Frommer's Guide Review 2007: The Magic Bean is a cozy cafe that would be right at home in any college district in the United States, say, in Santa Cruz, California, or Boulder, Colorado. It's not fancy, but it has a pleasant setting with a couple of small dining rooms and covered outdoor tables. Expect to see plenty of the city's expatriates here, especially at breakfast and lunch. The fare is typical cozy cafe food -- pancakes, French toast, sandwiches, bagels, omelets, fresh fruit drinks, salads made with organic lettuce, and freshly brewed coffee. Overall, the food is quite good. Just beware: The pancakes are enormous! More substantial options range from grilled local mountain trout to filet mignon. They do a lot of kabobs here, with everything from steak, chicken, and pork, to mahimahi and shrimp grilled on a spear. They even have a children's menu. The Magic Bean unabashedly caters to foreigners, but it's comforting to find a place in Ecuador that reminds you of your favaorite little spot at home. If you¨ve got a laptop or PDA, this is a good place to come for a free Wi-Fi hookup. Though it´s more popular as a restaurant, The Magic Bean also functions as a hostel.

Let’s Go 2005: “…with 7 varieties of pancakes, this Bean’s best known for its large breakfasts, but don’t count out the later meals for quality. Sit under a canopy in front of the Hostel and eat to the tune of American music. Ample vegetarian items; all vegetables are organic. Take advantage of a well-diversified juice bar for dessert if you’re not full (oh, but you will be).”

 

Fodor's Review 2007:  The powerful spell cast by high-quality food draws travelers, expatriates, and locals to "the Bean" to socialize over crisp salads and do business over cappuccinos. Blackberry pancakes and bagels are served for breakfast, while the lunch and dinner menu emphasizes soups, sandwiches, and shish kebab. The atmosphere is casual and the service friendly; if you're solo, you'll feel very comfortable here. The Magic Bean also has live music some nights.

Moon Handbooks 2005:  The Magic Bean is still a vegetarian restaurant at heart. Salads, pizza and ... coffee-served inside or on the patio- have made this place one of the more popular gringo stopovers in New Town.

 

Lonely Planet 2006: Long the epi-center of the Mariscal (Quito tourist district) The Magic Bean serves a variety of well-prepared breakfasts, lunches, juices and snacks for the ever-present crowd of hungry travelers. 

VIVA  2007:  From the ‘have a nice day’ sign by the bar to the huge pancakes served for breakfast, there’s nothing Ecuadorian about this place. But unless you’re seeking an authentic dining experience you’re unlikely to be disappointed. The cosy patio café is always packed with travellers and a great place to meet people, and all the dishes on the mind-bogglingly huge menu are excellent.

 

Yahoo Travel user 2007:  During the time I spent in Quito, I knew I could always rely on the Bean for a good (and filling) meal, great service, and good company. I was traveling alone and met lots of fellow travelers with interesting stories to tell - and with its well-washed salads, veggie burgers, delicious juice drinks, and outstanding vegetable kabobs, this is a paradise for vegetarians in a country not particularly friendly to our diets.

Ecuador Handbook 2005 (Footprints): Specializes in fine coffees and natural foods, more than 20 varieties of pancakes, good salads, large portions, outdoor seating.