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Hotel El Cardenal

Café La Campiña Trattoria

The hotel café: highland coffee, homemade Loja bites —tamales, humitas, tigrillo, bolones— and the day’s cakes. For a late breakfast, an afternoon break or a long conversation.

Coffee and Hot Drinks

Highland coffee from southern Ecuador.

Americano Vegan

$1

Highland coffee from southern Ecuador, filtered and smooth-bodied: the everyday cup to start the morning.

Espresso Vegan

$1.25

A short, intense espresso of highland coffee, with its golden crema and a long, aromatic finish.

Cappuccino Vegetarian

$2

Highland-coffee espresso with steamed milk and a generous layer of soft foam: balanced and creamy.

ContainsDairy

Mochaccino Vegetarian

$2

Espresso, chocolate and frothed milk: highland coffee meets chocolate in a sweet, comforting cup.

ContainsSoy, Dairy

Hot Chocolate Vegetarian

$1.50

Rich hot chocolate made with milk, warming and comforting, just right for Loja’s cool afternoons and evenings.

ContainsSoy, Dairy

Local classic

Loja Horchata Vegan

$0.75

Loja’s traditional pink infusion, brewed from a blend of aromatic herbs and flowers: fragrant, delicate and truly local.

Herbal Tea Vegan

$0.75

A hot infusion of aromatic herbs, gentle and caffeine-free, for lingering after a meal or ending the day.

Mote (Hominy)

Cooked white hominy corn, the base of many southern Andean breakfasts.

Local classic

Mote Pillo VegetarianGluten free

$3

Mote —cooked white hominy— sautéed with scrambled egg, cheese, onion and annatto: the classic southern Andean breakfast.

ContainsEgg, Dairy

Local classic

Mote with Chicharrón Gluten free

$3.50

Hominy sautéed with pieces of crispy pork crackling and onion: hearty, savoury and truly Loja-style.

Local classic

Mixed Mote Gluten free

$4

The best of both: hominy sautéed with crispy crackling, scrambled egg and cheese, for a complete breakfast.

ContainsEgg, Dairy

Tigrillo and Bolones

Mashed green plantain, the southern Ecuadorian way.

Local classic

Tigrillo VegetarianGluten free

$4

Mashed green plantain sautéed with cheese and scrambled egg: an emblem of southern Ecuador, soft, creamy and full of flavour.

ContainsEgg, Dairy

Local classic

Tigrillo with Chicharrón Gluten free

$4.50

Mashed green plantain with crispy crackling, cheese and scrambled egg: the heartiest version of tigrillo.

ContainsEgg, Dairy

Local classic

Green Plantain Bolón with Chicharrón Gluten free

$1.50

A ball of mashed green plantain with crispy crackling, served with fresh salad and the house sauces.

ContainsDairy

Local classic

Green Plantain Bolón with Cheese VegetarianGluten free

$1.25

A ball of mashed green plantain with cheese, served with fresh salad and the house sauces: simple and satisfying.

ContainsDairy

Humitas, Tamales and Quimbolitos

Wrapped in leaves and steamed, just like at home.

Local classic

Loja Chicken Tamal Gluten free

$1

Corn dough filled with chicken, wrapped in an achira leaf and steamed, the way it has always been made in Loja.

ContainsEgg

Local classic

Loja Pork Tamal Gluten free

$1

Corn dough filled with pork, wrapped in a leaf and steamed: soft, savoury and perfect with a cup of highland coffee.

ContainsEgg

Two humitas (steamed corn cakes) in corn husk, with fresh cheese and a cup of coffee

Local classic

Humita VegetarianGluten free

$1

Fresh ground sweet corn with cheese, wrapped in its own husk and steamed: sweet, tender and perfect with coffee.

ContainsEgg, Dairy

Local classic

Quimbolito Vegetarian

$0.75

A sweet, fluffy little cake with raisins, steamed in an achira leaf: the traditional companion to afternoon coffee.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Dairy, Sulphites

Empanadas

Local classic

Green Plantain Empanada Gluten free

$2

Crisp green-plantain pastry filled with chicken, served with fresh salad and house chilli sauce to taste.

ContainsDairy

Ecuadorian cheese empanadas dusted with sugar, with a cup of coffee

Local classic

Empanada de Viento Vegetarian

$0.50

A fried pastry, puffed and crisp, filled with cheese and onion and dusted with sugar: a beloved sweet-and-savoury classic.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Dairy

Sandwiches and Subs

Chicken Sandwich

$3

Soft white bread with shredded chicken and mayonnaise: a simple, homemade sandwich for any time of day.

ContainsGluten, Egg

Cheese Sandwich Vegetarian

$2

White bread with cheddar cheese, simple and comforting, ideal alongside a coffee or a fresh juice.

ContainsGluten, Dairy

Steak Sub

$3.50

A baguette filled with beef steak and French fries: a hearty house-style sub for a big appetite.

