Dining Information

The choice of food in Antigua is even more cosmopolitan than the population. You can munch your way around the world in a number of reasonably authentic restaurants for a few dollars a time, or dine in real style for around US$10 a head. The only thing that seems hard to come by is authentic Guatemalan comedor food - which will be quite a relief if you've been subsisting on eggs and beans in the mountains.

Condesa, west side of Parque Central - go through the Casa del Conde bookshop. Extremely civilized, though pricey, place to enjoy an excellent breakfast, coffee and cake or full lunch. The gurgling fountain and period charm create a nice tone for the long, lazy Sunday brunches favoured by Antiguan society. Alternatively, grab a latte from the adjoining take-away window.

Destino, 1 Av Sur 8. Diminutive café pit-stop, popular with language students, that's ideal for a caffeine hit or a slab of home-made cake, though the convivial American owner will rustle up a bacon sandwich for those in need.

Fernando's Kaffee, 7 C Pte 11. Simple premises but unquestionably the finest coffee in town - ground, roasted and served by a perfectionist - plus delicious home-made pastries.

Jugocentre Peroleto, Alameda Santa Lucía Nte 36. Excellent budget hole-in-the-wall cabin with cheap, healthy breakfasts, fruit juices and yummy cakes.


La Fuente, 4 C Ote 14. Vegetarian restaurant/café where you can eat stuffed aubergine and falafel or sip good coffee in one of the most attractive restored courtyards in town. On Saturdays village women set up a huipil market around the fountain.

Pasteleria Okrassa, 6 Av Nte 29. Great for croissants, cinnamon rolls and healthy drinks - try the raspberry juice.

Rainbow Reading Room, 7 Av Sur 8. Relaxed bohemian atmosphere in this favourite travellers' hangout. Great vegetarian menu of imaginative salads and pasta dishes, epic smoothies and decent cappuccinos, plus friendly, prompt service. Also home to one of Antigua's best travel agents, a good secondhand bookshop, and regular musical jams.

Sol, 1 C Pte 9. Simple courtyard café serving home-baked bread, healthy snacks and tasty sandwiches and cakes, plus Internet, fax and phone facilities.

Beijing, 6 Av Sur and 5 C Pte. Antigua's best Chinese and East Asian food, with good noodle dishes, soups and Vietnamese spring rolls prepared with a few imaginative twists. Fairly expensive.

Café Panchoy, 6 Av Norte 1B. Good-value cooking with a real Guatemalan flavour, served around an open kitchen. Dishes include top steaks and some traditional favourites like chiles rellenos . Excellent margaritas too. Closed Tues.

Café-Pizzeria Asjemenou, 5 C Pte 4. A favourite for its legendary breakfasts, and also very strong on pizza and calzone, though the service can be erratic.

Casa de las Mixtas, 1 Callejón, off 3 C Poniente. A basic comedor, but nicely set up with attractive decor and cooking that's executed with more flair than most. Open early until 7.30pm.

Comedor Típico Antigüeño, Alameda Santa Lucía Sur 5. Excellent canteen-like comedor opposite the bus terminal and market, with bargain set lunches and meals, all including a soup starter.

Doña Luisa's, 4 C Ote 12. One of the most popular places in town. The setting is relaxed but the menu could do with a revamp - the basic line-up of chilli con carne, baked potatoes, salads and hamburgers is a little uninspired. An adjoining shop sells bread and pastries baked on the premises.

El Sereno, 4 Av Nte 16. Superb colonial setting with beautiful dining rooms and a lovely roof terrace with some of the finest views in Antigua. The extensive and expensive menu features many seasonal specialities, plus a decent wine list.

Frida's, 5 Av Nte 29. Lively atmosphere and the best Mexican food in town, including tasty enchiladas and fajitas, served up amidst 1950s Americana.

La Casserole, Callejón de la Concepción 7. This elegant, expensive restaurant, in a pretty patio location, serves the finest French cooking in Antigua. Leave some room for the epic desserts. Closed Mon.

La Escudilla, 4 Av Nte 4. Tremendous courtyard restaurant, in the same premises as Riki's Bar , which is usually extremely busy thanks to its excellent-value, good-quality food. Dishes include good pasta, delicious salads and plenty of tasty vegetarian choices, while the US$3 all-day, all-night set meal is exceptional value. You may have a wait, though, when it's busy.

La Fonda de la Calle Real, one branch upstairs at 5 Av Nte 5, another over the road at 5 Av Nte 12, and a third (the nicest location) at 3 C Pte 7. Probably the most famous restaurant in Antigua, and patronized by Bill Clinton during his 2000 visit. Try the excellent Guatemalan specialities including pepián (spicy meat stew) and caldo real (chicken soup) or the sizzling grilled meats. Prices are moderate to expensive. Closed Wed.

Panza Verde, 5 Av Sur 19. One of Antigua's most exclusive restaurants, featuring exemplary European cuisine, professional service and a nice setting, with well-spaced tables grouped around a courtyard garden. Try the trout or sea bass meunière.

Quesos y Vinos, 5 Av Norte 32. Very stylish Italian-owned restaurant with a reliable reputation for good home-made pasta and pizza, and wines from Europe and South America. Moderate.

San Jerónimo, Alameda Santa Lucía Nte and 1 C Pte. This pleasant, simple patio-based comedor is a good bet for an early breakfast (it opens at 7am) and also does tasty and very inexpensive lunches and snacks.

Weiner, Alameda Santa Lucía Sur 8. Especially good for well-priced, filling breakfasts, as well as lunchtime specials (US$2.50), good coffee and herbal teas, and a fair selection of bottled beers.