Must-see restaurants in El Salvador

  • Covana Seaside Kitchen

    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,…

  • R&R

    Western El Salvador

    R&R is still the finest restaurant in Juayúa, and possibly in the whole Ruta de las Flores. Chef Carlos puts a twist on steaks, salads and Mexican food…

  • Rustico Bistro

    San Salvador

    Rustico rivals any burger place in the world as far as we're concerned. The buns are thick and fresh and the patties must weigh half a cow. Try the pulled…

  • El Jardin de Celeste

    Western El Salvador

    This heavenly garden venue is one of the culinary highlights of the region and warrants stopping for a meal or, at the very least, coffee and cake…

  • Punta Rocamar

    Central El Salvador

    Overlooking the point is the pride of expatriate surfer Robert Rotherham, who has been feeding the notoriously fussy surf community for decades. The…

  • Café La Casona

    Western El Salvador

    An oasis amid the hot dusty streets of downtown Sonsonate, Café La Casona serves some of the country's best coffee as well as smoothies, sandwiches with…

  • Pollo Bonanza

    San Salvador

    Locals claim the broiled chicken at this simple downtown diner is the best in the country. For more than 30 years, Bonanza has been pulling in lunchtime…

  • El Sopón Don Guayo

    Central El Salvador

    Sopa de Gallina is a Salvadoran specialty and this family-run restaurant is the perfect place to try it. Whole chickens are first roasted in a wood-fired…

  • Tayua

    Western El Salvador

    On weekends, Tayua is one of the most lively spots in little Ataco. Homemade pizza, salads and gourmet sandwiches use fresh herbs from the garden out back…

  • El Sopón Típico

    San Salvador

    Simple, fresh and delicious local food is the order of the day at this famous típico restaurant on a busy corner beside Galerías Escalón. Winning dishes…

  • Beto's

    San Salvador

    Colonia Escalón is the place to be seen lingering over crustaceans, and Beto's has the perfect mix of lunchtime work crowd and Salvadoran elite dining on…

  • Café Expresión Cultural

    Western El Salvador

    This versatile establishment is a favorite among intellectuals and artists who come for the live music and small bookstore. Tourists and young lovers…

  • Pan La Esperanza

    Western El Salvador

    Delectable pastries, bread and buns are baked fresh every day using owner Beatriz' closely guarded recipes. Sweet treats such as passion-fruit muffins as…

  • Tunco Veloz

    Central El Salvador

    The thin-crust pizzas at the Speedy Pig are good anytime of day – topped with spinach and egg for breakfast, or laden with whatever you might fancy for…

  • La Lupita del Portal

    El Salvador

    Now flanked by pupusa joints, Lupey's is still a reliable restaurant and drinking spot overlooking the central park. The menu features salads, sandwiches,…

  • Dulcería Villalta

    Eastern El Salvador

    Since 1860 the Villalta family has been making camote (sweet potato) sweets using traditional methods. Now in her nineties, Señora Villalta can still be…

  • Olas Permanentes

    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…

  • La Cocina de Ma'Anita

    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…

  • Casa 1800

    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…

  • Plaza Apaneca

    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…

  • Inna Jammin

    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…

  • Tienda Roxana

    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…

  • Balompie Sports Bar & Cafe

    Western El Salvador

    Fronting the town square and backing onto Metapán's football stadium, this incongruously good sports bar is more than a place to sink beers and cheer on…

  • Las Mixtas

    Western El Salvador

    Colorful, convivial and teeming with young couples, Las Mixtas serves, you guessed it, mixtas, which is basically a sloppy sandwich filled with too much…

  • Food Trucks

    San Salvador

    Near the Monumento a la Revolución in San Benito you'll find food trucks selling burgers, arepas (stuffed corn tortillas), grilled meats, chocobananos …

  • Vocho Pizza

    Western El Salvador

    It's a little gimmicky, sure, but a Volkswagen Beetle that's been converted into a food truck with a functioning wood-fired pizza oven is hard to pass by…

  • Loroco Bistro

    Central El Salvador

    This laid-back bistro with open-air seating serves great local breakfasts (US$3 to US$3.50). Come evening, candles add a romantic touch, while the menu of…

  • Mile Time

    San Salvador

    Faux-meat never tasted so good. The full gamut of Asian and Western vegan and vegetarian dishes is served at this impressive restaurant in Escalón. The…

  • Le Croissant

    San Salvador

    A range of freshly baked French pastries, brunches, quiches, salads and sandwiches are served at this chic patisserie located in an upscale furniture…

  • El Sin Rival

    Western El Salvador

    This outfit has been making ice cream and sorbet (and amazing fruit cones) for decades; also look out for the carts around the main square. Try the tart…

  • Restaurante Rincón Típico

    Western El Salvador

    This is a terrific place to try hearty Salvadoran stews, barbecued meats, fresh salads and house specialty sopa de gallina (chicken soup). The homemade…

  • Ola Cafe

    El Salvador

    Hipster coffee has arrived in La Palma! This small, incongruously good coffee shop on the square roasts its own beans and serves homemade cakes to tables…

  • La Cafeta

    El Salvador

    Gourmet coffee from the hills surrounding La Palma plus the best homemade cakes, pastries and cookies in town are the order of the day at this cheery cafe…

  • La Rinconchita

    Western El Salvador

    This corner bar-restaurant serves pupusas, grilled meats, seafood and salads to a predominantly younger crowd. There's live music on Saturdays from 7pm.

  • Jade

    Western El Salvador

    Yuca con chicharrón (yam with roast pork) is the only thing on the menu here, so your only decision is what size portion to order. Go for large!

  • Los Chipotles

    Eastern El Salvador

    Mexican Florinda serves the city's best tacos at this fun Mexican joint with bright yellow walls and a leafy courtyard.

  • Taquería la Guadalupana

    Western El Salvador

    Gaudy and loud (the owner is a karaoke fan), Guadalupana serves upstanding Mexican food without much fanfare.

  • Amanecer Marino

    Eastern El Salvador

    Fresh seafood is the star of the show at this cheery family restaurant at the port. Try the Mariscada 'Devuelvame La Vida' ('bring me back to life'…

  • La Pema

    Eastern El Salvador

    Located 5km south of town on the road to Playa El Cuco, La Pema is famous for its creamy soups and long lunches, though locals bemoan that quality has…

  • Típicos Margoth

    San Salvador

    While service is not always as margoth (bubbly and extroverted) as advertised, this self-serve family-run restaurant is a tasty initiation into Salvadoran…

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