Quito Restaurants

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This restaurant was located on the second floor of Quito's National Opera House. The decor was very art deco/modern and was simply laid out but chic.The service was excellent and the pacing of the courses was perfect. The dinner was the best we had in Quito even though there was a more expensive restaurant ( La Belle Epoque inside Hotel Plaza Grande) This was our favorite by far. Even with a nice bottle of wine and appetizers, we barely cracked the $100.00 mark for two and had an amazing dinner. It had an old world charm, superlative service and an interesting array of choices.

Favorite Dish: I had the seared/broiled grouper and it was out of this world! Moist fish , large portion served with yucca strings over veggies in a nice reduction. Amazing, hot and perfect in every way!

The superb views is not the only reason why Pim's restaurant is exceptional. Its elegant ambient, its impeccable service and its perfect location makes it highly recommendable. It's perfect for a cup of coffee or a romantic dinner! Lunch and dinner are also served in the wonderful outside tables. Although a little pricey it is worthy. Coffee costs 1,4$US, starters are 5-10$, salads 5-6$, sandwiches 5-6$ and main dishes 9-10$. The restaurant lies on the east side of the park, one level lower than the cultural center. It has been here since 1981.

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I had the best times in this friendy, well organised hostel. When I first arrived there was no room at all so they recommended hotel San Blas, just around the corner, to me as a solution. The friendly staff welcomed me everyday with the best smiles although I didn't stay there. They are really friendly and understandable as they are mostly travelers who work for a certain time there.
But the greatest asset is the roof terrace where astonishing dinners are served. The imaginative and savoury meals are filling and cheap. They have been some of the best meals I had in Ecuador. There is an extremely familiar atmosphere around the huge table where everybody is welcomed to share the food and the company. All guests end up to be friends, even if they are staying at another hotel and just show up for dinner. The great views and the frequent parties make food taste even better! The views are astonishing at night. Prices are about 5$US for main dishes and less than 3$US for either the first plate or dessert. There is mostly local dishes with always some extra touch that makes every plate unforgettable. I made some great friends there who I still keep in touch with...

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There are a few other sushi places closer to the center of things (Sake is close to La Mariscal and Tanoshii is in the Swissotel in the center of La Mariscal), but I was hanging out with Catalina out in her neighborhood of Cumbaya (25 minutes outside of Quito) and we decided to check out one of her favorite restaurants, Noe. It's right in the main square of Cumbaya, which is an attractive, cobblestone space. There are many well-to-do Quitenos here and many are foreigners who have settled in the area to live and raise their families.

Favorite Dish: We had some teriyaki salmon and various sushi/sashimi rolls and everything was of a high quality and reasonably tasty. Not the best sushi place I've ever been, but if I lived in Quito, I'd come here from time to time.

This place's location just off of Plaza Fochs is very convenient if you're staying in La Mariscal. The fact that they advertise themselves as an authentic Ecuadorian place probably helps them stand apart from the area competition, which is mostly more European and North American-influenced. The atmosphere inside is simple, with a lot of wood and a cozy feel. They often have live, traditional music here, which was the case on the night we visited.

Favorite Dish: I had Seco de Chivo, which is an Ecuadorian classic of braised goat, tomatoes, onions and some other ingredients, which is famous because it made with chicha (a fermented drink traditionally made with human saliva - chewed up corn basically!). It was good and reasonably priced.

This place is in the heart of La Mariscal in Plaza Fochs. Look up to the second level of restaurants and you'll see it. The people watching from the outdoor seats on the balcony overlooking the square was great and the service and food was also good. I can't remember exactly what I ate, but it was a beef dish and I wrote in my journal that it was good, although you'll spend much more than at some other restaurants. I guess you're paying for the location.

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Pim's is easy to find. Head up El Panecillo, the hill overlooking the Old Town, and right in front of the Virgen of Quito, you'll see the restaurant. The views alone are worth the visit and despite, one comment I've already received on this page saying that it's overrated and overpriced, I would totally disagree! Yes, Pim's is more expensive than most restaurants in Quito, but like anywhere else in the world, sometimes you pay for the ambiance, and the evening I was here was spectacular. After visiting the monument, I came down to Pim's and there was a light rain that was just giving way to a bright sunshine and it was an opportunity for me to learn a new word in Spanish - Arco Iris - which means rainbow! Seeing the rainbow over the Colonial stones and church towers was amazing. The service, views and overall atmosphere of this two level restaurant was great.

Favorite Dish: I had a soup - El Locrito - for a starter. It was packed with potatoes, avocados, chicken and cheese and was very delicious. Then I had morochitas, which are white corn grain fried w/ chicken and this was also delicious.

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Speaking of great views, Cafe Mosaico, gives Pim's a run for its money when it comes to sweeping panoramas over Quito. In fact, I'd have to give Mosaico the edge since you can see a bit more and you get a better perspective of where you are and how the city is laid out. It's a good idea to book a reservation if you're coming on a weekend evening, but I arrived late enough that some of the crowd had already left. Many people come to watch the sunset from here, which I imagine, would be a beautiful sight. The Greek-US owners do a good job of keeping the place clean and the service levels relatively high. You'll need to catch a cab to get here.

Favorite Dish: The food is mostly Greek with a few nods to some American items such as New York cheesecake. I had a large plate of Greek-style appetizers, which for the most part were just average. But I was really here for the views and they did not disappoint.