Our self-guided food tour is based in and around Quito’s stunning Centro Histórico. Cobbled streets and colonial squares are lined with humble stalls, bakeries and market counters serving some of the city’s most traditional dishes. It’s the perfect place to begin your Ecuadorian street food journey. Expect a rich mix of hearty soups, fried snacks, slow-cooked meats and sweet treats, all rooted in Andean flavours and local ingredients.

First a little history about this area

Quito’s Centro Histórico is one of the best-preserved colonial centres in Latin America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built on the foundations of an ancient Inca city, it flourished under Spanish rule, with churches, monasteries and grand plazas shaping its identity.

Over time, the area became not only a political and religious hub, but also a centre of daily life, where markets and street vendors played a key role in feeding the city. Today, while tourism has grown, traditional food culture remains deeply embedded in its streets, making it an essential stop for anyone wanting to understand Quito through its cuisine.

But let’s focus on the food!

We’ll show you where to try the best local specialities, from comforting soups to iconic street snacks, often in places that visitors walk straight past but locals return to daily.

Empanadas de Viento

These light, crispy pastries are a staple of Quito’s street food scene. Fried until puffed and golden, they’re typically filled with cheese, then dusted generously with sugar for that perfect sweet-savoury balance. The best ones are freshly fried to order, slightly greasy (in a good way), and served piping hot so the cheese stretches with every bite.

Hornado

This is Ecuador’s answer to roast pork, slow-cooked for hours until the meat is tender and the skin perfectly crisp. Served with corn, potatoes and a tangy salad, it’s a full, satisfying meal. Street vendors often display whole roasted pigs, carving generous portions to order. The key detail: juicy meat with crispy skin in every bite.

If you’d like to spend less time guessing and more time tasting, check out our favourite spots to taste these dishes and many more in our self-guided food tour.

Overview of our Quito Self-Guided Food Tour

• Duration: Best enjoyed over a few days in order to taste and appreciate every dish.
• Budget: The price of each dish is shared in the guide and varies from place to place, but our guides are aimed more towards budget conscious travellers than those looking for fine-dining experiences.
• Best Time to Explore: Anytime! Once you purchase the guide, you’ll have access to opening hours and can plan your route accordingly. The itinerary is thoughtfully designed so you’re always near interesting landmarks, meaning you can easily plan your meals around your sightseeing and other activities
• Areas Covered: In and around the Centro Histórico

Our guide includes instant access to:

• 🍴 A minimum of 10 dishes to try
• 🍜 Local favourites that you won’t find in guide books
• 📍 The location of each dish
• 💻 A desktop pdf for your pre-trip planning
• 📱A convenient mobile version for on-the-go
• 🗺️ A map link showing all of the locations