The Quiteña table brings together mountain food, mestizo history, and ingredients from all the country’s climate zones.
Today, this tradition is not just found in markets and homes: a new generation of restaurants has taken these flavors to a higher level. Some call themselves gourmet huecas, others are high-end kitchens, some focus on well-made traditional dishes, and others are tasting spots that share Ecuador’s story through food.
This blog looks at five restaurants:
- De La Llama
- Zero Lab
- Miskay
- Somos
- Achiote Ecuador – Cuisine
1. De La Llama: the casual spot with a gourmet twist
De La Llama is a laid-back place that mixes neighborhood charm with creative cooking and skilled techniques. Founded by chef Felipe García, it offers a unique Ecuadorian-Asian fusion, reimagining local dishes using ingredients like chocho, green plantain, and coastal seafood.
The menu includes ceviches, pork baos with Asian flavors, and modern locros that showcase these local ingredients.
De La Llama is great for anyone who loves tasty food without the fuss: you can share plates, enjoy cocktails made with cane sugar, local fruits, and herbs, all while experiencing the fun and inventive side of Ecuadorian cuisine.
2. Zero Lab Quito: Fine Dining and Creative Kitchen
Zero Lab Quito is a key reason why Quito is becoming known for its food in Latin America. This restaurant offers a fine dining experience and acts as a private “gastro lab,” focusing on tasting menus that highlight Ecuadorian ingredients.
Their cooking style is modern and centers on local products, showing off high-quality Ecuadorian cuisine in Quito. They avoid molecular gastronomy techniques, aiming instead to explore Ecuadorian flavors with skill and their own story.
In 2025, Zero Lab was named the best restaurant in Latin America at the World Culinary Awards, helping to establish Quito as a fast-growing food destination and a must-visit city for top dining experiences.
3. Miskay Restaurant: Tradition and Culture in Plaza Foch
Located in the lively Plaza Foch, one of the busiest spots in La Mariscal, Quito, Miskay Restaurant offers a true taste of Ecuadorian tradition and culture with dishes made from local ingredients.
The focus here is on warmth and sharing: familiar dishes carefully prepared, served in portions meant to share, featuring specialties like morocho empanadas, classic soups, stews, fish, and lighter healthy options—all full of local flavor. Miskay is the perfect place to:
- Bring someone visiting Quito for the first time who wants to try a bit of everything.
- Rediscover childhood favorites presented with extra care and background.
- Enjoy a meal that truly represents Ecuador before heading out to explore Plaza Foch’s nightlife.
4. We are: a cuisine born in Ecuador that looks to the world
SOMOS Ecuador Restaurant, located in Bellavista Quito, proudly states: “a restaurant that wants to bring Ecuadorian food to the world.” Its style is based on Ecuadorian roots but inspired by global flavors: it mixes local ingredients with international cooking methods to share the country’s food story in a way everyone can enjoy.
Chef Alejandra Espinoza brings this idea to life with dishes featured in international guides and media: purple corn empanadas filled with goat ragout, seafood cooked over wood fire, Andean vegetables as the star, and desserts made with Ecuadorian cacao, fruits, and dairy.
The vibe is casual and modern, with a design that fits Quito’s fresh architectural and creative spirit. SOMOS is the place to experience a city confidently facing the world through its own kitchen.
5. Achiote Ecuador – Cuisine
Achiote Ecuador – Cuisine has been known for years for serving traditional Ecuadorian food with care and passion. They say their inspiration comes “from the warmth of home and the love our ancestors showed through food.”
The menu features Latin, fusion, and Ecuadorian dishes, including options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. They focus on local recipes like locros, corn dishes, stews, fish, tamales, humitas, and classic desserts.
In 2023, Quito’s Municipality gave Achiote the Q Distinction award for quality and good tourism practices, highlighting its importance to both locals and visitors.
Achiote feels like a cozy home where familiar flavors are served with a touch of elegance. It’s perfect for a relaxed dinner with friends, introducing Ecuadorian food to visitors, or simply enjoying tastes that remind you of the highlands.
You can truly understand Quito by tasting its food
Seeing Quito only through its churches and plazas misses part of its soul: the city is also found in a well-made locro, a morocho empanada, or a tasting menu that takes you on a journey without leaving your seat.
Restaurants like De La Llama, Zero Lab, Miskay, Somos, Achiote, and Urko don’t replace local markets or small eateries; they complement and honor them by offering new ways to enjoy traditional flavors. They prove that Quito’s cuisine is alive, evolving, and open to the world while keeping its unique character.
If you want to really know this city, make your own path: start with breakfast at the market, have lunch with typical dishes, then enjoy dinner at a top restaurant. Let Quito tell its story one plate at a time.
Urko is a special restaurant in Quito that highlights local ingredients and traditional cooking styles. Known for creatively using local flavors, Urko offers a unique dining experience that shows Ecuador’s rich culture. It’s considered one of the best restaurants in the city and invites guests to explore Ecuadorian cuisine where every dish shares its own story. Whether you’re an experienced foodie or new to Quito’s food scene, Urko promises an unforgettable taste of this vibrant country.
