Top Restaurants in Santa Cruz
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Where to Eat in Santa Cruz: The Best Restaurants and Bars
How often do you get the chance to walk through a tunnel of lava? Created by the flowing and cooling process of liquid magma, the underground lava tubes of Santa Cruz are simply breathtaking. The most popular is the Tunnel of Love, so named for the heart-shaped hole in the ceiling. Cool down with a splash in the fresh waters of Puerto Ayora, snorkel at Tortuga Bay or the mangrove-lined Garrapatero Beach and get friendly with the giant natives at the El Chato Tortoise Reserve.
Things to do in Santa Cruz
1. The Rock Galapagos - Seafood Grill & Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 672 reviews
The Rock Seafood grill & bar, is inspired by the first Galápagos bar of the U.S. military base. Of the second war in 1941; Completely constructed with volcanic rocks and wood of the islands; Located on the main avenue of Puerto Ayora; It is specially designed to offer the public eager for different experiences; Its menu contains the most complete gastronomic options and the most sophisticated bar that has been installed on the shores of the Pacific Ocean; All this always enjoying a unique and incomparable tranquility that is only there where the infinite begins. Therefore, if you please the palate and comfort the soul is, you chose the perfect place. A corner in this natural paradise created for the most demanding and lovers of pleasure. Our specialties: Galapagos Lobster fettuccine in coconut sauce, cajun style shrimps, three pepper tuna fish, grilled Galapagos lobster, crème brulee, passionfruit margarita and excellent atmosphere and service.
Reviewed By mamafly - Atlanta, Georgia
We ate lunch at the rock and the happy hour they advertised was not what they advertised! The food was good but overpriced after we saw comparisons around the area. The waiter was really clueless with what we asked for. He didn’t speak English but we can all say agua. We never got water that we asked for. Didn’t go back and despite the amazing location, it wasn’t worth the annoyance of simple requests for the price but the shrimp quesadilla was really good but again not worth it
2. Il Giardino
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Best place in Galápagos to enjoy a beautiful meal with family and friends, indulge yourself with fresh sea food, cocktails, coffee and tasty italian gelato.
Reviewed By Vjay S - Providence, Rhode Island
Came here twice during our short stay, mostly for drinks. Food itself was unremarkable. Sat at the bar, service was pretty good. They had good deals going on. Overall good spot to grab drinks. They also had some sort of wedding engagement party going on which was fun to watch.
3. IslaGrill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 810 reviews
Reviewed By mango_eater - Washington, DC
We ate three meals while staying on this island for one week. Excellent service from Kathy and varied menu. We didn’t care much for the pizza—crust tasted pre-fab. The Darwin meal was excellent. We ate grilled tuna both times. We also liked the free plantain appetizer with a creamy dip. We would eat here again!
4. Angermeyer Waterfront Inn
Overall Ratings
4 based on 197 reviews
Reviewed By Allgoodthyngs - Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
We decided to call to this restaurant after visiting Las Grietas- (the gorge that we found to be very crowded and over rated) Very hungry after our Bay Cruise and began our evening with cocktails.
The Mojito was nothing to write home about and the food welcome and tasty but not plentiful so dessert was more of a necessity than a desire.
Lovely sunset views form here and a very pleasant setting but over priced and we would not visit again during our month in Santa Cruz
5. Cafe Hernan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 430 reviews
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Reviewed By Berries1
I went twice while on the island and both times I felt like I was bothering the people serving me. There seemed to be an attitude I'll get to you when or if I want to get to you because the second time I couldn't get anyone to acknowledge me. Strange because they hardly had anyone in the restaurant so after about 5 minutes of watching a couple servers behind the counter look everywhere but at me I left. The time before the pizza was decent so that's why I went back and no it wasn't the same servers.
6. Galapagos Deli
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 613 reviews
The Galapagos Deli serves the best natural homemade icecream in the island . Our delicious thin crust pizza is also renowned by our global customers.We also offer an exquisite freshly ground coffee and sandwiches made with homemade bread. We open from tuesday to sunday from 07:00am to 22:00pm.
