5 Best Restaurants in Guayaquil and the Pacific Coast, Ecuador

Doña Carmita and her sister have a way with seafood. The signature dish at this simple beachfront eatery, among the best restaurants along the southern coast, is the zesty pescado al vapor con vegetales (lemony fish soup with vegetables). A wide variety of drinks, including German and Chilean wines, is available.

This downtown restaurant, specializing in Peruvian-style seafood, is popular with business executives. The interior of the nondescript building is surprisingly attractive, enlivened by a skylight and paintings by local artists. Start off with seviche or chicharrón de calamar (deep-fried squid); then move on to langostino picante (in a spicy cream sauce).

Several long grills make this barbecue restaurant appear as if it were designed to feed an army. It's a good thing, too, because legions of hungry carnivores fill the restaurant seven days a week to feast on racks of ribs, succulent steaks, and an array of other tasty meat dishes. There's a second location near the airport.

Historic photos of Guayaquil crowd the walls of this restaurant in the Urdesa neighborhood. Guayaquil is known for its ceviche, and Lo Nuestro's is good, meant to be drenched in the fresh lime juice that accompanies it.

Tiny shuttered windows set into thick whitewashed walls reflect this restaurant's Mediterranean influence. The simple exterior doesn't prepare you for the aquarium in the dining room, which is set into the ceiling. Try the prosciutto and melon appetizer, then move on to the chicken with a sour cream, vodka, and mushroom sauce. Musicians playing mandolins wander among the tables.