Mercado Central Quito is the Old Town’s classic food market, on Av. Pichincha between Manabí and Esmeraldas, open daily from about 6am to 5pm. Go for breakfast or lunch and try corvina (fried sea bass), ceviche, locro, hornado and fresh juices for about $1–1.50. Bring cash in small bills, and come hungry.
The market has been feeding Quito since 1950, and it is our local lunch spot: Community Hostel Quito is just 2 minutes’ walk away. This guide covers what to eat, what it costs as of 2026, how ordering works and when to go.
Quick answer: Mercado Central Quito essentials
- Where: Av. Pichincha between Manabí and Esmeraldas, in Quito’s Old Town (Centro Histórico).
- Hours: daily, roughly 6am to 5pm. Food stalls are at their best for breakfast and lunch.
- Must-try: corvina from Corvinas Don Jimmy, about $7.50–8.50 as of 2026.
- Cheapest treat: fresh juices for about $1–1.50.
- Payment: cash, ideally small bills and coins.
- From our hostel: a 2-minute walk.
Where is Mercado Central and how do you get there?
The market fills a block on Av. Pichincha, between Manabí and Esmeraldas, in the Old Town. It is close to Plaza San Blas, Plaza del Teatro and La Marín.
From our front door on Pedro Fermín Cevallos and Olmedo, it takes about 2 minutes on foot. If you are coming from elsewhere in the city, the nearest public transport stops are:
- Ecovía/Metrobus: La Marín.
- Trolebús: Plaza del Teatro.
- Quito Metro: San Francisco or La Alameda stations, then a walk through the Old Town.
Our how to get here page has a map if you want to combine the market with a visit to us.
What to eat at Mercado Central Quito
The market’s food area is a maze of family-run stalls, each with its own specialty. Here are the dishes worth ordering. Prices are approximate as of 2026 and can vary between stalls.
| Dish | What it is | Approx. price (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Corvina (Corvinas Don Jimmy) | Fried sea bass, the market’s most famous plate. | About $7.50–8.50 |
| Ceviche | Ecuadorian-style seafood ceviche, served in a tangy citrus and tomato broth. | About $9–10 |
| Locro de papa | Creamy Andean potato and cheese soup, often topped with avocado. | A few dollars; check the stall board |
| Hornado | Slow-roasted pork, served with potatoes, mote (hominy) and pickled vegetables. | A few dollars; check the stall board |
| Llapingachos | Pan-fried potato patties filled with cheese, a highland classic. | A few dollars; check the stall board |
| Caldo de patas | Hearty cow’s foot soup with mote, a traditional local favorite. | A few dollars; check the stall board |
| Morocho | A thick, warm drink of white corn, milk and cinnamon. | Cheap; ask at the stall |
| Colada de churos | A traditional highland porridge-style soup made with churos (small snails). | Cheap; ask at the stall |
| Fresh juices | Made to order from tropical and Andean fruit. | About $1–1.50 |
For a deeper look at these and other national dishes, read our guide to Ecuadorian food in Quito.
Is the corvina at Mercado Central worth it?
Yes. Corvinas Don Jimmy is the stall most people come for, and the fried corvina is the dish that made the market famous. At about $7.50–8.50 as of 2026, it is one of the pricier plates inside, and it is the dish locals and travelers line up for.
If you are hungry or sharing, pair the corvina with a ceviche (about $9–10) and a fresh juice. At lunchtime expect a line; it is part of the experience.
How do you order and pay at Mercado Central?
Ordering is simple, even if your Spanish is basic.
- Walk the stalls first. Each one displays its dishes and prices on a board or menu card.
- Sit at the counter or bench of the stall you choose. You eat where you order.
- Point and ask. “¿Cuánto cuesta?” (How much is it?) and “Uno, por favor” (One, please) will get you far.
- Pay in cash. Most stalls work only with cash. Small bills and coins make life easier; change for a $20 note can be hard to find.
Mercado Central for breakfast vs lunch: which is better?
Both are good, but they feel different.
Breakfast
The market opens around 6am, and early morning is quieter. It is the time for a warm morocho, a fresh juice or a bowl of soup the way many Quiteños start the day. You get more space to look around and fewer lines.
Lunch
Lunch is when the food stalls run at full speed and the atmosphere is at its liveliest. This is the time for corvina, hornado and bigger plates. Expect crowds and lines at the popular stalls.
Our take
Many of our guests have breakfast with a view on our rooftop bar & restaurant (served 7:30am–1pm daily), then walk the 2 minutes to Mercado Central for lunch. Aim to finish before mid-afternoon: the stalls start closing well before the market shuts around 5pm, so it is never a dinner option.
What else is there besides food?
Mercado Central is a working market, not just a food court. Beyond the eating area you will find fruit, vegetables and everyday goods.
Head downstairs to see the herbal stalls and traditional healers, a part of Quito’s market culture that has lasted for generations. Be respectful and ask before taking photos of people at work.
Want to eat like a local every day? Community Hostel Quito is 2 minutes from Mercado Central, with 24-hour reception, a guest kitchen and free coffee and tea. You can also join our free walking tour of the Old Town, which leaves from the hostel.
Tips for visiting Mercado Central Quito
- Go before 2pm for the full choice of dishes.
- Carry small bills. Cash is king, and exact change is appreciated.
- Keep your phone and wallet close. Like any busy market, it gets crowded at lunch.
- Follow the lines. The stalls with the most locals are usually the best.
- Share plates if you want to try several dishes in one visit.
- Learn a few food words. Knowing “jugo” (juice), “sopa” (soup) and “la cuenta” (the bill) makes ordering smoother, and stall owners appreciate the effort.
- Come back more than once. Breakfast and lunch are different experiences, and it is easy to try a new stall each visit when you are staying around the corner.
- Combine it with the Old Town. Plaza San Blas and Plaza del Teatro are right nearby. Our Old Town guide has a full route.
Eating at markets is also one of the best ways to keep costs down. See our guide to Quito on a budget for more money-saving ideas.
Frequently asked questions
What are Mercado Central Quito’s opening hours?
Mercado Central is open daily from about 6am to 5pm. The food stalls are busiest and have the most choice at breakfast and lunch. Many start closing by mid-afternoon, so plan to arrive before 2pm if you want the full selection of dishes.
How much does a meal at Mercado Central cost?
As of 2026, fresh juices cost about $1–1.50, a plate of corvina from Corvinas Don Jimmy about $7.50–8.50 and a ceviche about $9–10. Traditional soups and plates like locro and hornado cost a few dollars; check each stall’s board before ordering.
Do stalls at Mercado Central accept cards?
Plan to pay in cash. Most stalls are small family businesses that work with cash only, and they may struggle to break large notes. Bring small bills and some coins so paying for juices, snacks and plates is quick and easy.
What is the most famous dish at Mercado Central?
Fried corvina, a type of sea bass, is the market’s signature dish, and Corvinas Don Jimmy is the best-known stall for it. Many visitors add a ceviche on the side. For a more Andean meal, try locro, hornado or llapingachos.
How far is Mercado Central from Community Hostel Quito?
It is about a 2-minute walk. The hostel is on Pedro Fermín Cevallos N6-78 y Olmedo, and the market is on Av. Pichincha between Manabí and Esmeraldas, so you can easily go for breakfast or lunch and be back on the rooftop soon after.