Café Condesa

The outside of Cafe Condesa is deceiving.  Impressed into the wall is a small, beautiful tile sign, indicating that, indeed, Cafe Condesa is there.  The large wooden doors that lead off from the busy town square seem to go into yet another small shop selling native textiles.  But, enter through those wooden doors, past the rather expensive gift shop, and a tranquil oasis awaits.  Sip on a pinapple liquado while sitting in the outdoor courtyard, surrounded by ivy-grown walls, and the soothing sounds of a waterfall.  Laugh with friends over a broad selection of authentic (and not so authentic) Guatemalan cuisine.  Enjoy tres leche cake in one of the many indoor rooms while the candle light bounces off golden, textured walls.  The menu is in Spanish and English, in case one isn't confident of their newly acquired Spanish skills from one of the many nearby Spanish schools.  A meal, including liquado and dessert, will cost around $8.

Heading right through the (overpriced if well-equipped) bookshop on the streetside, you enter one of Antigua's most established restaurants, extending over a beautiful patio and several rooms. Attentive and smiling waitresses guide you to your table: Their coffee and capucchino is delicious and complements perfectly with the wide range of cakes and pies. Expect to spend a little more then elsewhere. However, unlike in other restaurants, the (classy) sunday buffet actually gets cheaper during "semana santa".