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| Reviews and photos of Cuenca restaurants posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Cuenca dining. Cuenca Map |
 | Cuenca Restaurants | Tips 1 - 10 of 30 |  |
The magic of rotisserie chicken cannot be underestimated. Visually appealing, it’s the scent, strong and enticing that gets just about anyone that eats meat to at least stop and have a look. Asada Las Colombias was such a place. We’d already found Moliendo Café to offer some of the best food we’d had in Ecuador so we figured a Colombia asado would be good as well. Oddly enough, once inside we changed directions and ordered two meals that didn’t even involve chicken!
The magic of the bird is to get you in, they don’t care what you order once inside. Charasco is a classic South American dish that the Colombians put a nice twist on. A few thin steaks over rice and fries, topped with fried eggs is basic but this one had fried peppers and onions (seems to be a Colombian theme!) and some type of veggie medley. It was $3.50 but as you can see from the photo, it was massive. We shared this and an apanada ($3.50), a steak breaded and fried like a schnitzel and served with limes and the same veggie/fries/rice combo. We washed it all down with Club Premium, a much tastier beer than the normal Ecuadoran Club or even the ubiquitous Pilsner. It comes in a smaller bottle for about the same price so I guess that explains a fair amount of hops in the brew. Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: On Cordova, between Malo & CorderoDirections: Right in the center of town, it can't get any more central than this, it's around the corner from the main square.
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Though I do try to stay with local foods when traveling, when a trip stretches to over a month and the cuisine isn’t full of a lot of variety it’s nice to stretch out now and again. When traveling in South American even dishes from neighboring countries can provide some spice to an otherwise monotonous diet. Since I’d never been to Colombia and had originally planned on going there in addition to Ecuador on this trip, I wanted to at least have a taste. Also, I had a bad experience with a Colombian restaurant back home in Florida and I wanted to see if it wasn’t the food as a rule. I was happy to see one in Cuenca and it had gotten rave reviews in my guidebook so it was worth a try. And boy was it!
The place is simple but clean and he owners are hands on, cooking and serving everything themselves. They’re a friendly couple and the both every engaging and entertaining. Though we always were there off peak hours there was always someone else there eating so I’m sure it’s quite busy for evening meals. Though a bit pricier than typical Ecuadorian restaurants it’s still quite reasonable and the food was quite good. In fact, we ate here three times in four days!
The first time my wife had an omelet with potatoes and onions on top of an arepa (a corn cake) and I had a mixed plate of fried onions, peppers, and beans with guacamole on top of an arepa with cheese on top. Both were quite good and we washed it down with a Colombian beer which even lighter and less tasty than Ecuador’s Pilsner. They also had nice fruit drinks and one sweet Colombian specialty with cinnamon that served as a dessert more than a beverage. The second visit saw us try an arepa mixta (beans, meat, and fried onions/peppers on corn cake) along with another go at the guacamole concoction. Our last meal was the big national dish Bandeja Paisa (red beans, rice, avocado, pork rinds, ground beef, chorizo, a fried egg and plantains) which we split with a side of guacamole. Ok, so the guac was pretty good I guess. ;) Most meals were under $2 and two people could eat well with a beer or fruit drinks for six dollars. You could spend more if you’re drinking and enjoying some of the sweets. Leave a Comment Theme: OtherPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Honorato Vasquez 6-24Phone: 282 8710Directions: It's in the southern part of the old town, close to the river.
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This is a small Colombian restaurant on a quiet street. Although the prices are ridiculously low, the experience is elegant. The owner greets you like royalty. His wife's smile and lovely singing voice warm the heart. She sings along with the great background music. You can grab an Avianca flight magazine to read if you're dining alone.
This is like having dinner at a talented friend's home. You must try Moliendo Cafe when you are in Cuenca.
I ordered the Arepa Mixta. The photo doesn't look very appetizing, but it was very good: a sort of plate-wide pupusa covered with chicken, beans and vegetables. Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: Honorato Vásquez 6-24Phone: 828-710Other Contact: Open 9 - 9, Mon. thru Sat.
