Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This unnamed Mariscal institution is operated by an Afro-Ecuadorian family serving tra-
ditional set lunches and dinners. Mains are fish, pork cutlet, steak or chicken served on a
mountain of rice with plantains and beans. The place is always open (even on holidays)
and always packed with
La Zona's
special mix of tourists, partygoers and workers on their
lunch break.
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La Cevicheria
Leónidas Plaza Gutiérrez
$
Right across from the Spanish Embassy on Guápulo's main road is probably the city's
best ceviche eatery set outside with a view of Tumbaco Valley and the encircling Pichin-
cha Mountains. It's basically a private colonial house only opened to the public on week-
ends, who dine exclusively on the outdoor patio under big umbrellas. Though the ceviche
is the main star, the breaded shrimp and
encebollado
here are delicious, too. It's hard to
decide!
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El Maple
Diego de Almagro and Joaquín Pinto
$
In the heart of La Mariscal is this pleasant vegetarian café that has popular and affordable
set lunches, unique to the dining scene in Quito for its gourmet veggie takes on Ecuadori-
an classics. For example, instead of tripe in the traditional
guatita
dish, soy meats are used
and the rest of the recipe (creamy peanut sauce with potatoes) is preserved, so vegetarians
don't have to miss out on local cuisine. Desserts are a highlight.
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La Liebre Video Café
Federico González Suárez Avenue and Gonnessiat
$-$$
La Liebre is a hipster hangout on the affluent González Suárez Avenue with 'upcycled'
furniture and live music at night. They double as a DVD rental outlet featuring an unbeat-
able selection of films from around the world. They also have a full bar and cozy café
