Quito Travel Guide

Quito, Ecuador — Food and Dining

Restaurants in Quito, Ecuador

Restaurants
Expensive

La Bodeguita de Cuba
The place heaves at nights when the band is playing Buena Vista Social Club-styled music and waiters are graciously moving through the dance floor delivering delicious Cuban dishes. The presence of many Cuban expats gives the place an authentic feel.

Reina Victoria 1721
Tel: (02) 254 2476.

Pavarotti
Located right in front of the prestigious Swissôtel in the heart of Quito's financial district, Pavarotti is a simple but stylish and rather expensive restaurant. The menu includes the expected set of Italian dishes. A great place to watch Quito's rich and beautiful.

Avenida 12 de Octubre 1955 y Luis Cordero
Tel: (02) 256 6668.

Moderate

Tianguez
Near San Francisco Church, this is one of Old Town's culinary institutions which serves classic Ecuadorean fare, with its emphasis on potatoes, beans and plantains. The seats are on the plaza, which once used to be a tribal marketplace, hence the name - Tianguez, which means ‘market' in Quichua.

Plaza San Francisco
Tel: (02) 257 0233.

Cheap

Cevichería Manolo
If you don't mind raw fish, come here to sample the quintessential local dish: ceviche. Its Ecuadorean variety is more like a cold soup, with pieces of seafood marinated in lime juice. It usually comes with a cup of popcorn that you are meant to put in the soup. It is a simple, inexpensive place attracting a lively crowd of locals and tourists.

Diego de Almagro y La Niña
Tel: (02) 256 9254.

Magic Bean
This is a classic backpackers' hangout, where you can get same breakfast sets, smoothies, milkshakes and sandwiches. It is also the place to meet fellow travelers or check your mailbox - Wi-Fi is free here. Finally - as the name suggest - here you can get a decent cup of coffee, which you might be longing for after a mountain or jungle expedition.

Foch E5-08
Tel: (02) 256 6181.
Website: www.magicbeanquito.com

Nightlife

Mariscal Sucre is the area where you find most dancing and drinking venues as well as swarms of Western backpackers and young Ecuadoreans moving between them in the evening. The corner of Reina Victoria and Pinta is where you find the epicenter of Quito's nightlife.

Bars

Kings Cross
English pubs are ubiquitous. Kings Cross is among the most popular and has a great selection of beers and pool tables.

Reina Victoria 1781
Tel: (02) 252 3597.

La Reina Victoria
La Reina Victoria is another popular British pub in Quito. Like Kings Cross, it boasts a great selection of beers and pool tables.

Reina Victoria 530
Tel: (02) 222 3369.

Vox Populi
Vox Populi and Naranjilla Mecanica, JL Tamayo 549, are hip places attracting a young bohemian crowd.

Espejo OE2-12
Tel: (02) 228 2263.