Must-see restaurants in Guatemala

  • La Red Kat

    Quetzaltenango

    An alternative cultural center focusing on the economic reintegration of returning migrants, La Red Kat also provides grants for young chefs in training,…

  • Tienda La Canche

    Antigua

    A hole in the wall if there ever was one, this eatery behind a 'mom and pop' store consists of two tables and a dining room behind the counter. Just a…

  • La Stampa Bistro

    Quetzaltenango

    This cute bistro just off the central plaza is liberally decorated with printing paraphernalia – the owner's great-grandfather ran Xela's first printing…

  • Sandra's

    The Pacific Slope

    Popular open-sided restaurant that serves up a bit of everything, but leans heavily toward seafood (especially ceviche). Vegetarians are well covered, and…

  • Café Canela

    Quetzaltenango

    For breakfast and lunch on weekdays, la nicaragüense owner has a simple setup with a sunny patio and alternative vibe. You'll find creative variations on…

  • Fernando's Kaffee

    Antigua

    Long a draw for coffee and chocolate mavens, this friendly corner cafe also bakes an array of fine pastries, including some delightfully gooey cinnamon…

  • Xelapan

    Quetzaltenango

    This centrally located branch of the city-wide bakery chain is worth stopping into just to admire the fancy pastries on display, or to grab a bag of fresh…

  • Café Condesa

    Antigua

    Baked goods – pies, cakes, quiches and house-baked whole-wheat sandwich bread – are the strong suit at this grand old cafe set around the patio of a 16th…

  • Hummus-Ya

    San Pedro La Laguna

    Sabich, an Israeli sandwich lovingly stuffed with hard-boiled eggs, hummus and fried eggplant, is just one highlight on the menu at this cheerful Mideast…

  • El Bistrot Francés

    Alta & Baja Verapaz

    The best eating for miles around is oddly located a few kilometers west of town on the road to the Candelaria caves at the Candelaria Lodge. The small…

  • Samsara

    Antigua

    At this small veggie cafe – sitting just the right side of hippie-dom – fresh organic ingredients are excitingly combined in soups, salads and drinks. How…

  • Y Tu Piña También

    Antigua

    An international crossroads, this natural-foods cafe does healthy fare for foreign students on the go. There's a tempting array of sandwiches (served on…

  • Allala

    San Marcos La Laguna

    This groovy little shack can be found by the creek east of the village. Japanese owner Seiko makes a mean miso soup, plus vegetarian sushi and tempura…

  • Panque Waffles

    Quetzaltenango

    A good recipe for any restaurant is to do one or two things, and do them well. Panque Waffles nails it with, um, waffles, as well as brilliant burgers…

  • Bistrot Cinq

    Antigua

    Popular among the mature expat crowd, the Cinq is a faithful replica of its Parisian counterparts, offering zesty salads and classic entrees such as…

  • Café Nativos

    Quetzaltenango

    Part of a hostel/arts center in the Pasaje Enríquez, Café Nativos is an inviting place with good natural fare, espresso, French toast for breakfast,…

  • Chez Alex

    Panajachel

    The restaurant component of the Hotel Primavera serves some of Pana's finest cuisine, with a hefty dash of European influence and a wine list to back it…

  • Guajimbo's

    Panajachel

    This Uruguayan grill serves up generous helpings of steak, sausage and chicken dishes with vegetables, salad, garlic bread and rice or boiled potatoes…

  • Restaurante Fé

    San Marcos La Laguna

    Fé, about midway down the main trail, offers informal candlelit dining in a pleasant, open-air hall with a tree in the middle. The pastas, pan-fried fish…

  • Casa San Juan

    Chichicastenango

    One of the more stylish eateries, the San Juan occupies a beautiful colonial structure beside Santo Tomás with candlelit dining in various salons…

  • El Viejo Café

    Antigua

    Popular with tourists and chapínes (Guatemalans) alike, this atmospheric cafe strewn with antique curios makes an ideal breakfast stop. Choose from an…

  • Blue Parrot

    San Pedro La Laguna

    An airy sports bar that does a wicked line in over two dozen different gourmet burgers, plus chili dogs and seriously filled sandwiches to go down with…

  • Restaurant El Chalet

    Quiché

    The specialty here is grilled meats, served with homemade salsa. You could make a light meal of the tortilla-sized portions. Dining is beneath an arbor…

  • Comedor Santa Rita

    Santiago Atitlán

    The latest incarnation of a generations-old dining hall, this is a good place to try such Maya specialties as pulique (a veggie-rich stew) and patín (an…

  • Club Ven Acá

    Lago de Atitlán

    Right at the dock is this trendy restaurant with a seasonally varying menu and a popular happy hour highlighted by purple-basil mojitos. Sunday brunch is…

  • Caffé Mediterráneo

    Antigua

    Here you'll find the finest, most authentic Italian food in Antigua, plus superb service, in a lovely candlelit setting. The chef does a tantalizing array…

  • Fuentes de Vida

    Panajachel

    This is the largest of a group of rather rustic cooking stalls at the rear of the market building, near the pork vendors. It offers half a dozen menu…

  • Restaurante Doña Luisa

    Antigua

    Refreshingly local in character, this cafe is a place to enjoy the colonial patio ambience over breakfast or a light meal. It's hard to beat the selection…

  • Café Del Cielo

    Western Highlands

    This pretty wood and stone cabin cafe is tucked just below the mirador (viewpoint), allowing you to enjoy a coffee, beer or light meal served alongside…

  • La Vienesa

    Quetzaltenango

    Drop into this little bakery for a glimpse of old-fashioned Xela, especially around 5pm when locals gather for hot chocolate and such pastries as pan de…

  • Los Asados

    Chichicastenango

    A cheery 1st-floor restaurant set back from the market hubbub, Los Asados is good for filling breakfasts, sandwiches and big grill plates. Always keep an…

  • Moonfish

    San Marcos La Laguna

    Along the main thoroughfare west of the square, Moonfish whips up hippie-friendly fare including tempeh sandwiches, tofu scrambles and mighty fine falafel…

  • Arbol de la Vida

    Guatemala City

    Zona 10's best vegetarian restaurant opens up for early breakfasts and offers a wide menu with tasty soups and mains featuring veg-friendly goodies such…

  • Cafe Paris

    Caribbean Coast

    This cafe/hotel offers very tasty coffee and espresso drinks, plus passable croissants. While its crepes might not quite pass muster at a bistro on the…

  • Café Arqueológico Yaxha

    Flores & Santa Elena

    Part of the Hostel Yaxha, this spot offers the usual egg-and-bean breakfasts, but what's special here are the pre-Hispanic and Itzá items – pancakes with…

  • La Fonda de Don Juan

    Western Highlands

    Chiantla's best restaurant, this charming spot with a pleasant dining terrace at the rear bills itself as a pizzeria (and the pizzas are certainly good),…

  • Quesos y Vino

    Antigua

    This Italian-owned establishment is comprised of three rustic buildings, with a lovely outdoor patio and adjoining deli. Like the restaurant's name, the…

  • La Cuevita de Los Urquizú

    Antigua

    Sumptuous típico food is the draw here, all kept warm in great earthenware stew pots out front. Help yourself to pepián (chicken and vegetables in a…

  • Tacorazon

    Quetzaltenango

    Burrito lovers need go no further than Tacorazon to fill their boots. Conveniently tucked into a corner across from the main park, this bright place does…

  • Restaurante El Mirador

    Flores & Santa Elena

    Refreshingly not aimed at foreign travelers, this traditional eatery does toothsome home cookin'. You'll find such hearty options as caldo de res (beef…

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