Quito’s food is shaped by both the Andes and the coast, and this tour brings those influences together into a crash course in Ecuadorian cooking. Over 4 hours you'll move from the outer neighbourhoods into the historic centre, eating at the markets, street vendors and family-run eateries.
With 14+ tastings, you’ll experience everything from plantain-based street snacks and fresh seafood to hearty soups, slow-cooked meats, and seasonal fruits, alongside traditional drinks and desserts. It’s not just about trying dishes, it's about understanding the history, ingredients and techniques in Ecuadorian cuisine.
Markets are busy, informal, and central to how the city eats, and visiting them with a knowledgeable local tastemaker guide helps you navigate to the best spots.
Join our daily small group food tour limited to just 8 guests for an authentic taste of the real Quito.
The meeting point at the La Piedra UCE rock monument is accessible by taxi from most of the city's hotels or via the metro. The closest stop is Estacion Universidad Central Metro station, a 5-minute walk away. Uber is available in Quito and a safe and convenient way to reach the meeting point.
The tour concludes at the Independence Square in the heart of Quito's historic old town. The tour duration is approximately 3.5 to 4 hours depending on the pace of the group. Your guide can help you to find transport back to your accommodation if you wish.
Our Quito food tour offers guests a culinary experience carefully curated food adventure, led by our team of Quito tastemakers. Before we get started, our tour reflects the local cuisine, and the limitations of street food vendors and local eateries mean we cannot cater for every dietary restriction. Here's an honest appraisal for the tour, so no-one is disappointed: ✘ Unsuitable for vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, halal diets and severe allergies as the number of tastings would be very limited. ✔ No pork diets, gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, mild tree nut / peanut allergies and no seafood diets are possible though some tastings do not have alternatives available and the menu would be more limited.
Explore Quito’s food culture on a 4-hour lunch tour through markets, neighbourhood eateries, and family-run spots, with 14+ tastings along the way. This moveable feast takes you from the surrounding districts down into the historic centre, pausing in spots beloved by locals along the way. You’ll start with familiar street favourites like bolón de verde and corviche before moving into the dishes that define Ecuadorian cooking. Along the way, try encebollado, a tuna soup with yuca, fried corvina, and highland staples like habas with melloco. There are also slower, richer plates such as hornado, fritada, and seco de chivo, alongside traditional soups like yahuarlocro. Between stops, you’ll sample morocho and fresh juices made from local fruits, finishing with sweets like espumilla, plantain fritters, and ponche quiteño. This isn’t about fine dining, it’s an authentic crash course on the real Quito cooking.
The tour concludes after 3.5-4 hours. You'll leave not only full, but with a much deeper understanding of Quito’s food culture and the confidence to continue eating your way through Ecuador.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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