Travel Galapagos Islands & Ecuador

Puerto Ayora Restaurants

Posted September 21st, 2008 by Bob the Sea Lion

Often it’s only higher prices that distinguish

the restaurants that cater to locals

from those that cater to tourists; although

all the latter are congregated along Avenida

Charles Darwin from the harbor to the

Charles Darwin Research Station. Most of

the hotels have restaurants as well. Proinsular

is the cheapest and best-stocked market

by the harbor.

Restaurants

Angermeyer Point (%252 7007; mains from $11) It’s

only a two-minute water taxi ride ($0.50)

from the harbor to this picturesque spot

perched over the water. The restaurant,

in the former home of painter Carl Angermeyer,

serves up mostly seafood and

Western mains and is often booked by large

groups. Breakfast and lunch by reservation.

Set menus change monthly and there are

specials every night. Saturday’s happy hour

means two-for-one drinks.

La Dolce Italia (%284 8666; Av Charles Darwin;

mains $9; h11am-3pm & 6-10pm) The Sicilian

owner of this upscale Italian bistro is a boisterous

and welcoming booster who may accost

you on the street and draw you in. The

interior is nautically inspired and excellent

pizzas and pastas are served up on white

tablecloths. Does Dominoes one better and

delivers to boats.

Garrapata (%252 6264; Av Charles Darwin; mains

$4-9; h7-10pm Mon-Sat) This popular outdoor

restaurant serves basic sandwiches ($4) to

more substantial fare such as chicken in

pineapple sauce ($9) and shrimp in garlic

sauce ($9). Next to the La Panga disco, it

catches a nice offshore breeze.

Hernan Café (Av Padre Julio Herrera; mains $3-9;

h7am-9pm) With the same owner as La

Dolce Italia and much of the same menu,

Hernan Café is an excellent more affordable

and casual choice. Near the central park

and iguana statues, Hernan serves sandwiches

($2), hamburgers ($3), pizzas ($5)

and slightly pricier ceviches, fish and Western

dishes in an outdoor setting.

Rincón de Alma (%252 6196; Av Charles Darwin;

mains $6-9; h7am-9pm) A streetside casual restaurant

that serves ceviches and other seafood

dishes such as a lobster omelet ($16).

Inexpensive ($3) almuerzos (set lunches)

are also available.

Restaurant Salvavidas (%252 6418; mains $6-16;

h9am-8pm Mon-Sat) Frequented as much because

of it’s convenient dockside location as

because of its standard seafood and snack

menu, Salvavidas has been the daytime harbor

hangout of choice for years.

Cevicheria Restaurant (Av Padre Julio Herrera; ceviches

$4; h9am-8pm) This cevichería (ceviche

restaurant) is nothing more than a few outdoor

tables next to Rincó de Alma. Specializes

in, you guessed it, ceviches.

Descanso Del Guia (Av Charles Darwin; h9am-8pm)

Like the name suggests, this is a favorite

with boat crews and guides.

Cafés & Quick Eats

The cheapest places to eat are found along

Avenida Padre Julio Herrera. East from

this street, along Charles Binford, are some

very popular kiosks selling cheap and wellprepared

meals – mainly fish and meat

dishes.

El Chocolate Galápagos (Av Charles Darwin; mains

$3-6; h7:30am-10pm Mon-Sat) This café across

from the bank is an excellent place for people

watching. Besides coffee, fruit drinks

and chocolate cake, there’s an extensive

menu with everything from sandwiches

($3) and burgers ($3) to ceviches ($7) and

salads ($4).

Familiar William’s (Charles Binford; encocados $4-7;

h6-10pm Tue-Sun) One of the many eateries

lining both sides of this street, William’s

stands out because of its delicious encocados

(fish, shrimp or lobster smothered in a

savory coconut sauce).

Restaurant Ronald (Av Padre Julio Herrera; almuerzos

$2) A hole in the wall frequented by locals.

Serves up filling and cheap almuerzos.

Tropicana Restaurant (Av Bolívar Naveda; mains $2)

Another inexpensive local option, Tropicana

does almuerzos and standard seafood

dishes.

Casa de Lago Café (%271 4647; cnr Moisés Brito

& Juan Montalvo) A great place to while away a

few hours, the café serves excellent homemade

ice cream, coffee, fruit drinks and

bagels with cream cheese. There’s a small

bar and 2nd-floor balcony (see p365 ).

Tags: Restaurants