Cuenca Diner´s Directory

Cuenca Diner´s Directory

Cuenca has been considered by many expats to be one of the best cities to live in for a long time. Since its population’s quality of life is quite affordable and peaceful.

Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador. The city was founded in 1557 and its iconic cathedral was built the same year. Through the decades Cuenca has maintained its reputation as a center for culture and art, as it has been the place of residence of many well-known Ecuadorian poets and artists

Cuenca is also known for its majestic architecture and four idyllic rivers lined with trees and a large and diverse array of plants, you can also find a few restaurants by the riverside, offering a very inviting environment so you can sit, grab a book and relax.

If you go downtown, you’ll be able to find a lot of national and international restaurants, nice hotels, art galleries, museums, bars and karaokes that make for a fun and varied night life.

People from Cuenca tend to be really nice and friendly when it comes to meeting new people, especially people from overseas, because it’s a nice opportunity to share our culture. It is also worth mentioning that more and more Cuencanos are becoming fluent in English, which allows tourists to communicate easily.

Cuenca is an excellent choice for people of all ages who enjoy art, good food and making new friends. So, here’s a list of some of our favorite restaurants around the city where you can have lunch, have a nice dinner with family or friends or just grab a beer and have a good time. Enjoy!

INTERNATIONAL FOOD

El Pedregal Azteca (Mexican)
Gran Colombia 10-29 and Padre Aguirre.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$$                     (max 5)
Suggestions: Best Mole Ever!

La Esquina (Argentine)
Calle Larga and Hermano Miguel.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Noé Sushi Bar (Japanese)
Padre Julio Mattovelle 2-25 and Federico Proaño.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$$$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Sports Planet (Tex Mex)
José Peralta (Milenium Plaza).
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Bertuchis (Italian)
Unidad Nacional Av. #30 y Padua.
Rating: ★★★★                   (max 5)
Price Range: $$$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Salvia Restaurant (European)
Roberto Crespo Toral 3-56 and Luis Moreno Mora.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $                   (max 5)
Suggestions:

Mediterráneo (Italian)
Honorato Vásquez 7-64 and Luis Cordero. Centro Histórico.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Marea Pizzería (Italian)
Hermano Miguel 4-79, between Honorato Vasquez and Calle Larga.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$                    (max 5)
Suggestions: Best pizza ever!

California Kitchen (American)
Luis Cordero 5-65 and Honorato Vasquez.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$$$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Fabiano’s Pizzería (Italian)
Presidente Córdova 4-84 and Mariano Cueva.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

La Fornace (Italian)
Antonio Borrero. (In front of Hotel Santa Lucía)
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

TYPICAL ECUADORIAN FOOD

Tiesto’s
Juan Jaramillo 4-89 and Mariano Cueva.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$$                   (max 5)
Suggestions:

Raymipamba
Benigno Malo 8-59.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Restaurante “Todos Santos”
Calle Larga 5-19 and Mariano Cueva.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

VEGGIE FOOD

Néctar
Benigno Malo 10-42 and Gran Colombia.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Good Affinity
Gran Colombia 1-89 and Capulíes (at opposite Banco del Pacífico)
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $                  (max 5)
Suggestions:

BAR/RESTAURANTS

Black Pepper Food & Music
Gran Colombia 20-109
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Eucalyptus
Gran Colombia 9-41.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

La Cigale
Honorato Vasquez 7-80 and Luis Cordero.
Rating: ★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Chiplote Subs and Shots
Calle Larga between Luis Cordero and Benigno Malo.
Rating: ★★★               (max 5)
Price Range: $                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Inca Lounge and Bistro
Paseo 3 de Noviembre.
Rating: ★★★                 (max 5)
Price Range: $$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Wunderbar
On steps of (“Las Escalinatas” bottom of Hermano Miguel).
Rating: ★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

República Sur
Paseo 3 de Noviembre 4-78 y bajada de Todos Santos.
Rating: ★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Rumy
Paseo 3 de Noviembre
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Far Out Cervecería Alemana (German Beerhouse)
Juan Jaramillo 7-36 and Borrero
Rating: ★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

