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.
Café Mosaico
Food with a view
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.
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Opening Hours
Daily 11am-11pm (from 1pm Tue)
Address
N8-95, Manuel Samaniego y Antepara, Itchimbía, Quito
Telephone
+593 (0) 2 254 2871
Theatrum
Operatic elegance
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.
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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
Mare Nostrum
Seafood heaven
The 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.
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Opening Hours
Daily 12pm-4pm & 7pm-10.30pm
Address
E10-5 , Mariscal Foch and Tamayo, New Town, Quito
Telephone
+593 (0) 2 2528 686
Transport
Taxi
Pim's Panecillo
Comfort food
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.
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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
Al Forno
Pizzas galore
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.
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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
Transport
Taxi
Los Troncos
Argentine steaks
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.
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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
Transport
Taxi
Mama Clorinda
Home cooking
Mama 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.
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Opening Hours
Daily 11am-11pm
Address
1144 , Reina Victoria and Calama, La Mariscal, Quito
Telephone
+593 (0) 2 254 2523
Transport
Taxi
Cassolette
From curry to lasagne
Cassolette 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.
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Opening Hours
Daily 11am-9pm (till 8pm Sun)
Address
432, González Suárez, Old Town, Quito
Telephone
+593 (0) 2 252 5568
Magic Bean
Wholesome indulgence
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.
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Opening Hours
Daily 7am-10pm
Address
E5-08, Mariscal Foch 681 and Juan León Mera, La Mariscal, Quito
Telephone
+593 (0) 2 256 6181
