Restaurants for Eating Great Food in the Historic Center
Eating in restaurants in the historic center where the food sets well, tastes great and doesn't play havoc with my system remains my main concern. The use of Quito tap water for juices will inevitably cause a revolution in my stomach that I don't take to kindly. To be on guard, I usually avoid raw veggies, juices, tap water and ice. Also, I always tote my grapefruit seed extract nutribiotic tablets and garlic oil perles, just in case. Bottled water evens the score, even for cooking in my apartment, but that's just me. I don't know about anyone else. Does that keep me from enjoying Quito? Are you kidding?
El Criollo Restaurant in the historic center works for me every time. When in the colonial area - if I want a hot beverage or quick lunch - the CENTRO CULTURAL METROPOLITANO, that sits side by side with the Presidential Palace, provides it.
They sometimes lock the ladies restroom that has seats. For this reason, I recommend eating at the better restaurants, but if you don't mind hovering, or you just don't need to go, hot drinks and quick meals can save time here. As usual, here and throughout Ecuador, carry your own toilet paper!
As you enter, turn to the right of the patio to the coffee shop, EL BUJO. There, you can enter and order, and maybe use the tables in the patio. Laptop users do this all the time. While you're there, you might want to meander through the free museum. A fee museum up the steps presents realistic drama scenes and more. It's well worth the $1.50 (50 cents for tercer edad--senior citizens.) Ask for English guides Tuesday through Friday if you need one. Useful translations include: desayuno - breakfast, almuerzo - lunch, cena (pronounced sena) - dinner, en efectivo - in cash, cuy - guinea pig, recto - straight ahead. La cuenta will bring you the charge for the meal. Hotel Plaza Grande Cafe next to the square by the same name in the centro historico on Garcia Moreno Street, beats all for eating any time. The prices in no way reflect the rate of the luxury suites, and the food gives delicious a new dimension.
Mea Culpa Restaurant
MEA CULPA restaurant to the left at the top of the stairs - as you enter El Palacio Arcobispal on Chile at the Plaza Grande - rates tops! The hours the restaurant serves greet you at the foot of the stairs...during the week it opens at 12 noon - weekends it's 3:00 PM.
As you climb the stairs, the waiter leads you into an elegant dining room. I ordered tenderloin steak wrapped in bacon strips, topped with mushroom gravy...scrumptious! It came with steamed vegetables, all for under $17, tip included. To drink, I chose my usual mora (blackberry) juice. As a bonus, if you choose a window table, you get a bird's eye view of the plaza. I highly recommend this place. Quito Libre Cafeteria
Quito Libre perches on the top floor of Espejo Shopping Center.
An elevator swoops you up to the door. Stop here to munch a lunch, then step outside to the roof and walk around to take in the spectacular view and shoot pictures. The great meal costs less than $5. After eating, a browse around the small shopping center seems interesting. I'll be honest. I just go up for the meals. There's sooo much to see in the ciudad colonial, and no lack of opportunity to shop. One of these days curiosity will get the best of me, though. I'm sure I'll discover something. 
On Espejo between Guayaquil y Flores Streets, you barely skip a beat as you either sip a cup of java, or choose something to eat from the cafeteria line and continue on your merry way through the colonial center.
Cafe Fruteria Monserrate, a few doors down specializes in fruit and juices and all natural great meals. For a really unique place, try
Restaurant La Casa de Los Geranios for eating deliciously any time.
I rate this one truly excellent.
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