Must-see restaurants in Guatemala

  • Hummus-Ya

    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…

  • Samsara

    Antigua

    At this small veggie cafe – sitting just the right side of hippie-dom – fresh organic ingredients are excitingly combined in soups, salads and drinks. How…

  • Y Tu Piña También

    Antigua

    An international crossroads, this natural-foods cafe does healthy fare for foreign students on the go. There's a tempting array of sandwiches (served on…

  • Allala

    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…

  • Panque Waffles

    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…

  • Bistrot Cinq

    Antigua

    Popular among the mature expat crowd, the Cinq is a faithful replica of its Parisian counterparts, offering zesty salads and classic entrees such as…

  • Café Nativos

    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,…

  • Chez Alex

    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…

  • Guajimbo's

    Panajachel

    This Uruguayan grill serves up generous helpings of steak, sausage and chicken dishes with vegetables, salad, garlic bread and rice or boiled potatoes…

  • Restaurante Fé

    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…

  • Casa San Juan

    Chichicastenango

    One of the more stylish eateries, the San Juan occupies a beautiful colonial structure beside Santo Tomás with candlelit dining in various salons…

  • El Viejo Café

    Antigua

    Popular with tourists and chapínes (Guatemalans) alike, this atmospheric cafe strewn with antique curios makes an ideal breakfast stop. Choose from an…

  • Blue Parrot

    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…

  • Club Ven Acá

    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…

  • Caffé Mediterráneo

    Antigua

    Here you'll find the finest, most authentic Italian food in Antigua, plus superb service, in a lovely candlelit setting. The chef does a tantalizing array…

  • Fuentes de Vida

    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…

  • Restaurante Doña Luisa

    Antigua

    Refreshingly local in character, this cafe is a place to enjoy the colonial patio ambience over breakfast or a light meal. It's hard to beat the selection…

  • La Vienesa

    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…

  • Los Asados

    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…

  • Moonfish

    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…

  • Arbol de la Vida

    Guatemala City

    Zona 10's best vegetarian restaurant opens up for early breakfasts and offers a wide menu with tasty soups and mains featuring veg-friendly goodies such…

  • Cafe Paris

    Caribbean Coast

    This cafe/hotel offers very tasty coffee and espresso drinks, plus passable croissants. While its crepes might not quite pass muster at a bistro on the…

  • Quesos y Vino

    Antigua

    This Italian-owned establishment is comprised of three rustic buildings, with a lovely outdoor patio and adjoining deli. Like the restaurant's name, the…

  • La Cuevita de Los Urquizú

    Antigua

    Sumptuous típico food is the draw here, all kept warm in great earthenware stew pots out front. Help yourself to pepián (chicken and vegetables in a…

  • Tacorazon

    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…

  • Casa d'Acuña

    Cobán

    This restaurant, complete with orchids and a koi pond, offers authentic Italian and other European-style dishes served in an attractive oasis of…

  • Café Maya

    El Petén

    About the best bet for grub in town is this casual, open-air hall, a popular gathering place both morning and evening. Aside from the usual eggs and beans…

  • Como Como

    Antigua

    Guatemalan ingredients fuse with Euro recipes at this Belgian bistro, popular with the expat crowd. Flemish specialties include waterzooi, a creamy fish…

  • Kardamomuss

    Cobán

    The widest menu in town is at this chic place, which is in a location so new even the geckos haven't found it yet. Billing itself as 'fusion' food, it…

  • Angie Angie

    Antigua

    This South American eatery, with a hint of art gallery about it, is always worth stopping at, if only to lounge around the tropically abundant back garden…

  • Travel Menu

    Antigua

    This cosy restaurant-bar is indeed aimed at travelers, serving up hearty comfort food (think lasagne, Irish stew and shepherd's pie) in a relaxed, roomy…

  • Rosy's

    Central & Eastern Guatemala

    Offers refreshingly tasty coffee and nice comida tipica (regional food). Service is friendly and some staff speak excellent English. Its decor is simple,…

  • La Casa de Don David

    El Petén

    This splendid open-air dining hall serves a good breakfast, including banana pancakes (Q30), fruit and granola, and has a collection of National…

  • Saberico

    Antigua

    This little deli whips up tasty salads and sandwiches, using ingredients from its herb garden. It also offers fresh-baked breads and brownies, fine wines…

  • Bagel Barn

    Antigua

    This small cafe has more types of freshly baked bagels than you can shake a stick at, filled with everything from classic salmon and cream cheese to spicy…

  • San Martín & Company

    Guatemala City

    Cool and clean, with ceiling fans inside and a small terrace outside, this Zona Viva cafe and bakery is great at any time of the day. For breakfast try a…

  • Comedor Eben Ezer

    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…

  • La Majo

    Guatemala City

    Downtown Guatemala City's cultural renaissance continues in this pleasing little boho cafe set in a crumbling colonial house. There's some OK food on…

  • Restaurante Altuna

    Guatemala City

    This large and classy restaurant has the atmosphere of a private club. It has tables in several rooms that open to a skylit patio. The specialties are…

  • Smokin Joe's

    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…

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