Casa La Basilica - Guidebook
Food Scene
Below are our recommendations for food spots but there are always new ones opening so check out TripAdvisor for the newest spots!
Also: The following locations Airbnb didn't allow us to add with photos so here is just text about a few:
Santa Rosa Historico - American - Beer, burgers, cocktails, fries and much more. $$$
Cafe Plaza Grande - Latin, Ecuadorean food - Located inside the Plaza Grande hotel. Delicious
ice creams! $$$
Also, a fancier restaurant upstairs, La Belle Epoque Restaurante, if you want a more “white linen” experience. $$$$
Good food with an even better view. Go at sunset and watch the city lights turn on or go at night and view the city lights!
- Ecuadorian and American food - AMAZING View over the city with outside rooftop patio. -$$
32 lokale inwoners raden aan
Vista Hermosa
Oe4-45 MejíaGood food with an even better view. Go at sunset and watch the city lights turn on or go at night and view the city lights!
- Ecuadorian and American food - AMAZING View over the city with outside rooftop patio. -$$
Great food, good atmosphere, super friendly staff. Protected patio to eat under if the weather is rainy.
- Ecuadorian Food - Breakfast, lunch, Dinner - $$
48 lokale inwoners raden aan
Hotel Plaza Grande
Great food, good atmosphere, super friendly staff. Protected patio to eat under if the weather is rainy.
- Ecuadorian Food - Breakfast, lunch, Dinner - $$
Unique small spot with good food, drinks, and good atmosphere.
- Ecuadorian Food - really unique place with good food and a great
atmosphere/owner - $$
11 lokale inwoners raden aan
Café Dios No Muere
n4-62 Juan Pío MontúfarUnique small spot with good food, drinks, and good atmosphere.
- Ecuadorian Food - really unique place with good food and a great
atmosphere/owner - $$
Delicious pastries, fresh baked goods, coffee, and hot chocolates
21 lokale inwoners raden aan
En-Dulce
Oe3-26 y Calle GuayaquilDelicious pastries, fresh baked goods, coffee, and hot chocolates
Great food and good atmosphere. Located in the back 2nd story patio near the Arch Bishops house.
- Ecuadorian and American food - good hamburger - $$
Cafe del fraile
22 y VenezuelaGreat food and good atmosphere. Located in the back 2nd story patio near the Arch Bishops house.
- Ecuadorian and American food - good hamburger - $$
Soups, salads, entrees, desserts, and drinks. - Great
Atmosphere and delicious food. Check the website for hours as they are closed certain days of the week and offer brunch certain days of the week as well. (www.carlota.ec)
Hotel Carlota
6-26 Sebastián de BenalcázarSoups, salads, entrees, desserts, and drinks. - Great
Atmosphere and delicious food. Check the website for hours as they are closed certain days of the week and offer brunch certain days of the week as well. (www.carlota.ec)
- Great place to grab a drink. They have a nice bar and also a covered patio for light snacks/tea. There is a fine dining restaurant but we prefer the bar at this spot - $$$$
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Casa Gangotena Posse
Cuenca- Great place to grab a drink. They have a nice bar and also a covered patio for light snacks/tea. There is a fine dining restaurant but we prefer the bar at this spot - $$$$
- Peruvian Sushi - This is a super famous restaurant and is the equivalent to Nobu in the U.S. The owners are actually friends. $$$$ (outside the historical district)
22 lokale inwoners raden aan
Osaka
E12 17 Av. Isabel la Católica- Peruvian Sushi - This is a super famous restaurant and is the equivalent to Nobu in the U.S. The owners are actually friends. $$$$ (outside the historical district)
Latin, Spanish, Contemporary, South American, Ecuadorean - $10-$30 - Fresh Local food
Etnia Restaurante - Cocina Local
PanamáLatin, Spanish, Contemporary, South American, Ecuadorean - $10-$30 - Fresh Local food
To Do
Below is a list of recommended activities in the area near the estate. There are more churches to see and museums throughout the historical center. You can
always check TripAdvisor for more spots to visit or find them as you explore/walk from each of
these stunning locations.
