Eat · La Mariscal
Restaurants around Plaza Foch
The densest choice of dinner tables in Quito; walk in before 20:00, or book on busy nights, then take a car home.
- Widest choice of dinners
- Book at weekends
- Use a car home
- Order: Dinner tables: Ecuadorian and international
- Tables and stools
- Walk-in window: before 19:30
- Queue risk: Friday and Saturday evenings
- Bring cash
Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.
Rules in force · 10Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…Old-town streets are steep, cobbled and often stepped
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Ecuador ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an Ecuadorian consulate.
- Ecuador ↗The Galápagos has its own entry controls: a transit control card bought at the airport before departure, a national park entrance fee, and inspections for food and plants. Check official Galápagos rules before booking.
- Ecuador ↗Several coastal provinces (including Guayas, where Guayaquil is) are under official warnings and periodic states of emergency; read your government's advice before routing through them.
- Quito and the northern Andes ↗Spend two or three nights in Quito before hikes above 3,500 m; go up in steps.
- Quito ↗Day 1 at 2,850 m: no more than two hours of walking, drink water, skip alcohol, and keep hard hikes for day 3 or later.
- Quito ↗After dark in the Historic Centre and La Mariscal, use a taxi or ride-hail car from door to door; do not walk between clusters.
- Quito ↗Old-town streets are steep, cobbled and often stepped: large suitcases go from the car to the hotel door, never on a walk.
More
Map & directions
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Plan
Open now, when you can walk in, what to order
Go now?
Open?
Usually 12:00–15:00Usually 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
Typical hours: check on the day.
Busy this hour
Estimate by hour below
Easiest walk-in
before 19:30
Reservations
Walk-in, no reservation
Paying
Bring cash
Per person
US$12–252026 estimate · check
Walk-in windows
Tip
Format
A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.
Your first order
- Locro de papalocroWarm and cheap.US$4–7
Menus and prices change; the board on the day wins.
Not checked in the last 12 months (no check date on file).
On the ground
How to order, tip and pay, allergies, and booking
How to order
- Walk in before 19:30 or book by WhatsApp for Friday and Saturday evenings.
- Book a car home rather than walking; the plaza is loud and empty streets start two blocks away.
Tipping
Sit-down restaurants: about 10%, less than the 15–20% US norm.
Allergies and diets
- AskVegetarian · Several places have vegetable, egg and cheese dishes; check for meat stock. · say: “Soy vegetariano/a. Sin carne ni pescado, por favor.”
- AskVegan · Some vegan-friendly cafés nearby; ask before ordering.
- NoHalal · No certified halal venues known (check). · say: “No como cerdo.”
- AskGluten-free · Rice and potato dishes are common; ask about fried items and sauces.
- AskNut allergy · Peanuts appear in some sauces; show a card in Spanish.
- AskAllergy · Show a Spanish allergy card; staff generally check with the kitchen. · say: “Soy alérgico/a a ___.”
Paying
Bring cash
- Ask whether service (10%) and IVA are included before you tip.
- Service (10%) and IVA are often added: check the bottom of the bill before adding a tip.
- Cards are widely accepted; carry $10–20 in cash for tips and small places. Check that service and IVA are already on the bill.
Booking
- Booking
- Walk-in, no reservation
- Reservations
- Not taken
- Note
- Walk-in.
Not checked in the last 12 months (no check date on file).
Map and nearby
Where this place is, how to get there, and what is around it
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Nearby places
Eat nearby
More detail
Everything else we know about this place
How to order here, in full
How to order here
The order of play at the counter or table, what to say, how much to order and how to pay.
- 1Walk in before 19:30 or book by WhatsApp for Friday and Saturday evenings.Walk in before 7:30 PM or book by WhatsApp for Friday and Saturday evenings.
- 2Book a car home rather than walking; the plaza is loud and empty streets start two blocks away.
No shared language? Tap dishes in the order builder below and show the waiter the full-screen list in the local script. For a printed menu, translate a photo of it.
