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Food tours in Quito: what to eat and which tour to book
Quito sits at about 2,850 metres, and its food is hearty Andean cooking built on potatoes, corn and pork: locro de papa (a cheese-and-potato soup with avocado), hornado (whole roast pork with llapingachos potato cakes), fritada, and empanadas de viento, puffy fried pastries dusted with sugar. Markets are where much of this is eaten, at long counters with set lunches for a few dollars. Seasonal dishes matter: fanesca, a grain-and-salt-cod soup, appears only around Easter, and colada morada, a purple-corn drink, around the Day of the Dead in early November.
Use this page to decide what to eat and where to find it. The dishes and areas below cover the historic centre's markets and the newer northern districts. The tours listed are real GetYourGuide listings, with prices as seen when we checked; confirm the current price and details on the booking page before you pay.
What to eat in Quito
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potato soup locro de papa | Thick soup of potatoes, milk and fresh cheese, served with avocado slices and sometimes toasted corn. The everyday Quito soup. | Market food counters and set-lunch (almuerzo) restaurants. | roughly $2–5 (about €1.80–4.50) |
| Roast pork hornado | Whole pig marinated in garlic, cumin and achiote, slow-roasted, served with llapingachos, mote (hominy) and a pickled salad. | Market stalls, where the whole roast pig sits on the counter; and hornado restaurants. | roughly $4–8 a plate (about €3.70–7.40) |
| Potato cakes llapingachos | Fried mashed-potato patties filled with cheese, coloured with achiote, often served with peanut sauce, egg and chorizo. | Markets and Ecuadorian restaurants, often as a side to hornado. | roughly $3–6 (about €2.80–5.50) |
| Wind empanadas empanadas de viento | Large, puffed fried pastries filled with cheese and onion, sprinkled with sugar. Eaten with a coffee or a hot drink. | Cafés in the historic centre, especially on La Ronda, and street vendors. | roughly $1.50–3 (about €1.40–2.80) |
| Fried pork fritada | Pork pieces simmered in water with spices until the water evaporates and they fry in their own fat; served with mote, corn and fried plantain. | Markets and roadside fritada restaurants. | roughly $4–8 (about €3.70–7.40) |
| Ecuadorian ceviche ceviche ecuatoriano | Shrimp or fish in a tangy citrus and tomato broth, served with popcorn, toasted corn or plantain chips. Different from the Peruvian version. | Cevicherías across the city; Mercado Central is known for fish dishes. | roughly $5–10 (about €4.60–9.20) |
| Humitas and quimbolitos humitas / quimbolitos | Steamed corn dough wrapped in corn husks (humitas, savoury with cheese) or achira leaves (quimbolitos, sweet), often eaten at breakfast or afternoon coffee. | Cafés, bakeries and markets. | roughly $1–2.50 each (about €0.90–2.30) |
| Canelazo | Hot drink of cinnamon, naranjilla or other fruit juice and sugar, spiked with aguardiente (cane spirit). Popular on cold evenings and during the December fiestas. | Bars and stalls on La Ronda and in the historic centre. | roughly $2–5 (about €1.80–4.60) |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
Mercado Central
Big market in the historic centre with food counters known for corvina (sea bass) and locro, plus fruit juices.
Mercado San Francisco
One of the oldest markets in Quito, near Plaza San Francisco, with produce, medicinal herbs, juices and set-lunch counters.
Mercado Santa Clara
Market in the Santa Clara area known for its wide choice of tropical and Andean fruits and cheap lunch counters.
La Ronda
Restored colonial street in the historic centre with cafés, empanada shops, canelazo stalls and small restaurants.
La Floresta
Residential district with independent cafés, bakeries, coffee roasters and restaurants serving modern Ecuadorian food.
La Mariscal and González Suárez
Newer districts with international restaurants, bars and modern Ecuadorian cooking.
Food tours in Quito compared
Every tour below is a real listing on GetYourGuide or Viator, checked on 2 Oct 2026. Prices move with season and group size, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
| Tour | Length | Price* | Group | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quito: Cooking Class with Chef, Market Tour & Transportation | 4 hours | from €78 per person | — | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
| Quito: Street Food Essentials | 3.5 hours | from €98 per person | — | First-timers on a budget who want to try many cheap dishes in one go. | Check dates |
| Quito: City Highlights and Food Walking Tour | 3.5 hours | from €93 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Quito Private Old Town & Central Market Walking Tour | 3 hours | from €98 per person | private | Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them. | Check dates |
| Quito: Ecuadorian Cooking Class with a chef and Local Market | 3 - 4 hours | from €89 per person | private | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
| Quito: Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch | 4 hours | from €63 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
Quito: Cooking Class with Chef, Market Tour & Transportation
On GetYourGuide · run by Galapagos Connoisseur LLC
- Length
- 4 hours
- Price
- from €78 per person
- Rating
- 4.7 ★ from 12 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Lunch Tour of Central Market and Cooking Class Apron and chef hat for use during cooking class Local fruit juice Recipes Extra food and drinks not mentioned on itinerary Gratuities
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
Quito: Street Food Essentials
On GetYourGuide · run by Bondabu Ecuador
- Length
- 3.5 hours
- Price
- from €98 per person
- Rating
- 4.8 ★ from 60 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Food at 4 different stops Fruit tasting Soft drinks, cocktail, and chocolate tasting at the itinerary stops Bilingual Spanish and English-speaking guide from selected areas in Quito (if the option is selected) (for…
- Suits
- First-timers on a budget who want to try many cheap dishes in one go.
