La Floresta

Quito, Ecuador

A leafy, bohemian district of cafés, independent cinemas, galleries and the city's best modern restaurants. Quito's creative, hip quarter.

Places in La Floresta

Nuema Ecuador's most acclaimed restaurant (a Latin America's 50 Best fixture), exploring the country's astonishing biodiversity through an inventive tasting menu. The nation's culinary flagship.
Zazu A long-standing favourite for refined modern Latin American and Ecuadorian cooking, with a strong ceviche and cocktail programme. Consistently excellent.
Somos / La Floresta cafés-bistros The hip Floresta district's bistros and cafés serve creative, seasonal cooking and good coffee to a young crowd. Relaxed and contemporary.
Botánica / Isveglio (specialty coffee) Specialty-coffee cafés showcasing Ecuador's fine highland beans in calm, design-led rooms. The heart of the city's coffee culture.

Best time to visit: June to September (the dry season) for the clearest weather. The wet season (October–May) brings afternoon showers but green landscapes. The altitude keeps it spring-like year-round — take it easy on arrival and pack layers.
Getting around: The old town is walkable but steep and high — take the altitude slowly. The new Metro line, the Ecovía/Trole bus lines and cheap taxis (or Uber) cover the long, narrow city. The TelefériQo cable car climbs Pichincha for volcano views.
Currency: US Dollar ($)
Language: Spanish. English is limited outside tourism.
Timezone: ECT (UTC-5)
Current trends: A rising modern-Ecuadorian dining scene drawing on Amazonian and highland ingredients; a serious specialty-coffee culture (Ecuador grows fine beans); the restored La Ronda street reviving old-town nightlife; and boutique heritage hotels in colonial mansions.

Centro Histórico (Old Town) — The UNESCO-listed colonial core of gilded churches, monasteries and grand plazas around Plaza Grande — the finest in the Americas. The city's magnificent heart.
La Mariscal — The 'Gringolandia' backpacker and nightlife district, of hostels, bars and the Mariscal craft market, lively but rougher after dark. The budget-traveller hub.
La Ronda — A restored, lantern-lit colonial street of courtyards, art galleries, traditional restaurants and canelazo (hot spiced-alcohol) bars. Enchanting after dark.
Guápulo — A steep, artsy hillside neighbourhood tumbling into a valley below the city, with a beautiful church and bohemian bars with views. A hidden, romantic pocket.