What to say
| In English | Say or show | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | KWAN-toh KWES-tah |
| What is the set lunch today? | ¿Cuál es el almuerzo de hoy? | kwal es el al-MWAIR-soh day oy |
| Without chilli sauce, please | Sin ají, por favor | seen ah-HEE por fah-VOR |
| The bill, please | La cuenta, por favor | lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR |
| Hello / good morning | Hola / Buenos días | OH-lah / BWAY-nos DEE-as |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRAH-syahs |
Extras, condiments and what costs extra
- Order water: tap water is not drinkable; bottled water is standard.
- Service charge: 10% plus IVA added at the end — Read the bill; tip extra only for good service.
- Bottled water: $1.50–3 — Ask for a large bottle to share.
- Ají (chilli sauce) usually comes on the side: try a drop first and ask for 'sin ají' if in doubt.
Paying and tipping
Sit-down restaurants: about 10%, less than the 15–20% US norm.
- Ask whether service (10%) and IVA are included before you tip.
- Service (10%) and IVA are often added: check the bottom of the bill before adding a tip.
- Cards are widely accepted; carry $10–20 in cash for tips and small places. Check that service and IVA are already on the bill.
- Tipping: 10% service is often already on the bill; add a small extra for good service. Round up taxi fares.
- Menus with IVA and service added: check the total; keep small change for the tip.
At the table
- Eat where locals queue and the turnover is fast; a busy market stall has fresh stock.
Price and paying
- Typical spend
- $12–25 per person for a main course and a drink
Paying, diet and allergies
Paying
Accepted; useful for tips and small places.
Widely accepted; ask the server to bring the terminal to the table.
Local bank QR only; foreign wallets vary (check).
Diet and allergies
Yes means there is something for you; ask means possible with care; no means go elsewhere.
- Vegetarianask
Several places have vegetable, egg and cheese dishes; check for meat stock.
Show: Soy vegetariano/a. Sin carne ni pescado, por favor.
- Veganask
Some vegan-friendly cafés nearby; ask before ordering.
- Halalno
No certified halal venues known (check).
Show: No como cerdo.
- Gluten-freeask
Rice and potato dishes are common; ask about fried items and sauces.
- Nut allergyask
Peanuts appear in some sauces; show a card in Spanish.
- Allergyask
Show a Spanish allergy card; staff generally check with the kitchen.
Show: Soy alérgico/a a ___.
What is in the dishes
- Cevichecevichefish
- Grilled trouttruchafish
Read from the menu names and notes; recipes vary and cross-contact is not tested. Check with the kitchen.
Who it suits, booking and the kitchen
Who it suits, booking, closures
- How to book
- Message the venue on WhatsApp or ask your hotel; walk-in is fine before 19:30 on weekdays.Message the venue on WhatsApp or ask your hotel; walk-in is fine before 7:30 PM on weekdays.
- How far ahead
- Same day; a few days for Friday and Saturday
- No-show / cancel fee
- Cancel by message; some venues note repeat no-shows
- Dress code
- Casual; bring a jacket for the cold evening walk to a car.
| When | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sundays | check before you go | Some restaurants close on Sunday evenings; check before you go. |
| 24–25 December and 1 January | check before you go | Many close or take reservations only. |
Show the kitchen
Tap a need to get a large screen you can hold up to staff. The wording is the guide’s; a helper who reads the language should confirm it if your allergy is serious.
Hour by hour, with queue times
Quietest listed hour: 12:00 (light).
- 12:00lightlittle or no wait
- 13:00busya short wait is possible
- 18:00lightlittle or no wait
- 19:00busya short wait is possible
- 20:00heavyexpect a lineTables fill
- 21:00heavyexpect a line
- 22:00heavyexpect a lineBars get loud
- 23:00busya short wait is possible
Desk estimate of crowd on a weekday evening; Friday and Saturday run one level higher. Not live data. No line length is on file, so waits are in words.
