How to Plan a Trip
Best Restaurants in Antigua Guatemala
December 19, 2021
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If you’re planning a trip to Antigua, Guatemala, one of my favorite countries in Central America, you’re probably wondering where to find the best meals. Dining tends to be slightly more expensive in Antigua than in other parts of Guatemala, but you can still find tons of great options for any budget. Plus, some of the restaurants on this list offer some of the best views of the city below. This guide will cover the best restaurants in Antigua Guatemala to add to your travel itinerary.
Best Restaurants in Antigua Guatemala
Cactus Taco Shop
If you’re looking for great tacos in Antigua Guatemala, Cactus Taco Shop is your spot. This tiny restaurants serves up some of the best tacos in town. Prices are reasonable, but service is on the slower side, so plan your meal accordingly. My favorites were the grilled fish tacos, but the have good options for vegetarians as well.
Portions are small and simple, but filling. Definitely add this to your list for a delicious, casual lunch.
Address: 6a Calle Poniente, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Hours: Daily 11AM-10PM
Las Casa de la Mixtas
Las Casa de la Mixtas is a local spot in Antigua, where you can expect authentic Guatemalan food at local prices. The menu typically offers a number of meal plates that includes a meat, a number of sides, and a fresh juice for about 30Q (under $4 USD). Pictured below is the vegetarian plate which had a small salas, plantains, guacamole, refried beans, potatoes, macaroni salad, and a juice for only $2.50 USD.
And the best part, the rooftop terrace has great views over the city. It closes on the earlier side, I recommend visiting for lunch as a break from exploring the city.
Address: 3a Calle Poniente 31, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30AM-6PM
Caoba Farms Restaurant
Our lunch at Caoba Farms Restaurant was hands down one of our favorites. Located on the outskirts of town, you can reach the farm within 20 minutes by foot from the Parque Central, or grab an Uber for about 20Q.
There is a full farm on the property, that you can actually walk around explore. All of the menu items are super fresh, living up to the definition of farm-to-table. I definitely recommend ordering a fresh smoothie as well.
On site you can find a market with tons of local products, as well as a number of events such as weekly yoga sessions.
Address: 5 Avenida Sur Final, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Y Tu Pina Tambien
I’ll admit that I added this spot to the list out of nostalgia. When I first spent a couple of months in Guatemala in early 2012, I used to visit this adorable cafe almost daily for one of their homemade brownies. To this day, I dream about these brownies. Sadly, when we visited again in 2021, they did not have any brownies, although their chocolate chip banana bread was definitely tasty.
This is a great spot for breakfast or lunch, or to spend a few hours working. The space is super cute and the food is great.
Address: 1a Avenida Sur #10B, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Hours: Wednesday-Monday, 8AM-3PM
Antojito Salvadoreño
Although not typical to Guatemala, you’ll find a number of pupuserias due to the proximity to El Salvador. For 10Q a piece, this little spot is a slice of heaven. The pupusas are delicious and the backyard space is super cute. I always go traditional cheese and beans, but they have a large selection, plus other menu items.
Address: #20 local, 2a Avenida Sur, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8AM-9PM, Friday-Sunday 8AM-9:30PM
Por Que No? Cafe
This is by far one of the best restaurants in Antigua Guatemala in my opinion! The space is super super small, so I recommend making a reservation or arriving right when they open. We were lucky enough to snag the last available table right when they opened. Between the writing covering the walls, the large instruments hanging from the ceiling, and the ladder you need to climb to reach your table, it is definitely a vibe.
Do yourself a favor and order the shrimp with curry. Portions aren’t huge but the food is truly delicious. The brownie a la mode is a great choice for dessert as well.
Address: 2a Avenida Sur y 9 Calle Oriente Casa 9 Antigua Guatemala, 03001, Guatemala
Hours: Monday-Saturday 5:30-10PM, Sunday 5-9PM
Samsara
Samsara is a great restaurant choice for my vegetarian and meat-eating friends alike! With a fully vegetarian menu, there is no shortage of options on this diverse menu. From curries with tofu to tempeh with peanut sauce, everything is delicious. And this includes all of their desserts! You’ll find a lot of vegan options on this menu as well.
