Dine
Simple and straightforward, the restaurant at the Iguana Crossing Hotel celebrates the flavors of the Galapagos with local pride.
Chef Juan Daniel has created quite a culinary stir in this otherwise sleepy beach town with his creative rustic dishes and rediscovered family recipes. In the highlands above town, the hotel grows much of the vegetables used at the restaurant and exclusively uses local proteins (non-endangered species only). Coffee and milk come from the hotels’ hacienda and other fruit and vegetables are sourced from local farms on the island. The catch of the day is always caught locally by neighborly fishermen and the bread is freshly baked every morning at the local bakery.
The house specialty is flat lava stone barbecue washed in fresh organic fruits from the hotel’s hacienda in the highlands of Isabela. Savor your food grilled over the succulent juices of oranges and papayas for a unique taste sensation. For traditional Ecudorian cuisine, delicate ceviche (fish marinated in citrus juices) and Sancocho, a traditional stew of tuna, yucca, achiote oil, peppers, onions, peanut paste and fish stock are served alongside innovative plates inspired by the Chef Daniel’s catch of the day.
During the day, and long into the evening, don’t overlook the lounge, with its panoramic view of the beach. Inspired by the popularity of a typical Crows’ Nest lounge on a cruise ship, you’ll meet fellow travelers from around the world in this cozy and comfortable lounge. Stretch out with a good book, catch the latest news and sports at the bar, or circle up with friends for a card game. It’s all happening here, all day and long into the night!
Our Menu
As Chef Daniel is quick to remind everyone, creating a world class menu on an island as the edge of civilization does pose some challenges. Remember, sometimes the supply boat from the mainland is delayed, and sometimes the fisherman have to stay in port, and so on. When that happens, he’ll be changing up the daily offerings, but we’re happy to tell you, he and his staff are without question culinary magicians and our guests never go home disappointed! Check the menu out and see what we mean!
Trust us, Puerto Villamil, is a beach town with sand streets, and a casual surfer dude vibe. Even the street lights get in on the action. It’s a small town packed with some great restaurants and bars.
Not far down the beach from Iguana Crossing you’ll find Casa Marita, a beachside home turned B&B, with its casually elegant oceanfront dining room. Several of the other lodging establishments in town have small dining rooms and lounges, including the popular Wooden House and Red Mangrove Inn.
Be sure to visit Betos’ Beach Bar, where cerveza bottles serve as tree ornaments and the local Ecuadorian beer, Club, is always cold and refreshing. The dining tables sit firmly in the sand, welcoming visitors from around the world.
The town’s central square is lined with restaurants. Try fried and lightly breaded shrimp ‘camarones apanados’ at Pepa’s. It’s not on the menu, so you have to ask for it. Cesar’s is another local favorite. Go early because it fills up quickly. Immediately behind Commercial Naboa on the town square is Gabriel’s awning covered food stand which offers delicious fruit batidos…milkshakes. On Friday nights, stop by the Oasis (pronounced Oh-ah-sis); that’s the night they make homemade muchinis, a yucca fritter that just may be the most popular in Galapagos. And if your looking for a bit of a dining adventure, head out of town up into the highlands for Campo Duro, with its beautiful setting overlooking the Pacific and wonderful menu items made with items sourced from their local farm.
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