San Juan La Laguna
El Artesano offers one of Guatemala's best dining experiences. Let the staff guide you around the platter of two dozen cheeses (all produced in Guatemala…
Must-see restaurants in Guatemala
Santa Cruz La Laguna
Up in the village, this brilliant community project comedor is run by local students who are learning to make traditional Guatemalan dishes to global…
Antigua
The restaurant of the exclusive B&B Mesón Panza Verde dishes up divine continental cuisine in an appealing Antiguan atmosphere. The menu features an…
Guatemala City
Set under a thatched palapa roof with a soft marimba soundtrack, this is Zona 10's best comida típica (regional food) restaurant. The atmosphere and food…
Antigua
Front of house at this restaurant looks just like the early-20th-century general store it once was, but with the walls racked with a rather more…
Flores & Santa Elena
Every evening at the foot of the causeway these characters fire up the grill and char steak, chicken and pork ribs of exceptional quality. Their specialty…
Chichicastenango
This charming cafe is tucked into the outside corner of Centro Comercial Santo Tomás and is a gem if you want to step back from the bustle of the market…
Guatemala City
As the prices may suggest, this is some of the city's finest dining, with a wide-ranging menu offering some good fusion dishes, leaning heavily on…
Restaurant Cerro San Cristóbal
Guatemala
Contender for the slow-food star of the Antigua area, this restaurant puts its own organically grown produce on the table. Giant salads are loaded with…
Quetzaltenango
This charming upstairs restaurant refreshes palates with generous plates from around Asia – Chinese dumplings, Indonesia satay, pad thai, Vietnamese…
Western Highlands
As much a cultural center as a cafe, the home of historian-gourmet Rolando Gutiérrez has an interesting library and a collection of old clocks, radios and…
Guatemala City
This tiny hole-in-the-wall eatery serves up excellent 'modernized' versions of classic Maya dishes. The menu is impressively wide – featuring beef,…
Flores & Santa Elena
Inspired by a chef from Bologna, this Italian gourmet restaurant covers a romantic rooftop terrace. The fettuccine is produced in house, the pizzas (made…
Antigua
Loungey Luna de Miel offers dozens of savory and sweet variations on the classic crepe – try the chapín version stuffed with avocado, cheese and fried…
Antigua
Dedicated to the eponymous artist, this brightly colored and ever-busy bar-restaurant has an enormous range of tasty Mexican fare, including some of the…
Antigua
This intimate, candlelit salon across the way from La Merced has just a few tables, with the kitchen behind the bar. Hector, who hails from Guatemala City…
Antigua
This courtyard restaurant is always packed with locals who know a good thing when they see it. If you don't come for the huge Guatemalan breakfast, make…
Antigua
The bright 'Andy Warhol does Zapata' wall mural at Cactus gives an idea of how it mixes up traditional and new-wave Mexican food, with superb salsas…
Quetzaltenango
This simple but cheerful dining hall is a good place to savor Xela home cooking, with daily specials like jocón (stew with tomatillo and cilantro) and…
Quetzaltenango
Authentic south Indian fare is whipped up here by a fellow from Kerala. Servings are huge; the thalis – platters of curried veggies, chicken or beef – are…
Monterrico
This cheery thatched orange restaurant is one of the best places to eat in town, with the widest menu and most interesting food. Look for excellent salads…
Flores & Santa Elena
An amazing spot for breakfasts and lunches, ranging from smoothies and frappés (some topped with a fresh doughut!) to waffles, pizza, sandwiches and wraps…
Panajachel
Behind the swinging doors, Circus Bar has a cabaret atmosphere, with live music nightly from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. There is good pizza and even better pasta,…
San Marcos La Laguna
This cheerily painted clapboard canteen serves up big healthy portions of Guatemalan food according to a changing daily menu to help support a wider…
Cobán
Cobán's dining scene has improved dramatically over the years and this is part of the finer dining scene. The surrounds are refined yet relaxed, the menu…
Guatemala City
This upscale bistro is in one of Guate's ritziest shopping malls. It has an inspiring range of salads on offer and some very good Japanese and Thai…
Panajachel
This is a locally popular joint for lunch; the front terrace makes an obvious meeting place. Try to make it for Monday lunch when everyone chows down on…
Guatemala City
Interesting breakfasts, soups and pastas. The list of sandwiches is impressive and there's a beautiful little courtyard area out the back.
Caribbean Coast
The town's most enjoyable restaurant is on a thatch-roofed, open-air platform right over the water about 1km north of the town center. Locals and visitors…
Lívingston
This place enjoys the best location of any restaurant in town, and profits go to the Asociación Ak' Tenamit, an NGO with several projects in the area…
Antigua
This homey spot run by natives of El Salvador serves authentic pupusas – thick tortillas stuffed with cheese or chicharrónes (fried pork fat) and…
Caribbean Coast
Down a laneway opposite the Litegua bus office (200m up the main street past the end of the bridge), this open-air riverfront bar-restaurant makes…
El Petén
Almost hidden in the forest, a 10-minute walk along the north shore from the Tikal junction, is this marvelous open-air dining hall. The genial Italian…
Cobán
The perfect place to take a breather or while away a whole afternoon, this beautiful, artsy little cafe has a lush garden out back. Some interesting…
El Petén
On Jobompiche Rd, this peaceful palm-thatched affair is the French jungle bistro you've dreamed of. Try the lake white fish or the big ensalada francesa …
Panajachel
All the perks of a US diner are here in abundance, including buttermilk pancakes, great omelets with hash browns or country biscuits on the side, and free…
Chichicastenango
The three dining rooms at Chichi's classiest hotel feature colonial-style furnishings and canvases by renowned painter Humberto Garabito. Waiters wear…
Panajachel
Usefully located in the nightlife zone, Chero's can get pretty lively, with beer-drinking patrons gathering around simple wood tables as tuk-tuks zip by…
Panajachel
Serving authentic Japanese cuisine, Hana is ensconced in the serene courtyard of the Casa Cakchiquel, graced by hanging plants and a gallery of photos of…
Antigua
The restaurant in this popular hostel whips up authentic Israeli fare. Nosh on falafel, kebabs or sabich – a wrap stuffed with hummus, eggplant and salad…
