Restaurants in Northern Nicaragua
-
La Gran Via
Chinese food comes hot, fresh and in large portions; the soups are great. Lunch specials are a better deal.
reviewed
-
A
Rincón Don Chato
It looks like a regular formica diner on the main drag, but this nifty nitch has the best batidos, or fruit shakes, in town - the pineapple-celery in orange juice is amazing. Also on the menu are Nica classics with your choice of meat, plus veggie burgers and other vegetarian options. Good breakfasts.
reviewed
-
Vuela Vuela
One of Estelí's best restaurants, serving delicious roasted meat, good salads and sandwiches, and big breakfasts (presto 'coffee' though…hmmm). Not the cheapest place, but worth the splurge if you've OD'd on gallo pinto.
reviewed
-
La Casita
La Casita is surrounded by gardens framing a mountain stream and is the perfect place to relax amid all the jungly loveliness. Here you can enjoy chai tea, homemade yogurt or the signature mariedas, a small loaf of whole-wheat bread with different toppings (veggies, hummus, cheese, whatever). There is a little shop selling spices, seeds, top-quality handicrafts and other interesting items in front, or you may prefer to wander out back and enjoy the finca (farm).
It's hidden about 1km south of town along the Interamericana, just past Cecalli.
reviewed
-
Restaurante El Disparate del Potter
On the road to Jinotega, this ridge-top restaurant marks the spot where driven road builder Charles Potter blasted his way through a wall of solid rock. Renowned for its onion quesillos and repochetas (a corn and cheese torta), the real reason you're here is the view. If it's a clear day, pay the fee to climb the spire of rock and check out the moutaintop view.
reviewed
-
Rincón Pinareño
Almost worth the trip from Managua - in an ordinario - this Cuban restaurant serves up crusty pressed sandwiches that skimp on nothing, truly delicious soups and more in a cozy dining room that can get packed at lunch.
reviewed
-
Restaurante Casa Italia
Not only does the friendly owner create eight kinds of spaghetti, lasagnas and pizzas, plus good antipasti, from Italian family recipes, he also teaches Italian classes, if you need to brush up.
reviewed
-
B
La Vita é Bella
If you can't find it, take a taxi; if they can't find it, tell them 'Parañas Billares,' which is at the entrance to the narrow alley where this hidden gem serves up tasty Italian and vegetarian specialties in an intimate setting. Try the pizza (some of it on focaccia) or spaghetti vitabella, with a bacon and mushroom white sauce with olives, but start with a bruschetta and finish with an espresso beverage.
reviewed
-
Centro Girasol
More than just an outstanding source of great coffee, fabulous baked goods and sweet treats, the Girasol is part of Familias Especiales Julia Biliarte, an organization that supports disabled kids and their families. Around the corner, Casa de Yogurt has fresh, frozen and/or flavored yogurt for the same great cause.
reviewed
-
C
Café Picoteo
This cozy wood-paneled hangout is a Matagalpa classic, serving espresso beverages alongside affordable Nica snacks like nacatamales, vigarón (mashed yucca topped with coleslaw and pork rinds) and the excellent enchiladas suizas (with ham and cheese).
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Cyber Moagüina
Named for one of the original 10 indigenous settlements of the valley, this cybercafé's coffee, batidos and pastries are so good that it's almost worth the slightly higher Internet prices to enjoy them. Or just come for the coffee and surf elsewhere.
reviewed
-
El Pullazo
A see-and-be-seen spot for Matagalpa's upper crust, this place serves the spectacular and eponymous cut of marinated beef and delicious steaks, served alongside fresh güirílas. It's just south of town on the highway to Managua.
reviewed
-
La Hora del Taco
Serving the same great Mexican food as its sister restaurant in Managua - it uses spices! - one can only hope that this place becomes a full-blown chain. Just south of town on the highway to Managua.
reviewed
-
Buffet Shangrilah
Show up at regular mealtimes for the best selection at this solid steam-table buffet, with a better-than-average salad bar and selection of vegetarian entrees. Bonus: they deliver.
reviewed
-
D
Rosticería La Posada
Half a block west of Parque Darío, this popular eatery specializes in chicken dishes, like the tasty pollo en salsa jalapeño (chicken in jalapeño sauce).
reviewed
-
Juventus Centro Cultural
The open-air patio offers sweeping views of the mountains to the west, making a fine setting for the excellent coffee, licuados and sandwiches served here.
reviewed
-
Tacomex
Tex-Mex fast food comes blunted for the sensitive Nicaraguan palate but tasty nonetheless; try the 'gringa,' like a quesadilla, with salsa inside.
reviewed
-
Casa de Cultura
Vegetarian offerings and tasty juices (along with teas, fresh yogurt and pancakes) are served in this pleasant outdoor café.
reviewed
-
E
Maná de Cielo
This popular steam-table buffet is even better than Shangrilah's (but doesn't have the salad bar), with lots of meaty entrees.
reviewed
-
Fritanga Campeche
The best spot for grease to counter all the alcohol is this all-night fritanga, which sets up across from the Texaco.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
La Pradera de San Francisco
This elegant spot is at once out of the way, at the empalme to San Ramón, and easy to get to.
reviewed
-
Pescamar
Excellent seafood - the soups are impressive - is served on a great porch overlooking the city.
reviewed
-
-
-
Café-Arte Tipscayan
The family of San Juan de Limay soapstone sculptor Freddy Moreno serve ultratraditional fare (there's a menu category for 'lukewarm drinks') like güirílas and cheese curd, montucas and grilled meats, as well as excellent coffee in this amazing space, packed with gleaming art. It's well worth seeing: Freddy sculpted the cathedral's baptismal font, the Stations of the Cross and several secular public pieces displayed throughout the region, plus he's very friendly.
reviewed
