Mal País & Santa Teresa
It's worth the steep climb for sensational views and fancy-looking seafood at the poolside patio restaurant at the Hotel Buenos Aires. Begin with a…
Must-see restaurants in Central America
Caribbean Coast
It has lime-green walls and a cafeteria feel, but this clean, simple soda (lunch counter) sells good, cheap casados (with chicken, Mexican-style meat or…
The Río San Juan & Islas Solentiname
Nonguests are very welcome to come for a meal at Lara's Planet, where there's a gorgeous bamboo terrace overlooking the river. Owner Natasha will cook…
Bahía Drake
Gringo Curt offers just three things: a fish salad wrap, noodles tossed with vegetables (and sometimes garnished with catch-of-the-day) and super-fresh…
Roatán
Head directly to this humble shack for the best meal deal on the beach. Reina cooks up huge potions of very fresh fish, chicken or pork with sides of…
Península de Nicoya
If you want to sip fruity cocktails while you watch the sun drop into the sea, Roberto's is the place. For dinner, there's plenty of local seafood and…
San Ignacio
The name means 'let's go eat' in Maya, but Han-nah's is far from just another Belizean restaurant. The eclectic menu features an intriguing range of…
Managua
One of the main locations of Nicaragua's popular coffee chain. Grab a table on the spacious and airy upstairs balcony and you’ll find it hard to leave…
Liberia
This very cute old-world pizzeria, where the wood is stacked next to the smoking courtyard oven, keeps it romantic and simple – just pizza, pasta and…
El Salvador
Blissful lake views from a wooden deck beneath the trees make Casa 1800 a sound choice. The menu of grilled meats, fish, sandwiches and pizzas is on the…
Northern Highlands
A bakery every town would love. The cinnamon rolls are dense and sugary, the pan de leche is crispy on the outside and dense and moist inside, and the…
Veraguas Province
Run by a young Panamanian–French Canadian couple, this lively cafe with open decks and hammocks is the spot to be after sundown. A varied menu offers up…
Central Valley & Highlands
Just south of town, tucked back slightly from the main road, this simple green shack of a restaurant is flanked by well-stocked trout ponds. Catch your…
Western El Salvador
In a fancy new building comprised of lofty brick arches and plenty of wood, this food court facing the park offers ham, eggs and beans, and atole (a corn…
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
Haunted by (mostly) American yachties and expat duty-free shoppers, the open-air restaurant at the marina specializes in humongous plates of American,…
Cobán
The widest menu in town is at this chic place, which is in a location so new even the geckos haven't found it yet. Billing itself as 'fusion' food, it…
Península de Nicoya
Follow the odd signage depicting a woman's bikini-clad pelvis to this informal beach restaurant, where for more than 25 years the owner has been cooking…
Highlands
This charming cafe with a long breezy terrace overlooking Volcán's main thoroughfare has a menu with Panamanian specialties, and also choices such as…
Ambergris Caye
At first glance the ambience doesn't seem to match the price tag at this backstreet eatery, but once the food arrives you'll not be too worried about the…
Panamá Province
This thatched restaurant attached to the B&B of the same name has some of the best food on the island. It's certainly where you would go for a little…
El Valle
This eclectic restaurant in pleasant surrounds serves up quite a mix of dishes – from Colombian empanadas (dough stuffed with meat or cheese and fried)…
Ambergris Caye
This San Pedro institution has been around since the early days, serving up local specialties such as shrimp creole, fried chicken and conch ceviche. The…
Playas del Coco
Set in the Pueblito Sur open-air mall/food court about 500m north of the main drag, this is the local expat choice for oven-fresh pizza in Playas del Coco…
Quepos
A Latin-influenced sushi and sake bar that fills its rolls with fresh tropical produce and local seafood bits. The spicy tuna over crispy rice cakes is a…
Quepos
An all-round crowd pleaser, casual open-air Runaway Grill looks out on the yachts of the marina and its ceiling is covered in fishing hats. The menu spans…
Belmopan
This breezy upstairs restaurant and bar has a 'Brit-pub in the tropics' feel with a welcoming atmosphere and a melange of seafood, meat and pasta dishes…
The Road to Chirripó
Since this unpretentious seafood spot is usually slammed at lunchtime, it's best to come during off hours for its several daily varieties of ceviche,…
León & Northwestern Nicaragua
The best of Chinandega's two Chinese restaurants, Hong Kong is a pleasant change from Nica standards. Expect Cantonese-style dishes, such as shrimp with…
Península de Nicoya
A local landmark on the main road from Cabuya to Reserva Cabo Blanco. Set on a tropical patio, this inviting cafe serves up a stellar menu including fresh…
Bahía Drake
This restaurant up the hill in Agujitas serves typical Tico cuisine on Tico time. The downstairs bakery is perfect for an early-morning breakfast or an…
Western Honduras
A block east of Parque Central, this cavernous, upscale-feeling place is full of heavy wood furniture and has a few dining areas including a patio. The…
Jacó
Head here for great-value mixed tacos and health-conscious plates. First choose your carb (tortilla, rice etc), then your protein (grilled fish, shrimps,…
Boquete
A real expat hub, this homesick restaurant is the lovechild of Mike and Heidi who met – where else? – at the South Pole. Indulging the wanderlust theme,…
Península de Nicoya
Relatively formal for Costa Rica, Angelina's offers fine dining in a breezy, open-air setting, upstairs at the Plaza mini-mall. Innovative seafood…
Highlands
Not heavenly but certainly good, Mana offers an interesting menu that combines Panamanian favorites such as tostadas (toasted corn) and gallo pinto …
The Road to Chirripó
With alfresco tables sitting above the river, funky skull art and sparkling fish tanks filled with fingerling trout, this atmospheric spot prepares trout…
Central Valley & Highlands
This healthy eatery specializes in organic food. Vegan treats include Buffalo cauliflower tacos, falafel pitas and portobello-mushroom burgers, plus there…
Central Valley & Highlands
This bright-walled cafe north of Av 10 serves up one of the best coffee treats in the country – a frozen caffeine concoction with gooey maracuyá (passion…
Caye Caulker
The lobster at this Caulker institution is actually not that happy, but you will be after eating big plates of fresh fish, spiced with Creole flavoring or…
Northern Belize
The place for pizza in Sarteneja, this garden terrace restaurant back from the waterfront is a great place to be on the weekend with a fun-loving local…
