In a recent post about must-try Ecuadorean cuisine, I highlighted some of the tastiest things to nibble, sample and sip while visiting the capital city of Quito (check it out: Must-Try Ecuadorean Cuisine in Quito — the travel photos of food are enough to make my mouth start watering).
Now it’s time to take a look at some specific restaurants. So if you’re going to travel to Ecuador‘s capital city and looking to savor some of the most authentic flavors of the region, consider these great restaurants in Quito.
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Among the best restaurants where I’ve sampled Ecuadorean cuisine, in and around Quito (click on the name to see their websites):
Cafe Plaza Grande: Set inside Hotel Plaza Grande, one of the two most luxurious hotels in the historic city center, Cafe Plaza Grande is casual yet elegant, with dinner often accompanied by live music. Order dessert and you may be served by a waiter dressed in a dramatic penitent’s robe.
Casa Gangotena: This luxurious small hotel, located on one of Quito’s most photographed squares in the historic city center, is home to a noteworthy restaurant that serves upscale Ecuadorean cuisine from the Andes and the coast.
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El Crater: Located near the Mitad del Mundo, the tourist site where the equator supposedly bisects the northern and southern hemispheres, El Crater is likely one of the most upscale and impressive restaurants in this region outside of Quito. Perched dramatically along the edge of — you guessed it — a crater, this hotel and restaurant is a lovely place to dive into a rich bowl of locro de papa.
El Rincon de Cantuña: Set in a lovely courtyard inside the Hotel Patio Andaluz (click on the name to read my hotel review) in the historic city center, this restaurant serves a variety of Ecuadorean and international dishes.
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Hasta La Vuelta Señor: Traditional Ecuadorean cuisine, served in a lovely historic building in the heart of the historic city center.
Mirador El Ventanal: The view is the main draw here, as this stylish venue is set on a hill overlooking a good part of the city of Quito. The menu is international, but Ecuadorean specialties including ceviche are available.
For more information about travel to Quito, visit the website of Quito Turismo.