1. Clara

To crown all that La Floresta encapsulates—artistic, dynamic, a touch bohemian—Clara strikes that rare balance between intimacy and urban sophistication. Born from the desire of three chefs with distinct backgrounds to breathe new life into the neighborhood, and to revive a local icon once known as El Pobre Diablo, the result is an address that’s earned its place on Latin America’s “50 Best” list, as well as our award for Best Ambiance.

Step inside and Clara unfolds in layers: part private salon, part cultural space. Exposed concrete softened with wood, natural light filtering through a glass ceiling by day, and, come nightfall, a hearth that turns the room into a warm hideaway. Living trees stand in both the dining room and the open kitchen, where chefs work in plain sight to the rhythm of clattering pans.

Architect Felipe Escudero’s clean lines are offset with playful touches, while the artwork of an interesting list of local contemporary artists, including Francisco Galárraga, Ricardo Coello Gilbert y Saúl Endara—such as still-lifes inspired by Ecuadorian cleansing rituals or a “full-frontal” depiction of the emblematic “espumilla” meringue—adding humor and reverence to local sensibilities. The effect is convivial and cosmopolitan, a space where one lingers as long as the food lasts. Clara is very much a neighborhood restaurant, one that threads symbolism and bold reinterpretations into every plate.