Comfort, facts and cons
Hygiene and comfort
- Seating
- Tables and stools
- Kids
- kids' menu: ask · stroller: caution · Go before 19:30 with kids; the noise builds after 21:00
- Access
- step-free: partial · Flat streets; venue entrances vary
Hygiene
- Restaurants here are used to visitors; choose places with fast turnover and hot food.
- Avoid raw seafood in small places where you cannot see the fish counter; ceviche should be cold and fresh.
- Drink bottled water and avoid ice unless the restaurant says it is made from purified water.
Facts
- Reservations
- Not taken — Walk-in.
- Capabilities
- food · seated_rest
- Getting there
- Plaza Foch, La Mariscal · ~2 min walk
Cons
- Tourist prices and loud bars on weekends.
- After dark, take a car door to door.
Dish glossary
| On the menu | What it is | Order it how |
|---|---|---|
| Ceviche | Fish or shrimp in citrus and tomato broth. | Ask for 'ceviche mixto' if you want fish and shrimp. |
| Locro de papa | Potato and cheese soup with avocado. | Ask for it without cheese if dairy is a problem. |
| Seco de chivo | Goat stew with rice. | A highland comfort dish. |
| Trucha | Trout, often grilled or fried. | Usually served with rice or potatoes. |
| Canelazo | Hot cane spirit with cinnamon. | A warm evening drink; strong. |
| La cuenta | The bill. | Say 'la cuenta, por favor'. |
Price check
- locals pay
- A main course is $8–14 in local places one street back from the plaza; the plaza itself is at the top of the range.
- tourist price
- Menus in English at the plaza edge are often 20–40% above the side streets (2026 estimate).
- rule
- Service (10%) and IVA are often added: check the bottom of the bill before adding a tip.
| Extra on the table | Typical charge | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Service charge | 10% plus IVA added at the end | Read the bill; tip extra only for good service. |
| Bottled water | $1.50–3 | Ask for a large bottle to share. |
Deep dive
Questions, alternatives, and where our facts come from
Questions and answers
Questions and answers
Is Plaza Foch worth it for dinner?
Yes for choice and convenience; go before 20:00 and pick a side-street restaurant for quiet.Yes for choice and convenience; go before 8:00 PM and pick a side-street restaurant for quiet.
Checked 2026-09-28 · Voykit desk
Are there vegetarian options?
Yes: several restaurants and cafés have vegetarian plates; ask about stock.
Checked 2026-09-28 · Voykit desk
Do I need to book dinner around Plaza Foch?
Not on weekdays before 19:30. On Friday and Saturday a booking helps.Not on weekdays before 7:30 PM. On Friday and Saturday a booking helps.
How much does dinner cost?
About $12–25 per person for a main and a drink (2026 estimate).
Is service included?
Often 10% service and IVA are added; check the bill before tipping.
Is it safe to walk home?
Use a booked car after dark; La Mariscal has robberies and drink-spiking reports.
Is it loud?
Yes on Friday and Saturday nights; choose a side street for a quieter dinner.
If it is closed or full
Nearby alternatives
If it is closed or the line is too long
- Mercado Central40 min walkA cheaper lunch in the old town by car.
- Cafés and restaurants on the Guápulo ridge25 min walkA few cafés and restaurants at the top of the Guápulo ridge have a view of the valley: go late afternoon for coffee or an early dinner, and book the car home before you sit down.
Places without an authored walk are ranked by straight-line distance × 1.3 at 5 km/h (3 mph)3 mph (5 km/h).
All places to eat in Quito, with filters →
Used as a seated rest node in Quito in 4 days.
Sources
- secondaryWikivoyage — Quito (eat)
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Source: Price per person
Draft
Written from desk research. Not yet compared with the official source.
No official source is recorded for this figure.
Prices are 2026 estimates from the menu or the price line on file. Check on the day.
Source: Opening hours
Draft
Written from desk research. Not yet compared with the official source.
No official source is recorded for this figure.
Source: Best time
Draft
Written from desk research. Not yet compared with the official source.
No official source is recorded for this figure.
The easiest walk-in window or the quietest hour in this guide. Crowd levels are desk estimates, not counts.