Quito Restaurants

Almacenes Yerez is a small storefront at which there are always crowds of people, especially on weekends. It is here that you will be able to get juice made from all of the fruits grown in Ecuador, and it is all fresh and safe to drink. As this is purely a local establishment, don't expect that you will be pampered or even asked what you want. You'll need to fight your way to the counter to order (most things cost about 60 cents, so don't bother them with prices) and simply tell the man what you want. The juice is served in plastic glasses that you have to return to the establishment, so don't wander away too far while you're drinking. Oh, and watch out from the spray of the juicers as they make fresh orange juice!

Favorite Dish: I have a slight obsession with sour sop (guanábana in Spanish), so I was particularly partial to sour sop juice. The mango juice here, however, is also pretty good.

Typical Ecuadorean Restaurants serve good hearty food at very reasonable prices. On these menus you find grilled chicken, fish, steak, salads, plantains, soups, and always the big soft white corn common in Ecuador.

Mmmmmm, this is a fabulous place - a Colombian-owned chain- that has great options for brunch, lunch and dessert- sweet and savory crepes, a million ice cream dessert selections, salads and more. Soo good and very reasonably priced. Two locations in Quito.

Favorite Dish: The tartufo crepe (with caramel sauce and coffee ice cream) and the Crepes n Waffles Salad (romaine with crisp baguettes with melted goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes and mustard vinagreete)

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This is a nuevo-Latino fusion type restaurant with a big emphasis on fish and seafood, particularly ceviche-style plates. Absolutely amazing and a festival for your taste buds. Not that great an option for vegetarians (unless you eat fish). The ambiance is very elegant and classy and the service is excellent. Also a nice place for drinks and snacks.

Favorite Dish: Though not on the menu, ask for the sampling menu which is a 7 course dinner for $35 per person. It includes three entradas, three plato fuerte and a dessert. Add a bottle of wine and you are set! For us this included, ceviche, grilled salmon steak, garlic shrimp, shrimp tempura, lamb chops etc.

My FAVE dish was the "tiradito parmesano" - raw thinly sliced sole marinated and cooked in a spicy lemon parmesan sauce... soo good, with a bite.

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This is a 2 story restaurant set in a colonial building in the old town. The rooftop is the allure- lights and heat lamps illuminate your way through dinner as you enjoy the splendid night-time views of Old Quito.

The food is overpriced and not good- even their Locro de Papas sucks and is pricey. I had the lasagna which was tasty but small. The dessert, a chocolate cake, was yucky, dry and had nothing on it. Boo!

If you cant get a seat on the roof, forget it, we were subjected to awful live music which was more like a guitar-tuning session.

Favorite Dish: Just get a drink and enjoy the view!

Greek and local food- large portions, fresh and delicious though slightly pricier than average. You pay for the view! There is a balcony area with heat lamps or closed in glass (weather dependent) with a fabulous view of Quito- mostly the Old Town and the Panecillo with the Virgin. The inside is cozy, friendly, warm and you can see the kitchen. The cooks are the waiters too so they know the food.

Favorite Dish: Several greek specialties like Spanakopita, Moussaka and Brochettes.

Steaks, cheesecake, burgers NY style.

Local specialities like churrasco, encocado and llapingachos.

Another great bistro-bar place to hang out in the day or in the evening, whether for lunch, dinner, snacks or just drinks.

The inside has an ample, funky interior with cool electro rhythms as well as a nice patio with bright cushioned furniture and a great view of the people scene at night.

Favorite Dish: Chicken tacos - delicious!
Mojitos- very well done, super minty and fresh, good alcohol content, 2 for 1 everyday from noon to 8 pm!!!
Desserts: they are heavenly, it is hard to choose one: oreo cheesecake, tres leches heaven, wet chocolate cake etc.

This is a classy joint with an outdoor patio with heat lamps set on Plaza Foch- the middle of the action.

Favorite Dish: The deal is all you can eat tapas and all you can drink wine or beer starting at $15.95! They just keep bringing you food and drink until you can't do it anymore.

There are more pricey options if you want to upgrade your wine but we are good with the house selections- Cabernet or Merlot, usually Chilean.

The dishes: amazing bread with spicy sauce and mayo, spanish tortilla (omelettes), shrimp, mussles, curried chicken, ribs, chorizo (Spanish sausage), mushrooms, olives, camembert cheese in a balsamic reduction, the list goes on. DELICIOUS!