BREAKFAST/COFFEE AND PASTRY SHOPS

Bananas Café
Calle Larga 9-40.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

San Sebas Café
San Sebastián 1-94 and Mariscal Sucre.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Café Austria
Benigno Malo 5-45.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Waffles de Bélgica
Av. 3 de Noviembre / Pumapungo Museum.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $                    (max 5)
Suggestions:

Tutto Fredo
Benigno Malo and Bolívar.
Rating: ★★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $                    (max 5)
Suggestions: 

The Manta Diner´s Directory

The Manta Diner´s Directory

 

The coast of Ecuador is considered by many to be the source of the best food in the country. Of course most associate coastal Ecuadorian gastronomy with seafood, but there are a lot of other options to choose from. The city of Manta has been growing tremendously through the years, so our variety of food choices has also multiplied. Manta is not only a great place to party and take walks on the beach, but is a city for relaxing and spending time with friends, and also networking and making professional contacts. And what is the best way to do all of those things? Eating out!

Here is a list of the best places to have a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner in Manta. There are too many to mention but these are our favorites.

Pizza Places

Deli Pizza

14th St and Avenue 1 (behind Banco Guayaquil)
Rating: ★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $                  (max 5)
Suggestions:

La Cigarra

17th St and 19th Street BEHIND EL VELBONI SUPERMARKET
Rating: ★★★                     (max 5)
Price Range: $$$              (max 5)
Suggestions:

Il Mangiarino

16th St and Flavio Reyes Avenue (corner)

Rating: ★★★                     (max 5)
Price Range: $$                (max 5)
Suggestions:

Topyto Pizza
Avenida Malecon (across Yacht Club)
Rating: ★★★                     (max 5)
Price Range: $$                (max 5)
Suggestions:

Tres Platos
Next to Umiña Tennis Club in Barbasquillo
Rating: ★★★                     (max 5)

Price Range: $$$$            (max 5)
Suggestions:

Sushi

Neruson
18 St and Ave 20 ( a white house)
Rating: ★★★★                  (max 5)
Price Range: $$                (max 5)

Suggestions: Andrew Roll

Crabs

 

Cangrejal
16st and Avenue 19
Rating: ★★★★★                (max 5)
Price Range: $$                 (max 5)
Suggestions: Viche de Cangrejo / Ceviche

La Esquina del Cangrejo
J1 Street and J16 st
Rating: ★★★★★                (max 5)
Price Range: $$                 (max 5)
Suggestions: Viche de Cangrejo / Ceviche

Seafood in General

Chavecito
108 St and Avenue 106 in front of del Rosario Church
Rating: ★★★★★                (max 5)
Price Range: $$$               (max 5)
Suggestions: Mix of Crabs Salad and Rice

El Marino
Via Puerto Aeropuerto- Playita mia Circle (next to eventos tohali)
Rating: ★★★★                   (max 5)
Price Range: $$$$             (max 5)
Suggestions: Ceviche of any kind

Yatch Club
Malecon Avenue next to the PORT
Rating: ★★★★                   (max 5)
Price Range: $$$$             (max 5)
Suggestions: Rice with Crab and Grilled Fish

El Delfin
8th St and 24th Avenue
Rating: ★★★                      (max 5)
Price Range: $$$               (max 5)
Suggestions: Pescado Apanado

Costa Rica
3rd St and 8th Avenue
Rating: ★★★                      (max 5)
Price Range: $                   (max 5)
Suggestions: Fish Ceviche

Encebollado( onion soup with fish)
 

Wachos
14th Street and 14th Avenue
Rating: ★★★★                   (max 5)
Price Range: $$                 (max 5)
Suggestions: Encebollado de pescado

Pica Rico
J10 Barrio Jocay
Rating: ★★★★                   (max 5)
Price Range: $$                 (max 5)
Suggestions: Encebollado de pescado

