Best Restaurants in Cuenca — For Every Budget, Craving, and Occasion

Cuenca has a restaurant scene that punches well above what you'd expect from a mid-sized Andean city. You can eat a full lunch with soup, main course, juice, and dessert for $3 — or you can drop $50 on a tasting menu with Peruvian-fusion flavors and a curated wine pairing. The range is part of what makes living here work so well.

This guide covers restaurants by budget, then by cuisine, then gives you the practical details about tipping, delivery, reservations, and the unwritten rules of eating out in Cuenca.

Budget: $3–8 Per Person

This is where most Cuencanos eat, and where you should be eating at least a few times a week. The food is fresh, made from scratch that morning, and absurdly cheap.

Almuerzos — The Best Deal in Town

Almuerzo is the Ecuadorian set lunch, served roughly 12:00–2:30 PM. For $2.50–4.00, you get a soup course, a main plate (rice, protein, small salad, sometimes plantain or lentils), a glass of fresh juice, and sometimes a small dessert. It is the single best food value in Ecuador.

Mercado 10 de Agosto — Go upstairs. The ground floor is the raw market; the second floor is lined with food stalls (comedores). Pick any stall that looks busy — the crowd is the quality indicator. Point at what looks good, sit down, and eat. Almuerzos run $2.50–3.50. The caldo de gallina (hen soup) here is deeply satisfying. Go before 1 PM — by 2 PM the best stalls are running out.

Restaurants along Gran Colombia — Walk Gran Colombia between Padre Aguirre and Tomás Ordóñez and you'll pass a dozen small restaurants with handwritten menu boards out front. These are the almuerzo spots. Look for the board that lists today's sopa and segundo (main course). If the soup is locro de papas (potato cheese soup) or sopa de quinua, you're in good hands. $3–4.

Restaurants near the universities — The blocks around the Universidad de Cuenca and Universidad del Azuay have cheap lunch spots catering to students. Quality is decent, portions are large, prices are $2.50–3.50.

Street Food and Market Snacks

Empanadas de viento — Fried cheese-filled empanadas dusted with sugar. Find them at the markets or from street vendors, especially around 12 de Abril and the Feria Libre market. $0.50–1.00 each.

Humitas — Sweet corn tamales steamed in corn husks. Sold by señoras on street corners and at market entrances, especially on weekends. $0.75–1.00 each. Best when still warm.

Mote pillo — Hominy corn scrambled with eggs and green onions. A highland breakfast staple. Available at markets and simple desayuno spots. $2–3 for a plate.

Feria Libre — Cuenca's biggest open-air market (officially Mercado El Arenal, on Avenida de las Américas). Overwhelming in the best way. Walk the food section for hornado (slow-roasted whole pig), llapingachos (potato patties), cuy (guinea pig) if you're brave, and endless fresh fruit juices ($1–1.50). Saturday mornings are peak market energy.

Best Budget Sit-Down Meals

La Choza (Av. 12 de Abril) — Simple highland Ecuadorian food, consistent quality. Good fritada, llapingachos, and corvina. Mains $5–7. Popular with Cuencano families for lunch.

El Paraíso (multiple locations) — Reliable and cheap. Almuerzos at $3–3.50. Nothing fancy, everything fresh. The one on Av. Remigio Crespo is convenient.

Guajibamba (Av. Solano area) — Known for hornado and traditional highland food. A full plate of hornado with mote, llapingachos, and salad runs $5–7. The portions are enormous.

Mid-Range: $10–20 Per Person

This is the sweet spot in Cuenca. You're eating at nice sit-down restaurants with actual menus, cocktail options, and ambiance — for what you'd pay at Applebee's in the States.

Moliendo Café (Remigio Crespo area) — One of the most popular brunch and breakfast spots in Cuenca. Excellent coffee, good egg dishes, fresh-baked bread, and reliable lunch plates. The eggs Benedict and the bolón breakfast are both worth ordering. $8–14 per person with coffee. Gets busy on weekends — go before 10 AM or after noon.

Raymipampa (Plaza Abdón Calderón, next to the Old Cathedral) — Has been on the plaza for decades. Ecuadorian and international menu. The location is the main draw — tables on the plaza with cathedral views. The seco de chivo (goat stew) and trucha (trout) are solid picks. $10–16 per person. Tourist-adjacent pricing but not outrageous.

Néctar (Calle Larga area) — Modern Ecuadorian with good cocktails. The menu changes seasonally and leans creative without being pretentious. The ceviche is consistently good, and the cocktail program is among the best in the city. $12–20 per person with a drink. Good for a date night that doesn't break the bank.

