Must-see restaurants in Guatemala

  • Casa d'Acuña

    Cobán

    This restaurant, complete with orchids and a koi pond, offers authentic Italian and other European-style dishes served in an attractive oasis of…

  • Café Maya

    El Petén

    About the best bet for grub in town is this casual, open-air hall, a popular gathering place both morning and evening. Aside from the usual eggs and beans…

  • Raíces

    Flores & Santa Elena

    A broad deck and a flaming grill are the main ingredients at this lakefront restaurant/bar, possibly the prettiest setting in Flores for dinner…

  • Restaurante Mexicana

    Quiché

    Half a block down from the church end of the main plaza, this well-signed restaurant has just one smallish room but a large menu and generous serves of…

  • Como Como

    Antigua

    Guatemalan ingredients fuse with Euro recipes at this Belgian bistro, popular with the expat crowd. Flemish specialties include waterzooi, a creamy fish…

  • Kardamomuss

    Cobán

    The widest menu in town is at this chic place, which is in a location so new even the geckos haven't found it yet. Billing itself as 'fusion' food, it…

  • Margoth

    Lívingston

    Clean spot with polished wood decor, Margoth is a decent place with a decent selection at decent prices. The mix of mains runs the gamut from burgers to…

  • Angie Angie

    Antigua

    This South American eatery, with a hint of art gallery about it, is always worth stopping at, if only to lounge around the tropically abundant back garden…

  • Cool Beans

    Flores & Santa Elena

    Also known as Café Chilero, this laid-back place is more clubhouse with snacks than proper restaurant, featuring salons for chatting, watching videos or…

  • Travel Menu

    Antigua

    This cosy restaurant-bar is indeed aimed at travelers, serving up hearty comfort food (think lasagne, Irish stew and shepherd's pie) in a relaxed, roomy…

  • Rosy's

    Central & Eastern Guatemala

    Offers refreshingly tasty coffee and nice comida tipica (regional food). Service is friendly and some staff speak excellent English. Its decor is simple,…

  • Alma de Colores

    San Juan La Laguna

    Bread, pizza and focaccia are baked at this pleasant open-air bakery/cafe on the way out to San Pablo, and there are two lunch options daily prepared with…

  • La Casa de Don David

    El Petén

    This splendid open-air dining hall serves a good breakfast, including banana pancakes (Q30), fruit and granola, and has a collection of National…

  • Los Picones al Chaz Chaz

    Western Highlands

    About 20m up from the Parque Principal is this bright and cheerful dining hall where in the morning you can have fresh tamales with delicious salsas, as…

  • Saberico

    Antigua

    This little deli whips up tasty salads and sandwiches, using ingredients from its herb garden. It also offers fresh-baked breads and brownies, fine wines…

  • Bagel Barn

    Antigua

    This small cafe has more types of freshly baked bagels than you can shake a stick at, filled with everything from classic salmon and cream cheese to spicy…

  • San Martín & Company

    Guatemala City

    Cool and clean, with ceiling fans inside and a small terrace outside, this Zona Viva cafe and bakery is great at any time of the day. For breakfast try a…

  • Comedor Eben Ezer

    Lago de Atitlán

    This simple lunch hall at the base of the town hall is a gathering place for the Kaqchiquel community. Expect hearty helpings of such down-home fare as…

  • La Majo

    Guatemala City

    Downtown Guatemala City's cultural renaissance continues in this pleasing little boho cafe set in a crumbling colonial house. There's some OK food on…

  • Restaurante Altuna

    Guatemala City

    This large and classy restaurant has the atmosphere of a private club. It has tables in several rooms that open to a skylit patio. The specialties are…

  • Restaurant El Gran Sol

    Santiago Atitlán

    One block up from the dock on the left, this highly popular family-run establishment is a great bet for breakfast, lunch or snacks, with a spiffy kitchen…

  • Smokin Joe's

    San Pedro La Laguna

    The pool on the grounds of campground/cafe Chuasinayi is a global gathering place, particularly on Sundays when a character known as Smokin' Joe barbecues…

  • Casa Lú

    Central & Eastern Guatemala

    This chic, black-and-red restaurant has the look of a sushi shop but serves a variety of local Guatemalan dishes as well as the requisite pizzas, pastas…

  • Café Atitlán

    San Juan La Laguna

    Near the top of the hill on the way up from the dock, this open-air shack is the place to go for quality espresso and French-press coffee, plus fresh…

  • Posada de Don Rodrigo

    Antigua

    The seafood crepes, steaks and sausages have a subtle Guatemalan accent at this guesthouse restaurant. The real draw, though, is the setting, a gorgeous…

  • Restaurante El Puerto

    Flores & Santa Elena

    Seafood is the star attraction at this breezy, open-air hall by the lakefront in Santa Elena, with a well-stocked bar at the front. It's an ideal setting…

  • Deli Llama de Fuego

    Panajachel

    This groovy natural-foods haven revolves around a llama de fuego (African tulip) tree. Vegetarian options are well represented, along with a barrel-full…

  • La Rotonda

    Central & Eastern Guatemala

    Opposite Rutas Orientales bus station, this is a round building with chairs arranged around a circular open-air counter under a big awning. It's a…

  • Rinkoncito Chapin

    Guatemala

    The best choice for food is this friendly establishment south along the main street with polished log tables and a brilliant panorama of the surrounding…

  • Cafetería Las Palmeras

    Western Highlands

    Popular Las Palmeras features a breezy upper level with views over the Parque Central. The caldo de pollo criollo (Q30) is a must, brimming with chicken,…

  • Comedor El Si'm

    Quiché

    This place off the main plaza is great for a gut-stuffing desayuno (breakfast), served with a bonus bowl of mosh (warm cereal) and freshly baked cookie,…

  • Hotel Pan American

    Guatemala City

    The restaurant at this venerable hotel is high on ambience. It has notably experienced and polished waitstaff sporting traditional Maya regalia. The food …

  • Panorama

    Quetzaltenango

    A 10-minute hike up the hill at the south end of town with views over Xela worthy of its name, Panorama makes a romantic spot for that special night out…

  • Desayunos El Árbol

    El Petén

    This gringo-friendly shack sports a lovely, lake-view terrace, a fine setting for healthy breakfasts, including granola, pancakes and omelets. Sandwiches…

  • Sabe Delis

    Quetzaltenango

    Crepes and wood-fired pizzas are the main attractions at this upscale dining hall, which also prepares exceptionally zesty salads. Popular with both…

  • Restaurante Gaby

    Lívingston

    For a good honest feed in humble surrounds, you can't go past Gaby's. She serves up the good stuff: lobster, tapado (Q80, fish stew), rice and beans, and…

  • Doña Cristy

    Quetzaltenango

    One of various snack stalls on the lower level of the central market, Doña Cristy cheerfully serves atol de elote (a hot maize beverage), empanadas and…

  • Epicure

    Antigua

    This Euro-standard deli sells all kinds of gourmet items produced on its own farm. It offers elegant open-air dining under the rear arbor, with a…

  • Hotel Astor

    The Pacific Slope

    While the shady courtyard/pool area is by far the best thing about this place (drop in for a drink, even if you aren't planning on eating), the menu is…

  • La Casa del Monje

    Cobán

    Guarded by the 'iron friar,' Cobán's best steakhouse is set in a lovely colonial-era monastery a few blocks from the park. If you're not in the mood for…

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