by: Brittah Springer & Luis Felipa
Ecuador has one of the most distinctive ecosystems in the world, from the lowland Amazon rainforest up to the Andes Mountains and all the way to the coast with the stunning Galapagos Islands. This ecological diversity provides an incredible selection of produce, meats, vegetables, fruits and fish all found year-round, in the country’s culinary scene.Travelers to Ecuador’s capital city can find gourmet guinea pig, inventive fusion, nutritional soups, delicious desserts, outstanding seafood, and craft beer. Here are our favorite restaurants to ensure you eat and drink well when visiting the UNESCO World Heritage city of Quito
If you have a specific restaurant in mind from this list, please check the websites or contact the restaurants directly for specific information and reservation guidelines as restaurant hours, menus and prices are likely to change over time.
Quito historic center
1. Cedron, The Restaurant of Casa Gangotena
This majestic historic building turned boutique hotel (a Conde Nast Traveler Top 20 Hotel on the Reader’s Choice Awards), offers fine dining by Plaza San Francisco. Featuring Cocina Mestiza, a style of cuisine characterized by modern takes on traditional dishes, an excellent wine selection and local fresh ingredients on elegantly presented dishes. Chef Emilio Dalmau’s style blends modern techniques with traditional Ecuadorian ingredients, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your tongue.
Website: Casa Gangotena Hotel
Phone number: +593 97 999-9995 or +593 2 604-0882
Open: Open: Daily from 7am to 10pm. Call in advance for closing periods during the day.
Address: Andalucía N24-234 y Cordero (Plaza San Francisco)
Price range: $$$$$
2. La Vid Restaurant
Nestled in the heart of Quito’s historic center, La Vid Restaurant offers a captivating dining experience with panoramic views of Plaza Grande from its second-floor location in the Palacio Arzobispal. This gastronomic gem serves as an ambassador of Ecuadorian cuisine, presenting a delectable array of traditional dishes and innovative creations that showcase the country’s rich culinary heritage. Guests can savor mouthwatering specialties like Locro Quiteño, a creamy potato soup, and an assortment of ceviches, including the unique Jipijapa Ceviche with its distinctive peanut and avocado touch.La Vid Restaurant has earned a stellar 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor, ranking it among the top 50 restaurants in Quito. La Vid’s dedication to providing an unforgettable fusion of flavors and ambiance continues to delight both locals and visitors alike.
Website: La Vid
Phone number: +593 2 295-1190
Open: Mon-Sat from 12:00 to 9:30pm. Sun from noon to 5pm
Address: Chile y Venezuela CC Palacio Arzobispal 2nd Floor (Plaza Grande)
Price range: $$$$$
3. Hasta La Vuelta, Señor
Hasta La Vuelta, Señor offers a culinary journey through Ecuador’s flavors from its charming balcony overlooking a picturesque covered courtyard. This gastronomic gem elevates traditional Ecuadorian cuisine to new heights, tantalizing taste buds with expertly crafted empanadas, zesty ceviches, and succulent lamb stews that would make even the Inca gods jealous. As you savor the delicate flavors of perfectly prepared tilapia or sea bass, you’ll feel like you’re dining on a cloud high in the Andes, with each bite telling a story of Ecuador’s rich culinary heritage.
Website: Hasta La Vuelta, Señor
Phone number: +593 2 258-0887 or +593 2 258-5812
Address:Chile Oe 456 & Venezuela C.C. Palacio Arzobispal, 3rd floor
Price range: $$$$$
4. Casa Manuela
Casa Manuela Restaurant offers a captivating dining experience steeped in Ecuador’s rich history and culinary traditions. This charming eatery occupies a site of immense historical significance, once home to Manuela Cañizares, a heroine of Ecuador’s independence movement. Guests can savor authentic Ecuadorian flavors while surrounded by the atmospheric ambiance of a building that witnessed pivotal moments in the nation’s fight for freedom. Casa Manuela’s unique blend of gastronomic excellence and historical relevance continues to captivate both locals and visitors, offering an unforgettable journey through Ecuador’s culinary heritage in a setting that breathes life into the country’s storied past.
Website: Casa Manuela
Phone number: +593 98 737-2967
Address: García Moreno N3-80 y Espejo
Price range: $$$$
Quito North center
5. Nuema
Nuema is a culinary gem that has earned its place on the prestigious Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list, ranking No. 11 in 2023. This innovative restaurant offers a captivating tasting menu that showcases Ecuador’s diverse ingredients through a minimum of seven meticulously crafted courses. Each dish is a visual and flavorful masterpiece, featuring unique elements like Amazonian fruits and local herbs, all presented in an elegant setting that reflects the beauty of Ecuadorian culture. With its commitment to sustainability and exceptional service, dining at Nuema is an unforgettable experience for food enthusiasts.
Website: Nuema
Phone number: +593 99 250-9160 or +593 99 850-2726
Address: Bello Horizonte E11-12 y Coruña
Price range: $$$$
6. Zazu
Zazu stands as a beacon of fine dining in Quito, offering an upscale culinary experience that has been celebrated for over a decade. The Relais & Chateaux restaurant offers a bright main dining room with a buzzy, laidback international feel and a clientele to match. Contemporary gourmet food offers Latin flavors that feature an impressive cava selection and Chef’s tasting menu and dishes, like local stone crab. Renowned for its innovative and locally sourced cuisine, Zazu has consistently drawn travelers seeking a luxurious dining experience, with its beautifully decorated interior and outstanding service making it a top destination for discerning international guests.
