Ecuadorian Cusine
Ecuadorian cuisine varies depending on the region you are visiting. Local
delicacies feature items, which are easily obtainable in the region. Meals on the
coast will have a greater variety of seafood while meals in the Andes feature more soups,
potatoes and pork. With the spread of tourism and ease of transportation regional
foods are becoming more available throughout the country. Corn and Bananas are large parts
of the Ecuadorian diet, and are fixed a variety of creative ways. Aji, a
local pepper sauce is normally available at each meal offering a bit of spice to whatever
you are eating.
Typically tours, including cruises, offer visitors a variety of Ecuadorian and
International menus with a large selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, rice and
potatoes.
Travelers rave about the food they receive in the Galapagos, both in quality and
quantity. Meals on board are normally spaced out during the day with breakfast at
7:30 am, lunch at 12:30 pm and dinner at 7:30pm. Snacks are generally offered on
board when you return from a landing.
In Quito and Guayaquil there are many excellent Ecuadorian restaurants as well as
Italian, French and Japanese. There are also a growing number of fast food
restaurants for those who need a fix like McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and
Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Restaurants
The constant flow of travelers through Quito and Guayaquil has motivated
entrepreneurs to move into the restaurant business. In the past years, Quito
and Guayaquil have seen the appearance of new restaurants that along with the
modern dining trends and more sophisticated palate, have presented interesting gastronomic
products. Ecuador's restaurants represent cuisine from around the globe,
offering you a wide range of options. Some of the most
interesting new restaurants are those that have imaginative dishes
incorporating international dishes with an Ecuadorian flare creating new exotic
delicacies. When dining out it is necessary to mention the
important evolution of Ecuadorian food. Many restaurateurs have gotten back to
the roots, discovered the immense richness of ancient food and have adapted
basic recipes using native elements such as Quinoa and over ten varieties of
Corn to create very tasty and original dishes that stand out as great
innovations in modern dishes. Some of our favorite restaurants in Quito
include:
- El Níspero (New Ecuadorian cuisine): Valladolid y Cordero,
price range between USD6.00 and USD20.00, all major credit cards
accepted
- El Galpón (New Ecuadorian cuisine): Colon Avenue, price
range between USD9.00 and USD20.00, all major credit cards
accepted
- IL Risotto (New Italian sophisticated): Eloy Alfaro Y
Portugal, prices between USD12.00 and USD30.00, all major credit cards
accepted
- Sake (Japanese): Paul Rivet y Whimper, prices between
USD5.00 - 20.00, all major credit cards
accepted
- Shanghai (Chinese): Whimper y Orellana, prices between
USD5-9.00, all major credit cards
accepted
- Le Gourmet (French): located at Swissotel, all major credit cards
accepted
- La Bulería (Spanish): Av. de los Shyris y Belgica, prices
between USD9 - 20.00, all major credit cards
accepted
- El Mosaico Café: coffee and tea place, fantastic location
right above colonial Quito
- Mea Culpa: a new & fascinating place right on
Independence Square in the heart of Colonial Quito
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Special Dietary Needs
Meal selection can be a large concern when traveling overseas. If you have a
special diet such as being a vegetarian, low-cholesterol, allergies, or religious
restrictions to certain foods there is something you can do.
Let the company who is handling your tour arrangements know as far in advance as
possible as to your special dietary needs. Be specific, some people will not
understand terms like "Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian" or "Gluten Free" but they
will understand if you tell them you "don't eat any meat, fish, or poultry but do eat
eggs and diary products". Shopping orders are requested weeks in advance to
assure fresh food arrives in the Galapagos in time for each cruise. It is essential
that you advise the tour company of any special needs as early as possible. People
requiring kosher diets should be aware that it is not possible to have a separate
kosher
kitchen on board. The chef will prepare kosher Foods though they may not meet the
strictest guidelines.
Remember to let the airlines know of any special meal requests during your
flights. Airlines can generally accommodate meal requests made up to 48 hours in
advance of the flight departure.
Beverages
While traveling it is safest to use only bottled or purified water to drink and for
brushing your teeth. Avoid drinking tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes if possible.
By asking for "aqua sin gas" or "agua natural" you will receive
regular water without any carbonation.
If you are not able to drink bottled water, water can be made safer by both filtering
it through an "absolute 1-micron or less" filter and adding iodine to the
filtered water. Boiling water does not necessarily kill the bacteria, especially at higher
elevations where water boils at a much cooler temperature. Food and waterborne
diseases are the number one cause of illness for travelers (Traveler's diarrhea or Tourista).
Coffee
Those people who love a good cup of coffee may be disappointed with the selection.
Coffee is normally boiled down to a concentrate and served with either milk or boiling
water. Many boats and restaurants carry instant Nescafe. Gourmet coffees are
very difficult to find. If you really want to have your favorite cup of coffee in
the morning, you may want to bring a little from home with you.
In recent years the Galapagos has begun producing coffee
which is a better alternative. There are several
places to try and purchase this local organic coffee on
Santa Cruz and San Cristobal.
Sodas
A variety of cola products are available in the Galapagos Islands and the Ecuadorian
Mainland.
While larger cities have better selection, the selection is not as diverse at it may be at
home. Each country has a few of its own soda flavors and companies. Inka
Cola is a sugary recipe "passed down from the Incas". On most the
boats there is an additional charge for all soda drinks. Diet sodas can be
difficult to find in the islands as the laws do not permit non-recyclable
bottles to be imported and due to the use of NutraSweet diet sodas have
expiration dates.
Beer and Other Spirits
Ecuador makes there own inexpensive beers Pilsner, Club, Beila and
Brahma. All
three are a light lager style beer. Some imported beers are also available a normal
selection would include Budweiser, Corona and Heineken.
Chilean wine are available the quality is first rate and are less expensive than those
from the US or Europe. They can be purchased in the bottle or in a box. The
box wines can often be as good or better than the bottled wines.
Most hard Spirits are available. In addition there are a few local drinks, which
you may wish to try including Pisco (more commonly served in Peru but readily available in
Ecuador). Pisco is best served in a drink known as a Pisco Sour.
Local Schools
Galapagos Online works closely with the local schools in the Galapagos.
These schools are in desperate need of things like papers, pens, maps,
books. Should you like to bring gifts for one of these schools
and/or visit a school to help out please send us an email for more
details.
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