Where to Eat in Cuenca

Cuenca's Food Culture

Cuenca is widely regarded as having some of Ecuador's best food — both in terms of traditional cuisine and contemporary dining. The city has a strong culinary identity rooted in the produce of the Andean highlands: potatoes, corn (mote), quinoa, guinea pig, freshwater fish and an abundance of tropical fruits brought up from the coastal lowlands.

Unlike Quito or Guayaquil, Cuenca's food scene has developed without trying to be international — it's confident in its own traditions. That said, there's a growing number of excellent international restaurants, and the Italian-Ecuadorian fusion that Venecia Restaurant has been serving since 1994 reflects the city's openness to culinary dialogue.

Must-Try Ecuadorian Dishes in Cuenca

• Mote Pillo — hominy corn sautéed with eggs, onion and herbs. A Cuencano staple, particularly beloved at breakfast.
• Hornado — slow-roasted whole pork, served with mote, potatoes, llapingachos (potato cakes) and encurtido (pickled vegetables). Found at the markets on weekends.
• Locro de Papa — creamy potato soup with melted cheese and avocado. Warming, simple, perfect for cooler Andean days.
• Cuy — guinea pig, roasted whole. A delicacy with deep pre-Columbian roots, usually found at specialty restaurants outside the city center.
• Ceviche de Camarones — Ecuadorian-style shrimp ceviche cooked in tomato and citrus broth, served with popcorn and toasted corn. Very different from the raw Peruvian version.
• Encebollado — a hangover-curing fish soup with yuca, onion and cilantro. Best eaten at breakfast in the markets.
• Tigrillo — green plantain mashed with cheese and egg. Originally from Manabí province but now a beloved Cuenca breakfast staple.

Where to Eat Traditional Food

The Markets (Best Value)

Cuenca's traditional markets are the most authentic and affordable places to eat. Mercado 10 de Agosto (near the center) and Mercado El Arenal (slightly further west) both have large indoor food halls where local women cook traditional plates for $2–4. Arrive before noon for the best selection. Look for the stall with the longest queue — it's always a reliable guide.

Mercado 9 de Octubre (also central) is particularly good for breakfast — mote pillo, hornado, fresh juice and encebollado from early morning.

Restaurant Row — Calle Larga

Calle Larga, running along the El Barranco clifftop overlooking the Tomebamba River, is Cuenca's main restaurant street. You'll find everything from traditional Ecuadorian food to Italian, Peruvian, international and fusion. It gets lively in the evenings and is a good place to stroll until you find something that looks right.

Breakfast in Cuenca

Breakfast in Cuenca is a serious meal. Venecia Restaurant at Hotel Italia has been serving one of the city's most beloved breakfast menus since 1994 — from the classic Americano (waffles, eggs, coffee and juice) to the Serrano (mote pillo with Cuenca chorizo). It's open to guests and the general public daily from 7am.

Other great breakfast spots: Café Austria (colonial building near Parque Calderón, great pastries), and the market stalls at Mercado 9 de Octubre for a fully local experience.

Coffee in Cuenca

Ecuador grows excellent coffee, and Cuenca has a small but excellent specialty coffee scene. Look for shops sourcing from the Loja region (Ecuador's premier coffee-growing area) or from the coastal Manabí region. The trend toward third-wave specialty coffee has arrived in Cuenca in the past five years, with several well-regarded roasters operating downtown.

For a traditional experience, order café pasado — strong drip coffee served with hot water to dilute to taste, the way Cuencanos have been drinking it for generations.

Practical Notes

• Most restaurants are closed or have reduced hours on Sundays. Plan accordingly.
• Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. A 10% service charge (servicio) is often added automatically to restaurant bills — check before adding more.
• Market meals are cash-only. Most sit-down restaurants accept cards.
• Cuenca's altitude (2,530m) means alcohol hits faster than you're used to. Pace yourself, especially in the first day or two.