Restaurants in San Salvador
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A
Típicos Margoth
A popular cafeteria-style restaurant serving, as the name suggests, típico. Food is fresh and served in good-sized portions. There's occasional live music on Saturday night.
reviewed
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B
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.
Belgian and German ales are also served, as are tasty coffee drinks. A lively bar scene at night makes it a particularly cool place to have a bite. Buy postcards and La Ventana will mail them for free.
reviewed
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C
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 18:00, 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.
reviewed
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D
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!
reviewed
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E
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.
If your wallet is more carpaccio than filet mignon, check the menu for frequent two-for-one specials. Outdoor tables are especially pleasant, occupying a semi-shaded courtyard with plants hanging from a thick wooden trellis.
reviewed
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F
Sidewalk Comedores
You'll find Sidewalk Comedores lining the streets surrounding Plaza Hula Hula, a block west of Plaza Barrios. They're all essentially the same, but everyone you ask has a personal favorite. We liked the ones on the east side of 1a Av Sur across from the park, mainly for the clean vinyl tablecloths, friendly service and mid-afternoon sun, but maybe you'll see others that call to you.
Expect typical Salvadoran fare, including panes de pollo (chicken sandwiches), bistec encebollada (onion grilled beef), sopa de res (beef stew) and more.
reviewed
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G
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.
reviewed
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H
Taquería Los Tapatíos
At the far western end of Paseo General Escalón at Plaza Masferrer is this large open-air taco stand, serving up great tacos, burritos and tortas stuffed with the meat of your choice: chicken, beef, pork, adobado (spicy marinated meat), al pastor (seasoned rotisserie pork). Wooden tables with benches are set up off the road, so the traffic noise can be overpowering - then again, the bustling informality is part of the charm.
reviewed
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I
Restaurante Royal
While so many Chinese restaurants bowl you over with huge portions and no-nonsense service, the Royal lets you enjoy the experience, starting with a pleasant air-cooled dining room (the goldfish tank is spotless - that's gotta be a good sign) and culminating in tasty dishes, like garlic shrimp over rice noodles and stir-fried broccoli, mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Service is terrific, and the prices amazingly affordable.
reviewed
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J
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.
reviewed
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K
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.
reviewed
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L
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).
reviewed
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M
Panadería Latino
So much more than a bakery, this downtown institution is popular for its huge comida a la vista (buffet). Just smile and point - the servers will fill your plate with all manner of steaming delights including tasty lasagna, beef in salsa, and crisp veggies, then ladle you a cup of horchata (soft drink) from plastic pails at the end of the line.
reviewed
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N
Salvatore's Pizzería y Pastas
In case you had any doubts, rest assured that this cozy place is all about pizza and pasta. A dozen pasta dishes are available and the pizza combinations are just about limitless. If you're into 'shrooms, try Pasta Salvatore - spaghetti served with an awesome mushroom cream sauce. All dishes include garlic bread and a salad, and there's free delivery.
reviewed
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O
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.
reviewed
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P
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.
reviewed
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Q
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.
reviewed
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R
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.
reviewed
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S
No Name Comedor
This tiny place, next to an upscale Japanese restaurant (Kamakura), is popular with drivers waiting for their bosses to finish their California rolls, and one of the few budget eateries in this part of Escalón. Serving mostly típica, the occasional stir-fried noodles or rice-and-veggie dish does appear.
reviewed
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T
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.
reviewed
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U
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!
reviewed
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V
Restaurante Basilea
An upscale urban restaurant, Basilea is the place to head if you want a reliable, familiar meal. You can order such classics as coconut shrimp, Waldorf salad, or even a Philly steak sandwich. A pleasant outdoor eating area, complete with white wicker chairs and a koi pond, is a nice option on warm evenings.
reviewed
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W
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 17:30.
reviewed
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X
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.
reviewed
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Y
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.
reviewed
