Before going back to Quito I decided to have lunch and went to the restaurant Mi Otavalito. There I ordered the traditional plate Llapingachos de Otavalito. Llapingachos are fried, mashed potato patties with a cheese filling. Other things on the plate were avocado, a salad of tomatoes and onion, some kind of meat, fried eggs and mote (boiled white corn). I ate a lot, but it was a very big portion so I couldn’t finish it all, even if it tasted very good. For the meal I paid $9 (June 2011). I guess that also included something to drink, but I can’t remember what, and I can’t see the glass in the photo.
The restaurant seems to be popular and more and more people arrived to have lunch. Just before I left some musicians also arrived and played their music by the entrance.
Written Nov 29, 2011
Address: Sucre 11 - 19
Phone: 06 - 292 0176
I saw a women and her daughter that were selling fruit salads at the market and the fruit salads in the big mugs they had on the table in front of them looked very yummy, so I bought one for $1 (June 2011). It was a mix of watermelon, mango, papaya and pineapple in the mug and the fresh tropical fruits of course tasted very well.
When I had paid I asked if I could take a photo. The woman said yes, picked up the tray with the colourful fruit salads (which I would have liked to have in the photo too) and walked away to sell them.
Written Nov 28, 2011
I had not bought a lot to eat at Carcelen in Quito and was still hungry when I arrived in Otavalo. The first thing I saw at the terminal was that there were several food stands on the south eastern side. I went over to Papitas de Doña Carmita and bought some chicken and French fries in a small bag. It was very greasy, but tasted good. For the chicken and French fries I paid $1 (June 2011).
This was only my third day in Ecaudor and maybe it was to early to buy food from the street. I was sick the whole following night Maybe it wasn’t the chicken and French fries. It could also be the fruits I bought in a mug at the market or the big lunch I had later at an restaurant that caused the illness. Anyway, I never got sick again in Ecuador from the food.
Written Nov 27, 2011
Traditional food from this region of Ecuador.
My cousins that live in Otavalo brought me to this place and it was delicious. I wanted traditional food and they said this is the best place for traditional food. We had fritada which is fried meat, llapingachos which is a fried potato like pancake with cheese, mote which is hominy and we had empanads with sweet platain inside. The empanadas were the best I had ever had. We also had chicha which is a traditional andean drink.
Favorite Dish: Everything was delicious. Cant wait to go back.
Updated Aug 29, 2010
I normally take a peek at the local market to see if there is anything interesting.
The Mercado 24 de Mayo has a section where they serve lunch for about US$1 with rice, a piece of meat and some salad. There are many stalls to choose from, but I reckon they are all more or less the same. I supposed just follow the locals and join them at the most popular one. The food is not fantastic, but it is filling and very cheap indeed.
Updated Dec 24, 2007
Address: Calle Juan Montalvo and Jaramillo
The first time I came here it was before the dollarization. I had soup and salad, main entre (filet mignon) a few drinks and then a desert for less than $2. I dont know what the price is now (after the dollarization) but I did see the place still here.
What i also liked about this restaurant was the traditional live music as we ate.
The service was great. The place was clean and inviting.
Written Feb 18, 2007
Address: Abdón Calderón 409 between Bolivar and Sucre
We stumbled into this restaurant be accident. We came to Otavalio to visit my aunt and uncle and to attend a wedding. The bride was very late and we were starving. We found this little restaurant next to the church and decided to lunch lunch as we waited for the bride to show up.
Favorite Dish: I had my usual churrasco. And Rob had a shromp plate. The food was very good. Nothing fancy about this place but the food was delicious.
Written Feb 18, 2007
Address: Sucre 7-13 y Garcia Moreno Otavalo Ecuador
Phone: (06)2926105
This is a family owned pizzeria with great service and Friday and Saturaday night they have a local band (i.e. traditional indgenous music) playing. These guys are great!!! I still listen to the CD I bought from them all the time...
Favorite Dish: Well...pizza maybe!
Updated Jul 29, 2004
Address: A couple of blocks from the craft market
Phone: 925-999, 5-10 Morales
This is a very cosy restaurant. On Saturday evening there was life music, a local band played (local) music and kids were dressed up to dance.
The food was delicious, and there was a hot welcome drink.
In the morning there was a breakfast buffet.
Favorite Dish: To start a Cuba libre (coke with rum and lemon)
Mixed grill, different kinds of meat on grill
Chocolate mouse for dessert
Not good for the calories, but . . . . It is holiday.
PS : they also serve delicious pancakes (Dutch style)
Updated Jan 12, 2004
Address: Comunidad Peguche en la via del Ferrocarril
Phone: (593-6) 922-663
Website: www.ayahuma.com
There was a big variety on food stalls at the animal market, in the previous tip, I showed you the roasted chicken, and well this food stall was selling pork.
And to prove that it was really pork, well they posted the head on the dish. The meat looked ok (sorry, I did not try it).
Updated Jan 3, 2004
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1 Review and 152 Opinions The Hacienda Cusin is just outside Otavalo, at the foot of the Imbabura Volcano. It was built in...
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Reviews and photos of Otavalo attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Otavalo sightseeing.

There was a big variety on food stalls at the animal market, in the previous tip, I showed you the roasted chicken, and well this food stall was selling pork....
2 members live in Otavalo
Q: Because of timing constraints, I can only visit the Otavalo market on Sunday. Are things really quiet on Sundays? Is it still...

A: Absolutely, it is worth going! The little people from Otavalo are very gentle. They are not aggressive and speak in a very quiet voice -- almost a whisper. I really...
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1

Our rain-forest trip in Cuyabeno ended in the airport of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. There a bus waited for us to bring us to the Northern part of Ecuador. Our destination was Otavalo. The...
2

Otavalo is one of my favorite towns near Quito. It is a very indiginous town with alot of history and about two hours away from Quito. Most of the people here speak quechua and some spanish. I mostly...
3

Otavalo is a town of 50,000 located between the Imbabura and Cotacachi volcanoes. The town is best known for its large indigenous market, which has been operating in the same location for centuries.
4

I've got some interesting experiences in Otavalo. I'd love to share with you the 5 tips I've written, the 35 photos uploaded, and 3 travelogues I've created.
5

The indigenous market in Otavalo, which is held every Saturday, is a must do when visiting Ecuador.
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