Website: Zazu
Phone number: +593 2 254-3559
Address: Mariano Aguilera 331 y La Pradera
Price range: $$$$
7. Urko
This is a trendy place whose plates are creations of Ecuadorian chef, Juan Sebastián Pérez. He uses native organic ingredients coming from all the regions of Ecuador to prepare gourmet food that will tantalize your taste buds. The kitchen is open, so you can see what the chef and his assistants are creating. The aromas, colors, textures and flavors are stunning and reflect the cultural and natural diversity of Ecuador.
Website: Urko
Phone number: +593 2 256-3180
Address: Mallorca 449 y Coruña (La Foresta)
Price range: $$$
8. Quitu
Quitu Identidad Culinaria is a restaurant exploring the city’s culinary roots, which date back to the Quitu Pre-Columbian indigenous people who inhabited what is today known as Quito before being conquered by the Spanish in 1524. Quitu focuses on innovative high-end cuisine, using top-quality local produce, and promoting sustainable development, farming and fishing practices. You can travel through the flavors of the four Ecuadorian regions by enjoying one of four tasting menus offered for a limited number of people.Website: Quitu
Phone number: +593 99 139-7766 or +593 2 513-8887
Address: Jose Bosmediano E15-68 y Jose Carbo
Price range: $$$$
9. Somos
Rooted in local ingredients, flavors and traditions, Somos has searched the globe to bring back new techniques, contemporary dishes and a spirit of progression to create a restaurant that tells the story of today’s Ecuador through the language of food. “Ecuadorian born. Globally inspired.” is both their motto and their mini-manifesto as they marry the flavors, ingredients and traditional dishes of the country to create contemporary cuisine. Website: Somos
Phone number: +593 99-057-8897
Address: Av. Eloy Alfaro N34-421 & y Av. Portugal
Price range: $$$$
10. Zfood Pescaderia
A fresh seafood restaurant in Quito with a commitment to responsible fishing and fair trade. They create the value of consciousness in what they bring to the table. Zfood offers excellent fish-based menus and is set up like a fish market with an open kitchen so you can watch the chefs in action. Zfood is becoming one of the city’s favorite places, perfect for a delicious lunch or dinner paired with a nice selection of white wines.Website: Zfood Pescaderia
Phone number: +593 2-223-6425
Address: Coruña N30-135 & Whymper
Price range: $$$$
11. Kriollo por Ikaro
Kriollo por Ikaro offers a captivating culinary journey that elevates traditional Ecuadorian cuisine to new gastronomic heights. This innovative eatery restaurant, housed in a charming three-story building with a picturesque garden, showcases the rich tapestry of Ecuador’s culinary heritage using high-quality local ingredients. Kriollo por Ikaro’s commitment to “alta cocina de casa” (high-end home cooking) reflects their dedication to reimagining familiar flavors while honoring traditional recipes. The restaurant’s unique approach and the chefs’ Michelin-starred pedigree have quickly established it as a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable taste of Ecuador’s gastronomic evolution.Website: Kriollo
Phone number: +593 98 945-4697
Address: Av. Eloy Alfaro N39-125 and Manuel Guzman
Price range: $$$$
12. La Gloria
La Gloria features a culinary inmersion that blends Mediterranean and Peruvian flavors with Ecuadorian influences. This gastronomic gem boasts a diverse menu featuring exquisite dishes like their signature truffle-infused ensaladilla, innovative ceviches, and a mouthwatering selection of tapas. La Gloria’s commitment to culinary excellence extends to its impressive wine cellar, touted as the largest in Ecuador, and a vibrant bar serving expertly crafted cocktails. The restaurant’s inviting ambiance, spread across multiple spaces including a grand terrace and a main salon adorned with bottled art, provides the perfect backdrop for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings. La Gloria has established itself as a must-visit destination for food and wine enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable taste of Quito’s evolving gastronomic scene.Website: La Gloria
Phone number: +593 99 916-9570
Address: Catalina Aldaz y Portugal
Price range: $$$$
13. Carmine
Carmine Gastronomía & Arte, nestled in a beautifully restored colonial house in Quito, offers an exquisite fusion of authentic Italian cuisine with international flair. This culinary gem boasts a romantic ambiance enhanced by immaculately maintained gardens, providing the perfect setting for an unforgettable dining experience. Guests can indulge in meticulously crafted dishes like the mouthwatering coquille, a delectable gratin of stone crab and shrimp with Pernod-infused cream and mozzarella, showcasing the restaurant’s commitment to culinary excellence. Carmine’s highlights extend beyond the plate, with attentive staff and a convivial environment that encourages leisurely post-dinner conversations over espressos and complimentary limoncello digestifs. Carmine has established itself as a must-visit destination for those seeking a taste of Italy in the heart of Ecuador’s capital.Website: Carmine
Phone number: +593 2 333-2829 or +593 2 333-2896
Address: Catalina Aldaz y Portugal
Price range: $$$$
14. Chez Jerome
Chez Jérôme is a culinary haven that beautifully combines French cuisine with local Ecuadorian ingredients. Helmed by Chef Jérôme Monteillet, who has spent over 20 years in Ecuador, the restaurant offers a menu rich in seafood-centric dishes, including crunchy langoustines drizzled with honey and tomato, as well as classic French favorites like onion soup and confit duck. Set within a historic house surrounded by lush gardens, the elegant dining space features white tablecloths and stunning views of the Andean mountains, creating a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere. The restaurant has garnered acclaim for its exceptional dining experience. Chez Jérôme stands out as a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts in Quito.Website: Chez Jerome
Phone number: +593 99 445-8615
Address: Whymper 3096 and Coruña
Price range: $$$$
Ready to get on a plane and fly to Ecuador for a culinary adventure?
- Get in touch with Southwind’s specialist Travel Consultants. With years of experience in Ecuador and customized trip design, they’re ready to dream up the perfect South American vacation for you.