The Best Restaurant in Quito, Ecuador

Background Illustration for Restaurants

Quito's better restaurants are found in the New City. Even at the most glittering establishments, formal attire is never a requirement, but you'll feel out of place in shorts, T-shirts, and jeans, except at places (such as The Magic Bean) that consummate foreigners' hangout. Many restaurants close for a break between 3 and 7, and on Sunday some remain shuttered or close early. Some useful phrases are: a la brasa (grilled), al vapor (steamed), apanada(batter-fried/breaded), brosterizada (deep fried), encocado (cooked in coconut oil), hornado (roasted), reventado (skillet fried), and seco (stewed meat).

Dulceria Colonial

$
Diagonally across Plaza Grande from Hotel Plaza Grande and below the Catedral, this pint-size café deals in delicious baked goods, sandwiches, and more than a dozen types of coffee, among them cold brew and Vietnamese. The higos (figs) and cheese sandwich, a traditional Ecuadorian dessert, is served on two fluffy buns that taste much like brioche. It's not too sweet, but for an even more savory sandwich, try the pernil (roast pork shoulder) or the vegetarian, with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and avocado. Of the desserts, you can't go wrong with a thick slice of the housemade cakes, particularly the apple and banana. Free Wi-Fi and outdoor seating make this sweet spot particularly popular.