You'll find food and culture in Ecuador and Peru to be beautifully intertwined, with traditional dishes always offering a charming reflection of the local heritage and landscapes. The countries’ unique and wonderful culinary scenes also extend beyond their mainland.

While many wonder whether there are restaurants in the Galapagos Islands, you can rest assured the archipelago offers an equally wonderful dining experience.

In this article, we guide you through what the food is like in Ecuador and Peru in preparation for your upcoming South American adventure, including everything from traditional dishes to the top restaurants.

What Is the Food Like in Ecuador and Peru?

The landscape varies greatly throughout Ecuador, which has a big impact on the cuisine which relies heavily on local resources. For this reason, the dishes on offer throughout the country differ greatly from region to region. However, there are some general trends.

In coastal regions, you’ll find a wonderful variety of fish and crustacean options on the menu. You are also likely to come across lots of grilled steak and chicken dishes. The protein is usually served alongside carbohydrate-rich foods such as lentils, rice and fried plantain.

When visiting Ecuador’s highlands, you'll encounter a fantastic range of traditional dishes, many of which are pork or beef-based. Cuy asado (roasted guinea pig) is one of the main must-try dishes in the area. The freshly-cooked meat is usually accompanied by potatoes or corn, salsa and chili.

If you’re wondering what the food is like in Peru, prepare to be left equally impressed. The traditional cuisine is often spicy, prepared with ají pepper.

Ceviche is another of the most famous dishes in the country. Exceptionally fresh and tasty, it consists of raw fish marinated in lime juice, chilies and onions.

Like Ecuador, the food in Peru varies greatly across all of its regions. In coastal areas, the traditional cooking style is called criollo and comprises lots of rice, cassava (yuca), onions, tomatoes, spicy peppers and fresh seafood. In contrast, potatoes, quinoa and guinea pig are very common in the mountainous area of the Andean highlands.

Additionally, chocolate is a big part of the local food culture in Peru. The country has a rich cocoa-making tradition tracing back thousands of years to before the Inca civilization. Peruvian chocolate is renowned for its exceptional quality and diverse flavors.

The Top 7 Restaurants in Ecuador and Peru

1. Central, Lima

Central is not only the best restaurant in Peru but one of the very finest in the world. The magnificent establishment serves up exquisite, creative dishes in the city of Lima.

Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure like no other at Central. Owner and Head Chef, Virgilio Martínez Véliz, graduated from the world-famous Cordon Bleu cooking school in 1998 before venturing to work in France, Singapore, Italy, the US and the UK.

After mastering these cuisines, he returned to his home country of Peru. It was here, at a local market, that he was inspired to create Central after realising that many of the unique ingredients available in the home country cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

The 16-course tasting menu takes you on a journey through Peru's 15 different ecosystems, each characterized by altitude. Imagine indulging in turmeric river sales served with freshwater and red latex from the bark of a tree. Then, savor a course of tunta (freeze-dried potato), tarwi, coca leaves and cancha corn.

The drinks are also equally compelling at Central. Prepare to sip on the likes of custard apple and maize or a pisco Italia cocktail garnished with fresh basil and banana passion fruit. If you’re craving traditional food in Peru crafted to perfection, look no further than Central.

2. MAIDO, Lima

MAIDO is another of the best restaurants in Peru. Chef and owner, Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura, has an exceptional degree of experience, having graduated in Culinary Arts and Food and Beverage Management before moving to Osaka to specialize in Japanese cuisine.

He then decided to return to Peru. It was then that he decided to combine his passion for traditional Peruvian cuisine with the Japanese cooking techniques he mastered in Osaka and from here, MAIDO was born.

As you might expect at a chic establishment renowned for serving up some of the best food in Peru, you’ll be transported to epicurean heaven at this establishment. The recipes are examples of Nikkei cuisine, a style which evolved from the significant influx of Japanese immigrants to Peru in the 20th century.

On the menu, you’ll find a sensational blend of the cuisines of both countries. One of the stand-out dishes is the melt-in-your-mouth temaki negitoro. It consists of delicate tuna sliced and made into rolls with chives and ponzu. The razor clams are another highlight, along with buttery mollusks served alongside fish eggs and ponzu emulsion with truffle oil.

3. Muyu Galapagos, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Muyu is renowned for making some of the best food in the Galapagos Islands. With a farm, forest and sea-to-table approach, the establishment plants organic seeds all over its pilot farm and uses its home-grown ingredients to prepare scrumptious, healthy meals.

The seaside restaurant is located in the city of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal, one of the Galapagos Islands. You’ll be treated to stunning views over the coastline during your meal and may even be visited by the local sea lions.

Sustainability and organic cooking are at the heart of Muyu. The restaurant avoids ordering products from the continent to reduce carbon emissions and keep the menu as eco-friendly as possible. Instead, you’ll be dining on exquisitely fresh local fish and shellfish, with dishes such as seafood ceviche, scorpion fish and octopus.

Along with being one of the best restaurants in Ecuador, Muyu is a pilot project of the Galapagos Foundation. The nonprofit organization pioneers sustainability and conservation on the archipelago to preserve and protect the landscape and animals that make it so special.

4. Sur, Quito

Sur serves up traditional food in Ecuador at its finest. Translating to “South” in English, the world-renowned restaurant prides itself on redefining the classic Argentine grill, providing a luxury barbeque experience.