San Sebastián Plaza restaurants — The cluster of restaurants around Parque San Sebastián has become one of Cuenca's best dining zones. Several spots with outdoor seating, varied menus (Mediterranean, Ecuadorian, fusion), and a lively atmosphere on weekend evenings. Explore and pick based on the crowd and the menu — most fall in the $10–18 range per person.

Café del Museo (inside the Pumapungo Museum complex) — Lovely courtyard setting among the Inca ruins. Good coffee, decent light lunches, and one of the most pleasant atmospheres in the city. $8–14 per person. Perfect for a relaxed lunch after exploring the museum (which is free, by the way).

La Esquina (Calle Larga and Hermano Miguel) — Good pizza, cold beer, and a reliable expat crowd. The thin-crust pizzas are solid, and the location in Calle Larga's nightlife zone makes it a natural starting point for an evening out. $10–15 per person.

Fabiano's (Remigio Crespo) — Italian-leaning menu, good pasta and pizzas. Popular with both expats and Cuencanos. The carbonara is decent. $10–16 per person.

El Mercado (Calle Larga) — A food hall concept with multiple stalls — burgers, ceviches, salads, cocktails. Good for groups where everyone wants something different. $8–15 per person depending on what you order.

Upscale: $25–50 Per Person

Cuenca's high end delivers impressive quality at prices that would be laughable in any US or European city. These are legitimately good restaurants, not just expensive ones.

Zazu (Av. 12 de Abril 6-48 and Guayas, near the Tomebamba River) — Widely considered the best restaurant in Cuenca. Peruvian-Ecuadorian fusion with a menu that changes based on market availability. The ceviche, the lomo saltado, and the daily specials are consistently excellent. The wine list is the best in the city. $30–50 per person with wine. Reservation strongly recommended — it's a small space and fills up, especially Thursday through Saturday. Call or WhatsApp to book.

Tiesto's (Calle Larga 1-117 and Av. de los Molinos) — Creative Ecuadorian fine dining in a beautifully restored building with river views. The tasting menu is the way to go — multiple courses showcasing highland ingredients prepared with modern technique. $25–45 per person. Also worth reserving on weekends.

Villa Rosa (Gran Colombia 12-22) — Italian cuisine in a stunning colonial house. The pasta is house-made, the ambiance is romantic, and the courtyard dining room is one of the prettiest in Cuenca. Great for a special occasion. $25–40 per person.

Lola (Bolívar and Borrero area) — Tapas-style small plates, trendy atmosphere, good cocktails. Popular with younger Cuencanos and well-heeled expats. The menu rotates but the croquetas, patatas bravas, and grilled octopus (when available) are reliable picks. $20–35 per person with drinks.

El Jardín (Presidente Córdova, near Parque Calderón) — Set in a colonial courtyard, heavy on atmosphere. International menu with an Ecuadorian backbone. The grilled meats are the strength here. $20–35 per person.

Best by Cuisine

Best Pizza

1. La Esquina — Thin crust, good toppings, consistent
2. Fabiano's — Solid Italian-style
3. Amore Mío — Neapolitan-leaning, on Gran Colombia
4. For delivery: both La Esquina and Fabiano's deliver via PedidosYa

Best Sushi

Cuenca's sushi scene is decent but don't expect Tokyo.

1. Noe Sushi Bar — Multiple locations, the most consistent sushi in the city
2. Kento — Popular with Cuencanos, good rolls, generous portions
3. Quality dips fast after the top two — be cautious with other spots

Best Burger

1. El Mercado — The burger stall does a proper smash burger
2. The Brewery (on Remigio Crespo) — Craft beer and solid burgers
3. Simon's — American-style burgers, popular with expats

Best Italian (Beyond Pizza)

1. Villa Rosa — House-made pasta, proper Italian
2. Fabiano's — More casual, still good pasta
3. Cucina Italiana — Small spot, authentic

Best Chinese

Chifa Pak Choy on Remigio Crespo is the default answer. "Chifa" is Ecuadorian-Chinese food — influenced by Cantonese immigrants but distinctly Ecuadorian. Expect fried rice (arroz frito), tallarin (stir-fried noodles), and sweet-and-sour everything. Authentic Chinese food is harder to find. $6–10 per person.

Best Indian

Let's be honest — Indian food options are limited in Cuenca. Namaste India has been the main option and is decent for basic curries and naan, though it won't impress anyone from London or New York. The tikka masala and butter chicken are safe orders. New spots open and close periodically — ask in the expat Facebook groups for the current best option. $10–15 per person.

Best Mexican

El Capo does reasonable tacos and burritos. Dos Tacos (multiple locations) is fast-casual and cheap. Neither will transport you to Mexico City, but they'll scratch the itch. $6–12 per person.

