Vilcabamba Survival Guide - EATING OUT

Pepper steak at Hosteria Vilcabamba


Restaurants listed below are in no order of preference - they are in alphabetical order
Some restaurants have photos, some don't - we are taking photos as we go and will keep adding them in the future

For a small village Vilcabamba has an abundance of superb and diverse restaurants. You will note as you read this section that we have a lot of favourite places to eat. If you are so inclined, you can eat out most days here in Vilcabamba. We have a tendency to eat out a fair bit as we enjoy the social aspect of eating in the town. 

CHARLITO'S

Charlie is a newcomer on the Vilcabamba restaurant scene but everybody knew him already, so his restaurant became quite popular overnight. The things that I noticed when entering Charlito's for the first time was the interesting color scheme, the feeling of space inside and the warmth and professionalism of Charlie himself ...

... who soon came to take our order, with a little notepad in his hand, a bit like a French "garcon". "Nice" I thought as I began to relax and absorb the atmosphere of the place.

Food is simple and good. I have only tried the sandwich and the pizza so far and I have no complaints. I will need to ask other people to comment on their experience.

Hours	Address	URL	Phone
Open every day except Monday	Diego Vaca de Vega  y Sucre (opposite to Timothy's bar)

EL PUNTO

 

Resaturant/bar/disco on the square.
Best pizza in Vilcabamba according to Mike. We haven't tried it ourselves yet.
Cynthia's art is on display inside.


Salt Spirit 1 Inverted - Cynthia

Hours	Address	URL
Open for breakfast then lunch. Closed early afternoon. Opens again around 4pm till late. Open every day.	Located on the corner of Sucre and Diega Vaca de Vega (opposite the Taxi stand on the Parque Central)

EL JARDIN ESCONDIDO (THE HIDDEN GARDEN)

Jardin Escondido is a tranquil restaurant and part of the hotel of the same name. The locale, truly a "hidden garden", boasts candlelit dining in a lush courtyard and serves authentic Ecuadorian, Mexican, and international cuisine. There is live music some Saturday nights.

Hours	Address	URL	Phone
Every day from noon onwards	Sucre and Agua de Hierro	jardin-escondido.com	59372640281

IZHCAYLUMA

It is situated 2 kms from the town centre. It is an open-air, balcony-dining restaurant that enjoys a panoramic view of the valley and Vilcabamba village. The restaurant offers a wide variety of local and international dishes. This restaurant is part of the hotel of the same name.

The restaurant serves a delicious mix of both Ecuadorian and Bavarian specialties. 
Paula Newton. Source: Internet

Hours	Address	URL	Phone
08:00 - 20:00 every day except Monday (when it is closed during the middle of the day)		www.izhcayluma.com

LA ROCA

This restaurant is a great place to eat in Vilcabamba, very well finished and a little more up-market than some others. It offers a mix of international and national cuisine. The restaurant features three distinct dining areas: indoor, a patio and an outside covered dining area in the restaurant's garden.

There is on occasion live music. Recently, one visitor commented to us that his pepper steak was absolutely fabulous. We haven't tried it ourselves yet.

Apart from eating great food, if being welcomed and attended by people who really care is important to you, you will appreciate dealing with Ana the owner and Galo, her son, who run this restaurant together with passion, class and experience. "Cocino con mucho amor", "I cook with a lot of love", says Ana who has 45 years of experience in preparing food for banquets and buffets, including banquets for exclusive audiences in Quito such as the president of the republic of Ecuador and his entourage.

Galo, Ana and Saba

Hours	Address	URL	Phone
Open 10:30am to 8:30 pm every day (closed Tuesday) Open late on week-ends depending on fetsivals and other events	Corner of Calle Agua de Hierro and Eterna Juventud		(07) 2640364 Cell: 080028580

LA TERRAZA

They serve most of the staple meals in Ecuador as well as international fare, such as falafel, sandwiches, Oriental, Mexican and Italian food. This is a restaurant and bar.

Hours	Address	URL	Phone
Generally open most days	Corner of Diego Vaca de Vega and Bolivar

LAS TRUCHAS (TROUTS)

 

This restaurant is part of a small trout farm. They serve one delicious dish that includes trout,salad,rice,yuca and fried banana. I cannot emphasize the word delicious enough! This has to be the best cooked fish I've ever had. I've had fish in New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia. I've had fish that has been reeled in and cooked within minutes of it coming off the line etc. Maybe it is the fact that this trout is raised in some of the best waters in the world? Or is it the fantastic light lemon flavor that the chef infuses the fish with? Or the fact that the skin is crisp and delicious to eat? Or is it the way it is filleted?

The restaurant is located along the Rio Uchima. To get there you go through San Pedro, through Sacapo and down the Rio Uchima. Travel the full length of the Rio Uchima road until you get to the very end. Get out, go through the gate in front of you and walk straight ahead. You will hit a nice path that is an easy walk. Follow this path until you come to a wooden cabin and "voila" you are there. It is well worth the effort if nothing more than just for a nice bush walk along one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. Do note that parking at the end of the road is limited to one car only so get a taxi there and ring one to take you back. There is cell phone coverage at the restaurant.

