Motmot Oasis Restaurante

Great spot to spend a relaxing evening in. The French onion soup is excellent, the best one I have ever had in Ecuador. The restaurant itself is beautifully built and the ambiance and vibes are amazing. The dog, Nina, is adorable and very friendly.

If you spend any time in the little town of Mindo you should stop by here. The owner has a very eclectic and captivating personality and if you’re lucky enough to converse with him you will spend many hours there, guaranteed. 5 stars!

★ BISTRO: Mindo’s Social Hidden Gem ★

In the small, incestuous town of Mindo where gossip is coveted and sought-after by locals who crave it like diamonds in the rough waiting to be exaggerated and distorted to unimaginable shapes and proportions in order to satisfy their dramatic sense of everyday living, there is a place where the owner knows your name – and everything about you.

“Bartenders and hairdressers are alike, you know,” confessed Didier, a French artist gone rogue who once lived in California and whose passion is restoring automobiles, building structures and the well-being of the planet and its future. “People come here to talk about their problems while having a drinks and interesting discussions.”

But, it’s not just about local gossip. MotMot Bistro is the ideal place to be and be seen. It's a refreshing, intimate atmosphere far from the stereotypical Latin-American dingy bar where sometimes experiences can quickly turn into unpleasant memories at a drop of a beer bottle cap.

Not here. The bistro was built with Didier’s energy and vision over a period of two and a half years, slowly creating a charming ambiance second to none in one of Ecuador’s most popular cloud forests.

DAYTIME
The incredibly strong and solid guayaba tree trunks are the organic pillars that surround the dining area, with tables and chairs carved from wood and a bar that overlooks the garden where, in the afternoons, a variety of creatures including squirrels and birds like motmots and toucans, come to dine on bananas and other fruits around the yard.

NIGHTTIME
Sometime after the sun ceased to shine through the clouds that engulfed the town, the candle lights were lit and soft, smooth electro jazz was playing in the air.

The ambiance set the stage for travelers and locals who came to unwind over sangria and great stories from the barkeep. Wine, craft beer, cocktails (very well made) and snacks such as chips and guacamole, all made their way around the tables and some nights even sweet crepes were served.

If only for one night in Mindo, this was the place to be and it felt just right.

Great place to visit in Mindo! The owners are lovely people who are willing to help you with anything. They have some Greek specialties, we shared the Mezze. The service and atmosphere are amazing. Thanks again.

Excellent. Spent the day in Mindo and found this bistro randomly searching for good food. The reviews were great. The minute we walked in we loved the atmosphere and location. It was a Greek menu and the food was outstanding. What was even better we felt so welcome the minute we sat down. The owner sat with us and we chatted and the other owners/managers talked with us and we had such great conversation over a fantastic meal. The best Gyros are here. We really enjoyed the food but the people more. It was such a great evening I only wish we had stayed in Mindo a few days and we would have been back everyday. They made us feel like family immediately and the service was excellent. Highly recommend and will always be back when in Ecuador.

I would give more than five stars if possible! We had an amazing evening at motmot. Everything was perfect! Food, wine, music, atmosphere… really everything! The owners treat you like friends. It kind of feels like home.

In addition to some great Greek food, it was very cool to hang out and chat with the owner as well as Greg and Tatiana, the couple that run the restaurant. The owner, I think his name was Didier (sorry, I'm horrible with names), even sat at our table as we shared stories. Very cool vibe and ambiance. Beautiful craftsmanship. Kinda off the beaten path just outside of the main town area. But we'll worth it. Some of the nicest people we met on our trip to Ecuador. If you go to Mindo and dont stop here to eat, youve missed out on a real treat. Thanks.
Mark, Heidi and Logan
Florida, USA

A family run business that is excellent. It now has a slightly Greek menu but no complaints. The new mgmt is excellent. They are so welcoming, humble and it feels like stepping into someone’s house. The food is fresh, delicious and flavorful. The ambiance is really great, great for families.

A short walk from town where Greg will serve up delicious Greek food at a reasonable price. We ordered the Mezze Deluxe which was served with homemade hummus and tzatziki and loads of vegetables. A gorgeous wee restaurant - highly recommend.

Very fun place! Great atmosphere. The new management has created consistency in their food and drink options and we always find something to enjoy. I look forward to spending more time there in the future.

We had a warm welcome from the dog. The food was amazing and for a good price!

Best place in Mindo to get a drink, eat some French cuisine and watch colibries while doing so.

The owner is a wonderful interesting guy who would make your stay feel very wholesome.

Would definitely Come back!

Try the onion soup, it's amazing!

So glad we visited the Motmot Bistro - fantastic food and cocktails in a beautiful restaurant just a very short walk from the main Mindo street - definitely worth visiting if you're in Mindo.

The environment was lovely and intimate! Candles, nature and fresh air. Mojitos were great and generous. Onion soup was delicious!!!!Prices are affordable, food is well served. Highly recommended.

The music is a pleasant alternative to the standard which can be heard in the other establishments in the area, the courteous and kind owner is always open to request- the modest dance floor provides accommodation to those which want to move to alternative rhythms but also the local sounds. The service quality is more than adequate for the most distinguished visitors of mindo who do not wish to suffer the pseudo- elitist attitudes that other upper scale establishments offer in the area. The prices are reasonable the quality of service more than acceptable for someone who is accostmed to European standards. This includes the lavatories. The lasagne is delicious would eat again. It is not uncommon to hear multiple European languages spoken in one evening.

Didier is an amazing host! Beautiful space and great food. Call for reservations on week days!

Mot Mot Bistro is probably the classiest place in Mindo for a drink or a romantic cqndle lit French dinner. The location is magical in the nature of Mindo, the place is beautifully decorated with a woody, modern and clean vibe, wou can definitely feel the flair of the designer !
The service is excellent and the French cuisine genuine. Will be back !!

Great food from a new owner. The women took the time to explain the menu and cooked us up a feast.

Beautiful place to have a drink - as well during social distancing because mot mot has a lot of space and Mindo's fresh air! Try the onion soup - cheap and delicious!

Gorgeous place. Greek food and full bar.

The best ambiance in Mindo. The food is wonderful and the garden setting is just beautiful. The staff is exceptionally friendly.