Chinese Food
 

Lai Chifa
In front of Jocay Park
Rating: ★★★★                   (max 5)
Price Range: $$                 (max 5)
Suggestions:

Lun Fun Hotel
At Lun Fun Hotel (Tarqui)
Rating: ★★★★★                (max 5)
Price Range: $$$$             (max 5)
Suggestions:

Chifa Charlie
4th of November Avenue (in front of National Police)
Rating: ★★★                      (max 5)
Price Range: $$                 (max 5)
Suggestions:

Chifa Macau
13th Street and 15th avenue (next to Banco Pichincha)
Rating: ★★★                      (max 5)
Price Range: $$                 (max 5)

Suggestions: Chaulafan especial

Grilled Meats (Steak)

Beach Comber
20th St and Flavio Reyes Avenue
Rating: ★★★★★                 (max 5)
Price Range: $$$                (max 5)
Suggestions: Everything

El Colorado
21th avenue and Flavio Reyes
Rating: ★★★★                    (max 5)
Price Range: $$                  (max 5)
Suggestions:

Caminito
Barbasquillo (in front of Umiña Tennis Club)
Rating: ★★★★                    (max 5)
Price Range: $$$$              (max 5)
Suggestions: Gigantic Burger/T-bone Steak

BURGERS

EL FOGON
Avenue 16 and 6th St
Rating: ★★★★★                 (max 5)
Price Range: $$$$              (max 5)
Suggestions: Texas Burger / Crab Burger

Zona Burger
Flavio Reyes Avenue
Rating: ★★★                      (max 5)
Price Range: $$                 (max 5)
Suggestions: American Burger

American Food

Martinica

Calle 32, Via Mantahost
Rating: ★★★★★                (max 5)
Price Range: $$$$             (max 5)
Suggestions: Seafood platter/ Grilled Pork

Roll Wings
Ciudadela Universitaria
Rating: ★★★★                   (max 5)
Price Range: $$$               (max 5)
Suggestions: Italian Wings / Cheese Fries

Breakfast

Greenhouse Coffee
Flavio Reyes Avenue in front of VELBONI supermarket
Rating: ★★★★                   (max 5)
Price Range: $$$               (max 5)
Suggestions: 

Ecuadorian Food

El Rincón de Tere
Calle 32, Via Barbasquillo
Rating: ★★★★                   (max 5)
Price Range: $$$$             (max 5)
Suggestions: 

Article writtenn by Serena Macias and edited by Marcos Chiluisa & Kelsey Gottschalk

If you have any suggestion or comment on any of the restaurants in Manta we would like to know your experience.

Sincerely,

The EcuaAssist Team

info@ecuaassist.com

Benefits for Seniors in Ecuador

The purpose of this article is to share public information.  Anyone can access this information in an Ecuadorian legal library, but we are presenting it here inthe most concise and useful way we can.

To receive the following benefits, a person over 65 must carry a cedula or passport justifying legal status in the country.  You do not legally need to be a resident to enjoy these benefits, however some organizations will demand a cedula because that is what they are used to, and battling with them over the law can be more exhausting than fruitful.  These exceptions are noted below:

IVA – (VAT- Value Added Tax)

This 12% tax is paid by the final consumer of goods and/or services.  You may have noticed it on the receipts you receive in restaurants, stores, etc.  If you are renting a home you do not need to pay IVA.  Youdo need to pay IVA if you rent out a space for commercial use.

Individuals over 65 are eligible to apply for reimbursement of all IVA paid month by month.  The reimbursement must be requested at the SRI office with these documents:

a)     Proof of a bank account to be credited

b)    Application for Reimbursement of IVA

c)     Original “facturas” or receipts with your name on them

d)    Copy of the Certificate of Visa Registration (Certificado de Empadronamiento)

The application must be submitted monthly, and the reimbursement of the IVA will be credited to the bank account provided within a period of no more than 90 days.  You can only be reimbursed for monthly expenditure on goods and services up to $1,590.  If you exceed this amount of expenditure you can still be reimbursed up to the limit.