Reviewed By difelidi - Panama City, Panama
Great palce for a good lunch! It seems they bake their bread themselves. It's delicious. We had pizza (which is served on a side table) with a crust that I needed to finish up (I often don't do that when it's not nice), Sandwich vegetariano and Fish & Chips. All great. The over-best was the Naranjilla batido. They also have the best ice cream.
7. La Garrapata Galapagos - Resto Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 790 reviews
"La Garrapata" offer his clients exquisite dishes elaborated with the best fish, seafood, vegetables and meets, bought from producers in Galapagos. This restaurant employs in its majority only local worker, properly trained for producing dishes under the high standards of hygiene and quality. Furthermore it is a leader in application of environmental best practices, which help the sustainability and conservation of the Galapagos Islands. The Restaurant "La Garrapata" pleases to attend you and we hope that our service will be of your complete satisfaction.
Reviewed By Nancy K - Poulsbo
Hoping to have some delicious grilled shrimp for dinner, I was quite disappointed that this place was out of shrimp. I ended up with mixed seafood, but it was mostly fish (of some undetermined species) and a few calamari. The sauce was a bit too salty for my taste. Better to try the Kioskos, which are less expensive, much more fun, and mostly delicious!
8. K.F. WIlliam
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 139 reviews
It's like a street food joint....with a small kitchen and most of the Seating outdoors. It's a couple of blocks inland (off the main street where most of the "nicer" restaurants are). The food is excellent, fresh and cheap. ($15 for a pair of lobster tails).
Reviewed By Forestalle - USA
Large servings, Fresh fish & grilled skirt steak over open fire. We really enjoyed visiting this restaurant located in Los Kioscos. A closed off street located an easy walk just few blocks from the port. The service is excellent. The chef William is onsite and the wait staff attentive & friendly. The plates are a great bargain with huge servings. The skirt steak took up the whole plate along with another healthy serving of delicious rise & beans. Wine very reasonable & brought to the table in an ice bucket. A great spot to visit. Also do try the local specialty Fish encolcado. ( has a unique coconut sauce) The fresh fish here is delicious. Lobster was not in season when we visited this February so not available. Another sign this neighborhood focuses on whats in season. This spot has all my favorite attributes: Casual outside dining, lively atmosphere, owner on premises, fresh simple food, completely reasonable pricing, fast attentive service, plenty of locals + tourists alike, authentic Ecuador atmosphere.
9. Finch Bay Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 107 reviews
Delicious, healthy international and Galapagos-inspired dishes are prepared daily by the Hotel's Head Chef Emilio Dalmau, using the freshest ingredients - including many from our organic vegetable garden "Chakrita". Vegetarian and special requirements can be accommodated.
Reviewed By Jaime C
The place is beautiful, as part of a 5 stars hotel, but you don't need to be a guest to eat in here.
So far one of the best dinners I've ever had.
Even considering the place, environment, quality and location are amazing, the food is the star (as the service, too). The chef is a step forward your expectations, we asked 4 different dishes and every one was absolutely incredible.
We had the chance to know the Chef (Emilio), a young star who uses mostly local ingredients to create amazing main courses. You can feel passion, quality and unique flavor in the food.
The service is not less perfect as the food.
Get there is easy once you arrive to Santa Cruz Island. If you are not staying at the hotel, you have to go to the port, take a boat (taxi) and cross the canal (2 minutes, 1 USD), then walk 5 minutes through a beautiful path to Finch Bay Hotel.
Tip: there are not so many taxis (boats) after midnight, so it's possible to use the boat used for the hotel's staff, so you don't have to wait.
10. Lo&Lo Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 162 reviews
Reviewed By alice-et-allan - Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
We had a nice meal, but at the end, the waitress asked us for more than we ordered. We checked it with her, with the menu, and she denied her miscount, even though we asked her for price before ordering. Whatever, she still asked for more, defending an absurd theory about how to read the menu, without even admitting there was a misunderstanding. We don't care spending one dollar more, but we care about dishonesty. In the end, it turned as a very bad experience, sadly... We don't recommend for poor waitress service.
