Caribbean Coast
For super-cheap eats, hit the market, where local mothers bring home cooking to the masses. Come for full chicken meals (grilled and fried) served with…
Must-see restaurants in Central America
Central Valley & Highlands
About 1km from the center of Atenas and within sight of the Monumento al Boyero, this open-air restaurant specializes in fried pork dishes, barbecue and…
Central Valley & Highlands
If you are desperate for a bite, Rosa prepares cheap, quick and satisfying local meals (mixed rice and fish, steak or chicken casados) from her simple…
Southern Caribbean
If you must eat at the border, this place is your best bet. Pork, beef, chicken, snapper and patacones (fried plantains) are all on the menu. From the…
Southern Caribbean
A small restaurant near Cabinas El Piculino towards the bus station, with outdoor seating and tasty casados (beans, rice, vegetables, a small salad and a…
San José
This informal pastry shop has a wide variety of freshly baked, cavity-inducing goodies. The coffee is strong and it’s a sweet way to pass the time if you…
Northern Highlands
Jinotega's favorite cheap eats are found at this unpretentious steam-table buffet. Pounce on a vacant table and take your pick from beef, chicken and pork…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
This sceney Mediterranean lounge and restaurant serves overpriced fresh pastas, tasty pizzas and fancy cocktails and has a romantic ambience. Its main…
San Ignacio
A tiny bakery at the top of the hill with an exceptional variety of local chocolates (including made-in-Belize favorites Cotton Tree and Goss) and coconut…
Quetzaltenango
Plenty of típica Xela fare on offer at this locally popular dining hall – try the quichom, a spicy chicken concoction. Lunch comes with soup and a freshly…
Cayo District
This hole-in-the-wall highway diner, beside Hot Mama's hot sauce factory, does delicious pit-smoked pork, beef and chicken in rolls, as well as baked…
Caribbean Coast
Eaten too much seafood? This is not really an enticing choice, but it does offer a selection of passable pizzas and surprisingly good quesadillas and…
Tortuguero Village
This little place on the north side of the soccer field dishes out flavorful local food, including pork chops, fish and well-spiced Caribbean chicken. It…
Panama City
Crowded out by a slew of newer restaurants, this Italian-run brick bistro struggles to keep up. Gnocchi with fresh ricotta and percorino cheese and…
San Salvador
OK, so it's a Japanese restaurant in a food court in Central America. Still, sometimes you need fresh sushi with a twist of salsa. And it is a pretty…
Southern Caribbean
Run by the helpful Carlos and Miriam, this busy restaurant adjacent to the bus stop serves breakfast, casados, chicken with rice, fried plantains and…
Western Highlands
This modern, airy dining hall has a varied menu, including sandwiches, pizza and seafood. Live music (marimbas, folk) attracts a lively crowd nightly from…
Tikal
This is one of a series of little open-air comedores along the right-hand side of the access road to Tikal. Pasta and hamburgers are among the offerings.
Central Valley & Highlands
In the upstairs area of Fábrica de Carretas Eloy Alfaro, this soda serves up breakfasts, brunch and buffets.
Estelí
Estelí’s municipal market is always stocked with amazingly fresh produce and plenty of street-food stands if you want the cheapest possible meal in town.
Eastern El Salvador
Regular drink specials, barbecued meats with rice and salad, and a prime location on the park square make Jarro an amiable spot to while away an afternoon.
Southern Belize
Above the Che'il Chocolate Factory, this balcony restaurant is open only for advance orders (usually groups), offering Belizean and Maya dishes for lunch.
Boquete
One block east of the central plaza, this has Boquete's best selection of groceries. It's open round the clock in high season from November to February.
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
Well-stocked and cheap, this is where you can buy all the snacks you need for your journey over the border. It’s two blocks north of the bus station.
Southwestern Nicaragua
This branch of the budget supermarket chain has an extensive selection of groceries; a good place to stock up if you're heading to the remote beaches.
Ambergris Caye
The fast food stands around the park are pretty average if you're sober, but are a tasty treat after the bars close when there's not much else open.
Placencia
Freshly baked mini pizzas, multigrain breads, cinnamon rolls and baked goods of all sorts are served all morning at this family-run Swiss bakery.
Punta Gorda
In the base of the central clock tower, this kiosk specializes in ice cream and shakes but also does fast food such as fish burgers and fries.
Caribbean Coast
Right in the middle of town, this soda serves up chicken wings and burgers and is a relaxed place to watch village life meander by.
Cayo District
This open-sided bar and restaurant is a handy refueling pit stop on the highway. The menu is mainly burgers, wings, pizza and pasta.
Central Valley & Highlands
Self-caterers can stock up on groceries at this supermarket next to the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto football stadium.
David
Self-caterers can head to the Super 99, a large supermarket open 24 hours a day and convenient to the city's hostels.
Northern Belize
This backstreet ice-cream parlor is a good place to cool off with slushies, frozen yogurt or just plain ice cream.
Belize City
This large supermarket has the best selection of veggies in the downtown area – which isn't really saying much.
Puerto Limón
It's not the prettiest of Costa Rican markets, but you can find sodas (and affordable knickknacks) here.
Darién Province
This cheap eatery serving rice and meat dishes with fried plantains is in the center of El Real near the church.
Belize City
This modern supermarket is convenient for loading up on supplies before heading out into the wilds of Belize.
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Self-caterers can stock up at this local market, located in Santa Teresa, 3km north of the T intersection.
Punta Gorda
The cheapest fast food in town – burgers, hot dogs, fries and shakes – is found at this central diner.
Sarapiquí Valley
Self-caterers will find what they need at the local supermarket on the main road at the entrance to town.
