El Mercado is a large, informal food hall in La Mariscal that brings together a dozen different food stalls under one roof — a Quiteño take on the food market concept that works well for solo travellers or groups with different tastes. The stalls cover Ecuadorian classics (ceviche, encebollado fish soup, llapingachos potato cakes, seco de pollo chicken stew), Andean grilled meats, pizza, and a few international options.
Prices are considerably lower than the surrounding restaurants, the atmosphere is convivial, and the quality across most stalls is reliable. It is a good place to try traditional Ecuadorian dishes without committing to a full restaurant menu. The market is busiest at weekend lunchtime and in the early evening.