Is Food In Historic Center Restaurants and Eating Places Safe?Eating in restaurants where the food doesn't play havoc with my system is most definitely my concern even in the historic center. The use of 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 is tops for eating any time. My digestive system is the judge and jury. When in the historic center, if I want a hot beverage or lunch, the CENTRO CULTURAL METROPOLITANO is the place to enter. It is side by side with the Presidential Palace. The ladies restroom that has seats is sometimes locked, and for this reason, I recommend eating at the better restaurants now, but if you don't mind hovering or just don't need the restroom, hot drinks and meals are good.
As you enter, to the right of the patio is the coffee shop, EL BUJO. There are usually tables in the patio.
While you're there, you can meander through the free museum. A fee museum is up the steps. It is well worth the $1.50 (50 cents for tercer edad--senior citizens.) There are English guides Tuesday through Friday. All you have to do is ask. Useful information: desayuno is breakfast, almuerzo is lunch and cena (pronounced sena) is dinner, and en efectivo is in cash. Recto is straight ahead. Hotel Plaza Grande Cafe next to Plaza Grande Square in centro historico on Garcia Moreno Street, is super for eating any time. The prices are in no way connected to the rate of the luxury suites, and the food is delicious.
Mea Culpa Restaurant
You climb the stairs and are led into an elegant dining room. I ordered tenderloin steak wrapped in bacon strips, topped with mushroom gravy. It came with steamed vegetables. To drink, I had mora juice. The total was under $17.00 tip included, and it was super delicious. As an extra benefit, if you sit by the window, you get a bird's eye view of the plaza. I highly recommend this place. Quito Libre Cafeteria
Quito Libre is perched 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. This place is better than not bad. 
Located on Espejo between Guayaquil y Flores Streets, it is so handy either to take a coffee break or eat and continue on your merry way through the colonial center.
Cafe Fruteria Monserrate, a few doors down specializes in fruit and juices, but not to be outdone in its great meals...all natural. For a really fascinating place to eat deliciously, try Restaurant and Bar La Casa de Los Geranios. I found it better than superb.
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