Quito may not yet have the culinary fame of Lima, but this Andean capital is quickly earning recognition for its food scene. Each year brings more gastronomy-focused tours across Ecuador, while locally produced coffee and chocolate complement the wide variety of fresh ingredients grown throughout the country.
The most recent and impressive hotel in the historic center, Casa Gangotena, offers guests a walking gastronomy tour designed to highlight local ingredients and traditional preparation methods. Rather than sticking to tourist areas, a morning walk with one of the hotel restaurant’s chefs explores neighborhood shops and markets frequented by residents.
Typical stops include Colaciones de la Cruz Verde, where traditional sweets are prepared in a swinging metal bowl over charcoal; Molinos de San Martín, a shop that grinds grains into various flours and cornmeal; and specialty spice shops offering both familiar and uncommon dried and ground seasonings. One of the most revealing experiences is a visit to an authentic local market, where Ecuador’s extraordinary variety of fruits and vegetables is on full display. Thanks to a range of climates—from tropical coastal zones to high Andean slopes—and fertile volcanic soils, the country produces an impressive diversity of crops.
On the tour, guests can opt to join the chefs in preparing a substantial lunch of typical local dishes, gaining hands-on experience with regional techniques and ingredients. Alternatively, participants can return later to enjoy a multi-course meal prepared from the items showcased during the walk.
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