Art. 181– 

Regulatory Document for the Application of Internal Tax Law

Publication: Official Register Supplement 209

Date of Publication: 08-Jun-2010, Most Recent Reform: 23-Jan-2013

Art. 2 –     

National Tax Benefits for Seniors, Executive Order 2823

Publication: Official Register 623

Date of Publication: 22-Jul-2002

INCOME TAX

In relation to payment of income tax in Ecuador, there is something called  “Impuesto a la Fracción Excedente” which is a tax paid when an individual’s net yearly income exceeds a certain limit. For people over 65, the income limit is doubled. The standard limit for 2013 is $10,180.  Meaning that if a person over 65 has a yearly income under $20,360 he or she will not pay income taxes.

Art. 49 –

Regulatory Document for the Application of Internal Tax Law

Publication: Official Register Supplement 209

Date of Publication: 08-Jun-2010, Most Recent Reform: 23-Jan-2013

Art. 2 –

National Tax Benefits for Seniors, Executive Order 2823

Publication: Official Register 623

Date of Publication: 22-Jul-2002

MUNICIPAL TAXES

The Senior Citizen Law clearly states that individuals over 65 are exempt from paying all national and municipal taxes on:

1. Income up to $1,590* per month (5x minimum wage)
2. Net assets valued under $159,000* (50x minimum wage)

*These values are for the year 2013 only, and are subject to change each year in accordance with minimum wage. If your income or assets exceed these limits you will only pay taxes on the excess.

Art. 14 –

Senior Citizen Law

Publication: Official Register 376

Date of Publication: 13-Oct-2006

Art. 32 –

Tax Code

Publication: Official Register Supplement 38

Date of Publication:14-Jun-2005, Most Recent Reform 26-Sep-2012

Art. 37 –

Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador 2008

Publication: Official Register 449

Date of Publication: 20-Oct-2008, Most Recent Reform: 13-Jul-2011

AN EXAMPLE WORTH NOTING

We have had some clients recently in the following situation: Let’s say a couple buys a house (one spouse over 65 and the other under 65).  According to Ecuadorian marriage law, 50% of the house belongs to each spouse and therefore each is responsible for 50% of the “alcabala” or Transfer Tax on the property.   However, since the “alcabala” is a municipal tax, only the younger spouse will have to pay his or her portion, meaning the couple will end up paying half the declared tax.

TRANSPORTATION

Fares for bus and airplane travel with transportation companies that have official branches in Ecuador are subject to a 50% discount, with NO exceptions whether or not they are regular or promotional prices to begin with.  Most airlines and travel agencies require a cedula (residency) for access to their discounts. There are few travel agencies that sells their tickets with the 50% discount only if you have been living in Ecuador as a residency for more than 8 years.

Art. 1 –

Civil Aviation Resolution #6

Publication: Official Register 329

Date of Publication: 05-May-2008

UTILITIES

50% discounts on monthly bills:

-Electric on one meter up to 120 kWh

-Water up to 20 cubic meters

-Telephone on one landline

If you exceed any of these limits, you will still receive your discount up to that limit.  You will simply have to pay 100% on the excess consumption.

You may receive this benefit as a renter as long as your name is on the utility bills.

When you sign up for these services, make sure you register as a senior citizen with the service providers so that you will be charged accordingly.  To sign up in this way a cedula (residency) may be required.

Art. 15 –

Senior Citizen Law

Publication: Official Register 376

Date of Publication: 13-Oct-2006

VEHICLES

When buying a motorized vehicle, a senior citizen must pay full price, but can declare an expenditure $8,000 lower when paying taxes on said vehicle.  For example, if a person over 65 buys a motorcycle for $20,000, he or she will only pay taxes on a $12,000 motorcycle.

Art. 9 –  

Tax Reform Law No. 41

Publication: Official Register Supplement 325

Date of Publication: 14-May-2001

Article written by 

Marcos Chiluisa & Kelsey Gottschalk

www.ecuaassist.com