Best Restaurants in Ecuador 2026

Ceviche de Camarón

Ecuador's coastal ceviche differs from Peru's — shrimp is marinated in fresh citrus and tomato juice, served room temperature with toasted corn (canguil) and crunchy chifles (plantain chips). The tomato-orange base makes it sweeter and lighter than Peruvian style.

Where to try: Coastal restaurants in Guayaquil, Puerto López, or La Mar Cebichería in Quito

Price: $6-15

Locro de Papa

A thick, creamy potato soup made with native Andean potato varieties, fresh cheese, avocado, and ají pepper. This warming highland soup is the quintessential Ecuadorian comfort food and varies by region with different potato types and garnishes.

Where to try: Traditional restaurants throughout Quito and Cuenca; La Choza and Achiote Ecuador are excellent choices

Price: $5-12

Hornado

Slow-roasted whole pork, marinated overnight in beer, garlic, and spices then cooked in a clay oven for 8-10 hours until the skin crackles and the meat falls apart. Served with mote (hominy corn), llapingachos (potato cakes), and pickled onions.

Where to try: Markets throughout Ecuador especially Riobamba and Ambato; Octava de Corpus in Quito's Old Town

Price: $6-10

Encebollado

Ecuador's unofficial national dish — a robust fish and yuca soup with pickled red onions, tomato, and ají served with crunchy chifles. Traditionally consumed as a morning dish or late-night hangover cure and found in every Ecuadorian city.

Where to try: Any local market food stall in coastal cities; Lo Nuestro in Guayaquil for the definitive version

Price: $3-8

Seco de Chivo

A rich braised goat stew slowly cooked in beer, orange juice, garlic, and Andean spices until the meat becomes extraordinarily tender. Served with yellow rice, lentils, avocado, and ají hot sauce. A festive highland dish for celebrations.

Where to try: Traditional restaurants in the Andes; excellent versions at La Choza and Theatrum in Quito

Price: $10-18

ZAZU

Relais & Châteaux awarded restaurant offering extraordinary gastronomic experiences with traditional Ecuadorian ingredients reimagined through modern techniques. Intimate setting with tasting menus that showcase local biodiversity.

Mariano Aguilera 331 y La Pradera, Quito 170143, Ecuador

Achiote Ecuador

Traditional Ecuadorian cuisine with innovative twists and vegetarian options. Features organic ingredients, creative presentations, and warm atmosphere. Known for excellent service and authentic flavors with contemporary flair.

Juan León Mera N24-15 y Wilson, Quito 170143, Ecuador

Octava de Corpus

Casual eatery specializing in empanadas, hornado, and traditional comfort foods. Popular with locals for quick, delicious, authentic meals. Known for generous portions and friendly service.

García Moreno N7-25 y Mejía, Quito 170150, Ecuador

Mercado Central Quito

Historic market with dozens of food stalls serving authentic Ecuadorian breakfasts and lunches. Try fritada, hornado, ceviche, and fresh juices. Chaotic but authentic local experience.

Esmeraldas y Imbabura, Quito 170150, Ecuador

Café con Amor

Cozy Cuenca café roasting their own Ecuadorian beans. Offers pour-over, espresso drinks, and light breakfast options. Knowledgeable baristas and relaxed atmosphere perfect for remote work.

Hermano Miguel 8-41 y Luis Cordero, Cuenca 010150, Ecuador

Nuema

Chef Alejandro Chamorro's restaurant earned Ecuador's sole spot on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants list. Features seasonal tasting menus emphasizing sustainability, local ingredients, and creative presentations in a minimalist dining room.

Toledo N24-713 y Cordero, Quito 170143, Ecuador

Quitu Culinary Identity

Small intimate restaurant celebrating fresh, organic, authentic Ecuadorian ingredients and traditional cooking methods. Menu changes based on seasonal availability. Cozy atmosphere with personalized service.

Jerónimo Carrión E7-133 y Diego de Almagro, Quito 170143, Ecuador

Café Mosaico

Hilltop café with spectacular panoramic views of Quito. Serves sandwiches, salads, desserts, and excellent coffee. Perfect for sunset drinks and casual dining with unbeatable vistas.

Manuel Samaniego N8-95 y Antepara, Quito 170150, Ecuador

Llapingachos

Fried potato patties stuffed with cheese and shaped into discs, pan-fried until golden and crispy outside with a creamy cheese center. Served with chorizo, fried egg, avocado, and salsa de maní (peanut sauce). The ultimate Andean street snack.

Find it at: Market stalls throughout highland Ecuador, particularly in Quito, Ambato, and Riobamba

Empanadas de Viento

Light, airy deep-fried empanadas filled with fresh cheese and dusted with powdered sugar, traditionally eaten at breakfast or as an afternoon snack with coffee. The puffed dough creates air pockets giving them their distinctive lightness.

Find it at: Bakeries and street carts throughout Quito's Old Town and Cuenca

Choclo con Queso

Fresh Andean corn on the cob (much larger and starchier than sweet corn) grilled or boiled and served with a slab of fresh white cheese and ají. Simple, filling, and deeply Ecuadorian — found at roadside stalls along the Avenue of the Volcanoes.

Find it at: Roadside stalls along the Pan-American Highway through the highlands

Jugo de Naranjilla

Fresh-pressed juice from naranjilla, Ecuador's unique tangy citrus fruit that resembles a small orange with green flesh and extraordinary flavor that defies description — somewhere between rhubarb, passion fruit, and citrus. Available only in Ecuador.

Find it at: Market juice stalls throughout Ecuador; Mercado Central in Quito offers the freshest

Mercado Central de Quito

Quito's main covered market in the Old Town is the best place to experience authentic Ecuadorian food culture, with stalls selling everything from fresh produce and tropical fruits to hot cooked meals including encebollado, hornado, and seco de pollo at remarkable prices.

Hours: Monday-Saturday 6:00-18:00, Sunday 6:00-14:00

Mercado de San Francisco, Cuenca

Cuenca's traditional market is a sensory feast of fresh highland produce, prepared foods, medicinal herbs, and handmade goods. The food section serves excellent traditional Cuenca dishes including mote pillo (hominy corn scramble) and filling almuerzos.

Hours: Monday-Saturday 7:00-18:00, Sunday 7:00-14:00

Otavalo Saturday Market Food Section

Alongside the famous artisan market, Otavalo's Saturday market has an extensive food section selling fresh Andean produce, indigenous foods like cuy (guinea pig), chicha de jora, and traditional Imbabura dishes from indigenous vendors.

Hours: Saturday 6:00-14:00 (main day); daily market 8:00-17:00