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El Maiz: Walking down Calle Larga I stopped at the ruins of Todos los Santos. Looking up to my right I saw a beautiful beautiful balcony attached to a nicely decorated house. I had to take the photo so I went in and I was pleased to see the interior of the restaurant was equally pleasing. Wonderfully decorated, nice pale colors, happy atmosphere. Even the customers were smiling at
me . I sat in the back yard balcony with the colourful little garden. When my order came I also had to take its picture so well presented. The taste was also satisfying and I quickly came to like the wonderful ladies, Eulalia and Maria, who tried to make everybody happy with their polite warmth and their smiling eagerness. They run the restaurant very efficiently and take care of every client as if they are their own friends. They have turned cooking to a culinary art, trying to combine their local products with the international idea of alimentation.
Prices are fine , around 6$ for the main dishes. You won't have to spend more than 8$ to make your stomach happy because the plate contains salad, vegetables rice or other things beside meat or fish you have ordered. This is common everywhere in Ecuador. Of course I should mention the cute little basket filled with baked corn – maiz tostado, in spanish – which justifies the restaurant's name and is so tasty that you can hardly stop before it is over...
Trout, beef (lomo), ceviche all plates are satisfying both to the eye and to the palate. I also tried quinota which is something like frumenty or couscous...quite interesting..
The building was originally a home of an old ecuadorian family and has been successfully converted to a pleasant restaurant, but you can still browse at the family items discretely exhibited in the beautiful corners or the colourful walls. Very nice! Even their flyers are works of art!
Click to see the food !!! and much more...
No se vaya de Cuenca sin disfrutar la comida y el ambiente de El Maiz. Todo es arte! Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: next to the Todos Los Santos ruins.Phone: Tel-(593-7)2840224Directions: Calle Larga 1-279 y Calle de los Molinos/ casilla 12-62Website: elmaiz@etapaonline.net.ec Other Contact: Telefax (593 7)2840224 cel 0980
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South America is noted for their fruit shakes and Ecuador is no exception but sometimes you come across something that is really special, even within the common genre of a beverage. El Jogur was just that. It looked innocuous enough but there was a steady stream of patrons and we were in the mood for something sweet so we decided to give it a try. It is a stand and nothing more. You can either drink it there standing or walk away as there are no seats. You order, pay and move on quickly.
They only have two things which don’t sound like they would go together but go together they do. The fruit shakes are yogurt based which is not unusual in itself but the yogurt is quite natural and not sweetened which makes for a very refreshing tart drink. They had four different fruits when were there. We loved the blackberry so much we didn’t want to try the bitter orange but we were glad we did as this was perhaps even better. We even tried one with the two mixed together! They were not big and perhaps pricey as Ecuadorian shakes go size-wise. I believe they were seventy cents. They had nice yucca breads (pan de yucca) which are slightly sweet and went well with the shakes. We went back every time we were remotely near the stand. I think they got a big kick out of us and they probably wondered what happened to us when we never showed up again. I’m sure if we ever get back to Cuenca, it’ll be the first place we go looking for! Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveDirections: Up the street from Café Austria on Benigno Malo. From the photo, it looks like the address was 6-16.
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Cuenca’s Plaza Rotary was one of our favorite markets in Ecuador. It was about as authentic as you can get. You walk around and it immediately becomes apparent that even though there are 100 vendors there are only six or seven different dishes being served. Each one specializes in one. So, as you check out their wares the women implore you to try a taste in hopes of getting you to choose them. This is not for the overly careful as they will literally put the food right in your mouth with their bare hands! Unlike some markets, you do not sit in a communal area but right at the stall so you're really interacting with the vendors. It's quite an experience and not to be missed.
A favorite of mine is fritada, or roast pork, generally served with potato pancakes. I had it many times, in many places and was never disappointed. This one was no exception. At $1.50 it was a bargain. Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: Marsical Lamar at Hermano MiguelDirections: In the east of the Old Town, close to Plaza San Blas.
