Restaurants in Nicaragua
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La Gran Via
Chinese food comes hot, fresh and in large portions; the soups are great. Lunch specials are a better deal.
reviewed
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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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A
El Timón
This excellent beach restaurant is the place to go for a more upmarket seafood dinner, with professional service and delicious seafood; the pulpo al vapor (steamed octopus with a tasty garlicky sauce) is highly recommended.
reviewed
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B
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
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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
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C
Big Wave Dave's
The classic expat joint serves famously good breakfasts and wonderful comfort food - big burgers, bigger organic-leaf salads and more - all day.
reviewed
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D
Pizzeria San Juan
Taste for yourself why they call this the best pizza in town, on the relaxed patio out back or phone in for delivery.
reviewed
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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
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Central Market
The best place to eat on the cheap or buy fresh veggies is the beautiful, clean Central Market, with several inexpensive eateries serving comida corriente (a mixed plate of different foods typical of the region) made from whatever's fresh that day. After-hours, two of the best fritangas (sidewalk barbecues) in town set up right outside, on the corner closest to the cathedral.
reviewed
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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
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E
Ola Verde
This combination whole-foods store, deli and upscale vegetarian restaurant is a real treat, with a beautiful dining area and even lovelier food, from curried tofu and veggie soups to the wonderful daily specials, all designed by a PhD nutritionist who knows how to cook.
reviewed
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F
El Gato Negro
With what may be the best selection of English-language books in Nicaragua, you'll have plenty of excuses to linger over real espresso beverages and yummy pastries, sandwiches and other light meals in the comfortable dining room.
reviewed
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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
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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
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G
Palace of Korea
Satisfy your kim chi craving surrounded by marble columns and alongside Korean-style sushi, table-top barbecues and a potent chicken soup with ginseng. One room has traditional seating.
reviewed
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Marie's Bar
Marie's spices up the usual seafood platters with eclectic variations, and the cappuccinos and espressos here are tops. Save room for the tasty dessert crepes.
reviewed
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H
El Colibrí
Serves scrumptious veggie options, organic treats, handmade bread and meatier Mediterranean fare in the beautiful gardens; there's sometimes live music.
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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I
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
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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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Luna Ranch
Take a taxi if you want to splash out at a really neat place; an outdoor palapa decorated with everything from photos of Hurricane Juana (before and after) to costumes for El Macho Ratón. Choose from cheap fast food or full seafood plates, and try to come on Sunday at noon, when it hosts ballet folklórico.
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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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
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J
CocinArte
Worth the trek across a pretty part of town, particularly for falafel lovers, this wonderful spot has traditional Nica food, real coffee, plus all sorts of vegetarian options, good juices and a beautiful wooden table with an oversized, built-in chessboard. Try the spinach empanadas for a treat.
reviewed
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Taquezal
Opposite the Teatro Municipal, many people think this relaxed restaurant/bar has the best food in town, with signature salads, Mexican specialties and the 'Taquezal cocktail,' which involves whisky, vodka, coffee liquor and orange. Drink specials on Monday and Tuesday nights guarantee a crowd.
reviewed