Guayaquil
Housed in a century-old mansion complete with wooden shutters and period furniture, Lo Nuestro is one of the most atmospheric places in Guayaquil to feast…
Must-see restaurants in Ecuador
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The Galápagos Islands
This sidewalk cafe serves up some of the tastiest seafood dishes in all of the Galápagos, and you'll hardly notice the high price points once the live…
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Puyo
The best food in the Oriente may be at this ambient house by the river inside the charming hotel of the same name, 1km north of town. Award-winning chef…
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Montañita
In the epicenter of town, Montañita's best restaurant has an eclectic menu of global dishes (fajitas, falafels, homemade burgers, sesame-crusted shrimp,…
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North Coast & Lowlands
Boasting one of the best chefs along the north coast (born here, trained in Europe), Seaflower serves delicious grilled seafood (try the spaghetti…
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Quito
Traditional Ecuadorian cuisine is given a contemporary twist at this sophisticated new restaurant. Dishes from across the country are prepared with fresh,…
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South Coast
The best dining option in town is this inviting air-conditioned place specializing in grilled meats. The seco de pollo (passion-fruit chicken) is…
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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…
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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…
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Otavalo
Chef Javier, who studied the culinary arts in Peru, painted this place in Caribbean pastels, and the same artful imagination goes into his recipes: smoked…
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Quito
One of Quito’s best restaurants, Zazu serves beautifully prepared seafood dishes, grilled meats and ceviches in a stylish setting of light brick, ambient…
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Otavalo
Ecuadorian chef Jorge David Quilumbaqui, trained in French cuisine in Quito, presents artfully plated meat and fish dishes, as well as delicious desserts,…
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Quito
Opened in 1950, Modelo is one of the city’s oldest cafes and a great spot to try traditional snacks such as empanadas de verde (empanadas made with…
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Otavalo
This contemporary cafe with Santa Fe–like adobe walls and minimalist design wouldn't look out of place in a cool outer-borough NYC neighborhood (it even…
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Central Highlands
Contemporary furnishings have transformed a historic building dating from 1668 into a chic restaurant. Along with good-quality beef steaks and dishes such…
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Tena
Everyone in town seems to drop by this superpopular Swiss-run riverfront joint, whether it’s for the wide choice of breakfasts, delicious batidos (fruit…
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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…
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Baños
It may be difficult to get a table at this tiny tapas restaurant. The selection of small dishes is excellent, ranging from perennial favorites like…
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South Coast
Look for this truly delicious eatery with no name on the 2nd floor (the 1st floor is a different restaurant) of the orange and white house at El Morro's…
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The Galápagos Islands
Esmeraldas native Geanny Bennett Valencia cooks up some of the best dishes in town. Mouth-watering encocados (coconut stews) are the favorite, served in…
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Puerto Ayora
Tired of standard almuerzos (set lunches)? Head to this sleek and modern place for brick-oven pizza (small $6.50 to $9.75) and high-quality deli…
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Puerto Ayora
This buzzing grillhouse serves satisfying plates of grilled meat and seafood. Among the top picks: costillitas (pork ribs), mariscada (char-grilled shrimp…
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Puerto Ayora
Located inside Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge, Almar prepares its seafood dishes with ingredients sourced from local suppliers. The big draw is sitting on…
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Puerto Ayora
Good tunes, cool breezes and tasty Ecuadorian and international dishes (seared tuna, grilled seafood platters and fish in coconut sauce) draw a lively…
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Puerto Ayora
This open-air Italian trattoria boasts a lovely patio dining area, good meat and seafood dishes, plus decadent desserts. An heladería (ice-cream shop) is…
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The Galápagos Islands
A short stroll east of the main square, a rustic, thatch-roofed hut whips up tasty chicken shawermas, falafel wraps and salchipapas (potatoes and sausage).
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North Coast & Lowlands
Owned by a Spanish chef (Amalur means ‘Mother Earth’ in Basque), this trim, minimalist restaurant is a major step up from your average Ecuadorian small…
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Puyo
With panache to punch above its weight in Quito's coolest neighborhoods, EscoBar makes palapas (rustic, palm-thatched dwellings) seem chic. Sample…
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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…
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Guayaquil
The best restaurant for traditional Ecuadorian specialties also has traditionally dressed waiters. Sit at the tables with wooden benches and share several…
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Guayaquil
This unassuming place on main road Av del Periodista (San Jorge) has white walls, black benches and simple chalkboards with funny slogans and cute…
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South Coast
This new edition is one of the coolest hangout spots in town. A converted VW campervan food truck fronts onto a sleek patio with fairy lights and wooden…
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South Coast
Away from the main tourist drag, one block inland from Chipipe Beach, you'll find this inexpensive local empanada shop with plastic chairs, selling fine…
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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…
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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…
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Montañita
For an upscale dining experience that won't break the bank, head to Pigro for homemade creamy risottos, tasty seafood pastas, hearty lasagna and other…
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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…
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Guayaquil
Inside the bohemian Manso Boutique Hotel, this colorful cafe serves up tasty organic and vegetarian fare, including quinoa tortillas, satisfying bean…
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Guayaquil
Fresh, tangy ceviches are served up in glass tankards (with a garnish of plantain chips) at this casual, modern spot in Urdesa. Tuck into shrimp, fish,…
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Isla San Cristóbal (Chatham)
The Calypso does good seafood dishes (such as the festival calypso, a mixed seafood plate in coconut and ginger sauce), as well as burgers, pizzas and…
