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…
Must-see restaurants in The Highlands
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
Quetzaltenango
Crepes and wood-fired pizzas are the main attractions at this upscale dining hall, which also prepares exceptionally zesty salads. Popular with both…
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…
San Juan La Laguna
Locals crowd in for the daily specials at this no-nonsense dining hall in the center of town, where a brimming bowl of caldo de res (beef and vegetable…
Quiché
This cozy restaurant features a bar and lounge areas in Nebaj's most alternative ambience. A range of sandwiches, salads, pastas and soups is served, as…
Panajachel
This tranquil garden restaurant with hummingbirds darting about the flowers serves a range of healthy foods and drinks. Breakfast is served all day, and…
Western Highlands
This humble dining hall on the central plaza fills quickly with families and friends, all digging into abundant portions of home-cooked stews served with…
San Marcos La Laguna
This 'mom and pop' store on the central plaza is popular with expats after a cheap, home-cooked meal, which might explain why tofu dishes pop up among the…
Quetzaltenango
This lively pub/snack bar grills up long bologna-and-cheese sandwiches, brought to the table with squeeze bottles of green sauce and icy pitchers of Xela…
San Pedro La Laguna
With terraced seating cascading down to the lakeside, this makes a pleasant perch for Mideast staples such as falafel, baba ghanoush and hummus, plus…
Western Highlands
A restaurant at Fuentes Georginas serves great grilled steaks, sausage and papas.
Panajachel
Self-caterers will find all they need at this large, well-stocked supermarket.
Western Highlands
Inside this often busy eatery you'll find the menu scrawled on a styrofoam board. At lunchtime it serves such traditional fare as pepián de pollo (chicken…
Quetzaltenango
With checkered tablecloths and hundreds of wine bottles hanging from the rafters, this place feels like it was lifted from the Mediterranean, and indeed…
Western Highlands
This popular eating hall is tricky to spot initially – the entrance is on the side street next to a car park, but it serves up good, hearty plates of…
Panajachel
Indonesian-run Las Chinitas has a pan-Asian menu – miso, Singapore salad, stir-frys and pot stickers, as well as changing menú del día features with tofu…
San Marcos La Laguna
This hangout brings a hint of Mississippi to Atitlán, with weekly blues jams in a colonial-style mansion. The menu features chicken platters, Cajun…
Quiché
Steaks, chicken and shrimp are skillfully grilled and served up with heaping portions of halved potatoes, salad and nice homemade salsas at this locally…
Western Highlands
The place for Huehue's night owls and early risers, the red-and-white fronted La Fonda serves varied Guatemalan and international fare including good…
Quiché
This low-key cafe/bakery/hostel/expat hangout whips up gringo comfort foods. A copious breakfast menu includes three-egg omelets, homemade granola and…
Panajachel
Ensconced in the gardens of Hotel Dos Mundo, La Lanterna makes its own pasta and stocks an impressive range of wines from the motherland. Bonus: you're…
Western Highlands
Totonicapán's most conventional restaurant (as opposed to a comedor) is a meat-and-tortillas sort of establishment, where bow-tied waitstaff deliver…
Quiché
Join the chajulenses for lunch at this humble hall next to the pharmacy. The one or two items on the menu usually consist of chicken or beef and are…
Quiché
On the first floor of a small plaza overlooking the southern edge of the main square, this bright place is all windows and views. Breakfast plates,…
Western Highlands
This bright, clean and lively spot just up from Barillas' main square won't win any awards for originality, but makes a mean huevos a la ranchera, served…
Western Highlands
Women in traditional garb attend to great vats bubbling over glowing embers at this rustic cook shack just above the central plaza. There are tables on a…
Panajachel
One of a string of thatched-roof restaurants along the lakefront. The main draw, aside from the stunning setting, is the lake fish, highlighted by mojarra…
Western Highlands
This old-fashioned establishment just off the plaza has an array of cheesecake, eclairs, plum pie and other tantalizing pastries, plus all the espresso…
Chichicastenango
One of the few non-touristy eateries in town, this locally popular lunch hall does cow's foot soup, chicken stews and other hearty fare for the traveler's…
Chichicastenango
Here you can take breakfast looking over the sea of tin roofs that cover the market. The gregarious, English-speaking owner is the grandson of the…
Panajachel
Easily spotted at the top end of Calle Santander by its magical mystery mural, this restaurant offers decent value three-course menus. Soup is always…
Quetzaltenango
Plenty of típica Xela fare on offer at this locally popular dining hall – try the quichom, a spicy chicken concoction. Lunch comes with soup and a freshly…
Western Highlands
This modern, airy dining hall has a varied menu, including sandwiches, pizza and seafood. Live music (marimbas, folk) attracts a lively crowd nightly from…
