San Juan La Laguna
El Artesano offers one of Guatemala's best dining experiences. Let the staff guide you around the platter of two dozen cheeses (all produced in Guatemala…
Must-see restaurants in The Highlands
Santa Cruz La Laguna
Up in the village, this brilliant community project comedor is run by local students who are learning to make traditional Guatemalan dishes to global…
Chichicastenango
This charming cafe is tucked into the outside corner of Centro Comercial Santo Tomás and is a gem if you want to step back from the bustle of the market…
Quetzaltenango
This charming upstairs restaurant refreshes palates with generous plates from around Asia – Chinese dumplings, Indonesia satay, pad thai, Vietnamese…
Western Highlands
As much a cultural center as a cafe, the home of historian-gourmet Rolando Gutiérrez has an interesting library and a collection of old clocks, radios and…
Quetzaltenango
This simple but cheerful dining hall is a good place to savor Xela home cooking, with daily specials like jocón (stew with tomatillo and cilantro) and…
Quetzaltenango
Authentic south Indian fare is whipped up here by a fellow from Kerala. Servings are huge; the thalis – platters of curried veggies, chicken or beef – are…
Panajachel
Behind the swinging doors, Circus Bar has a cabaret atmosphere, with live music nightly from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. There is good pizza and even better pasta,…
San Marcos La Laguna
This cheerily painted clapboard canteen serves up big healthy portions of Guatemalan food according to a changing daily menu to help support a wider…
Panajachel
This is a locally popular joint for lunch; the front terrace makes an obvious meeting place. Try to make it for Monday lunch when everyone chows down on…
Panajachel
All the perks of a US diner are here in abundance, including buttermilk pancakes, great omelets with hash browns or country biscuits on the side, and free…
Chichicastenango
The three dining rooms at Chichi's classiest hotel feature colonial-style furnishings and canvases by renowned painter Humberto Garabito. Waiters wear…
Panajachel
Usefully located in the nightlife zone, Chero's can get pretty lively, with beer-drinking patrons gathering around simple wood tables as tuk-tuks zip by…
Panajachel
Serving authentic Japanese cuisine, Hana is ensconced in the serene courtyard of the Casa Cakchiquel, graced by hanging plants and a gallery of photos of…
Quetzaltenango
An alternative cultural center focusing on the economic reintegration of returning migrants, La Red Kat also provides grants for young chefs in training,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
Panajachel
This Uruguayan grill serves up generous helpings of steak, sausage and chicken dishes with vegetables, salad, garlic bread and rice or boiled potatoes…
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…
Chichicastenango
One of the more stylish eateries, the San Juan occupies a beautiful colonial structure beside Santo Tomás with candlelit dining in various salons…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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),…
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…
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…
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…
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…
