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Market · Ambato, Tungurahua
Central Market of Ambato
Market in central Ambato with stalls selling regional fruits, juices and typical food. It is the traditional place to eat llapingachos, served by families that have kept the dish for generations.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Central Market of Ambato
The Central Market is in downtown Ambato and is the city's most traditional place to try local food. On the food floors, stalls serve highland dishes, fruit juices and, above all, llapingacho.
Ambato-style llapingacho is served with potato tortillas filled with cheese, chorizo, a fried egg and avocado. Some stalls have been run by the same family for three generations, and the cooks defend the papa chola and chorizo as the basis of the local recipe.
Ambato is known as the city of fruits and flowers, and the market showcases the valley's production: there are stalls with Andean fruits, vegetables and juices made to order.
The visit works well as a lunchtime stop during a walking route through the center, between the Casa de Montalvo and the Atocha–La Liria Botanical Garden.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour, including lunch.
Best time
At lunchtime, when all the food stalls are open. Confirm opening times, as they change on Sundays and public holidays.
How to get there
It is in downtown Ambato, a few blocks from Parque Juan Montalvo, and is reachable on foot.
Tip
Order the full llapingacho with chorizo, egg and avocado, and have it with a fruit juice from a neighboring stall.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Central Market of Ambato
What to eat at Ambato's Central Market?
Llapingacho is the most sought-after dish: potato tortillas with cheese, chorizo, fried egg and avocado. There are also fruit juices and other highland dishes.
Does Ambato's llapingacho include peanut sauce?
In Ambato, llapingacho is usually served without the peanut sauce that appears in other cities.
Does the market open every day?
It is open most days, but the food stalls' hours vary. Confirm beforehand, especially on Sundays.