Best Brunch

1. Moliendo Café — The brunch king of Cuenca
2. Common Grounds — Good pancakes, eggs, and baked goods
3. Goza Espresso — Lighter options, excellent coffee

Coffee Shops Worth Your Time

Cuenca's specialty coffee scene has exploded. Ecuador grows excellent single-origin coffee (Loja province, especially), and several roasters in Cuenca are doing serious work.

Goza Espresso — The benchmark for specialty coffee in Cuenca. Single-origin Ecuadorian beans, properly dialed espresso, good pour-over. Small space, often full. The flat white is excellent.

Common Grounds — Larger space, comfortable for working. Good coffee, solid pastries and breakfast items. Popular with remote workers and expats. Reliable Wi-Fi.

Café del Museo — More about the setting than the coffee, but the coffee is still decent. The courtyard atmosphere is unmatched.

San Sebastián cafés — Several small cafés around the plaza. Browse and pick your vibe. Most serve good Ecuadorian coffee.

Don Café — On Calle Larga. Good espresso drinks and a nice river-view terrace for warm afternoons.

Delivery Apps

PedidosYa is the dominant delivery app in Cuenca. Most restaurants with any kind of delivery are on it. Delivery fees are $1–3 depending on distance. The app is in Spanish but straightforward to navigate.

Uber Eats also operates in Cuenca with a decent restaurant selection, though the options are fewer than PedidosYa.

WhatsApp delivery — Many restaurants, especially smaller ones, take delivery orders via WhatsApp. Ask at your favorite spot if they deliver. Most local places have a motorcycle delivery person they can send. Sometimes there's a small delivery fee ($1–2), sometimes free with a minimum order.

Tipping and Payment

The 10% service charge (servicio): By law, restaurants in Ecuador add a 10% service charge and 15% IVA tax to your bill. The 10% servicio functions as the tip and goes to the staff. You do NOT need to tip on top of this. Additional tipping is appreciated for genuinely exceptional service but is not expected or customary.

Paying: Cash is still preferred at many local restaurants and all market stalls. Mid-range and upscale restaurants accept credit cards (Visa and Mastercard work best; AmEx is spotty). Always have cash for budget spots and markets. There's no Venmo or Zelle — Ecuador uses cash and bank transfers.

Splitting bills: Asking to split the check ("cuentas separadas, por favor") is less common here but most restaurants will do it if you ask nicely. Easier to just split it among yourselves.

Reservation Culture

Cuenca is not a reservation city. The only restaurants where you genuinely need to book ahead are:

• Zazu — Reserve, especially Thursday–Saturday
• Tiesto's — Reserve for weekend dinners
• Villa Rosa — Reserve for groups of 4+

Everywhere else, walk in. Even on Friday and Saturday nights, you'll rarely wait more than 10–15 minutes at popular spots. If a place is completely full, there's another good restaurant within a two-block walk.

Practical Tips

Lunch is the main meal. Ecuadorian dining culture revolves around almuerzo. Restaurants that are packed at noon may be quiet at 7 PM. Many budget spots close by 3 PM — they're lunch-only operations.

Dinner starts late. Cuencanos eat dinner at 8–9 PM. Showing up at a restaurant at 6 PM means you'll have the place to yourself. Peak dinner hour is 8:30–9:30 PM on weekends.

Closed on Sundays and Mondays. A surprising number of restaurants close on Sundays, and some close on Mondays too. Always check before making a trip — especially for upscale spots.

Water is not automatic. You won't get a free glass of water at most restaurants. Order bottled water (agua sin gas for still, agua con gas for sparkling) or a juice. Prices are $1–2.

Menu del día vs. à la carte. Many mid-range restaurants offer a menú del día at lunch — a set menu at a lower price than ordering individual dishes. Always ask if there's a menú del día before ordering off the main menu.

Food safety. Cuenca's restaurants are generally safe. Market food is also fine — the high turnover means ingredients are fresh. If a stall looks busy, the food is fresh. If it's empty at peak lunch hour, skip it. For more on food safety, see our drinking water guide.

Allergies and dietary restrictions. Vegetarian options exist but you'll need to ask. Vegan is harder — dairy and eggs are in everything. Gluten-free is a challenge since many things are breaded or served with bread. If you have serious allergies, learn to explain them in Spanish: "Soy alérgico/a a..." (I'm allergic to...).

The bottom line: you can eat extraordinarily well in Cuenca at every price point. The almuerzo culture alone is reason enough to live here — a fresh, complete meal for $3, every day, made by someone who's been cooking that recipe for decades. Start at the markets, work your way up, and eat where the locals eat. You won't go wrong.