Must-see restaurants in Western El Salvador

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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!

  • Taquería la Guadalupana

    Western El Salvador

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

  • El Portal Colonial

    Western El Salvador

    Next to Iglesia San Pedro you'll find this thriving típica restaurant that does top-value lunch deals for under US$4, including a drink and tortillas…

  • Lover’s Steak House

    Western El Salvador

    Lover's serves a heavy meal in a dimly lit setting popular with wealthy locals. Steak is the obvious star attraction, but seafood and Mexican dishes make…

  • Restaurante San José

    Western El Salvador

    On the main square in one of Juayúa's oldest buildings, the San Jose serves grilled beef, chicken and seafood dishes along with a few more exotic items…

  • Artisant

    Western El Salvador

    Generous breakfasts plus paninis, burgers, salads and huge sandwiches made with homemade bread are served at this chic downtown cafe behind the cathedral…

  • Típicos Kolo Kolo

    Western El Salvador

    You can't miss this cheery corner place that's painted inside and out with bright murals celebrating local life. Salvadoran breakfasts, buffet lunches and…

  • La Estancia

    Western El Salvador

    Seats for the típica buffet lunch at this colonial-era building fill with business folk during the week and young families on weekends. Enjoy eating among…

  • Pastelería Ban Ban

    Western El Salvador

    Ban Ban is all over the country, but it started in Santa Ana and the locals like to celebrate their hometown each mid-afternoon over sublime cakes and…

  • Kafekali

    Western El Salvador

    This cafe on the square is a prime spot for observing daily life in Ataco while refueling with coffee and cake. It's on the western side of the park.

  • El Gran Mirador

    Western El Salvador

    Eat fresh mojarro fish from the lake at this seafood restaurant with 'the view.' It’s at Km 53 on the road down from El Congo to the lake.

  • Pupusaria Andrea

    Western El Salvador

    Welcoming waitstaff drum up business for morning pupusas and comida a la vista (canteen-style) lunches.

  • Food Stands

    Western El Salvador

    Hit the row of food stands on the plaza for enormous chicken sandwiches in soft bread, burgers and greasy fries.

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