Restaurants in Quito
La Mariscal district buzzes with cafés, pancake breakfasts at Magic Bean and traditional Ecuadorian lunches of roast guinea pig or chicken soup at Mama Clorinda. Tuck into Argentine steaks at Los Troncos and feast on seafood at upmarket Mare Nostrum. The Old Town is home to stylish haunts like Mediterranean-Ecuadorian Café Mosaico. Most places close at 11pm. Tipping is welcome but optional.
Top-end
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1. Mare Nostrum - Top-end: (More than US$30 for a three-course meal without drinks)
Show moreThe best choice for seafood is the New Town's Mare Nostrum, a Gothic candle-lit restaurant with a European-influenced menu. Dishes include bouillabaisse (fish soup), paella and Ecuadorian specialties like arroz del capitán (rice mixed with the day's best seafood). Try the mariscada (seafood platter) for two, accompanied by the best Argentine or Chilean wines on offer.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 12pm-4pm & 7pm-10.30pm
Address
E10-5 , Mariscal Foch and Tamayo, New Town, Quito
Telephone
+593 (0) 2 2528 686
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2. Café Mosaico - Top-end: (More than US$30 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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Perched above the Old Town in Itchimbía, Café Mosaico enjoys impressive panoramic views of Quito. The view and Mediterranean decor, together with a menu of Greek, Ecuadorian and American dishes, make this restaurant a popular choice with locals and visitors. Dishes include moussaka, Ecuadorian house-style grilled meats, hamburgers, pancakes, Belgian waffles and cheesecake.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 11am-11pm (from 1pm Tue)
Address
N8-95, Manuel Samaniego y Antepara, Itchimbía, Quito
Telephone
+593 (0) 2 254 2871
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3. Theatrum - Top-end: (More than US$30 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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The finest gourmet restaurant in Quito, Theatrum represents the best of Ecuadorian fine dining. Its dramatic red-and-black velvet decor suits its location above the historic Sucre National Theatre in the Old Town. The menu includes innovative Mediterranean-influenced dishes using Ecuadorean produce, particularly seafood and exotic fruit, and the bar offers an impressive choice of world wines.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 12.30pm-3pm & 7pm-11.30pm (evening service only Sat & Sun)
Address
Calle Manabi (above the Sucre National Theatre), between Guayaquil & Flores, Quito
Telephone
+593 (0) 2 257 1011
Transport
Door-to-door taxi service courtesy of Theatrum - request on booking
Website
Mid-range
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4. Al Forno - Mid-range: (US$15-US$30 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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The popular Al Forno has a smaller branch in La Mariscal with simpler decor, but this New Town branch has garden tables for romantic dining. The wood-fired ovens produce over 50 varieties of inspired pizza. Try the chef's different-coloured pizzas. There are various vegetarian options and other Italian fare like pastas.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Tue-Fri 12pm-3pm & 6pm-11pm; Sat-Sun 12.30pm-4pm & 6.30pm-11pm
Address
E9-35, la Bélgica & Avenida de los Shyris, New Town, Quito
Telephone
+593 (0) 2 333 0681
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5. Pim's Panecillo - Mid-range: (US$15-US$30 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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Pim's Panecillo (not to be confused with the gin-based drink Pimm's) is located on the Old Town's Panecillo hill and offers panoramic city views, simple decor and international comfort food. The result is a fusion of British pub, French bistro, American diner and Italian trattoria. Try the seafood ceviche (cold fish dish) and house steak in mushroom sauce, followed by pecan pie.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 12pm-12am (until 6pm Sun)
Address
Calle Melchor Aymerich, Top of Panecillo Hill, Old Town, Quito
Telephone
+593 (0) 2 317 0878
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6. Los Troncos - Mid-range: (US$15-US$30 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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Los Troncos is a quality Argentine-style steak house in the New Town oozing rustic chic, with white cloths, stone walls and a sizzling charcoal grill. Come for a carnivore's feast of parillada (BBQ), homemade pasta, and South American wines to match. This is a popular restaurant, for both business lunches and family dinners, so bookings and smart dress are essential.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 12pm-11pm (until 4pm Sun)
Address
1280, Avenida de los Shyris and Portugal, New Town, Quito
Telephone
+593 (0) 2 243 7377
Budget
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7. Cassolette - Budget: (Less than US$15 for a three-course meal without drinks)
Show moreCassolette in the Old Town has a bright, no-frills decor, suitable for brunches. Combine lunch at the New Town branch with a visit to Guápulo's Sanctuary. The simple international menu with a gourmet twist offers staples like chicken curry, tortillas, lasagne, and vegetarian options like spinach gnocchi. The passionfruit cheesecake is delicious.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 11am-9pm (till 8pm Sun)
Address
432, González Suárez, Old Town, Quito
Telephone
+593 (0) 2 252 5568
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8. Magic Bean - Budget: (Less than US$15 for a three-course meal without drinks)
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The ever-popular Magic Bean in the New Town is indeed magical, any time of the day. Portions are huge, the food fresh and wholesome. Tuck into a falafel salad, pancakes or steak sandwich, complemented by fruit juices or freshly brewed coffee, a rarity in Quito. The cosy, heated garden is ideal for evenings.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 7am-10pm
Address
E5-08, Mariscal Foch 681 and Juan León Mera, La Mariscal, Quito
Telephone
+593 (0) 2 256 6181
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9. Mama Clorinda - Budget: (Less than US$15 for a three-course meal without drinks)
Show moreMama Clorinda in La Mariscal is just the place to eat like the locals do. This popular, homely two-level eatery has excellent-value traditional Ecuadorian food, including chicken soup, steamed tongue, and cuy (roast guinea pig). The seafood dish is also a hot favourite. There is live harp music most evenings.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening hours
Daily 11am-11pm
Address
1144 , Reina Victoria and Calama, La Mariscal, Quito
Telephone
+593 (0) 2 254 2523
