Top Restaurants in Loja
Top 10 restaurants in Loja, Ecuador
Discover the best restaurant in Loja, Ecuador including A lo Mero Mero, El Jugo Natural, Tamal Lojano, Forno di Fango, Restaurant Riscomar, Salon Lolita, Vida Ventura, El Fogon Grill, Shamuico Espai Gastronomic, Mama Lola
Things to do in Loja
1. A lo Mero Mero
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By bonnie889 - Loja, Ecuador
This place has been a well-known institution for quite some time in Loja. They serve the only realistic Mexican fare in the area. There are also many dishes with vegetarian options (not easy to find in Loja). The customer service is good and the food is very good.
2. El Jugo Natural
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By JoeSeg - Ottawa, Canada
No one else was having juice when I went - maybe due to the high price? Everyone was having coffee it seemed. I had an empanada and it was tasty. I did not see the special section with spices - that will have to be on my next visit.
3. Tamal Lojano
Overall Ratings
4 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By Robert H - Los Angeles, California
I got a lot of referrals to this place so maybe had expectations set too high. I got tamales. They were good but not spectacular and not particularly different than a tamales in Los Angeles. Service was completely indifferent. Its a nice place but wouldn't trip over myself to go there.
I had much better food for less at the markets where they have stalls and food vendors. Those meals were exemplary and crazy cheap. They do lack ambiance, but I'd rather have surprisingly good food.
4. Forno di Fango
Overall Ratings
4 based on 57 reviews
Italian restaurant placed to few meters of the central park in the best tourist zone of the city. Artisanal food and beverages, baked pizza in our traditional clay oven. Cozy environment, interior and exterior tables. Ideal for lunch, dinner or to take an authentic Loja´s coffee in the afternon. WI-FI conection
Reviewed By 514Jake - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
The atmosphere was very welcoming, clean and comfortable, while the staff was also quite professional and kind. They politely took my order as I struggled with my mediocre Spanish, and even came out with a translation pulled up on their phone to confirm my requests. The food wasn't bad, the pasta much better than the salad, but overall I was satisfied with my visit there. The price was fair, and the beer cold. Also a great location if you're near the city center.
5. Restaurant Riscomar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
In 2001 Mar y Cuba opened its doors. In 2006 we change the name to Riscomar, provided our customers a variety of meats and seafood, Mediterranean food, Ecuadorian food, vegetarian food and local food, in a friendly and nice atmosphere and excellent service. Come to our restaurant located near the city center, we have a capacity of 100 people. It also provides event services outside the restaurant. We are waiting for you.En 2001 Mar y Cuba abrio sus puertas. En 2006 cambiamos el nombre a Riscomar, proporcionado a nuestros clientes una variedad de carnes y mariscos, comida mediterranea, comida ecuatoriana, comida vegetariana y comida local, en un ambiente acogedor y agradable y un servicio excelente. Ven a nuestro restaurante situado cerca del centro de la ciudad, tenemos una capacidad de 100 personas. Tambien proporcionamos servicios de eventos fuera del restaurante. Estamos esperando por usted.
Reviewed By bontempsbob - Vilcabamba, Ecuador
I live in Vilcabama and have eaten at Riscomar about 6 times in the last 3 years. It is a very special restaurant. You feel like you are in a big city because of its sophisticated menu, ambience, and excellent service. We have never been disappointed. Great value for the quality of the food. I highly recommend this restaurant. It is probably the best restaurant over-all that I have been to in Loja.
6. Salon Lolita
Overall Ratings
4 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By Lily C - Los Angeles
Based on the earlier review I was expecting some plastic seated, dingey restaurant. It is downstairs from the address given where you will find lots of tables set in a garden with wood, tile and brick. There's even a kid's wood and plastic swing set. The crowd was mostly couples and what looked like a gathering of professional adults after work. The confusing part is that you have to go order at the back of the restaurant in an area obscured by bushes, then seat yourself. The cuy is tender and a half is more than enough food for one. The horchata is a bit sweet.
7. Vida Ventura
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
"Great food, great moments" All American Food Style
Reviewed By lojano1974 - Loja, Ecuador
The food at Vida Ventura is just great. This is a very clean and appealing restaurant, and you cannot complain about the service. The menu has been designed to satisfy the finest palates. If you are a meat lover, this is the place to visit. The portions are good, and you will leave full and satisfied. Also, I would like to add that they serve the best mojitos in town.
If you are taking your kids with you, the restaurant has an area for the children to play.
The reason for not giving them five stars is the price. Compared to the other restaurants in Loja, this one can be a little expensive. But notice that if you are coming from abroad, you will not find prices expensive at all. Check my other review for a steak house that you should not miss while in Loja. I recommend this restaurant. Cheers!
8. El Fogon Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
A restaurant born in 1972 to bring together large tables , family and friends , after several trips and experiences found the recipe the traditional Argentine barbecue and the cut of meat and we brought this grill for the first time to the city of Loja. We lit the grill, grilled smoke gave the exquisite flavor to captivate discerning palates lojanos and visitors from other cities and even from other countries , so we have been growing and are the best grill restaurant in the city of Loja and why not say nationwide.
9. Shamuico Espai Gastronomic
Overall Ratings
5 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By SARAGUEV - Japan
Good place to try in the remote Saraguro. Restaurant is big with different areas and some paintings for sell in its walls. Has a very nice visible kitchen.
Food tends to be fusion and it is well presented. Taste is good generally speaking. Although they try, important details are forgotten.
We were 3 people and ask for 1 salad, 1 corvina, 1 carbonara pasta and meat balls. The best of the 3 was the corvina in terms of size. Pasta was cold and some how simple for my taste, other small side dishes offered were creative and good. The chocolate as dessert is very good. Coffee was great.
If the goal is to try local food for locals, this is not the option. It's very expensive for local standards. Place frequented only by tourists.
Our bill for three people was around usd69 including 1 alcoholic drink , taxes and service.
Worth to visit? Yes.
10. Mama Lola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Traditional restaurant,our specialty is the Ecuadrorian food.
Reviewed By DD288 - Raynham, Massachusetts
The typical food at Mama Lola's was great and plentiful. We tried two types of hominy, one cooked with pork and the other with egg and cheese. They were both excellent. We then had Guinea pig and it was the best thing I ate there. We also tried "cecina" which is a smoked pork, ribs and a chicken made with the spices used when cooking the Guinea pig. I would recommend this restaurant for sure!!!
