Ecuador - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 574

pleasant rooms set around a cosy courtyard, a f ount ain,
rooftop patio and great views. Breakfast included. $47
Secret Garden Antepara E4-60, at Los Rios T 099 602 3709,
W secretgardenquito.com; map p.573. Hidden away south-
east of the historic centre in a listed building, this is a great
Aussie-run budget hostel set on five floors with basic rooms
and a rooftop terrace serving big brea kfas ts. There' s als o a
Spanish school and tour operator. Dorms $9 , doubles $24
Hostal Sucre Bolívar, at Cuenca T 02 295 4025; map
p.573. The cheapest option in the Old Town by a long way.
Basic, tatty rooms but a friendly atmosphere, l ou nge and
great views of Plaza San Francisco. Dorms only $8
Vienna Hotel Internacional Flores, at Chile T 02 295
4860; map p.573. A good-quality three-star hotel with w ell-
appointed rooms set around an enclosed courtyard. $40

Ì TREAT YOURSELF
La Boca del Lobo Calama 284, at Reina
Victoria; map p.575. With a brightly
coloured glass-encased patio, flamboyant
decor and Mediterranean menu, this is
the place to indulge. You'll be amazed at
how many ways they cook mushrooms.
Mains $8-12. Mon-Sat 5pm til late.

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cheap burgers with trimmings galore ($2-3). Open daily.
Imperial Juan Rodriguez, at Reina Victoria; map p.575.
Eat alfresco in this restaurant's garden terrace. Choose
from an imaginative menu of mainly chicken and meat
dishes ($5-6) and a great-value set lunch ($2). (Simple
rooms with bath upstairs for $20.)
Magic Bean Foch, at Juan Mera; map p.575. Hugely
popular café with a small garden. Great breakfasts, pancakes
and fresh juices from $3-6. Open daily.
Mamá Clorindas Reina Victoria 1144; map p.575. Well-
prepared but pricey Ecuadorian specialities. Try half a
guinea pig ( cuy ) for $9.
Mariachi Foch, at Juan Mera; map p.575. A good Mexican
place - burritos, chimichangas, fajitas, etc, for $5-8, all
washed down with cocktails and sangria.
Mongo's Grill Calama; map p.575. This hugely popular
Mongolian barbecue offers sizzling meat and vegetable
dishes such as chicken teriyaki and lamb in spicy yogurt, all
cooked in front of you. Excellent-value buffets from $4-6.
Tomato Juan Mera, at Calama; map p.575. A great place
for pizza ($5-7) and pasta. The calzone is particularly good.
Open daily.
Ì Uncle Ho's Calama 166-E8-29; map p.575. Vietnamese
restaurant run by a friendly Irish guy who serves up a range of
great cocktails, followed by a feast of Asian food - from coco-
nut curry to Imperial rolls and beef noodle soup. Mains $5-7.

EATING
Quito boasts the best selection of international restaurants
in Ecuador - from Asian to Middle Eastern and Mediter-
ranean. Most are found in the New Town, with Old Town
eating options restricted. For those on a budget, fill your-
self up at lunch, as most restaurants offer specials for
$2-4. Most places are closed on Sundays unless indicated.

NEW TOWN
Adam's Rib Calama, at Reina Victoria; map p.575. The
best place for barbecued meat - ribs, steak, kebabs and
even sautéed chicken livers. Mains $6-8.
Al Forno Moreno, at Diego de Almagro; map p.575. Seek
out the biggest choice of pizzas in town ($5-10) with an
incredible fifty different varieties.
El Arabe Reina Victoria 627, at Carrion T 02 254 9414;
map p.575. The best place in town for kebabs, falafel and
pitta. Open daily.
La Bodeguita de Cuba Reina Victoria N26-105; map
p.575. Tasty Cuban specialities ($4-5) with live Cuban music
on Thurs nights, when drinking and dancing continues into
the early hours.
El Cafecito Luis Cordero 1124; map p.575. Cosy café with
great coffee, home-made cakes, crêpes and vegetarian
meals for around $3-5. Open daily.
Chandani Tandoori Juan Mera, at Luis Cordero; map
p.575. Head here for authentic Indian food at low prices.
Masala , korma , dupiaza , balti and hot vindaloo - all the
classics are done well for only $3-5. Lunchtime only Sun.
Coffee and Toffee Calama, at Diego Almagro; map
p.575. Start the day with breakfast or the evening with
cocktails, lounging on armchairs and surfing the net in this
relaxed café. Daily 24hr.
Coffee Tree Foch, at Reina Victoria; map p.575. A long-
standing café on Plaza Foch, great for people-watching
over a coffee or cocktail. Daily 24hr.
G-Spot Diego de Almagro, at Calama; map p.575. Its name
may leave you nonplussed but this fast-food joint has

OLD TOWN
El Búho Jose Moreno, at Espejo; map p.573. Inside the Centro
Cultural Metropolitano, this is a pleasant stop for soups,
salads, sandwiches and pasta. $3-6. Lunchtime only Sun.
Caféto Chile, at Guayaquil; map p.573. Little gem of a café
at the entrance to San Agustín Monastery specializing in
coffee and hot chocolate served with humitas , tamales ,
empanadas and cakes for $3-5. Open Sun mornings.
Ì Las Cuevas de Luis Candelas Benalcazar, at Chile;
map p.573. One of the best restaurants in the Old Town,
snuggled in a cosy basement offering gourmet Ecuadorian
and International food. Paella and Fondu Bourguignonne
are two specialities. Mains $6-10.
Frutería Montserrate Espejo Oe2-12; map p.573. The
perfect place to take a break from sightseeing with an
extravagant helping of fruit salad and ice cream ($2-5).
Cheap almuerzos and sandwiches also available.