Dining

In Ecuador, you get the opportunity to savor the best of traditional and international cuisines. It is famous for its quality seafood and has wide spectrum of dishes ranging from lemon marinated shrimp, toasted corn to pastries stuffed with spiced meats. People looking for more variety to tantalize their taste buds can savor the roasted cuy (guinea pig) or tronquito (bull penis soup).

Lunches in Ecuador are referred to as almuerzos and dinners are called meriendas and they usually comprise of a soup, main course inclusive of the meat and dessert and this full meal is for around USD $1. Vegetarian meals are also available with equivalent varieties.

Some of the savory snacks available here are empanadas (hot crispy meat or cheese filled pastries) and llapingachos (potato and cheese pancakes). Rice, potatoes and meat (beef, chicken and pork) constitute the regular diet and can be complemented by hot sauce referred to as aji or patacones, which are squashed and fried green bananas. In the coastal areas and Amazon, potatoes are sometimes replaced by menestra (beans or lentils) or yucca.

Soups are a specialty in Ecuador. Different kinds of savory soups are Locro soup, which is made with cheese, avocado, and potato; Chupe de pescado, a fish and vegetable soup; Yaguarlocro, a potato soup mixed with sprinklings of blood.

Caldo de pata is considered a delicacy by the locals and is a broth consisting of chunks of boiled cow hooves.

Some of the dishes which can be found in regular restaurants are seco de pollo (stewed chicken with rice and avocado slices); lomo salteado (thin beef steak covered with onions and tomatoes) and seco de chivo, which is goat stew served with rice. Snacks include Tortillas de maiz that are thin corn pancakes, and choclo, which are, barbecued Andean corn.

Apart from the traditional bite, you also can have your share of brand pizzas, burgers, and burritos in the American fast food chains such as Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Burger King.

The signature dish of Ecuador is seafood called ‘ceviche' that is marinated in lemon and onions and is dished up with popcorn.

Delicious cuisine choices such as the pollo sin pollo are on the offer for the vegetarian crowd. The international cuisines available here include Argentinean steak, Italian pasta, Japanese sushi, and French fondue.

In Ecuador, one can get a meal at a price as low as $12 per person and as high as $60 per person depending on the restaurant they order it from. A tax of about 12 % and 10 % is charged by many of the restaurants.

A. Top Restaurants

Some of the top restaurants in Ecuador are:

Café Mosaico

Address: Manuel Samaniego N8 - 95

Antepara

Quito

Ecuador

Tel: 011-593-2-2542871.

The restaurant is worth a visit, as you find food ranging from American sandwiches, burgers to specialty dishes from Greece and Ecuador. If you want to eat Greek Feta cheese in Ecuador, then this is the only place, which supplements you with the delicacy. U.S dollar and credit cards are accepted here and prices are by and large affordable.

Chez Jerome Restaurant

Address: Whymper N30-96 y Coruna

Quito

Ecuador

Tel: 593 22234067

The restaurant's charm rests in the combination of Ecuadorian culture and classical French cuisine, it provides. It is little expensive and is open from Monday to Friday between 12:30pm to 3:30pm and from 7:30pm to 11:30pm. Almost all major Credit cards are accepted here.

Mango Tree Café

Address: Foch 721

Juan Leon Mera

Quito

Ecuador

Tel: 593-2-222-6847

The tranquil atmosphere and tasty snack sandwiches, lunch and coffee make it a favorite place among the travelers. The price is around $4 - $5 per person. It is open from Monday to Friday between 8am to 9pm and is closed on the weekends.

La Bodeguita de Cuba

Address: Reina Victoria 1721

Pinta

Quito

Ecuador

Tel: 593-2-254-2476

It is a classy restaurant cum bar and is known for excellent food and ambience created by live Cuban music on most of the nights. It is open till 2am from Thursdays to Saturdays. Price for the main course here ranges from around $5 to $7.

Ceuce

Address: Mall el jardin and cumbaya plaza

Quito

Ecuador

Tel: 2894020

The Ceuce is famous for being a fusion restaurant. Its specialty is sushi and salmon lasagna and Kani Kama roll. It is a bit expensive but worth every penny.

Talmana's

Address: Calle Oriente y Eloy Alfaro

Banos

Ecuador

Tel: 593-94102600

The Talmana's restaurant is famous for serving good food at reasonable prices. The servings include scrumptious soups, salads, and sandwiches with vegetarian options. Types of cuisines served here are Israeli, Brazilian and Ecuadorian delicacies.

Tony Roma's

Address: Av. Amazonas

NNUU (by the CCI mall)

Quito

Ecuador

Tel: 593-2-226-5383

In Ecuador, this restaurant is known for its wide selection of sauces, which are used as meat toppings. This is a modernistic restaurant, which sets itself apart from others who follow some or the other Ecuadorian feature in its ambience settings. It is 100 % American and meals usually cost about $20 per person. The cuisine includes the most preferred American delicacy, steaks. It is a bit on the expensive side and almost all major credit cards are accepted.