Top 5: Restaurants in Guayaquil, Ecuador

As the second-largest city in Ecuador and the closest to the Galapagos Islands, you can bet local residents worked hard to create quite the culinary scene in Guayaquil. You’ll find cuisines from all over the world here, but none quite as good as the traditional Ecuadorean food being cooked.

Restaurant Le Gourmet

As it sounds, Restaurant Le Gourmet serves only gourmet (and expensive) dishes in an upscale atmosphere. The décor is fancy and old school, so be sure to dress to the nines if you plan on dining in. The menu includes delicious fare like duck magret, organic honey curd and ratatouille.

Marrecife Marisqueria

Marrecife Marisqueria offers, hands down, the most authentic and delicious combination in all of Ecuador. The prices are affordable and the ceviche brings in large local crowds. The seafood spaghetti is also a sure winner.

Lo Nuestro

Seafood restaurants are around every corner in Guayaquil, but few serve better shrimp than Lo Nuestro. The setting is somewhat rustic in nature and extremely casual. No matter what you order, be sure to ask for a side of crab sauce to serve as dip.

Caracol Azul

It’s rare in this age for a restaurant to last more than a decade or two, but Caracol Azul has been going strong for 40 years. An impressive array of menu items, from grilled octopus to sautéed grouper and lobster, combined with a personable and attentive staff make it a favorite among locals and tourists.

Café de Tere

Locally owned Café de Tere is known for its traditional approach to Guayaquilena food. Its breakfast menu, in particular, is the biggest draw, with highlights including bolon mixto with soft-boiled eggs.