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Arbol de Vida
Tasty all-vegetarian comida a la vista belies the charmless interior of this longtime restaurant, located on the lower floor of a small commercial center. You won't be getting any Vitamin D here, but the spinach tortas, broccoli pastries and various dishes made with carne de soya (tofu) are certainly good for you.
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Café Baguette Lido
A friendly bakery with two pages of creative sandwiches, divided into lite and, well, the opposite of lite. Try the turkey breast with cottage cheese, or salmon with capers, both served on wholegrain bread; or turn the page to the pesto chicken and NY Polish sausages. All come with a salad, fries or potato salad - whether you want it or not!
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Café La 'T'
A popular bar-café at night, Café La 'T' also makes a pleasant daytime stop. Coffee is the specialty - especially latte, of course - and there is a good selection of tasty light fare, including quiche, granola with fresh fruit, or green salad with chicken and kiwi.
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Cafeterí Arco Iris
Just down the street from Universidad Franscisco Gavidia, the menu at this small eatery changes daily - it's comida a la vista - but the mix always includes chicken, veggies and rice. Get there early for the best selection.
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Casablanca Café
The Casablanca has popular lunch specials and good comida a la vista - fresh chiles rellenos with a side of veggies do just fine. The dining area could use some natural light - or artificial light, for that matter - but the formica-topped tables and green ceramic-tile floor have their retro charm.
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Centro Comercial San Luis
There's another Mister Donut branch, and a Super Selectos in Centro Comercial San Luis .
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Comedor y Pupusería La Ceiba
A cheap no-frills eatery that is fairly convenient. Expect comida a la vista for breakfast and lunch - chicken tamales are morning faves, while roast chicken, chili rellenos , beef soup and shrimp tortas are popular for lunch. Pupusas are patted up from .
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Dulce y Salado
Don't let the girlie ambiance - hanging plants, doilies galore, opera classics - stop you from sampling the excellent menu at this cozy restaurant. Light meals, including lots of vegetarian options, make up its core - salads, quiche, empanadas, and even spinach lasagna are all offered. Mains include a choice of two salads and a fruit shake. There is also a full coffee and tea bar.
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El Establo
This newcomer is a meat lovers' heaven. And, apparently, half of San Salvador thinks so too - the driveway is packed most nights. Portions are hefty: the plato típico includes a steak, Argentinean-style sausage, chicken-broth soup, refried beans, tostones (fried plantains), cheese, cream and garlic bread. Bring your appetite.
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El Sopón Típico
A pleasant open-air restaurant in the middle of mall-land where you can get such típica treats as conejo (rabbit), garrobo (spiny tailed iguana), gallo (rooster) and cabrito (baby goat). The super sopón (super giant soup) lives up to its name, full of the meats of your choice and veggies. It's popular with families.
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Gasolinera Esso
Laugh all you want, but the freshly made sandwiches at this gas station are cheap, fast and pretty dang good. The moccachinos aren't bad either. It's close to the hostels.
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Inca Grill
This upscale Peruvian chain is a great option for something a bit different. The decor is borderline cheeseball - Inca-style doorways, replicas of indigenous masks - but it's easy to overlook that once the food arrives. Try the lomo salteado (tenderloin stir fried with tomatoes, potatoes and onion) or aji de gallina (hen in a creamy parmesan nut sauce).
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Kamakura
This Escalón restaurant is arguably San Salvador's finest for authentic Japanese food. The restaurant is divided into several intimate areas - a sunny front room, a back room with an open-air fountain, and another with low Japanese-style tables. The specialty is the sushi, nigiri and sashimi, with most fish flown in fresh from Miami. The plato del dia (daily special) is served in a bamboo box and usually includes a soup, tempura, sushi, and a main dish - say, teriyaki chicken.
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Koffee Mix
Next to the Galería 1-2-3 art gallery, this upscale café serves only Café Illy coffee, whether in a cappuccino, frappé, latté, espresso or simple drip. You can also order fresh juices, smoothies and tea, as well as good but overpriced. The interior is sleek and cool (in both senses); shady outdoor tables look onto the street.
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Koradi
Everything is vegetarian at this small, easy-to-miss eatery - tamales , cheese pupusas, tofu pizza, veggie paella, brown rice and so on. Order from the menu or create-a-plate of fresh comida a la vista ; try to get a table under one of the fans, as the dining area can get stuffy. Natural products and supplements are also sold.
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La Hola Beto's
Located in the middle of a string of restaurants, Hola Beto's is popular day or night. Seafood is the specialty (check out the nautical decor!), but the menu is sprinkled with pizza, pasta, and meat dishes. Brilliant service tops off an all-round delectable experience.
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La Luna Casa y Arte
A bohemian restaurant in a quiet neighborhood, La Luna offers an excellent menu complete with grilled sandwiches, homemade soups, salads and various meatless meals. If you're in the mood for something small, the dessert menu and coffee bar are definitely worth consulting. Come here for movies and live music too!
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La Ventana
Located in the heart of the bohemian bar-lounge scene, La Ventana is a smart, laid-back place that's popular day or night. Tables line the long windows - perfect for people watching - and the menu offers an excellent variety of international meals. Clients can choose from any number of creative sandwiches, big salads, pasta dishes and quiche…plenty of vegetarian options! Food is prepared fresh and portions are decent.
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Las Cofradías
This is a perfect place to head if you want to sample the full spectrum of Salvadoran fare. Every night, an all-you-can-eat buffet has 60 types of típico dishes and drinks: yuca frita, pupusas, empanadas, tamales de elote (corn tamales ) , (sweet buttery corn tortillas wrapped in a corn husk), gallina , chilate (a thick corn drink served hot), nuegados (plantains and fried yucca with honey and cinnamon), atole , horchata …you name it, it's probably served.
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Las Fajitas
Housed in a melon-colored building, Mexican food rules here. Well, it's more like Tex-Mex: chips and salsa, fajitas, enormous tostadas…. Call it what you like, it still tastes good.
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Las Vacas Gordas
There should be no mistaking that beef is the specialty at 'The Fat Cows' restaurant in the Zona Rosa. But just in case - or else to really freak out the vegetarians - black and white cow skins are used for the chair backs and as wall hangings. Choose from a dozen cuts of meat, from medallions to rib-eye, most of which can be ordered in various portions depending on your appetite and the thickness of your wallet.
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Le Croissant
A classic French bakery in the middle of San Salvador. Mouthwatering. Beautiful. Rich. A perfect mid-afternoon treat.
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Los Tacos de Paco
Near Metrosur, this may be the most culturally enlightened taco joint you'll ever encounter. It hosts a poetry reading on Wednesday at , and has a small but good selection of books and artwork for sale. And as for the tacos…the sign says 'The Best Mexican Food in El Salvador,' which is either true or nearly true - either way, you won't be disappointed.
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Mister Donut
If you can't bring yourself to eat at the gas station, this popular restaurant makes a good, quick alternative, with everything from eggs and beans to steak and Caesar salad. Plenty of donuts, too. There's another branch in Centro Comercial San Luis.
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No Name Comedor
Run out of a neighborhood home, this comedor offers typical Salvadoran food served cafeteria style. The place sees serious customer traffic - be sure to arrive early if you want the pick of the tamales .