This is the gothic church located just steps from the house.
The basilica towers over the rest of Quito and can be seen from various points throughout the
historic center. This gothic style behemoth boasts beautiful stained-glass windows and animal
carvings inspired by the Galapagos Islands. If you visit the Basilica, be sure to pay the $2 to
go up the towers. You can even cross the spine of the cathedral and ascend the highest
tower!
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Basilica of the National Vote
11-263 y CarchiThis is the gothic church located just steps from the house.
The basilica towers over the rest of Quito and can be seen from various points throughout the
historic center. This gothic style behemoth boasts beautiful stained-glass windows and animal
carvings inspired by the Galapagos Islands. If you visit the Basilica, be sure to pay the $2 to
go up the towers. You can even cross the spine of the cathedral and ascend the highest
tower!
Also known as Plaza de la Independencia, this lovely spot is filled with life! Surrounding the
Plaza are famous sights including the Palacio del Gobierno and a huge cathedral where the
presidents are buried. Wander around the Plaza and enjoy the variety of views. The buildings
here are well-kept, and the center is always bustling!
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Plaza Chica station
Also known as Plaza de la Independencia, this lovely spot is filled with life! Surrounding the
Plaza are famous sights including the Palacio del Gobierno and a huge cathedral where the
presidents are buried. Wander around the Plaza and enjoy the variety of views. The buildings
here are well-kept, and the center is always bustling!
Known to be the most beautiful church in all of South America (disputed, of course), La Compañía is not to be missed. It’s entire inside is made of thin sheets of real gold. It’s
amazing!
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Church of the Jesuits
N10-43 García MorenoKnown to be the most beautiful church in all of South America (disputed, of course), La Compañía is not to be missed. It’s entire inside is made of thin sheets of real gold. It’s
amazing!
Both the church and the plaza are really beautiful. The plaza is surrounded by ornamented colonial-style buildings, and offers some really great spots for photographing the feel ofQuito’s Old Town. The area between Plaza de San Francisco and Plaza Grande is worth a stroll as well. Admire the walkways and the unique windows and balconies. If you’re thirsty for a drink, be sure to stop by Casa Gangotena, the most beautiful white building in the square. This luxury hotel underwent an expensive renovation years ago, and is absolutely pristine.
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Plaza San Francisco
Both the church and the plaza are really beautiful. The plaza is surrounded by ornamented colonial-style buildings, and offers some really great spots for photographing the feel ofQuito’s Old Town. The area between Plaza de San Francisco and Plaza Grande is worth a stroll as well. Admire the walkways and the unique windows and balconies. If you’re thirsty for a drink, be sure to stop by Casa Gangotena, the most beautiful white building in the square. This luxury hotel underwent an expensive renovation years ago, and is absolutely pristine.
Stunning church on the Plaza De San Francisco. We recommend doing the tours to hear the stories about the building of the church and the "missing brick" which is a classic legend told to all children in Quito.
40 lokale inwoners raden aan
San Francisco Church
477 CuencaStunning church on the Plaza De San Francisco. We recommend doing the tours to hear the stories about the building of the church and the "missing brick" which is a classic legend told to all children in Quito.
Located towards the south of the historic center, the Panecillo is a little hill topped with a winged Virgin Mary. Although it is possible to climb the 1,000 steps to get to the top of the hill we recommend taking a cab up.
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El Panecillo
Located towards the south of the historic center, the Panecillo is a little hill topped with a winged Virgin Mary. Although it is possible to climb the 1,000 steps to get to the top of the hill we recommend taking a cab up.
“La Ronda” refers to a long street of shops and restaurants in historic Quito. It is beautiful and comes to life at night, with street performers, dancing, music and late-night eats. La Ronda is kept safe by the tourist police and enjoyed by locals and foreigners alike. It’s bustling practically every evening, but it’s quiet and pretty in daylight.
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La Ronda
N24-96 Av. Río Amazonas“La Ronda” refers to a long street of shops and restaurants in historic Quito. It is beautiful and comes to life at night, with street performers, dancing, music and late-night eats. La Ronda is kept safe by the tourist police and enjoyed by locals and foreigners alike. It’s bustling practically every evening, but it’s quiet and pretty in daylight.
