Culinary tour Quito: 7 tasting stops across Ecuador's regions

Seven stops through Ecuador's flavors: markets, cacao, street food, and dinner in Quito

A half-day culinary tour of Quito led by a local guide, visiting seven tasting stops that span Ecuador's regions, from Amazon fruits and Andean cacao to coastal influences and street food. You'll walk through neighborhoods like La Floresta and Iñaquito Market, taste toasted corn, hornado, empanadas and fresh juices, then finish with your choice of fine dining or traditional Ecuadorian dinner with city views. Private transportation and entrance fees are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Culinary tour through Quito

• Fruit tasting from Ecuador regions
• Learn about Ecuadorian cacao and Yumbos
• Explore Old Town and try local snacks
• Taste humitas, quimbolitos, and Andean cocktail
• Sample Ecuadorian street food delicacies
• Enjoy dinner at Casa Samos or Soreno Moreno

The experience

You arrive in Quito with an afternoon free and no plan to eat alone. This tour solves that by threading you through the city's neighborhoods and markets in a single arc, stopping to taste as you go. The guide leads you to seven spots, not a restaurant crawl, but a real map of how Quito eats. You start with a fruit tasting of tropical produce from the Amazon, coast and highlands, then move to cacao and its history through Yumbos ethical practices. The stops keep moving: toasted corn and nuts at a local spot near Iñaquito Market, hornado (roasted pork with potatoes) and fresh-squeezed juices, soft humitas and quimbolitos in the artsy La Floresta neighborhood, then a locally-crafted Chawar cocktail at a bar that specializes in the Andean spirit.

Street food comes next: the kind Anthony Bourdain named one of the world's best destinations for. Morocho, empanadas, and tripa mishki (for the adventurous) round out the tasting before you move to dinner. Here the tour splits: you choose between a refined tasting menu at Casa Samos showcasing creative Ecuadorian cooking, or a traditional feast with sweeping views of Quito at Soreno Moreno. The whole day runs five to seven hours depending on pace and which dinner you pick. Walking and short drives make up the route, so comfortable shoes matter. Private transportation moves you between neighborhoods. The guide speaks English or Spanish.

All net profits fund Awaken Foundation's programs in education, health and sustainable bioeconomy across Amazonian, Andean and Coastal communities. Let the operator know about allergies or dietary restrictions when you book.

What’s included

• Private transportation between neighborhoods.
• entrance fees to markets and tasting venues.
• seven curated tastings including tropical fruits, cacao, toasted corn, hornado, humitas, quimbolitos, street food and a cocktail.
• dinner at your choice of Casa Samos or Soreno Moreno.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (15 to 80 years) · Youth (10 to 14 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Awaken

Is this one for you?Pick the fine dining option at Casa Samos for a refined tasting menu, or Soreno Moreno for traditional Ecuadorian food with views. Both are included, so choose based on whether you want formal plating or casual authenticity for your final meal.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 14 years); Child (5 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What is cacao like in Ecuador, and what will I learn about it on this tour?

Ecuador grows some of the world's finest cacao, and the tour includes a tasting and lesson on its history through Yumbos ethical community practices. You'll taste the product itself and understand how it's grown and sourced in the region.

Does the tour include the dinner at Casa Samos or Soreno Moreno, or do I pay extra?

Dinner is included in the tour price, and you choose which restaurant suits you at checkout. Casa Samos costs an additional 80 dollars per person if you want the fine dining option. Soreno Moreno is part of the standard package.

What neighborhoods in Quito will I walk through?

You'll move through Old Town, Iñaquito (home to the market), and La Floresta, an artsy up-and-coming neighborhood where you'll taste humitas and quimbolitos and try a locally-crafted Chawar cocktail. The guide shares stories about each area as you walk.

How much walking is involved, and what should I wear?

The tour includes walking and short drives between stops. Comfortable shoes are recommended because you'll be on your feet moving through neighborhoods and markets, though the pace is leisurely and built around tasting, not distance.