Restaurants in Granada & The Masaya Region
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Aeropuerto 79
Just south of Masaya on the main road, this fairly spectacular spot - colorful tilework, beautiful gardens, sculptures of large-breasted women - has well-prepared typical food, and specializes in exotic meat, such as armadillo, rabbit or deer. It was a Sandinista military depot during the revolution, and a nearby plane crash in 1979 inspired the peacetime name.
reviewed
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Comidas Criollas
Right on the park, this impressive steam-table buffet serves huge portions of great food with a few solid vegetarian options.
reviewed
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Fritangas
Granada has excellent street food, with bags of fruit salad and other goodies on sale between the parque central and Mercado Municipal in the morning. Just before sunset, fritangas set up in the parque central and Calle La Calzada, dishing up barbecue, gallo pinto (rice and beans) and all things fried, onto washed banana leaves for you to enjoy.
reviewed
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Cafe DecArte
This restaurant serves fresh, healthy cuisine, including a recommended Caesar salad and tuna pita sandwich, plus daily vegetarian specials and fresh soups, not to mention a pretty darned spectacular breakfast buffet. The owners also offer mosaics classes to adults as well as local kids, who sell their stuff right here.
reviewed
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Doña Conchi
Excellent Spanish cuisine is served in a lovely garden, lit by candles in the evening. Prices aren't cheap, but the ambience and sangria (iced punch made from red wine, fruit juice and soda water) are unbeatable, and from time to time Conchi breaks out her castanets to dance for the lucky few.
reviewed
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A
Los Farolitos
This narrow restaurant/bar serves breakfasts with a backpacker-friendly gimmick: you pay for each item (toast, fried plantains, gallo pinto - blended rice and beans) separately. Creative salads (try the broccoli and chicken) and other snacks come all or nothing.
reviewed
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El Zaguán
The best restaurant in town does succulent fire-grilled meats, wonderfully prepared guapote (rainbow bass) from the lake or sea bass from the Pacific, all in a cozy dining room where dueling mariachi trios descend at sunset. Make reservations in the high season.
reviewed
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Bar Restaurant Che-Gris
This popular spot has a selection of meat, seafood and vegetarian meals; a comida corriente (mixed plate of different foods typical of the region) is available. It's considered one of the best restaurants in town, which may be true, but don't get all excited.
reviewed
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Piscina-Ristorante Casa Vivaldi
Winning 'best perk' in the Mediterranean category is this Italian restaurant specializing in fresh pasta, tiramisu espresso beverages and fine wine served beneath a vine-draped patio. But really it's all about the pool. Hotel rooms are also being built.
reviewed
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B
La Jarochita
Jarochita is well known throughout the region as one of the (if not the) best Mexican restaurants in Nicaragua. It is very good, with Vera Cruz-style tacos, spicy posole rich hominy stew) and good seafood; it doesn't skimp on the cheese.
reviewed
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Tercer Ojo
Consider making reservations for one of the scarf-draped tables in this beautiful trippy-gypsy gourmet restaurant, where international offerings range from sushi to curries to big salads, lots of imported wines and a gourmet grocery in front.
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Melbar & Los Hijos del Maíz
Melba, the best-dressed woman in Granada, serves comida corriente (a mixed plate of different typical foods) and 13-córdoba cerveza (beer) in her five-star location, right around the corner from the cathedral.
reviewed
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Café Blue
Not wanting to let expats make all the money off the pancake-loving backpacking crowd, these local ladies have started serving all your international faves under a cane roof, but consider going for the Nica breakfast instead.
reviewed
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Restaurant Los Portales
Right on Plaza de la Independencia with ringside seats to all the action, you can enjoy a healthy selection of Mexican food, big salads, great service and Presto coffee on a porch across from Casa de los Leones.
reviewed
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Kathy's Waffle House
With one of the best views in town (right across from the Convento San Francisco), this cheerful café has seven different kinds of waffles and lots of other great breakfasts, plus good coffee and wi-fi(!).
reviewed
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Restaurante Frutti D'Mare
There are probably a dozen restaurants in this area, most of the 'fried fish and cold beer' variety, but the standout is Restaurante Frutti D'Mare, with Italian-style seafood and a good wine list.
reviewed
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Nuestra Casa
This homey spot serves some of the best baby back ribs anywhere - no joke, the owner is from Alabama and knows his craft - plus other mostly meaty specials. There's live music on weekends.
reviewed
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Las Colinas del Sur
Out past the Mercado Municipal, it's best to take a taxi to this locally revered hole in the wall, with delicious guapote, at reasonable prices.
reviewed
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Tequila Vallarta
The chef is actually from Puerto Vallarta, and the Mexican food - enchiladas, moles - is actually spicy. And there's a full bar with lots of tequilas!
reviewed
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Chichería Paris
If you need a snack after climbing all those guard towers at La Fortaleza, stop here for vigarón and other traditional treats.
reviewed
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Tele Pizza
The excellent hand-tossed pizza may not be gourmet, but good prices, speedy delivery and carrot cake for dessert make this a local favorite.
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Rosticería J3
Inside this mini mall, enjoy outdoor tables and excellent service over big plates of typical food; the chicken in salsa is great.
reviewed
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Restaurante Mediterránio
This beautiful restaurant, set around a big, leafy courtyard, has romantic music, great service and top-quality Spanish cuisine.
reviewed
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La Comedor Criolla
Not to be confused with Comidas Criollas, this place is close to the budget hotels and also does a good steam-table buffet.
reviewed
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Mavericks
Good coffee, great conversation and a solid selection of new magazines and used books in English and other languages.
reviewed