Please visit their website for all details: http://teleferico.com.ec
This is also a short taxi from the house. Make sure to go early in the morning on a clear day. The Teleferico is a gondola that takes you up high towards one of the volcanos. You can hike, ride horses, do a short walk around the hillside with views over the whole city. It can get foggy up there and it can happen fast so we recommend going on the nicest weather day.
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Teleférico de Quito
Please visit their website for all details: http://teleferico.com.ec
This is also a short taxi from the house. Make sure to go early in the morning on a clear day. The Teleferico is a gondola that takes you up high towards one of the volcanos. You can hike, ride horses, do a short walk around the hillside with views over the whole city. It can get foggy up there and it can happen fast so we recommend going on the nicest weather day.
If you were interested in shopping local Ecuadorian knickknacks, blankets, decor, souvenirs, etc. we recommend the "Mercado Artesenal" It is a short taxi cab from the estate. Walk to the front of the Basilica church to grab a cab and you’ll be there shortly. Bring cash and have fun!
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Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal
611 Jorge WashingtonIf you were interested in shopping local Ecuadorian knickknacks, blankets, decor, souvenirs, etc. we recommend the "Mercado Artesenal" It is a short taxi cab from the estate. Walk to the front of the Basilica church to grab a cab and you’ll be there shortly. Bring cash and have fun!
Coffee & Treats
- Cute cafe with fresh baked sweets, good coffee, and hot chocolate.
21 lokale inwoners raden aan
En-Dulce
Oe3-26 y Calle Guayaquil- Cute cafe with fresh baked sweets, good coffee, and hot chocolate.
- Small upstairs and downstairs cafe just around the corner on the main plaza. Good Coffee and some small bites.
Ktedral Cafetería
N3-96 García Moreno- Small upstairs and downstairs cafe just around the corner on the main plaza. Good Coffee and some small bites.
- There is a coffee shop on the 5 or 6th floor with views over
the whole city. You have to pay a couple dollars to go up into the tower
134 lokale inwoners raden aan
Basilica of the National Vote
11-263 y Carchi- There is a coffee shop on the 5 or 6th floor with views over
the whole city. You have to pay a couple dollars to go up into the tower
Leitmotiv Café
& ManabiSmall cafe with sandwiches, desserts, and coffee with cute atmosphere
Groceries
1- There is a small market just around the corner from the home. It is good for basics (water,
soda, beer, fruit, baked breads) (we do not recommend for wine) To Locate: once you
depart the home walk down the little alley way the house is on toward the Church. You will
be on Garcia Moreno street. With the church in front of you go RIGHT. The market is just a
few doors down before you get to the next cross street.
2- Mi Comisariato - This is larger and is more of a mini grocery store. This store should have
everything you need- milk, eggs, coffee, wine, eggs, veggies, bread, fruit, beans, rice, pasta,
etc. To Locate: once you depart the home walk down the little alley way the house is on
toward the Church. You will be on Garcia Moreno street. With the church in front of you go
RIGHT. The market is about four blocks down the hill. It is just after the Hotel Patio Anadaluz.
TIP: grab a cab back to the apartment for around $2 so you don’t have to walk your groceries
home
Mi Comisariato
Tours
We recommend any tours that the many churches offer. They each have a unique history and
can do the tours in Spanish or English. Also, there is a tour of the Presidential Palace. I haven’t done it but many people on trip advisor recommend it. As far as tours to get out of town or to go to the middle of the world, we always recommend going to Hotel Andaluz.
They have many tours they can arrange for you!
Guides:
Cotopaxi - We suggest contacting the guide, Pablo. His pricing changes depending
on what you want to do. He does both hiking and birding. :Contact: +593 99 161 0999
Banos - We suggest contacting the guide, Ricardo. He charges $160 per car for the
entire tour round trip including pickup and drop off. He speaks English and is very
knowledgeable : Contact: rikardovillalobos@yahoo.com.ar
Cotopaxi
Baños
Camino a Baños