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Ecuadorian Specialities

Ecuadorian food is a necessary and enjoyable part of life in Ecuador. In Ecuador's Andean region (La Sierra), expect mainly meat dishes.

• Encebollado is a fish stew and can be considered the national dish. It may use albacore, tuna, or bonito and is served with ripe avocado, garnished with lime juice and chili sauce.  
• Fritada is a traditional fried pork dish where the meat is cooked in boiling water with spices, and then fried with pork fat. It is served with potatoes, fava beans, corn, pickled onions, tomato, or fried plantains.  
• Hornado is whole roasted pig often served in highland markets.
• Llapingachos are fried potato patties with cheese inside, frequently served with fried eggs, salad, and avocado.
• Locro de papa is a potato soup served with avocado.
• Ceviche is different than the Peruvian version. Try local Ecuadorian versions.
• Cazuela is green plantains, peanut butter and seafood, often shrimp or fish. It is baked and served in a cazuela pot.

In the coastal region people eat more yucca (casave) instead of potato and, of course, sea food instead of meat.

Restaurants

The best places to eat typical Ecuadorian meals are huecos. These small restaurants that may not look that cosy, but the food is really good. Prices for these typical dishes vary between $4 USD and $8 USD.

Most pf the best restaurants are located in the following neighborhoods: La Floresta, La Mariscal, Carolina, Gonzalez Suarez and El Batan. Some of them serve typical Ecuadorian food, others have an internationally orientated kitchen.

For lunch, most Ecuadorians go to a typical almuerzo restaurant, where a lunch menu with one or two options is served for $2.50 USD to $5 USD, generally including soup, a main course and glass of juice or lemonade.

Check the website of Ecuador Gourmet Company for the best restaurants in your neighborhood.

Vegetarian

Vegetarian restaurants are up and coming in North Quito and the valleys, from cheap places with almuerzo for approximately $5 USD to restaurants with more upscale dining. A selection of vegetarian restaurants in Quito:

• El Maple (La Mariscal)
• Dulce Albahaca (Vegan, La Mariscal)
• Tandana (Vegan, La Floresta)
• Superfoods Ecuador (Vegan, Cumbaya)
• El Bigote (Cumbaya)

Fast Food

Besides globally known fast foods, like pizza and hamburgers, you can also find local fast/street food, like tripas, tortillas de maís, and empanada.

Fast food from other South American countries also form a good, quick meal. For example, the Venezuelan arepas.  

Drinks in Ecuador

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Although some Ecuadorians drink it, it is best to not to drink tap water. Bottled water is a solution, but a more environmental options is a water filter. Boling water is another solution. Make sure you boil it for at least five minutes before drinking it.

Ecuador has an amazing diversity of fruits and vegetables, and you can buy fresh juices at many places (check if they are prepared with bottled water).
Although coffee beans of great quality grow in Ecuador, the country is not famous for its coffee, like Colombia. Nowadays, however, cozy coffee shops with good quality coffee are located all over Quito.

Cafes

Most cafes are located in the neighborhoods in North Quito, like La Mariscal, La Floresta, and La Carolina. La Mariscal is the area with most bars and cafes, making it the center of Quito's nightlife. However, the old town also has some nice cafes and the main square of Cumbaya has a range of restaurants and bars.

Alcoholic Drinks

Alcohol is not difficult to purchase; people 18 years and older can buy it in supermarkets and shops all over town, even at night in 24/7 shops. Drinking on the streets and public spaces, like parks, is not allowed.

Ecuadorians like to drink local beer, of which Pilsener and Club are the most popular.

After beer, strong drinks like tequila and rum are most popular. Wine is pretty expensive and not a traditional drink, although it is getting more popular.

Tipping

In most cases, a 10% service fee is already included in the total price on the bill (not in the menu prices) and you can choose to leave an extra tip or not. If service is not included, a tipping fee of 5% to 10% is common.