Mercado del Río
A dynamic food market offering a world of flavors, from Ecuadorian specialties to international cuisine, in a lively atmosphere.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Mercado del Río
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A dynamic food market offering a world of flavors, from Ecuadorian specialties to international cuisine, in a lively atmosphere.
Visit during off-peak hours
To avoid crowds and potential slow service, consider visiting during less busy times.
National food area recommended
For a more authentic culinary experience, favor the national food area over international options.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
International, Ecuadorian
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+593 96 975 9589
Address
Avenida Malecón y Calle Colón MALECON 2000, Guayaquil 090150, Ecuador
Website
mercadodelrio.com.ec/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Global Culinary Tour
Experience a vibrant food court offering diverse international and national dishes, perfect for adventurous palates.
Seafood Delights at Balandra Grill
Savor exquisite grilled seafood, including tender pulpo and calamari, praised for its freshness and flavor.
Scenic Views and Lively Atmosphere
Enjoy your meal with scenic river views or in a lively courtyard, offering both indoor and outdoor seating options.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit during off-peak hours
To avoid crowds and potential slow service, consider visiting during less busy times.
National food area recommended
For a more authentic culinary experience, favor the national food area over international options.
Explore diverse eateries
Don't hesitate to explore various restaurants within Mercado del Río to find your favorite dishes.
Order from multiple restaurants
Diners at the same table can order dishes from different restaurants, allowing for varied tastes.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit during off-peak hours
To avoid crowds and potential slow service, consider visiting during less busy times.
National food area recommended
For a more authentic culinary experience, favor the national food area over international options.
Explore diverse eateries
Don't hesitate to explore various restaurants within Mercado del Río to find your favorite dishes.
Order from multiple restaurants
Diners at the same table can order dishes from different restaurants, allowing for varied tastes.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Mercado del Río is a popular gastronomic hub praised for its incredible variety of international and national cuisines, making it a go-to spot for diverse palates. Reviewers frequently highlight the excellent seafood from Balandra Grill and the pleasant ambiance, especially with scenic views. While most experiences are positive, some note that service can be slow depending on the specific restaurant within the complex.
"This place has a lot of restaurants to choose from. The one I order from was actually really good. Whether you opt for indoor seating or enjoy the outdoors, the scenery elevates the experience. It’s the perfect spot for those seeking variety and a picturesque setting."
Magno Safadi
"Really good food, for every mouth there is something. We loved seafood from Balandra Grill. Grilled pulpo, grilled gambas with garlic and grilled calamar..delicious. And very kind staff and good service."
Richard van Daal
"Balandra express is one of the restaurants here. Excellent seafood dishes. Good service."
Gabriel Landivar
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Mercado del Río offers a vast array of gastronomic dishes from around the world, including Ecuadorian, Peruvian, Colombian, Italian, and more.
Yes, diners at the same table can order dishes from various restaurants within the market, allowing everyone to enjoy their preferred cuisine.
Seafood from Balandra Grill, like grilled pulpo and calamari, is highly recommended. Reviewers also enjoyed Colombian cazuela and Peruvian dishes.
Yes, Mercado del Río offers both indoor seating and outdoor seating options, often with scenic views, making it a pleasant dining environment.
While specific dietary options vary by restaurant, the wide variety of cuisines makes it likely to find vegetarian or vegan choices. It's best to inquire at individual stalls.
The ambiance is lively and modern, with bustling food courts, bars, and pubs. Some areas offer a more relaxed atmosphere with scenic views.
To avoid crowds and potential slow service, it's advisable to visit during off-peak hours.
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While at first glance Mercado del Río looks like just another Guyaquil waterside eatery, all wooden bar stools and tented canopies, it’s the authentic Ecuadorian charm that helps it stand out. This is one of Guayaquil’s most popular restaurant complexes, and it’s not hard to see why. A lively, modern food court runs beside the river, visitors can stroll by eateries spanning cuisine from across the globe alongside lively bars and pubs.
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Located on Guayaquil’s Malecón 2000, Mercado del Rio is an absolute must for travelers visiting the city. This food market has stalls selling both local dishes and international favorites, so you can sample a bit of everything as you explore. Comedor Manabi is a great spot for local dishes from the northern coastal region of Ecuador – this is our number one recommendation here, but you really can’t go wrong with whatever you choose.
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Uno de los complejos gastronómicos más populares de Guayaquil, Mercado del Río destaca por su ambiente ecuatoriano auténtico. Se ubica en una animada zona de restaurantes en la ribera del Guayas y entre sus puestos se pueden encontrar platos el mundo. Aunque hay opciones para todos los gustos y presupuestos.
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In Guayaquil there is a place where you can discover the flavor of several preparations in a single space called “ Mercado del Río ”. This establishment, inspired by international gastronomic markets, brings the influences, roots and diversity of the country called Ecuador.
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For those who enjoy variety, Mercado del Rio on the Malecón 2000 offers a vibrant food market experience. With numerous stalls serving both local and international cuisine, it’s an ideal spot for sampling different flavors while enjoying the scenic river views.
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– Mercado del Río: es un espacio gastronómico con múltiples propuestas de todo el mundo, y donde podéis elegir hasta aburriros, desde libanés a chino a italiano.
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