Marrecife Marisqueria Restaurant

Marrecife Marisqueria in Guayaquil is boisterous, colorful, friendly and full of character, much like the people of Ecuador themselves. This small, locally owned restaurant serves some of the best seafood in the city and, while the prices are a smidge high for the area, the food certainly lives up to expectations.

The dining area was packed during my visit, which I’m told is the norm for Marrecife and the atmosphere was loud and rowdy, but in a jovial way that makes one feel like part of the family. The décor was nothing fancy, just simple chairs and tables scattered throughout the room, but the restaurant never claimed to be fancy. The staff were top notch and happy to answer questions and engage in chitchat between filling orders.

I tried both the arroz marinero and the cangrejo ceviche and found them delicious. My friend, also a local, raved about the seafood risotto, though I didn’t take the opportunity to sample any myself.

With prices averaging $15–20 for a full meal, you certainly can’t go wrong stopping in here for a filling lunch or even dinner. I’ll gladly return if I ever find myself back in Guayaquil and happily recommend it to friends.

Marrecife Marisqueria

Av Miguel H. Alcívar,

Guayaquil 090512, Ecuador

+593 4-600-7570