IMAGES: DIANA GAMARRA; ECUADOR TRAVEL
WHAT THE Y ’ RE EAT ING IN GUAYAQUIL
With multiple venues featured in Latin America’s ‘best restaurants’ lists, this port city is one of Ecuador’s most exciting culinary destinations
La Central Yuca soufflé Five years ago, this corner deli reinvented Guayaquil’s downtown food scene when it became the city’s fi rst trendy brunch spot. Today, La Central’s menu features everything from classic green plantain plates to fi erce sandwiches like kimchi grilled cheese. But there’s one dish that’s stood out since the beginning — a custardy yuca (cassava) souffl é, served with homemade rose honey syrup or cream cheese and pork rinds. It pairs perfectly with an iced rose latte or a bloody tomatillo drink, sipped while people- watching in the lively setting of Panamá Street.
lacentraldelishop.com
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Juliana Pan de yuca sour Some locals only visit this bar, on the third fl oor of Guayaquil’s Cacao Museum, to take photographs of its collection of antiques. But savvy patrons sit in the outdoor terrace and order pan de yuca sour, an original creation that earned Juliana the title of World’s Best Cocktail Menu 2022, along with other drinks celebrating ingredients from Ecuador’s four regions. This particular silky blend, inspired by local snack pan de yuca (cassava bread) and yogurt, includes white rum, caña, tropical guava fruit, green cardamom and a whey made from clarifi ed yogurt.
julianabar.com
NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.CO.UK/TRAVEL
La Cevichévere Tropical ceviche with plantain chips Guayaquil’s perennial sun and mild temperatures call for fresh, citrusy ceviche, the much-loved cold fi sh soup topped with red onion and coriander. La Cevichévere off ers a tropical twist on this South American classic, with mango and a touch of yellow pepper for a tangier fl avour; to enjoy it like locals do, try it with plantain chips and a cold beer. Other specialities include Mexican aguachiles (a spicy ceviche made with shrimp) and encebollado fi sh stew, while an open kitchen counter and salsa music make for a communal atmosphere. instagram. com/lacevichevere
Casa Julián Blue cheese and figs empanadas This restaurant is located inside the beautiful Hotel del Parque, which is set within the Parque Histórico Guayaquil and overlooks the Daule River. The menu is as exciting as the setting, and it’s the reason why Casa Julián features in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 list. Its version of sweet and savoury empanadas (Ecuadorian dough pockets), fi lled with blue cheese and fi gs and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, encapsulates the ethos of the restaurant, celebrating local ingredients with a refi ned, modern approach. hoteldelparquehistorico. com
Tropical ceviche with plantain chips at La Cevichévere
Mikka Seafood on fire All eyes are on the kitchen door when Mikka’s signature appetiser is served. Seafood on fi re delivers on its promise, a feast of seashells fi lled with mixed sautéed seafood, spicy butter and traditional Nikkei condiments — all set alight over a bed of salt. Also featured in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 round- up, this city-centre spot leans into the trusty fusion formula with a food and drinks menu mixing Peruvian and Japanese fl avours, from sushi rolls made with quinoa to salmon ceviche in a curry sauce. mikkarestaurante. com MARIA SILVA AGUIRRE
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