- Starts
- Meeting point is at the main entrance to Teatro Sucre. Please be aware that maximum waiting time is 15 minutes, if you don't arrive on time you will lose your tour.
Quito: City Highlights and Food Walking Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Bondabu Ecuador
- Length
- 3.5 hours
- Price
- from €93 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 20 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Food at 4 stops Fruit tasting Chocolate tasting 1 cocktail (soft drinks available) Bilingual guided in English or Spanish Hotel pick up and drop-off, depending on the option chosen Gratuities
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- Meeting point is at the main entrance to Teatro Sucre.
Quito Private Old Town & Central Market Walking Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Intrepid Urban Adventures
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €98 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 19 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private
- Included
- Private local guide Guided walking tour of Quito's Historic Center Visit to Quito's Central Market Entrance fee to La Compañía de Jesús Church Traditional ice cream-making experience and tasting Personalized experienc…
- Suits
- Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them.
- Starts
- Teatro Sucre
Quito: Ecuadorian Cooking Class with a chef and Local Market
On GetYourGuide · run by Latin Adventures Tour Operator
- Length
- 3 - 4 hours
- Price
- from €89 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 6 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private
- Included
- Cooking class with a chef Tasting of 3 typical dishes Private transportation Certified English/Spanish-speaking guide All activities as mentioned in the itinerary Drinks Personal expenses Gratuities From €89 per pers…
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
Quito: Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch
On GetYourGuide · run by Awesomecuador
- Length
- 4 hours
- Price
- from €63 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 3 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Walking tour of the old town (Centro Historico) Explanation of sites and history as we walk through Market visit Tropical fruit tasting Ecuadorian Ice cream tasting (like Sorbet) Entry tickets to the Monastery of the…
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- Estacion Metro San Francisco
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Street food, sit-down or a cooking class?
Street food
Street and market food is cheap and filling: empanadas, humitas, fruit juices, hornado and grilled corn. Market food courts offer set lunches (almuerzo) of soup, a main and juice for a few dollars. Choose busy counters and eat in daylight.
Sit-down meals
The almuerzo, a two- or three-course set lunch, is the standard local meal and great value. Restaurants in La Floresta and the north serve modern Ecuadorian cooking with Andean and Amazonian ingredients. Many traditional restaurants focus on lunch and close early in the evening.
Cooking classes
Cooking classes usually begin with a market visit to learn the fruits and tubers, then teach locro, empanadas or ceviche. Ask whether the class includes a tasting of Ecuadorian chocolate, which is a common add-on.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | $15–25 (about €14–23): market lunches and street snacks |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | $35–60 (about €32–55): set lunch plus a sit-down dinner |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | $100+ (about €92+): tasting menu with Ecuadorian wine or cocktails |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Possible. Locro de papa, empanadas de viento, humitas and llapingachos are often vegetarian, though some soups use meat stock; ask 'sin carne'. Vegan is harder because of the cheese in many dishes. La Floresta has vegetarian cafés.
Halal: Very limited. Halal restaurants are rare; Middle Eastern places in the north may offer halal meat on request. Pork is central to the local cuisine (hornado, fritada), so choose fish, chicken or vegetarian dishes and ask.
Gluten-free: Fairly easy. Many dishes are based on potato and corn. Watch empanadas (wheat flour), breaded items and some sauces. Awareness is lower in markets than in modern restaurants.
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- Taxis without meters, or meters 'not working', charging high fares, especially from the historic centre at night. Use a ride app or registered taxi with a working meter (taxímetro); agree on the fare otherwise.
- Bag snatching and distraction theft in crowded markets and on La Ronda at night. Keep bags in front, carry only what you need and don't leave phones on the table.
- Tourist-priced menus in the historic centre's main squares. Eat at markets and almuerzo restaurants, where prices are written up.
Top tours & activities in Quito
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Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
Do I need to tip in Quito?
Many restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill, shown as 'servicio'; if it is there, no extra tip is needed. Where it isn't included, about 10% is appreciated for good service. At markets and almuerzo counters, tipping isn't expected. Tip guides a few dollars if you enjoyed the tour.
What currency does Ecuador use?
Ecuador uses the US dollar. Small notes and coins are important, because markets, taxis and small shops often can't change $20 bills. Ecuador also mints its own centavo coins, which are used alongside US coins. Cards are accepted in most restaurants but not at markets.
Does the altitude affect eating?
It can. At about 2,850 metres, some visitors feel tired or nauseous for the first day or two. Eat lightly, drink plenty of water and go easy on alcohol at first. Many locals recommend coca or herbal teas. Leave the heavy hornado and fritada for when you have adjusted.
Is street food safe in Quito?
Generally yes at busy market counters with fresh, hot food. Avoid raw salads and unpeeled fruit if your stomach is sensitive, and drink bottled or boiled water, not tap water. Fruit juices at markets are often made with water, so ask for juice made with bottled water or choose milk-based batidos.
When can I try fanesca and colada morada?
Only at certain times. Fanesca, a thick soup of grains, beans and salt cod, is made in the weeks before Easter, mainly during Holy Week. Colada morada, a purple-corn and fruit drink served with bread figures called guaguas de pan, appears in late October and early November for the Day of the Dead.
How much should I budget for food per day?
Quito is inexpensive. Market lunches and street snacks cost about $15–25 (€14–23) a day. A set lunch plus a sit-down dinner in La Floresta or the north is about $35–60 (€32–55). High-end restaurants with tasting menus start around $60–100 per person before drinks.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.