Ecuadorian Restaurant menus typically feature hearty portions of plantains, seafood, and rice, with prices that vary by region and location. If you want to understand an Ecuadorian Restaurant Menu with Prices before you go, this guide breaks down the common dishes and what they usually cost.
Prices depend on whether you eat at a casual spot in Quito or a tourist restaurant near the coast. Still, most meals stay affordable compared to U.S. or European standards.
What You Will Find On A Typical Ecuadorian Restaurant Menu
Most menus follow a similar pattern. You get a soup, a main plate with rice, and a small dessert or drink at lunch. Dinner menus are often smaller.
- Soups: Locro de papa, encebollado, and caldo de gallina
- Rice plates: Arroz con pollo, arroz con menestra, and seco de chivo
- Seafood: Ceviche, encocado de pescado, and shrimp in garlic sauce
- Plantains: Bolon, maduros, and chifles
- Street snacks: Empanadas, humitas, and tortillas de maiz
Ecuadorian Restaurant Menu With Prices
Here is a realistic price range for common items. These figures are in U.S. dollars because Ecuador uses the dollar as its currency.
Breakfast And Light Bites
- Bolon with cheese: $1.50 to $3.00
- Humita: $1.00 to $2.00
- Empanada de verde: $0.75 to $1.50
- Coffee or morocho drink: $0.50 to $1.50
Lunch And Dinner Mains
- Almuerzo ejecutivo (soup, main, drink): $2.50 to $5.00
- Arroz con pollo: $3.00 to $6.00
- Seco de chivo: $4.00 to $8.00
- Encebollado (fish soup): $3.00 to $6.50
- Ceviche de camarón: $5.00 to $12.00
- Encocado de pescado: $6.00 to $14.00
- Grilled steak with rice and plantains: $7.00 to $15.00
Drinks And Desserts
- Fresh fruit juice: $1.00 to $2.50
- Batido (milkshake): $2.00 to $4.00
- Beer: $1.50 to $3.50
- Tres leches cake: $2.00 to $4.00
- Flan: $1.50 to $3.00
How Prices Change By Location
Where you eat matters more then the dish itself. A plate of arroz con pollo costs less in a local market than in a hotel restaurant.
Local Neighborhood Spots
These places serve the cheapest food. An almuerzo can cost just $2.50. Portions are large and the menu changes daily.
Tourist Areas
In places like the Galapagos, Montanita, or central Quito, prices jump. The same ceviche might cost $12 instead of $5. You also pay more for English menus and ocean views.
Coastal Vs. Highland Cities
Coastal cities like Guayaquil and Manta have cheaper seafood. Highland cities like Cuenca and Quito charge less for potatoes, corn, and pork. Seafood costs more in the highlands because it travels far.
Tips For Ordering And Saving Money
- Order the almuerzo ejecutivo at lunch. It is the best value on any menu.
- Eat where locals eat. If the menu is only in Spanish, prices are usually lower.
- Ask for the menu del dia, not the full menu. It costs less.
- Skip bottled water and drink fresh juice instead. It costs about the same.
- Check if service charge is included. Some places add 10 percent.
Most Ecuadorian restaurants do not charge extra for plantains or rice. They come with the meal. So you get a full plate for a fair price.
Use this guide as a baseline. Actual prices shift with inflation and season, but the ranges here will help you plan your budget with confidence.