Returning home from the Galapagos, we overnighted a second time in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Since we had more time on the way back, we decided to follow a local recommendation for dinner and what a place this was!

‘Lo Nuestro’ is a quick and cheap cab ride from either the main tourist area or the major hotels. As we walked in, the first thing I noticed was that the place was packed! It was a great mix of obvious local residents and obvious tourists, but the vibe worked and wasn’t awkward. The décor is a mish mash of old Guayaquil news clippings and pictures, showing a different era in the city.

When we ordered, we did so from a Spanish menu, as they didn’t have anything else. But, as a table, our high school Spanish saved the day, even if ordering really was a leap of faith. Given the proximity of the city to the coast, seafood is the specialty here. That being said, I ordered a great crispy pork with rice dish that was out of this world. Others at the table ordered a traditional chicken dish that looked amazing and ceviche and calamari for appetizers that rivaled anything I had ever seen before.

This is a leisurely place, which was fine by me. In a traditional way, they want you to take your time as you enjoy all the courses, down to some pretty incredible desserts. Prices are amazing too. Expect to pay no more than $20 a piece for a full, multi-course meal.

So, should you find yourself in Guayaquil, definitely put ‘Lo Nuestro’ at the top of your dining list.

Address Av. Estrada 903

Hours Mon-Thurs noon-3:30pm and 7pm-midnight; Fri-Sun noon-midnight