Quito has been at the forefront of the recent renaissance of Andean cooking, or ‘novo andino’ as it’s known. A new generation of chefs is experimenting with a mouth-watering fusion of foods and styles, reflecting the capital’s American, European and Asian influences. The result is some of the most underrated and surprising food you’re likely to enjoy – and all refreshingly great value.

The capital’s Mariscal and La Floresta quarters are the neighbourhoods to head to for wining, dining and dancing. After dinner, hit the bars, clubs or even casinos of the capital, with a venue to suit every taste – from chilled-out lounge bars through to hip-swinging salsa joints. Quito’s nightlife is one of South America’s best-kept secrets.

See the city’s calendar of events, searchable by type, with everything from concerts to cinema, literary get-togethers to art exhibitions.



Useful going-out links:

Excellent resource for wining and dining, with good descriptions (in Spanish):
www.tavolaecuador.com/uio.html

Advice and listings (English):
www.goecuador.com/ecuador-entertainment/index.html

Bar listings (English):
www.quitoforum.com/eng/quitoforum.htm

Cultural listings (Spanish):
www.elguion.net

Cultural spaces in Quito:
www.elguion.net/acq_directorio.htm

The Mariscal's hottest street intersection is the Plaza Quinde (or Plaza Foch) at Reina Victoria and Foch. There's a great selection of cafés, restaurants and bars there. For a preview, see this page:
www.tavolaecuador.com/plazaquinde.html

Restaurants and bars are multiplying in Quito's historic centre, making it ever-more attractive for a fine meal or a drink with friends. See these pages for some pointers:
www.tavolaecuador.com/pagina9.html
www.ecuadorexplorer.com/html/nightlife.html
www.livetravelguides.com/south-america/ecuador/quito/quito-restaurants/

Theatres:

Teatro Nacional Sucre, Manabí N 8 - 131 entre Guayaquil y Flores, (593) (2) 257 2823 (593) (2) 228 0982
www.teatrosucre.com

Teatro Bolívar, Espejo No. 847 y Guayaquil, (593) (2) 228 2761
www.teatrobolivar.org

Teatro Socavon de Guapulo, Francisco Compte Guápulo, (593) (2) 226 5661.

Teatro Patio de Comedias, 18 de Septiembre y 9 de Octubre, (593) (2) 256 1902.

Teatro Malayerba, Sodiro y avenida 6 de Diciembre, (593) (2) 223 5463.

Teatro San Gabriel, Avenidas América y Mariana de Jesús, (593) (2) 245 3587.

Asociación Humboldt, Vancouver E554 y Polonia, (593) (2) 223 6910 or 254 8480.

Teatro CCI, Centro Comercial Iñaquito, Av. Amazonas y Naciones Unidas, (593) (2) 226 5084.

Teatro de la Fundación Humanizarte, Leonidas Plaza N24 226 y Lizardo García, (593) (2) 222 6116.

Teatro de la Compañía Nacional de Danza, Av. Río Coca E10-59 y París, (593) (2) 246 5768.