Ecuadorian food in Dubai is an insider's game. You won't find these restaurants in hotel lobbies or glossy food magazines — you find them through word of mouth from Ecuadorian colleagues, through neighbourhoods where South American expats cluster, through the kind of unassuming storefronts that hold the best food in the city. We've done the legwork. Here are the seven best Ecuadorian restaurants in Dubai.
Also Worth Your Visit
Casa Latina
JLT Cluster T • AED 55–120
A broader Latin American menu that handles the Ecuadorian classics well, particularly ceviche ecuatoriano and bandeja (mixed plate). Popular with the JLT office crowd for lunch. Their Ecuadorian-style shrimp ceviche is the best in the area — served with the traditional tomato broth and popcorn on the side. Reservations recommended at lunch.
El Muelle Guayaquileno
Dubai Industrial City • AED 35–70
A small canteen-style spot named after the Malecón riverfront in Guayaquil. The specialty is coastal Ecuadorian seafood — seco de camarón (shrimp stew), arroz con menestra (rice with lentils, a Guayaquil staple), and cold drinks of coco helado. Worth the drive for anyone who grew up on the coast. Weekdays only, closes by 4pm.
Tanta Dubai
The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah • AED 100–200
Technically Peruvian, but Tanta's kitchen occasionally features Ecuadorian dishes — especially encebollado and coastal ceviche. The executive chef has roots in both Lima and Guayaquil, and when he runs an Ecuador-focused menu item, it's exceptional. Call ahead to ask what's on, and book a terrace table at sunset.
La Cosecha
Business Bay • AED 65–130
A newer entry to the Latin American restaurant scene in Business Bay, La Cosecha has made a point of including Ecuadorian dishes on a menu dominated by Colombian and Venezuelan food. Their caldo de bola — the massive plantain dumpling soup from the coast — is the rarest dish on this list and worth ordering alone. Excellent atmosphere for a business lunch.
How to Order at an Ecuadorian Restaurant
Tips for Ordering Ecuadorian Food in Dubai
- Arrive early for encebollado — the good spots make a limited batch daily and run out by noon
- Ask for ají de mesa — the fresh green chilli-coriander sauce served on the side, not mixed in
- Order patacones separately — the fried plantains are often listed as a side but are essential to the meal
- Friday and Sunday mornings are community time — the most authentic atmosphere but also the busiest
- Popcorn with ceviche is not weird — it is correct. Ecuador serves coastal ceviche with popcorn and tostadas
More Ecuadorian Food in Dubai