The menu is a meat-lovers paradise, with a spectacular range on the menu including pork flank steak, lamb rack and kidneys.

If you’re fancying something a little lighter, you can opt for smoked chicken. It is slow-cooked for 3 hours, marinated in black beer and herbs and served alongside Cecilia potatoes, string beans and red bell peppers. For vegetarians, there is a great selection of risottos, pasta, soups and salads on the menu.

As wine is, of course, a big part of the food and culture in Ecuador, you are sure to be impressed by the drinks list. It features an extensive range of reds, whites and roses, primarily from Argentina and Chile. With such variety, you'll have no trouble finding the perfect wine to accompany your meal.

5. Finch Bay, Puerto Ayora

If you’re seeking fine-dining restaurants in the Galapagos Islands, Finch Bay in Puerto Ayora is a wonderful option. The sleek establishment is located within the eponymous hotel and is well-known for serving some of the most delightful food in the archipelago.

Finch Bay offers classic Galapagos-style cuisine and popular Ecuadorian dishes, all of which reflect the enchanting landscapes and wildlife found in this unique part of the world.

The a la carte menu includes a wide array of dishes. Finch Bay is passionate about using locally sourced ingredients, many of which come directly from the restaurant’s on-site garden. For breakfast, you can enjoy traditional Ecuadorian specialities such as pan de yuca and humitas.

The restaurant's enchanting coastal location in Puerto Ayora adds to the dining experience, providing a serene ambience. Here, you can savor your exquisite dishes while being serenaded by the gentle sound of the azure waves crashing around you.

6. Neuma, Quito

Neuma is one of the most famous restaurants in Ecuador. Located in Quito, the wonderful establishment is run by husband-and-wife team, Alejandro Chamorro and Pía Salazar. The pair have taken the food in Ecuador to a whole new level, with an extraordinary tasting menu showcasing a plethora of endemic ingredients.

You can expect exciting, unique dishes featuring exotic local produce such as Galapagos crayfish and mashua, an Andean tuber. Another exciting ingredient to look out for is u’kuisi, a native Amazonian plant with a vibrant orange-red fruit that is often used as a food coloring.

It is also worth noting that Pía Salazar has mastered a particularly exciting dessert that won her the title of Latin America’s Best Pastry Chef 2022. This fascinating dish subverts all expectations of a sweet by shining the spotlight on mushrooms, rather than traditional options such as fruit or chocolate.

To give you a taster of the kinds of dishes to expect, picture bone marrow served with lentils and black clam fudge. If you’re looking to try some of the best food in Ecuador, Nuema promises an unforgettable culinary journey featuring some of the most unique and exotic local ingredients.

7. Mil, Cusco

Wanting to visit one of the best restaurants in Peru? Mil is the perfect choice. The restaurant offers an extraordinary culinary adventure in the southeastern city of Cusco, 3,600 meters above sea level and a stone’s throw away from the Moray ruins and Urubamba Valley.

At Mil, the menu solely features ingredients from the ecosystems surrounding the restaurant. The establishment forged close relationships with the indigenous communities who plant, nurture and harvest the neighboring tuber crops, maize, cacao and Andean herbs.

The eight-course tasting menu includes unique and creative recipes. Imagine dishes such as tumbo (a native climbing plant) accompanied by cabuya and locally-sourced honey. One particularly exciting ingredient you might find on the menu is chirimoya. The so-called ‘lost crop of the Incas’, is a sugary, creamy fruit obtained from a local tree that must be transported with extreme caution.

During your visit to Mil, you'll be invited to visit the local communities working in the surrounding fields. Meet the people who have lived in this area for generations and listen in awe as they share insights into their work and daily life in this high-altitude region.

As you explore the hillsides around Mil, you'll discover a rich variety of native plants that have been used by locals for nutritional and medicinal purposes since ancient times. The restaurant offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to truly delve into and uncover the fascinating connection between landscape, food and culture in Peru.

How to Have A Foodie Experience in the Galapagos and Ecuador

When it comes to how to experience local food in Ecuador and Chile in all of their glory, the best way is to take an immersive tour.

Galapagos and Chocolates Tour

Embark on a Galapagos and Chocolates 10-day experience to tick off two of Ecuador’s greatest feats: its wildlife and chocolate. You’ll have the opportunity to sample freshly made, premium-quality chocolate right at the farm it was made.

Galapagos and Machu Picchu Combined Tour

Take a Galapagos and Machu Picchu Combined Tour and uncover all of the unique and fascinating beauty of these two wonders of the world while also entering foodie heaven. You will pay a visit to Tinkuy Restaurant, a casual eatery by the entrance of Machu Picchu.

Summary

Ecuador and Peru boast unique culinary scenes that put unique local ingredients at the forefront, resulting in menus that you simply could not find anywhere else in the world. While exploring the natural beauty of these magnificent destinations, be sure to also dedicate some time to the incredible foodie experiences on offer.

Wanting to explore Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands? Touring Galapagos have a fantastic range of cruises and tour packages on offer that will allow you to uncover the destination’s spectacular wildlife and culinary scene. Get in touch to start planning your trip of a lifetime.

Food and Culture in Ecuador and Peru: A Foodie’s Guide to the Top 7 Restaurants