Quito
Dining And Drinking

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Quito, besides its tourist attractions, has a wide variety of establishments for enjoying food and drinks.

We start in the north of the city, by the monument Mitad del Mundo, one of the most interesting tourist sites. Surrounded by mountains, you will find the restaurant Equinoccio, with an appetizing selection of typical Ecuadorian food such as mote (cooked white corn) with chicharrón (pork crackling), accompanied by chicha (a delicious beverage of fermented corn). Also on the north side, within the limits of the city in the Plaza de Toros Quito neighborhood, you will find places such as the Mayflower, serving chaulafan and many other typical Chinese dishes, and Rosa Mejicano, a little taste of Mexico with its fajitas, tacos, enchiladas and more.

The Swiss restaurant Raclette with its classic fondues, is located in front of La Carolina, on Avenida Eloy Alfaro. To the south of the Parque La Carolina, next to the Mall El Jardín, you will find various chain offings.

If you wish to enjoy an excellent view of the city, go up to the highest part of the residential Avenida González Suárez neighborhood, where, in front of Hotel Quito Best Western, you will find Barlovento, one of the most exclusive restaurant-bars of the city. Make a stop here to savor their delicious meat specialties. Next to Mall El Jardín, on Avenida 6 de Diciembre, there is a Burger King, while further south, along Diego de Almagro Street is Rincón la Ronda, with three pleasant dining areas and a menu that includes such typical dishes as fritada (fried pork meat with plantains and corn), and chugchucara (combination of pork meat, roasted corn, pork skin, and boiled white corn).

The central-north area of Quito has the most variety of restaurants. Crepes & Waffles, for example, serves excellent sweet and savory pancakes, as well as salads, ice creams and juices. Nearby is La Bodeguita de Cuba, which offers traditional Cuban dishes such as ropa vieja (a kind of meat stew, the name means "old clothes") and drinks like mojito (rum and spearmint). Mamá Clorinda has Ecuadorian specialties such as locro de papas (a delicious soup made with milk, cheese and potatoes) and menestra (stewed beans or lentils) with steak. For vegetarians, El Maple has colorful and appetizing dishes in an airy, plant-filled setting. You can try meatless meals like la sorpresa china (the Chinese surprise!) or spaghetti with oyster mushrooms accompanied by fresh natural juices and salads. If you like Mexican food, try "El coyote", the house specialty at the Guarida del Coyote, made with rice, beans, steak, taco, guacamole, cheese. Wash it down with a yardas, a giant glass of beer. Pizzería El Hornero has home-made pizza and lasagna.

On one of the busiest corners of the central north area is located Magic Bean, a North American-style restaurant with a coffee-house and hostel. Their exotic breaded eggplants are delicious. Excellent seafood is served at Marenostrum, close to Avenida Colón, and well-prepared French cuisine at the Rincón de Francia. For an intimate dinner for two, head to Palladinos, on the top floor of a large building on Avenida Patria. Here you can get an excellent lobster with cheese sauce.