Cuenca Eats
Cuenca Special-Occasion Restaurants

Cantina La Única Cuenca

Centro Histórico

"The atmosphere is less formal, the space is larger and more cozy and the food is better."

Benigno Malo y Simón Bolívar

Casa Vieja restaurante

"The food, music and the atmosphere are always charming, like the people who cook us and serve us."

Off Route E582, nearing the Cajas

Clandestino

"When they gave us samples of his hand-crafted pasta and sauces, we were sold for life."

Presidente Córdova y Coronel Guillermo Tálbot

Corvel

"A lovely restaurant with indoor and outdoor levels, including a beautiful garden seating area with hummingbird feeders."

Páute

Cositas

Centro Histórico

"The walls are filled with peculiar art and napkins on which customers have written poetry and captured heartful moments shared with friends and family."

Simón Bolívar y Vargas Machucha

Cueva

"The dining space is set in a historic continuously-operating sanctuary that overlooks the hillside church gardens and below them, the Tomebamba river."

Complejo Todosantos, Calle Larga y Mariano

El Arriero

"Never a tourist to be seen, this family-favorite restaurant displays the heart of traditional Cuenca."

Latinoamericana a Parque del Ángel

El Huerto

"By the end of breakfast, all the tables were filled with young professionals and lovely Cuencanans, giving the space a remarkable and relaxing atmosphere."

Cotopaxi a Parque La Paz

El Mercado

Centro Histórico

"We take visitors there on their final nights with us."

Calle Larga y Luis Cordero

Estancia San Juan Hostería Restaurante

"We have eaten there several times after coming out of the Cajas on long hikes."

Off Route E582, nearing the Cajas

ITA

"Every dish was unique. Every dish was great. In our opinion, this restaurant deserves a Michelin star."

Mariscal Sucre y Miguel Heredia

Kutana Cerveza Artesanal

Santa Ana

"Beer in hand, one can look out over a panoramic vista of the local Andes and family farms."

Parroquia Santa Ana

La Cigale

Centro Histórico

"At night, the restaurant is filled with music, good conversation, laughs and people."

Honorato Vásquez y Luis Cordero

LaMaría Cocina Libre

"Next came the main course, which was tender pork braised in cocoa with cassava puree and blueberries."

Benigno Malo y Calle Larga

Restaurante Tequila

Centro Histórico

"But unlike other high-end restaurants that produce formal traditional Ecuadorian fare for tourists, this is the real deal."

Gran Colombia y León XIII

Rooftop Santa Inés

"An elegant, modern, peaceful space overlooking the old and new parts of Cuenca, with the Andes in the near distance."

Santa Inés Hospital, piso 6

Taipa

"A marvelous special-occasion restaurant that exudes modern elegance."

Florencia Astudillo y Alfonso Cordero

Taitico

Reviewed in Cuenca Eats by James Li.

Juan José Flores y Gonzalo Zaldumbide

Tiesto’s Cafe Restaurant

Centro Histórico

"Dinners are ordered to share and arrive on a large tiesto surrounded by smaller plates containing customary accompanying sides."

Juan Jaramillo y Mariano Cueva

Tres Estrellas

"A neighborhood classic that long ago became famous for its eclectic décor, grilled guinea pig and solid word-of-mouth local reputation."

Calle Larga y Jesús Arriaga

Warmikuna Cocina Taller

Hermano Miguel

"So it is that the place is usually filled with families sitting next to foodies and chefs."

Hermano Miguel y Honorato Vásquez

Yasu’s Home

"On arrival, a dinner party is ushered through a locked gate into a simple elegant garden dining room."

Ricardo Darquea Granda y M. Galarza