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Even in Ecuador, man does not live by meat alone. Fruits are plentiful and one bonus of that are fruit salads and shakes that abound. Still, there are some places that seem to have the whole thing down pat and this little place was always packed when we visited it. With such great value and healthy choices it’s understandable why it’s so popular. It is a small and simple place with the fruits on display and they blend up the juices, shakes and toss the salads as you wait. It’s a relatively clean place too considering how many people they are serving. They also have an extensive vegetarian menu that we unfortunately did not have time to sample.
Fruit salads were ample size and for one dollar more than enough for two as a snack or could serve as a meal especially for breakfast. The fruit shakes are made with condensed milk and are very thick and tasty. I had papaya. Their fresh squeezed orange juice should not be missed either. Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: Bolivar, near VegaDirections: Scenically situated on Plaza San Blas.
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This is a very elegant restaurant with very good food and a romantic ambient. Candle lit tables, soft music and formal, delicate decoration makes it the perfect place for an unforgettable dinner with your sweetheart or a relaxed chat with your friends. Food is carefully cooked and involves international and local savours. Service is excellent and prices are surprisingly low for what it is. They are the same prices as its “brother” Ranch Chileno 1 near the airport. That is, main dishes around 6$, including both beef and seafood dishes, ceviches, prawns, shrimps, “lomo” and much more.
It's been recently renovated and has a huge upper floor hall for group dinners and special events.
It is also near the airport , just 80 meters further on Avenida Espana, on the same side of the street.
It's part of the traditional house of a respectable family of Cuenca.
Click on the photo.
Un restaurante con comida excelente, servicio impecable, ambiente formal y romantico. El mejor lugar para pasar un tarde inolvidable. Sala grande al segundo piso para eventos especiales. Theme: DinerPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Avenida Espana 13-17Phone: 2864112Website: ranchochileno@etapanet.net Other Contact: fax 2800185
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Sometimes a food tip is not really about where a place was but about the whole concept of keeping your eyes (and nose) open to new things. We were walking down to the river area to drop off some laundry and check our e-mail when we saw some little yellow balls sitting in a glass case. They looked interesting and smelled fabulous. We figured they were empanadas of some kind and asked the owner what they contained.
One was beef with rice and the other was chicken. We got one of each and walked towards our destination, eating them along the way. They were much tastier than the typical mass produced empanadas you’ll find around Ecuador, with a great crispy corn meal crust. On our way back to our room about an hour later we stopped back for another one of each and the owner was laughing at the silly gringos or perhaps our appetite. We really weren’t that hungry but we knew from experience that it was probably the last time we’d ever see them again. It was and we think about them till this day. Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveDirections: From the photo, it looks like it was number 23 and I believe it was on Honorato Vasquez or Taramillo, and close to the intersection of Hermano Miguel. They were 50 cents each. Good luck and keep your eyes and nose open.
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Just next to the airport there is a very good restaurant. The quality of the food, the informal atmosphere, the rustic decoration and the tables in the space outside makes it worthy of a visit. Use it before or after the flight. Visit it even if you have arrived or are leaving by bus, as it is just 2 blocks from the main bus station on Avenida Espana. Have a meal, a drink or just a delicious “empanada” very typical in Ecuador. The international and traditional dishes are well cooked. The ceviches and prawn dishes are very tasty. Prices are between 1$ (for natural juices) and 6$ for the main dishes. The special beef dish costs 7$ and is really delicious.
There is also a second large space inside more formally decorated for special events.
The best is sitting outside on a sunny day munching the savoury food and watching the planes come and go...
The small street in front is called Elia Liut.
The owner Mayra Blandin L. will welcome you with a smile...
Click on the photo to see the empanadas...
Junto al aeropuerto un restaurante excellente con comida deliciosa y mesas afuera para disfrutar las mejores empanadas in Cuenca! Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Elia LiutPhone: 2864112Website: ranchochileno@etapanet.net Other Contact: fax: 2800185
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on March 17, 2008
on October 13, 2007
on March 11, 2009