ContainsGluten

Steak and Cheese Sub

$4

A baguette with beef steak, French fries and melted cheese: the most complete version of our house sub.

ContainsGluten, Dairy

Snacks

Kids

French Fries VegetarianGluten free

$1.50

A portion of golden, crisp French fries, to nibble on their own or alongside a sandwich or sub.

Kids

Salchipapa

$1.75

French fries with sliced sausage and sauces to taste: a favourite snack for young and old across Ecuador.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Soy, Mustard

To share

Fries with Chicken Wings

$2.25

Golden chicken wings served with French fries: a dish to nibble on and share at any time of day.

ContainsGluten, Soy

Fresh Salads

Made fresh every day.

Mixed Salad Vegetarian

$1

Fresh tomato and lettuce with the house dressing: the simple salad that goes well with any dish.

ContainsMustard

Green Salad VeganGluten free

$2

Fresh lettuce with peas, avocado and asparagus: a soft, wholesome green salad, made fresh every day.

Cabbage and Pineapple Salad VeganGluten free

$1

Finely chopped cabbage and pineapple: a fresh, crunchy salad with the sweetness of tropical fruit.

Spinach and Apple Salad VeganGluten free

$1

Tender spinach leaves with crisp apple: a fresh salad with a gentle sweet-and-tart note.

Tomato with Mint and Basil VeganGluten free

$1.25

Chopped tomato with mint and basil leaves: a fragrant, fresh salad, as simple as one made at home.

Grated Carrot Salad VeganGluten free

$0.75

Freshly grated carrot, sweet and crunchy: a light, colourful side for any dish on the menu.

Green Beans VeganGluten free

$0.75

Green beans cooked just right, tender yet crisp: a light, green side to go with any plate.

House Cakes and Pastries

Cakes and puddings baked at the hotel, by the slice.

Cream Sponge Cake Vegetarian

$2.50

A soft, moist sponge cake made with cream and baked at the hotel: ideal with an afternoon coffee.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Dairy

House special

Chocolate Cake Vegetarian

$2.50

The house chocolate cake, baked at the hotel: moist, intense and the perfect partner for an espresso.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Soy, Dairy

Mocha Cake Vegetarian

$2.50

Coffee and chocolate cake with a tender crumb and a roasted aroma: for those who want coffee even in dessert.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Dairy

Lemon and Cherry Cake Vegetarian

$2.50

A lemon loaf cake with a light crumb, studded with cherries: fresh, citrusy and perfect for teatime.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Dairy, Sulphites

Apple and Candied Fruit Tart Vegetarian

$2.50

Apple tart with candied fruit on homemade pastry, baked at the hotel: sweet, fragrant and old-fashioned in the best way.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Dairy, Sulphites

Apple Charlotte Vegetarian

$2.50

Apple charlotte, the classic moulded dessert: soft, delicate and full of the flavour of apple.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Dairy

Apricot Tart Vegetarian

$2.50

A shortcrust tart with apricots, golden at the edges with a fruity filling: a classic of European baking.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Dairy, Sulphites

Lemon Sponge Cake Vegetarian

$2

A light, fragrant lemon sponge cake baked at the hotel: delicious with a herbal infusion or a cup of tea.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Dairy

Orange and Walnut Cake Vegetarian

$2

Orange cake with walnuts, moist and citrus-scented, with the crunch of nuts in every bite.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Dairy, Tree nuts

Carrot Cake Vegetarian

$1.50

Carrot cake spiced with cinnamon, with a moist, tender crumb: a timeless classic for the afternoon coffee break.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Dairy, Tree nuts

Orange Pudding Cake Vegetarian

$2

Homemade orange pudding cake, dense and moist, with a citrus perfume: made for afternoon coffee.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Dairy

Banana Pudding Cake Vegetarian

$2

Homemade banana pudding cake, moist and naturally sweet: a simple dessert, just like the ones made at home.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Dairy

Kids

Doughnut Vegetarian

A fluffy doughnut, chocolate-coated or glazed: a simple treat children love and a fine match for coffee.

  • Chocolate$0.50
  • Glazed$0.50

ContainsGluten, Egg, Soy, Dairy

Juices, Ice Cream and Milkshakes

Fresh Fruit Juice Vegan

$1

Natural juice from seasonal fruit, fresh and simple: ask our staff which fruits are available today.

Kids

Ice Cream Vegetarian

$2

Creamy ice cream served in a crisp waffle cone: the sweet afternoon treat for young and old alike.

ContainsGluten, Egg, Dairy

Kids

Milkshake Vegetarian

$2

An 8-oz shake made with milk and ice cream, thick and ice-cold; the flavours change from day to day.

ContainsEgg, Dairy

Key

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Gluten free

Allergens are listed for each dish. If you have an allergy or intolerance, please tell us before ordering and we will gladly guide you.

Prices exclude VAT.

Open the guest portal

Staying with us? Order from the guest portal and we will charge it to your room.