Must-see restaurants in Quito

Traditional Ecuadorian cuisine is given a contemporary twist at this sophisticated new restaurant. Dishes from across the country are prepared with fresh,…

One of Quito’s best restaurants, Zazu serves beautifully prepared seafood dishes, grilled meats and ceviches in a stylish setting of light brick, ambient…

Opened in 1950, Modelo is one of the city’s oldest cafes and a great spot to try traditional snacks such as empanadas de verde (empanadas made with…

Italian-owned Cosa Nostra has a pleasant front patio, cozy dining room and nearly three-dozen varieties of pizza piled with generous toppings and fired up…

The Louisiana native who owns this eccentrically designed restaurant attached to a 17th-century monastery takes pride in the quality of the ingredients…

Mouthwatering and stomach-enlarging sundaes, as well as several dozen varieties of sweet and savory crepes, waffles, salads and more conventional…

A much-loved spot in El Centro, Vista Hermosa (Beautiful View) delivers the goods with a magnificent 360-degree panorama over the Old Town from its open…

Kitschy religious icons and old-fashioned radios decorate this old-school classic serving Ecuadorian fare to bustling workday crowds. Opt for first-rate…

Tucked into the stone arches beneath the Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco, this excellent cafe prepares tasty Ecuadorian appetizers (tamales, soups,…

For stall after stall of some of Quito’s most traditional (and cheapest) foods, head straight to the Mercado Central, between Esmeraldas and Manabí, where…

To sample some of Quito's most authentic and traditional cooking, head to this attractive park in La Floresta where every evening food stalls are set up…

Feel like a local at this welcoming low-key spot where the wonderfully energetic owner will greet you like family on repeat visits. The menu includes…

For a completely different dining experience, head to this little-known restaurant inside a colonial home on lovely Junín. Artwork covers every surface of…

Serving up a mix of Ecuadorian, Greek and Mexican fare near Parque Itchimbia, vine-covered Mosaico is famed for its magnificent views. The open-sided…

Owned and operated by Jürgen Spelier, a fourth-generation baker from Holland, this casually sophisticated restaurant with clean lines and blond-wood decor…

Equal parts restaurant and bar, Z(inc) has a multilevel industrial-chic interior of untreated timber, dark metals and exposed brick. It's frequented by a…

Authentic, although expensive, Lebanese fare served up quickly in a comfortable and contemporary dining room with a Middle Eastern soundtrack and…

This well-loved restaurant serves good vegetarian food with global influences (burritos, thali, Asian noodle dishes, creamy pastas, burgers, sandwiches…

For innovative Ecuadorian food at a reasonable price close to Mariscal Sucre, check out this atmospheric restaurant where the namesake bananas help shape…

It could be because this tiny, bustling neighborhood joint was once part of the owner's house that it has such a homely, welcoming atmosphere. The food is…