Caye Caulker
What began as a gallery for owner and artist Lee Vanderwalker has morphed into a top-notch cafe. And the art's still on the walls. While you browse you…
Must-see restaurants in Central America
Casa Antigua Café & Restaurante
Central Valley & Highlands
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in this atmospheric, century-old colonial clapboard house with hardwood floors, painted ceilings, stained-glass…
Gingerbread Hotel & Restaurant
Arenal & Around
Larger-than-life chef Eyal turns out transcendent meals from the freshest local ingredients (some from the gardens outside). Favorites include mushrooms…
Roatán
If you're going to splurge on a meal on Roatán, go here. The gorgeous Oasis uses seasonal and locally sourced produce to create delectable creations such…
San Ignacio
One of San Ignacio's top dining splurges, the restaurant at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel is named for the owner's Running W ranch that supplies most of…
Puerto Limón
Belly up to the cafeteria-style counter at this friendly family spot and cobble together a plate of coconut rice, red beans and whatever Caribbean meat…
Central Pacific Coast
Right on Playa Herradura's pretty oceanfront, this simple Tico restaurant with white tablecloths and fairy lights holds its own in comparison to the…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Ease into a studded leather armchair in the lounge and indulge with a dazzling cocktail designed by the country's finest mixologist. Then around sunset,…
Ambergris Caye
Living up to its name, Hidden Treasure is a gorgeous open-air restaurant in an out-of-the-way residential neighborhood (follow the signs from Coconut Dr)…
Liberia
This beautifully restored colonial-era building has heavy wooden furniture and frescoed ceilings, creating a romantic ambiance for enjoying rich coffee…
Guatemala City
As the prices may suggest, this is some of the city's finest dining, with a wide-ranging menu offering some good fusion dishes, leaning heavily on…
Copán Ruinas
Inspired by trips the owners have taken around the world, you'll find homemade, healthy and fresh delights here from tamales to perfectly spiced curries…
Uvita
Serving the best coffee for miles around, this little cafe hides in an Uvita strip-mall. Latte art, eggs Benedict, chunky brownies and homemade lemon pie…
Restaurant Cerro San Cristóbal
Guatemala
Contender for the slow-food star of the Antigua area, this restaurant puts its own organically grown produce on the table. Giant salads are loaded with…
Liberia
Liberia is not a city where you'd expect to find any Indian restaurant, let alone the best one in the country. But here it is! Start with some crispy warm…
Ojochal
Open-air, facing a courtyard and with a gorgeous patterned tiled floor, elegant velvet furnishings and beautiful light fixtures, Citrus feels upmarket yet…
Ambergris Caye
At this simple, small roadside restaurant south of town, Jamaican BBQ king Robin prepares the best jerk chicken and fish this side of Kingston. Dishes are…
Isla de Ometepe
Easily the most stylish eating venue on this corner of the island. All-day breakfast is served at this rustic-chic cafe just uphill from the port; the…
Panama City
With the cheeriest staff around, Super Gourmet is a favorite of both locals and travelers. Stop by the air-conditioned cafe for traditional soups, fresh…
Utila
Hop on the free shuttle (every half-hour) near the Coral View Dive Center to get to this day trip–worthy bar-restaurant on a gorgeous white sand beach…
Caye Caulker
Caulker's poshest restaurant is located in a brightly painted clapboard house in the center of town. Here chefs prepare gourmet international food,…
Managua
Set on a cool front balcony overlooking a leafy side street, refined Terraza's authentic Peruvian menu takes you from coastal ceviches (marinated seafood)…
Northwestern Costa Rica
This family-owned, roadside food truck serves up lip-smacking fried chicken that would rival any such business in San José, along with some other fun…
Central El Salvador
Such impressive architecture is a surprising find in the beach hamlet of El Zonte, but the lofty dining room at Puro Surf is a stunning spot. A soaring,…
Playa Tamarindo
Travelers with diets and preferences that differ from their companions' will appreciate the wide range of offerings at this breezy, buzzing artisanal food…
Tegucigalpa
At the side of Iglesia Los Dolores, these stands inside a covered market offer a variety of tempting cheapie lunchtime street-food dishes, including…
Copán Ruinas
Set on farmland overlooking Copán Ruinas, this wonderful place – worth the effort to get here and the price – has some of the best food in the region. The…
Caribbean Coast
Don't leave Bluefields without trying El Chino's marvelous ceviche, prepared fresh every day and served in small polystyrene cups, alongside an array of…
Managua
Come evening, Managuans make their way to this fritanga temple where Doña Tania has perfected her craft over 20 years. There is only one thing worth…
Quetzaltenango
This charming upstairs restaurant refreshes palates with generous plates from around Asia – Chinese dumplings, Indonesia satay, pad thai, Vietnamese…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Roger from Hounslow West, England will sort you out with house-roasted coffee, homemade ginger-lemonade, and a massive concoction called the Ana Rosa…
San José
This cozy, Mediterranean-flavored gastropub in a century-old brick building in Barrio Escalante serves a long list of tempting tapas (many veggie),…
Isla Bastimentos
A clutch of open-air tables facing rough surf, this reservation-only restaurant is the perfect sunset date. An American chef cooks up local and organic…
Boquete
This sophisticated restaurant has a long-standing reputation. Chef Charlie Collins takes a modern approach, exquisitely preparing everything from smoked…
Veraguas Province
This intimate eatery at the hotel of the same name ranks among the finest eating this side of Panama City. The Cambodian owner-chef is a wonderful cook…
San José
Abuzz with artsy young bohemians, this colorful Barrio Otoya cafe makes a romantic spot for drinks (from sangria to cocktails to smoothies), bocas …
Central Valley & Highlands
Set in an atmospheric villa with a sophisticated patio lit by fairy lights, Pesqueria da Limonta is the best dining experience in town, serving up fresh…
Tegucigalpa
You can't beat this classy and delicious Peruvian restaurant in Palmira for a special night out – or for a welcome change from Honduran basics. The menu…
Central Valley & Highlands
Hugely popular among Tico families who come to enjoy proper country cooking, this casual place is on the road to Atenas, 9km east of Alajuela. The menu is…
Archipiélago de Bocas del Toro
For excellent pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan lunches, head to this over-the-water restaurant on Isla Carenero. Start with a cool cucumber-mint-coconut…
