Punta Gorda
This cozy little Creole restaurant and bar is a legacy of legendary PG brukdown (19th-century Creole music) singer Leela Vernon, who died in 2017. The…
Must-see restaurants in Central America
Playa Sámara
Those in search of healthy and delicious breakfasts, brunches and lunches need look no further. This artsy little cafe serves up yummy juices and strong…
Flores & Santa Elena
Part of the Hostel Yaxha, this spot offers the usual egg-and-bean breakfasts, but what's special here are the pre-Hispanic and Itzá items – pancakes with…
Panama City
While Panama has never had much in the way of Mexican cuisine, dive-ish Tacos la Neta wrestles to turn the tide. The scrumptious soft-corn tacos come in a…
Coclé Province
This bar and grill just out of the center on the Interamericana consistently gets rated Penonomé's top restaurant. It's an asador (spit restaurant), so…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
A wildly popular terrace restaurant offering tasty Tex-Mex tacos, plus burritos and quesadillas filled with shredded meats like chicken and carnitas (pork…
Playa Sámara
Life is sweet when you're sitting under a giant palapa on the sand, drinking a smoothie and watching the surfers. This is a popular spot for pizza and…
León
This friendly little restaurant uses fresh and local produce to make a solid range of menu items: sandwiches, salads, burgers, pastas, steaks and fajitas,…
Jacó
Overseen by the charming Caliche, this has been a Jacó favorite for years and years. The eclectic, Mexican-inspired menu includes pitas, blackened tuna…
Central Pacific Coast
Your one-stop shop for falafel, this open-air beachy place serves homemade pitas stuffed with deep-fried chickpea goodness, smothered with garlicky…
Western Highlands
Chiantla's best restaurant, this charming spot with a pleasant dining terrace at the rear bills itself as a pizzeria (and the pizzas are certainly good),…
El Valle
They say that this tiny restaurant and pizzeria just up from the orchid garden has the best pizza in El Valle. With an Italian owner and chef at the oven…
Northwestern Costa Rica
Want a casado or hot coffee to warm you up after a long walk in the park? Local chef Christian will whip you up some lomito (grilled steak) or a chicken…
San Salvador
If you don't go to the beach, the beach comes to you, or so goes the tagline of this buzzy, marine-themed restaurant and bar. The breezy terrace overlooks…
San José
The interiors of this popular standard-bearer are a riot of pan-Asian everything, just like the menu. Themed salons – from Chinese to Indian to Japanese –…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
This new addition to the Santa Teresa smorgasbord serves up the usual sushi roll suspects – California, spicy tuna, and Philadelphia – along with local…
Quepos to Uvita
If you have a hankering for delicious chicken wings, Bar Jolly Roger offers 24 varieties, in addition to burgers, pizzas, cold beers and good margaritas…
Managua
One of the more highly respected seafood restaurants in town, with white linen service and a chance to hobnob with well-heeled Managuans. Some of the…
Sarapiquí Valley
Here's a spot for the frugal gourmet. Chef Horacio prepares everything from spaghetti in white sauce, with patacones (plantain fritters) on the side, to…
Northern Belize
Chef Venky is the premier – and, as far as we know, only – Hindu chef in Corozal, cooking excellent Indian meals, both meat and vegetarian. The place is…
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
Recommended by locals as the best soda in this humble town, La Suyapa offers a fresh take on the traditional. Casados come with noodles and potato salad…
Managua
Doña Pilar’s been here for years, and this popular evening fritanga is a neighborhood institution, both for its juicy, crispy BBQ chicken and the range of…
Copán Ruinas
This charming space comprises a garden for alfresco dining and a dining room full of dark wood furniture where excellent pupusas (L12 to L25 each) are…
Caye Caulker
An institution on Caye Caulker, the sandy front yard of dreadlocked local Maurice Moore is easily the most chilled-out spot for a mouthwatering Belizean…
Jacó
This oceanside spot brims with casual elegance and is regarded as one of the finer dining experiences in Jacó. The menu is entirely dependent on seasonal…
Western Honduras
An unbelievable find in sleepy Peña Blanca, this smart and cool place has fused local coffee-growing expertise with the needs of the cosmopolitan city…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
Perched on the 2nd floor with uninterrupted ocean views, Agua Azul is a marvelous casual lunch spot on this stretch of road – perfect for early-morning…
Antigua
This Italian-owned establishment is comprised of three rustic buildings, with a lovely outdoor patio and adjoining deli. Like the restaurant's name, the…
Península de Azuero
Matriarch of Creole cooking, Mama Fefa usually runs out of lunch by noon (though you can linger longer). Cheap and cheerful, these huge comidas típicas …
Antigua
Sumptuous típico food is the draw here, all kept warm in great earthenware stew pots out front. Help yourself to pepián (chicken and vegetables in a…
Tegucigalpa
Claudio's attracts a well-heeled crowd and makes for a good break from local cuisine. There's superb pizza and a variety of pasta dishes, seafood and…
Central Valley & Highlands
Dishes are satisfying at this restaurant opposite the church in the main square, with a large bar at its center. The diverse menu has freshly made pizzas,…
San José
If you have a hankering for a coffee éclair, croque monsieur or plain (but transcendent) croissant, linger here. French tostadas are reserved for Sunday,…
Eastern El Salvador
Mostly organic and always tasty, Anita's is an all-day affair that, aside from the usual breakfast and lunch spread, serves heartier meals such as the…
Honduras
Just below the plaza, this atmospheric little restaurant serves up wonderful sea views, along with great wood-fired pizzas, quesadillas and fresh fish and…
San José
At this authentic Mexican place near the park, well-rendered specialties include tacos in sets of four – corn tortillas accompanied by chicken, steak, sea…
Península de Nicoya
If there's anything more fun than eating pizza in a tree house, we'd love to hear about it. Take a seat at the top of this well-constructed, Seuss-like…
Caye Caulker
Pull up a stool at one of the long tables on the deck and dig into some of the best homemade pasta in Belize, prepared the traditional way by the Italian…
Bocas del Toro Town
Come to Azul for excellent-value gourmet dining set on a lovely 2nd-floor balcony (there's also seating inside). There's no menu, just the option of a…
Panamá Province
This cute, colorful eatery above Playa Honda offers the standard fare of fish and chips in addition to veggie options. It's a great place to have a beer…
