Quito celebrates the Día de los Difuntos with creativity and flavor: Coladas Moradas and Guaguas de Pan

Each year, the Día de los Difuntos in Ecuador is an occasion to remember loved ones who have passed away, honoring their memory with rituals, aromas, and flavors passed down through generations. In Quito, this tradition is expressed mainly through Colada Morada,a beverage made with fruits, spices, and aromatic herbs,and Guaguas de Pan, sweet breads shaped like dolls representing the departed. Both traditions symbolize memory, family unity, and the celebration of life, blending history, culture, and gastronomy.

In 2025, Quito celebrated a new edition of the Coladas Moradas and Guaguas de Pan Contest, under the theme “Innovación y tradición del barrio”, inviting hotels, restaurants, cafés, and rural establishments to connect their recipes with the memories and stories of their neighborhoods. Each preparation had to include at least one local product, encouraging creativity and the use of locally sourced ingredients.

The event took place at the Convent of San Francisco, with the presence of the Mayor of Quito, Pabel Muñoz, who publicly recognized the 21 winning establishments:

Cafés: Jae Café Design, Las Quesadillas de San Juan SAS

Hotels: Wyndham Garden Quito, Le Parc, Holiday Inn Quito Airport, Hotel Quito, Restaurante Botánica JW Marriott, Hostería Rincón de Puembo, Fenix Hotel S.C., Hotel Embassy, Hotel Finlandia – Restaurante Cinco Sentidos

Restaurants: Runa Tullpa Andina, La Posada del Chagra, La Capilla Restaurant, San Ignacio Restaurant, Honey Honey, Santana Tasting Lounge, Alimar Floresta Bocapa SAS, Cosas Finas de La Florida, Achiote Ecuador - Cuisine

Rural category: Restaurante Mirador Yunguilla

Among the participants who stood out for their creativity and innovation were:

Rincón de Puembo, which surprised everyone with its guagua de pan rellena de higos con queso, while otra guaga was filled with canelazo and served alongside a delicious Colada Morada, offering a creative twist on the traditional recipe.

Santana Tasting Lounge, which incorporated beer into its Colada Morada, showcasing an innovative and contemporary approach to this ancestral beverage.

La Capilla Restaurant, where the warmth of the venue came alive thanks to a playful little devil who greeted visitors to taste their culinary creation, blending tradition with an interactive experience.

The contest evaluated presentation, flavor, preparation techniques, temperature, ingredients, recipe, and storytelling, recognizing the effort of those who keep Quito’s traditions alive while embracing gastronomic innovation. It also promotes the exploration of ancestral flavors, local gastronomic identity, and the use of products with high added value.

Through this initiative, the Municipality of Quito reaffirms its commitment to preserving traditions, fostering sustainable gastronomic development, and promoting local cuisine as an expression of identity, pride, and culture,offering both locals and visitors a unique experience that combines history, community, and flavor.