I have lived in Guatemala for many years and have taken the time to explore it. Most of my readers know this, so I get tons of emails every day asking for all sorts of tips and recommendations. One of the most common questions is, where do I go for a good meal?
So I created this list of six restaurants in four of the main destinations of Guatemala that I have visited with my family and liked.
6 Restaurants in Guatemala
Restaurant in Guatemala City
1. La Fattoria – Guatemala City
A long time ago a close friend was what you can call old-school Italian. Her mom’s food was simply the best I had ever tried. But then I started traveling and ended up living in Guatemala. Since then, I haven’t met any “real” Italians. Until I heard about La Fattoria and felt like I had to go for a visit.
The first thing that I loved about it is that kids under 12 years old eat free.
The owners are Italians and prepare everything they use in their dishes and even import most of the ingredients. I absolutely loved their pizzas and pastas. Their desserts are also unlike anything else I have tried in Guatemala.
La Fattoria is definitely a place you must visit if you enjoy pizzas, pasta, and everything Italian.
2. Pizza Grizzly – Guatemala City
If, on the other hand, you are looking for something like a themed restaurant where your kids can run around, have tons of fun, and enjoy tasty pizza definitely check out Pizza Grizzly. I first heard of it from my husband, his parents used to take him there as a kid. After some research I found out that it was still in business and decided to take my boys there for lunch.
This is much more than another pizza joint. The first thing we saw when we arrived was a cowboy that escorted us right to jail (our table). The whole place is designed in the Wild West style. Old styled saloons outline the walls with tables. To top it all they have a playground.
It is a great place for a family afternoon.
Restaurants in Panajachel
3. Restaurante Hana – Panajachel, Atitlan
This one might sound a little unusual but if you suddenly feel like having some sushi while visiting this lake Restaurante Hana is the place to go. One of the owners is a native Japanese woman, so you will actually be getting authentic Japanese food instead of just some rolled up rice by someone who doesn’t know the traditional ways of preparing it.
The food is great, and the restaurant is located in a building with a large garden where kids are allowed to have fun.
They even have movie night on Wednesday where Japanese movies are shown with subtitles.
Restaurants in Antigua
4. Sobremesa Restaurant – Antigua
Sobremesa is one of the most unique restaurants that I have visited in Antigua Guatemala. The owner’s name is Alex, he is an artist who paints, writes and creates amazing food combinations. The dishes here are the result of a delicate mixture of exotic flavors.
Aside from its delicious food, the restaurant is well known for having weird and simply amazing ice creams made of the most unexpected ingredients. Plus, the restaurant is also one of the most well-known art galleries in town. All of the paintings are available for sale and some of them even have stories on the back.
As if that wasn’t enough, he is the author of ten novels.
Visiting this place is definitely a must, and if you’re looking for high-end french cuisine, head to Hector’s Bistro.
5. La Escalonia Café – Antigua
I would dare to say that there are at least a hundred cafes all over Antigua. But what makes La Escalonia one stand out from the rest is that in it you get to have your coffee and chat in the middle of a garden. It is also a relaxed environment where you can shop for ornamental and medicinal plants as well as gardening supplies.
They serve the regular: sandwiches, desserts, coffee, smoothies, chocolate, nothing out of the ordinary. But the real reason to come here is to experience the relaxed ambiance that it offers.
Restaurants in Flores, Peten
6. La Danta Restaurant – Flores, Peten
The menu at La Danta is extremely varied with good options for most people. It includes a fusion of different local resources and contemporary dishes. All of the ones we tried were delicious. They also make emphasis on using all natural ingredients and specialize in smoothies.
One of the main ingredients that they used is called Chaya or Maya Spinach which is delicious in their smoothies.
It isn’t the easiest to find because lately the levels of the lake are quite high, and you have to go through a small alley to get there, but it is worth it.
