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: