On your way to the Galapagos, you will be traveling through the capital city of Ecuador, Quito or the coastal city of Guayaquil. During your Ecuador travels, make sure you try some of Ecuador’s phenomenal local cuisine. After all, traveling works up an appetite.
There are many dining options to choose from, but it’s always good to start with a recommendation!
Below we share Ecoventura’s 5 favorite restaurants in Ecuador… Go on and experience the local culture through your taste buds!
Casa Julian inside Hotel del Parque is a must when traveling through Guayaquil. Chef Juan Carlos Ordoñez is a Guayaquil native and a gastronomy leader of Ecuador. His menus provide a delicious blend of local seafood, traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, and local ingredients like avocado, coconut, and cacao. His plating skills ensure your dining journey is a feast for the eyes first.
Fun fact: Chef Juan Carlos Ordoñez will be joining our Culinary Departure in the Fall of 2018 where he will be showcasing the ingredients and flavors of Ecuador for our foodie inspired guests!
Zazu is a top rated fine dining Latin restaurant in Quito with a tasting menu that includes crab, octopus, prawn, and duck confit. Dessert options are plentiful including everything from a creme brûlée to Helado de Paila, an ice cream prepared tableside in a traditional brass pan. This is the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant in Ecuador meaning luxury is the standard here.
Photo Credit via Zazu
If you are seeking a more casual experience, visit sister restaurant Zfood where a Hamptons-style fish-shack vibe is replicated perfectly and the fresh seafood reigns supreme. There has been high praise for the Fish’N Chips and the Fish & Shrimp Tacos. Don’t miss their reinvented Bloody Marys!
Photo Credit via ZFood
Urko under the guidance of chef-owner Daniel Maldondo, stays focused on showcasing and highlighting the ingredients and flavors of Ecuador. We recommend choosing the tasting menu so you can get a full sense of Maldondo’s Cocina Local Experience. This meal explores cuisine from four different regions of Ecuador and is described by the Quito restaurant as “A culinary journey where you can taste food that carries our history.”
Photo Credit via Urko
Lua Restaurante is another authentic Ecuadorian gastronomic experience. Here, Chef Lúa Manuel Domínguez combines traditional Peruvian and Ecuadorean recipes and flavors with his own style of avant-garde cuisine. The restaurant’s philosophy is displayed as “The pleasure of good food is enjoyed with the five senses.” With that motto, you can expect good things when you choose the tasting menu here! You will find a more sophisticated crowd here.
Photo Credit via Lua Restaurante
Pro Tip: If offered, the tasting menu is always a good idea when visiting a new restaurant in a foreign country so you can experience the true vision of each chef. If you have any room left, add the drink pairing, explore more of the city, then choose another restaurant for your next dinner… It is a vacation after all, and calories don’t count!
When you finally arrive on an Ecoventura cruise with us, the food will continue to be a delight as it is thoughtfully prepared by our own culinary-trained kitchen team.
Our sustainable approach to local seafood and produce ensures every fresh ingredient is highlighted. We are also happy to accommodate any special culinary requirements such as vegan/vegetarian, low-fat, gluten-free and more.
Do you have questions about navigating to or from the Galapagos? Do you have special dietary needs for your vacation? We are here to discuss your options and to help you select the right cruise for you! Reach out today.
