How to pair Latin American dishes with local beers
Discover ideal beer styles to pair with classic Latin American dishes for a flavorful and authentic culinary experience.
Quito blends Andean ingredients, refined techniques, and intimate settings: from historic mansions to modern spaces with city views. Here are the top 10 romantic restaurants in Quito according to the opinion of various local lifestyle magazines.
Here are the 10 romantic restaurants in Quito you should visit:
Nuema Restaurant $$$$
- TripAdvisor: 4,1 ⭐
- Known for: Tasting menus focused on Ecuadorian biodiversity.
- Style: Contemporary Ecuadorian/fine dining.
- Nearby attraction: Museum of Military History (~0.37 km).
- Instagram: nuema_restaurante
URKO Cocina Local $$$$
- TripAdvisor: 4,6 ⭐
- Known for: Tasting menu experience centered on seasonal ingredients.
- Style: Local/seasonal Ecuadorian.
- Nearby attraction: Nudo Street Art Gallery and Tours (~0.06 miles).
- Only with a reservation.
- Instagram: urko.rest
Restaurante Casa Gangotena $$$$
- TripAdvisor: 4,5 ⭐
- Known for: Ecuadorian classics like ceviche de camarón and seco de cordero.
- Style: International + Ecuadorian/South American.
- Nearby attraction: Casa del Alabado (~0.09 km).
- Wine Feature: It offers a selection of vintage wines.
- Instagram: restaurantecasagangotena
Quitu Identidad Culinaria $$$
- TripAdvisor 4,6 ⭐
- Known for: Focusing on ancestral ingredients.
- Style: Ecuadorian
- Nearby attraction: Estudio Aura (~0.06 km).
- Instagram: quitu_identidad_culinaria
Zero Lab Fine Dining $$$
- TripAdvisor 4,9 ⭐
- Known for: Tasting menus.
- Style: Modern, experimental, Ecuadorian products at the center.
- Nearby attraction: Colorín Colorado Arte y Café (~0.17 km).
- Wine Feature: Offers an extensive global wine list.
- Instagram: zerolab.rest
Cardó $$-$$$
- TripAdvisor 4,5 ⭐
- Known for: Dishes like spaghetti de palmito and croquetas de pollo y quinua.
- Style: International/contemporary, with local ingredients in the mix.
- Nearby attraction: Estudio Aura (~0.54 km).
- Reservation required for Friday and Saturday evenings.
- Wine Feature: Has a dedicated wine cellar containing 2,000 bottles.
- Instagram: cardoquito
El Salnés Gastro-Picantería $$
- TripAdvisor 4,9 ⭐
- Known for: Artisanal charcuterie and house-cured meats.
- What to eat: The 7-course menu option.
- Style: Local-inspired.
- Instagram: elsalnes
Chez Jérôme $$$
- TripAdvisor 4,6 ⭐
- Known for: French staples, sauces, and classic desserts.
- Style: French/international.
- Nearby attraction: Casa Gangotena (~0.23 miles).
- Wine Feature: Features an exclusive French-centric wine list curated by Chef Jérôme Monteillet.
- Instagram: chezjerome.rest
Pim’s Panecillo $$-$$$
- TripAdvisor 4,1 ⭐
- Known for: Shareable plates.
- What to eat: Las Calamitas and Poke Pim’s.
- Style: Latin / international / Ecuadorian
- Nearby attraction: El Panecillo (~0.27 km).
- Wine Feature: Limited house selection; focused on sparkling wines and cocktails.
- Instagram: restaurantepims
Somos Ecuador Restaurant $$-$$$
- TripAdvisor 4,9 ⭐
- Known for: Combining local traditions with global cooking techniques.
- Style: Latin / international.
- Only with a reservation.
- Wine Feature: “La Cava” private tasting room; partnership with Dos Hemisferios (Ecuadorian wine).
- Instagram: somos.rest
| Restaurant | Price Range | Key Feature / Cuisine |
|---|---|---|
| Nuema Restaurant | $$$$ | Contemporary Ecuadorian fine dining/tasting menus |
| URKO Cocina Local | $$$ | Local, seasonal Ecuadorian tasting menu |
| Restaurante Casa Gangotena | $$$ | Ecuadorian classics in a historic mansion |
| Quitu Identidad Culinaria | $$$ | Modern presentation of ancestral ingredients |
| Zero Lab Fine Dining | $$$$ | Experimental, technique-focused tasting menus |
| Cardó | $$-$$$ | Creative international (pastas, steak) |
| El Salnés Gastro-Picantería | $$ | Modern takes on traditional “picantería” plates |
| Chez Jérôme | $$$ | Classic French cuisine |
| Pim’s Panecillo | $$-$$$ | Panoramic city views, shareable plates |
| Somos Ecuador Restaurant | $$-$$$ | Modern Ecuadorian fusion |
Cook With Us
Dining in a romantic restaurant is a wonderful way to experience a city. However, for those looking to go a little further, our Ecuador food tours are designed to offer a deeper connection to local culture. Guided by a local instructor in a home kitchen, you’ll learn traditional techniques, cook with regional ingredients, and experience Ecuadorian cuisine from the inside out.
