The Leroy Kent Guide to Gastronomy in Cuenca
Food scene
The largest open air market in Cuenca. If you are shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables, this is one of the go-to places. The quality will generally be better than that found in the local supermarkets.
You will also find numerous meat merchants - chicken, beef, pork, and a few that remain a mystery to me....
You will need a basic grasp of basic Spanish to negotiate and purchase.
I have found the merchants to be honest and most will treat you fairly even if you do not fully understand their language.
In addition to food, you will also find all kinds of clothing, electronics, and just general stuff.
CUENCA FERIA LIBRE
The largest open air market in Cuenca. If you are shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables, this is one of the go-to places. The quality will generally be better than that found in the local supermarkets.
You will also find numerous meat merchants - chicken, beef, pork, and a few that remain a mystery to me....
You will need a basic grasp of basic Spanish to negotiate and purchase.
I have found the merchants to be honest and most will treat you fairly even if you do not fully understand their language.
In addition to food, you will also find all kinds of clothing, electronics, and just general stuff.
My favorite restaurant in Cuenca.
I have never ordered off of the menu. I just tell the owner (fluent in English) to fix me up with the Chef's choice. It has always been incredible, and for fairly priced for the quantity and quality. On my last trip, I was served a bread appetizer with a variety of sauces, a seafood soup that was incredible, a skillet filled with langoustines, followed up by multiple beef filets. More food than two Gringos could eat. I won't tell you how much it costs - I do not want the crowds to get too big there and keep me from getting a table in the future.
45 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tiestos
4-89 Juan JaramilloMy favorite restaurant in Cuenca.
I have never ordered off of the menu. I just tell the owner (fluent in English) to fix me up with the Chef's choice. It has always been incredible, and for fairly priced for the quantity and quality. On my last trip, I was served a bread appetizer with a variety of sauces, a seafood soup that was incredible, a skillet filled with langoustines, followed up by multiple beef filets. More food than two Gringos could eat. I won't tell you how much it costs - I do not want the crowds to get too big there and keep me from getting a table in the future.
Yes, this is a hostal. But when you go in, make your way to the back and there is a small restaurant and bar inside. Creative cooks that take great pride in both quality and presentation.
Hostal Yakumama
5-66 y Calle Luis CorderoYes, this is a hostal. But when you go in, make your way to the back and there is a small restaurant and bar inside. Creative cooks that take great pride in both quality and presentation.
High quality food is a trademark of Sofy. Service is a bit slow, and it is a bit pricy, but it stays near the top of my recommended list.
The picture here is of their previous location. They are now on Simon Bolivar just a few steps east of the northeast corner of Parque Calderon.
Sofy Glocal Cuisine
7-79 Simón BolívarHigh quality food is a trademark of Sofy. Service is a bit slow, and it is a bit pricy, but it stays near the top of my recommended list.
The picture here is of their previous location. They are now on Simon Bolivar just a few steps east of the northeast corner of Parque Calderon.
One of the highly popular Gringo hangouts. I have never really been impressed, but every Gringo seems to want to go there. So it makes my list.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
SUNRISE CAFE
938 Calle LargaOne of the highly popular Gringo hangouts. I have never really been impressed, but every Gringo seems to want to go there. So it makes my list.
A very popular Gringo hangout. It does not impress me, but it seems every Gringo wants to go there. So it makes this list.
Common Grounds Sports Bar & Grill
Calle Eduardo Crespo MaloA very popular Gringo hangout. It does not impress me, but it seems every Gringo wants to go there. So it makes this list.
A great little coffee shop in El Centro. Reasonably priced, friendly, and it just feels cozy.
It is surprisingly hard to find quality whole bean coffee for your home in Cuenca, the absolute center of coffee country. This is a great place to get quality beans at a reasonable price.
I really love this place. It is hard for me to walk past it without stopping in.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Café de Ñucallacta
Exterior:5-62 Hermano MiguelA great little coffee shop in El Centro. Reasonably priced, friendly, and it just feels cozy.
It is surprisingly hard to find quality whole bean coffee for your home in Cuenca, the absolute center of coffee country. This is a great place to get quality beans at a reasonable price.
I really love this place. It is hard for me to walk past it without stopping in.
THE place to go for household spices. They buy in bulk, and sell to us peasants in small quantities so that we can keep our stash fresh.
Two of the most lovely women running this ship that you will ever meet.
