There is something so special about Ecuadorian cuisine, how it’s defined by the environment and its people. The terrain is one of the most diverse in the world, offering a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats and fish.  The perfect canvas for farm to table, and that is exactly where Barzola began.

 It started in 1987, at a family home in a cozy kitchen in Ecuador, and blossomed into multiple locations in Queens, still owned by the same family today. On a quiet, slow corner in Elmhurst, away from the fast pace of central Astoria, the community has the privilege of tasting these incredible and authentic dishes that have been crafted to perfection over the last 37 years.

Everything on their menu is made daily with fresh ingredients.  You can start off with warm, fresh pull apart yucca bread, and work your way through any one of their traditional comfort dishes like, seco de chino (goat stew), guatita (tripe and potato stew) or one of their delicious bolones, a fried green plantain that gets mashed and shaped into a ball stuffed with pork or cheese.

If you’re looking for lighter fare, trying one or more of their classic ceviches is an absolute must. They have five different variations, from shrimp topped with maize tostado (toasted corn nuts), to pulpo (octopus) and cangrejo (crab meat).  They also have encebollado de pescado, marinated tuna fish with cassava served warm.

Should you find yourself in search of a hearty delicious breakfast, they got you covered there too with a fan favorite of tortilla de verde, warm soft green plantain patties filled with cheese, that you can dip into your sunny side up eggs and follow with delicious Spanish sausage. Drop in again in the afternoon for a generous lunch special, served with rice, soup and juice.

All of their colorful cocktails are works of art on their own, layered with delicious fruits, juices and toppings. You can order your margaritas frozen or on their rocks with flavors like passionfruit, coconut or mango. They also offer non alcoholic beverages like the Coco Loco made with fresh strawberries mixed with coconut cream and milk or any of their exotic fruit shakes or batidos (with milk). Their happy hour is one of the best in the neighborhood, serving drinks at half price Monday through Friday from 1pm-7pm.

Barzola is the perfect spot for catching up with friends over dishes that will awaken all of your senses, or cozying up with a date and even partying with family on special occasions as salsa music hums through the speakers. It’s also a great spot to watch your favorite soccer teams, taking the experience next level with one of their unique beer towers from their state of the art draft system.

Barzola is that restaurant where you will be greeted with warm smiles from the host, bartenders and servers all while enjoying your authentic Ecuadorian meal, and as a Queens resident, what more can you ask for.

95-20 Astoria Blvd  / P: 718-433-9843 / @barzolaeastelmhurst