Portoviejo stands out as the culinary heart of Manabí, Ecuador, and a proud member of the prestigious Food Capitals network. As Ecuador’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, the city’s food scene is deeply rooted in ancestral Montubio traditions while actively shaping modern food culture.
The local gastronomy revolves around signature ingredients such as green plantains, peanuts, artisanal cheese, and fresh Pacific seafood. Iconic dishes like viche (a complex, heritage fish stew) and tonga (a savory dish wrapped and cooked in banana leaves) reflect this rich identity. Today, Portoviejo blends vibrant traditional eateries with innovative chef-led restaurants, driving sustainable food tourism, preserving culinary heritage, and establishing itself as a global reference point within The Food Capitals network.
A series of seven cultural and culinary festivals celebrated throughout the year are organised to honor the city's identity through iconic dishes like tonga and viche. These events unite rural and urban communities to boost the local economy, promote responsible tourism, and safeguard Portoviejo's food heritage.
The annual Culinary Cup is a high-level culinary competition that pays homage to Portoviejo cuisine. It gathers traditional cooks, professional chefs, and emerging talents to highlight local native ingredients, acting as a dynamic platform for cultural preservation, culinary innovation, and international tourism projection.
The Mercadazo is a central hub for Portoviejo's urban gastronomy, open 24/7 every day of the week. This continuous space allows residents and visitors to enjoy authentic traditional dishes at any time, celebrating popular cuisine while elevating local food artisans and strengthening the city’s commerce.
This Culinary Lab is an academic and research initiative developed with the Universidad Técnica de Manabí to drive sustainable culinary innovation. Focused on training young talent, research focuses on local ingredients to bridge Portoviejo's ancient traditions with contemporary global gastronomy trends.
Photo credits: © Gobierno Autónomo Descentralizado Municipal del Cantón Portoviejo; @Universidad Técnica de Manabí
The Food Capitals members often offer opportunities for our member cities to participate in their events, as speakers, participants and/or chef exchanges. Contact us to find out how your city could participate1
Learn more
Following The Food Festival Think Table, The Food Capitals launches its newest thematic working group, the Latin America Connection Working Group.
Through collaborative projects, annual gatherings, study tours, and continuous exchanges, our network fosters a dynamic community where cities learn from each other, share best practices, and co-create innovative solutions for the future of food and gastronomy.
We invite cities that share our commitment to food-driven urban transformation to join us in shaping a better food future.
%20-%20400px.jpg)
