Ananke sits on Camino de Orellana in Guapulo, the steep village neighbourhood that drops below Quito toward the valley. The draw is the terrace, perched above the church of Guapulo, and Petit Futé singles out the view over the gorge as the reason to make the climb.
Who would love it: couples and small groups who want a drink with one of the best views in the city. Who would hate it: anyone after a big night out, since this is a calm perch rather than a late club.
The room is small and warm, built around its outdoor terrace. The seats face the valley, the lighting is low, and the feel is closer to a friend's balcony than a bar with a velvet rope. Guapulo's winding lanes keep the crowd local and unhurried, a short taxi ride down from La Floresta.
Order a cocktail or a glass from the wine list and pair it with a wood-fired pizza, a calzone or the empanadas the kitchen is known for. Prices stay moderate, and the food is built to share across a long sit. The bar also pours local beers if the afternoon calls for something simpler than a cocktail.
Best time to go is late afternoon into early evening, when the light over the valley is at its best and the terrace catches the sunset. Some nights bring live music, which fills the small space quickly, so arrive early for a terrace seat. The bar keeps daytime into evening hours, so it suits a long lunch as much as a sundowner.
For more with a view, see the city's best rooftop bars and the wider list of best bars in Quito. Pair the sundowner with Vista Hermosa for an Old Town roof terrace, or move on to Bandidos del Paramo and the rest of the city's best cocktail bars.
