Managua
This traditional Nicaraguan eatery does classic dishes, well presented and carefully prepared, from gallo pinto (rice and beans) and guiso de chilote …
Must-see restaurants in Central America
Panama City
Some say this Italian bistro with an encyclopedic wine list is the best dinner value in town. It's certainly popular among the local cognoscenti. You can…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Dark coffee and fresh-fruit smoothies offer a nice complement to the menu of savory and sweet crepes. These delights are all prepared by chef Sebastien…
The Road to Chirripó
Recognizable by its bubblegum pink signage, this diner caters to hungry travelers with its massive menu. It earns its steakhouse horns with burgers, slaps…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
If frozen mojitos (US$3.50) are your thing, get thee to Bikini. This hip restaurant and bar attracts a crowd of revelers with its affordable cocktails and…
Lívingston
Clean spot with polished wood decor, Margoth is a decent place with a decent selection at decent prices. The mix of mains runs the gamut from burgers to…
Antigua
This South American eatery, with a hint of art gallery about it, is always worth stopping at, if only to lounge around the tropically abundant back garden…
Ambergris Caye
This long-standing breakfast favorite is basically an extension of the beach – complete with sandy floors and ocean breezes. Stop by for a breakfast…
Western El Salvador
The Rasta vibe flows over two levels at this restaurant with a broad international menu. The pizzas are rated highly, the Salvadoran grills are great and…
Western Honduras
An attractive colonial-style place that offers buffet dining – pollo asada (grilled chicken), bistek (steak) and some veggie options – during the day and…
Bocas del Toro Town
This treasure trove of a grocery store stocks special treats such as natural grass-fed meats and coveted imported items. It also has a section of…
La Ceiba
This excellent budget haunt inside a clapboard-and-bamboo building serves up big flavors at moderate rates, including pupusas (cornmeal mass stuffed with…
Coclé Province
This place in Harinos Mall just off the main drag has a comfortable, well-stocked sports bar with pool table on the ground floor, and a rooftop grill and…
Isla Bastimentos
In an attractive little lime-green shack at the bottom of the landmark Hostel Bastimentos, a Panamanian-American couple serve cheap-as-chips burgers but…
Portobelo
Located at the Casa Congo, the best feature of this restaurant is its location. There's ample open-air seating overlooking the beautiful bay of Portobelo…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
This popular corner spot on the beachside road in town is excellent for strong coffee, freshly baked goods and hearty wedges of fluffy Spanish omelet…
Flores & Santa Elena
Also known as Café Chilero, this laid-back place is more clubhouse with snacks than proper restaurant, featuring salons for chatting, watching videos or…
Restaurante y Pizzeria La Casona
Sarapiquí Valley
The restaurant at Hotel Ara Ambigua is particularly recommended for its oven-baked pizza and traditional homemade cuisine served in an open-air rancho …
Granada
Some of Granada's best 'fast good' treats are served in this grungy courtyard, surrounded by posters of Nirvana and The Police and to a Guns N' Roses and…
Playa Tamarindo
The best pizza in Tamarindo, by some accounts. This casual open-air restaurant has 28 different pizzas with a wide variety of toppings, as well as salads…
Honduras
This agreeable diner-like cafe is a good spot for breakfast and always has five or six set-lunch choices. Excellent licuados (fresh-fruit drinks) are…
Tortuguero Village
Ambient club music, Tibetan prayer flags and a river view give this trendy cafe a tranquil vibe. It’s a pleasant setting for pizzas, salads, cocktails and…
Tortuguero Village
Juan and Carole are getting high marks for their vegetarian and vegan offerings, as well as coastal specialties such as pasta in Caribbean sauce and…
Península de Azuero
Known for exquisite breakfasts (US$4 to US$6.50) with homemade wheat or sourdough bread and organic coffee, this Israeli-run Pedasí institution does a…
Panamá Province
The seafood is fresher than fresh, and you couldn't get any closer to the beach at the Restaurante Playa Honda. Bank-like opening hours here and elsewhere…
Managua
One of the most elegant restaurants in town, this cozy European bistro has delightful art, a wonderful garden out back for alfresco eating and top-notch…
León
At this sleek, hipster-friendly coffee shop – think black-and-white tiled floors, a gilded chandelier, fruit crates repurposed as furniture – a wall-sized…
Arenal & Around
Old John has gone to the pie-in-the-sky, but his recipes and legacy live on with his widow Myra, who still whips up delicious pizzas, calzones and…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
Although it's a godsend for self-caterers, Super Joseth is a grocery stop that's reflective of its location – a bit pricey, stocked with imported meats,…
Managua
During the week this is a mom-and-pop grocery store, but from Thursday to Sunday, this is where Managua's student population comes for one thing: the city…
Bocas del Toro Town
For top-notch crepes that come savory (with coconut curry) or sweet (honey cream) and a broad selection of teas, try this bohemian cafe, popular with…
Copán Ruinas
This terrific restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a hip, convivial atmosphere, with tables next to a garden courtyard or overlooking the…
Central Valley & Highlands
At this charming restaurant 6km east of Poasito, the menu is loaded with traditional French items such as onion soup, house-made pâté, beef fillet, rabbit…
Coclé Province
This small thatched restaurant-bar sits directly on the beach facing the waves. It’s the perfect setting for fresh ceviche (citrus-cured seafood),…
Western El Salvador
A family serves typical local fare at their idyllically located home, near the campgroud at Los Planes. With advanced warning they can prepare sopa de…
Veraguas Province
This bakery and cafe is a popular local lunch spot. Think fast casual, with thick deli sandwiches made to order and healthy Buddha bowls with your choice…
The Road to Chirripó
This sunny cafe is a perfect stop for lunch or a light dinner, with an eclectic menu highlighting all the local goodness, from fruits to cheeses to…
Isla Grande
About halfway along the island footpath, this small Colombian-owned restaurant serves some of the best food on the island, though portions are a little…
Belize City
The Chon Saan has been beloved in Belize City since it opened in the 1970s. The extensive menu includes more than 200 items, including plenty of fresh…
Bocas del Toro Town
For all-natural wraps, sandwiches and burgers served with homemade hot sauce, duck into this tiny eatery. There's also all-day breakfast, smoothies and…