They are open on Sunday or by appointment. Call Manuel on 4336935 to make a booking (only speaks Spanish). You can also buy trout to take home and prepare it yourself.

 

LAYSECA'S BAKERY

The Belgian Chocolatier.

    

Recently (early 2010), Layseca has moved onto the Vilcabamba square, a better location and a lot more space than they had before. The interior decoration is as before simply stunning and the food has not changed. Below is what we wrote about the previous location, nothing to change.

One of our favorite places for bread and treats. This bakery is renowned for its homemade wholewheat bread (pan integral) and rolls as well as chocolates, cookies and granola. They also make very good coffee and nice banana bread. They do sandwiches, pizza and pasta too. If you are planning a dinner party you can ask them to make a French stick ("une baguette s'il vou plait") that you can slice and spread with your own homemade garlic butter and "presto" you have a lovely fresh garlic bread to serve to your guests.

Hours	Address	URL	Phone
Tues-Sun 11am to 8.30pm, closed Mondays	Cnr of Luis Fernado de La Vega and Sucre, right on the square

Tiramisu from Hosteria Vilcabamba

Restaurants listed below are in no order of preference - they are in alphabetical order
Some restaurants have photos, some don't - we are taking photos as we go and will keep adding them in the future

NATURAL YOGUR

This restaurant serves fresh juice blended with natural yogurt.  They also do very good filled crepes and according to my husband the best Papas Fritas (hot chips). Ask them "bien frito" to make sure they are crispy.

The only thing with this restaurant is that you have to allow time for the meal to be prepared as it is done on an order by order basis. The other day, Pierre decided to try their spaghetti bolognese. After ordering, he went to the kitchen to ask for something and saw them getting fresh mince meat from the fridge and chopping green peppers. He thought: "oh my God this is going to take a loong time!". However, to Pierre's surprise, the spaghetti turned up after 20-25 minutes and was actually delicious. The vegetables were slightly undercooked and crispy which is great! So thumbs up for the Bolognese at Natural Yogur.

Come here when you are not in a hurry and watch that there isn't a crowd of people already seated and waiting.

Hours	Address	URL	Phone
This restaurant is generally open most days. Can be closed some afternoons	Corner of Bolivar and Diego Vaca de Vega

 

SAMBUCA CAFE

 

An a la carte menu is served at this restaurant and they also serve fresh healthy juices. This restaurant runs theme nights where the food prepared for the evening is based on dishes from a certain country. They can have some really wicked deserts here.   

If you are after an "Italian style" short espresso (a short black), this is the place (probably the only place at the time of this writing) to go.


Mary and her basket of veges for juicing

Hours	Address	URL	Phone
Closed Wednesday Open 9am to 9pm - Friday and Saturday to 10pm	Calle Bolivar, in front of the Parque Central de Vilcabamba		Cell: 097595776

SHANTA'S

This one is a bit out of town and has a cool atmosphere with a cowboy vibe. Bar seats are horse saddles and the walls are covered in international money, weird animal hides, and neat photos. A variety of food is served here. They do very good pizza and fish and pasta dishes.

Snake Juice is available at this restaurant if you wish to try it. It is made from fermented cane juice which is 90% alcohol.

Hours	Address	URL	Phone
	A five minute walk from the center, over the bridge heading East on Diego Vaca de la Vega towards Yamburara

TIMOTHY'S CAFE BAR & GRILL

Timothy's is a bar and restaurant. It is very well decorated well finished establishment.

They have lounge seating and outside seating as well, with a 44 seat capacity enough space for private gatherings They offer a wide variety of food, including BBQ wings, ribs, burgers, steaks and others such as pizza, sandwiches, appetizers and specialty plates as well. All food is cooked by the owner/chef who organizes international food festivals which includes German, Italian and Mexican cuisine. They have 2x1 cocktails in the evening and offer fresh coffee and delicious desserts as well. You can enjoy a live match on direct TV here.

It is one of our personal favorite places to eat in Vilcabamba. They make the kind of fresh hamburgers I remember from when I was a child with fresh lettuce, tomato, onion and a homemade meat patty.

They serve very good cocktails made with freshly squeezed juice!!!!

 

Hours	Address	URL	Phone
Sun-Wed 8 am to 11 pm Thur-Sat 8 am to 2 am	Diego Vaca De Vega 10-51		093 412 069 Cell 095 937 099

Other: Happy Hour: (2x1) 4-8 p.m.
 

 

RESTAURANTE VEGETARIAN

Definitely one of our personal favorite places to eat in Vilcabamba.  It serves only vegetarian food.

The restaurant serves the traditional "menu de hoy" (menu of the day) as well as very good yogurt drinks and a small a la carte menu.
 
Prices are extremely reasonable and the food is always fresh and nourishing. You can also buy homemade yogurt to take home. Bring your own jar if possible, particularly if you like to use glass jars which are better for your health.

Hours	Address	URL	Phone
Mon-Sun Noon to mid afternoon & evenings	Just down from the corner of Valle Sagrado and Diega Vaca de Vega