Gramm Bulk Shop Granel
14-14 Mariscal SucreTHE place to go for household spices. They buy in bulk, and sell to us peasants in small quantities so that we can keep our stash fresh.
Two of the most lovely women running this ship that you will ever meet.
Does everyone have their own personal favorite dive bar? This is mine. They brew their own beer here, and do a decent job. Food is OK, but nothing to write home about.
I am not sure how to describe it beyond being a dive bar where I always have fun.
The Pub
Miguel Cordero DávilaDoes everyone have their own personal favorite dive bar? This is mine. They brew their own beer here, and do a decent job. Food is OK, but nothing to write home about.
I am not sure how to describe it beyond being a dive bar where I always have fun.
This is actually a small brewery, with a weekly delivery service.
They put a few tables out front for people to hang out two days a week (Friday and Saturday afternoons). So there may be a chess match, or a poker game, or just a bull session at any given moment.
You have to want to go there. Out away from the normal Gringo haunts. Actually about a mile past the end of Tranvia (Parque Industrial). Difficult to find the first time, but now I just take my bike onto Tranvia and sneak in on the back roads. Just remember before making the journey, they have very limited hours on Friday and Saturday.
Genuinely nice people, fluent in English, and brew several nice beers.
The Hop Factory
Calle del Himno NacionalThis is actually a small brewery, with a weekly delivery service.
They put a few tables out front for people to hang out two days a week (Friday and Saturday afternoons). So there may be a chess match, or a poker game, or just a bull session at any given moment.
You have to want to go there. Out away from the normal Gringo haunts. Actually about a mile past the end of Tranvia (Parque Industrial). Difficult to find the first time, but now I just take my bike onto Tranvia and sneak in on the back roads. Just remember before making the journey, they have very limited hours on Friday and Saturday.
Genuinely nice people, fluent in English, and brew several nice beers.
Great atmosphere, good food, and excellent beer. Outdoor seating right on the plaza for San Sebastian church. Great place to just chill, people watch, and soak up a few suds.
I always have to stop by when I am down the street visiting the Gramm Bulk Shop Granel.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jodoco Belgian Bistro
Mariscal SucreGreat atmosphere, good food, and excellent beer. Outdoor seating right on the plaza for San Sebastian church. Great place to just chill, people watch, and soak up a few suds.
I always have to stop by when I am down the street visiting the Gramm Bulk Shop Granel.
I have only been here once, just because it is so far away from my condo. But this is a brewpub with good food, and is on the recommended list.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lacraft Beer Garden
Miguel MorenoI have only been here once, just because it is so far away from my condo. But this is a brewpub with good food, and is on the recommended list.
Four-star food: very good starter, but cake for dessert a little dry. The service was very good. It is definitely worth a repeat visit.
SERAFINA BISTRO
350 Roberto Crespo ToralFour-star food: very good starter, but cake for dessert a little dry. The service was very good. It is definitely worth a repeat visit.
The food is above average for bar food. Let's call it very good, but not great. Good beer at a reasonable price. Kind of a cool vibe being in a glass front "barn."
Located in the el Vergel neighborhood, which is an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars and shops. Cool neighborhood, but if you do not live there then it pretty much requires a taxi to get there. $3.00+ cab ride from my condo.
Recommended.
Honestly, it is across the street from Supermaxi el Vergel. I only go to Golden Prague if I find myself at Supermaxi for some reason.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Golden Prague Pub
s/n Av. Jose PeraltaThe food is above average for bar food. Let's call it very good, but not great. Good beer at a reasonable price. Kind of a cool vibe being in a glass front "barn."
Located in the el Vergel neighborhood, which is an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars and shops. Cool neighborhood, but if you do not live there then it pretty much requires a taxi to get there. $3.00+ cab ride from my condo.
Recommended.
Honestly, it is across the street from Supermaxi el Vergel. I only go to Golden Prague if I find myself at Supermaxi for some reason.
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Tranvia is my favorite mode of transportation
Tranvia is the new light rail tram running through El Centro. Through El Centro, it runs easterly on Calle Gran Colombia, and westerly on Calle Mariscal Lamar.
Tranvia gives easy access to the airport and the bus terminal as well, located only steps away from the entrance to each.
With a Tranvia card, a ride is only 35 cents. Buy a card, no need to put much money on it. You can recharge the card at every Tranvia stop on the system. Just pay $1.00 as needed to keep riding.