Clara

Quito

Relaxed neighbourhood dining from a talented international trio

A laidback bistro on the site of an iconic old bar in Quito, Clara is the project of Ecuadorean chef Felipe Salas, Venezuelan-Portuguese pastry chef Ángel De Sousa and Spanish pastry chef Ana Lobato. Thanks to an accessible menu, relaxed service style and eclectic playlist, it’s been an instant hit with locals since opening in 2023 – with diners returning time and time again.

Led by Salas, Clara’s a la carte offering focuses on local produce and twists on Ecuadorean classics, with occasional influences from Spain and Latin America. Signature dishes include a ceviche-like tomato and crunchy pig’s ear salad inspired by the classic street-food cevichocho, and an omelette paired with Afro-Ecuadorean-style coconut bisque.

Desserts, led by De Sousa with input from his partner, Lobato, include a chocolate tart with 70% Ecuadorean cacao and a classic flan made with local vanilla. Lobato also oversees the drinks and front-of-house, where she encourages her team of young servers to develop their own unique and relaxed style.

After cooking all over the world for 15 years, Salas returned to Ecuador to set up restaurants including Banh Mi, Quito. In 2020, he joined Iche, a social project, restaurant and school for young people from low-income backgrounds in the northwest coastal province of Manabí. During the pandemic, he connected with Lobato and De Sousa, who were working together at the culinary research centre, Fundación Alícia, near Barcelona. The couple relocated to Ecuador, working with Salas at Iche for two years while exploring the country’s producers and ingredients. They moved to Quito to open Clara with Salas in 2023.

Located in the business district of La Floresta, during the daytime Clara is frequented by professionals and older people who love the nostalgia of the dishes. In the evenings, the vibe transforms, with a younger crowd enjoying an eclectic playlist of rock, reggae and indie while discovering vibrant new flavours. It’s a place where there’s something for everyone – which explains why it’s so popular with its devoted customer base.

Now winning the American Express One To Watch Award for Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024, Clara is sure to draw attention from across the region. But Salas, Lobato and De Sousa won’t change a thing: they want their restaurant to remain relaxed, down-to-earth and accessible to all.

Read more about Clara restaurant and see the talented trio in action:

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