Quito’s high-end restaurant scene draws inspiration from a mix of countries. Every week another concept and cuisine appears. What sets it apart is its diversity, which is not tied to a trend, traditional restaurants dominate as well as those that break the norm. Read on for five of the best restaurant in Quito you can splurge on special occasions while visiting the capital.
Best restaurants in Quito
1. Chef Jerome restaurant
Prawn risotto with Parmesan accents, tuna tartare, duck confit and seafood bouillabaisse are some of the favorites from Chef Jerome’s small and well-crafted menu. A French chef who has lived in Ecuador for over 20 years, Jerome’s Restaurant is a romantic destination where the service is excellent, the food is excellent, and the wine list is top notch.
In addition to the classic dishes, there are Ecuadorian fusion dishes and a tasting menu. The elegant setting surrounded by a garden is a great place to relax, pamper yourself and enjoy excellent food in good company, including the chef who often personally visits his guests.
2. Casa Gangotena restaurant
Under the helm of Byron Rivera, Culinary Director and Chef Le Cordon Bleu, Casa Gangotena has become the restaurant in Quito that others emulate as a matter of course. The menu uses ingredients from all the four regions of Ecuador to create fusion dishes that stimulate the senses in new and engaging ways. New takes on ceviche from the coast and pork rib from the Andes join Galapagos tel lobster, Guayaquil lamb stew, beef tenderloin and rack of lamb on the menu. Classic cocktails and house specialties with herbal infusions and tea complement the comprehensive wine list.
3. Segundo Muelle restaurant
Segundo Muelle restaurant is a Peruvian restaurant that pulls out all the stops when it comes to seafood. Delicious ceviches, crab, shrimp soup, sea bass in garlic cream, octopus and Peruvian style sushi, are gastronomic delights that draw people from all over the city.
4. Zao restaurant
With the same owners as the people behind Zazu, Zao takes Asian cuisine to new heights in Quito. Fresh sushi with fish that comes daily from the coast, chicken with orange peel, pad thai, curry and seafood skewers are some of the dishes in which the chef and the kitchen put their distinctive touch. There’s also a small menu of dishes for those who want to sit at the bar, and an extensive drinks menu including a full list of Scotch and sangria.
5. Carmine Gastronomia & Arte restaurant
Considered one of the best Italian restaurants in Quito, Carmine Gastronomia is an elegant, fine-dining restaurant serving all the favorites. Ossobuco, carpaccio, prosciutto with mozzarella, linguine, tagliatelle with mushrooms and cognac, and chicken Milanese are all on the menu and favorites that draw people to the table for celebrations, romantic dinners, and holiday fun.
Housed in a spacious and lushly decorated mansion, the staff are helpful without being overwhelming, the Maître d’ is quick with wine and food pairings, and the owner visits tables inside and out to see how his customers are doing.