best seats. It's…
Vilcabamba
Owned by a Belgian-Ecuadorian couple, this little café has delicious homemade chocolate, cookies, cakes and bread, and the town’s best coffee and espresso…
Cuenca
This oddly named Taiwanese cafeteria is the king of soy, gluten and all things vegetarian. Almuerzos (set lunches; $2) include a filling soup, entrée and…
Cuenca
Akelarre serves petite plates of Spanish classics such as papas bravas (spicy fried spuds) and Galician squid, not to mention a delicious paella, in a…
Cuenca
The Italian place worth knowing about in Cuenca is this sophisticated spot below Hostal Posada del Angel, although it's more about artfully made pastas…
Cuenca
Pizzas, lentil burgers and a little good karma to wash it down. It's one of Ecuador's nicest Hare Krishna restaurants. The buffet lunch is $2.50.
Southern Highlands
For lunch in Gualaceo, try the Mercado 25 de Junio, two blocks north and then three east of the main plaza.
Loja
Good, authentic German offerings (particularly the cakes and the beer!) in an intimate setting.
Cuenca
Cuenca's coolest heladeria (ice-cream shop) will freeze you in shock at some of the weirder offerings from its tubs, but we can vouch for the oreo cookie…
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…