In addition to their location in Antigua, there is a second location with the same menu in the town of San Marcos la Laguna.
Address: 7a Avenida Sur 03001, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Hours: Wednesday-Monday 7AM-10PM, Tuesday 9AM-10PM
Saberico Delicatessen
If you’re looking for a quick treat or healthy salad to-go, Saberico is one the best restaurants in Antigua. There have an extensive grab-and-go section, including tons of local chocolates. However, there is also a little garden out back where you can order to dine in. Definitely a hidden gem in Antigua.
Address: 7 6a Avenida Sur Antigua, Guatemala 03001, Guatemala
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 10AM-9PM, Thursday-Sunday 8:30AM-9PM
Amanecer Juice Bar and Coffee
Okay you could argue that a juice bar isn’t exactly a restaurant in Antigua Guatemala, but it still deserves a spot on the list. I visited Amanecer Juice Bar quite a few times on my recent trip to Antigua. Is it such a cute, cozy spot, with some of the best juices and shots. I personally love their green juice. The wifi is also nice and strong, making it a great place to catch up on work for my friends working remote.
Address: No.8, 6 Avenida Sur 8, Antigua Guatemala 03001, Guatemala
Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-6PM, Saturday & Sunday 9AM-6:30PM
Why not book a walking food tour with a knowledgeable local?
Luna de Miel
Try to avoid at off-times to avoid the long wait, but make sure to stop by for one of their delicious crepes. Nutella will always be my crepe of choice, but these have tons of both sweet and savory options to choose from. Lunch is a bit less busy than dinner, so that might be the move to avoid a wait!
Address: 6a Avenida Norte 40 Antigua, Guatemala 03001, Guatemala
Hours: Monday-Friday 12-9PM, Saturday & Sunday 11AM-9PM
Cafe Estudio
Another hidden gem in Antigua, the rooftop terrace at Cafe Estudio offers some of the best 360 degree views of Antigua.
Address: 2 Calle Poniente 2 A Antigua Guatemala, 03001, Guatemala
Hours: Daily 7:30AM-8PM
Hector’s Bistro
If you’re looking for an upscale restaurant in Antigua Guatemala for dinner, I would consider making a reservation at Hector’s Bistro. This French-style steakhouse is one of best in Antigua. It is on the pricier end for the town, but definitely a tourist favorite. If you aren’t interested in a full meal, consider stopping by for appetizers and a drink.
Address: 6a Calle Poniente 24 Antigua, Guatemala 03001, Guatemala
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 12:30-9:30PM, Friday & Saturday 12:30-10PM
Raiz Cafe
We stumbled upon Raiz Cafe one morning while looking for the juice bar, and it hit all of our requirements after an early morning walking around the city. From their green juice smoothies to their local coffee and delicious chai lattes, Raiz Cafe has everything you need to kickstart your day.
We found that many of the cafes opened later than noted online, but Raiz was open bright and early for our caffeine needs. Plus, it is super cute and the barista was super accommodating.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 7AM-7PM, Sunday 9AM-4PM
Earth Lodge
My visit to Earth Lodge was one of the highlights of my entire trip to Guatemala. I was meant to be hiking Acatenango with my friends, but unfortunately due to a foot injury, hiking wasn’t in the cards for me. Instead, I booked a night in one of the treehouses at Earth Lodge and spent the night overlooking the incredible volcanoes in the distance.
The food at Earth Lodge is delicious. There is an organic avocado farm on the property, so cleary anything with avocado is a win. Some of my favorite items on the menu are the pesto grilled cheese with avocado and the veggie burger. But definitely don’t pass on the hot chocolate.
It takes about 20 minutes to reach Earth Lodge from the center of Antigua by car. I arrived by Uber and it was super simple. Shouldn’t cost you more than 40Q each way. It is worth a visit just for lunch and some time in the sun, but if you have the opportunity to spend the night, I absolutely recommend it. I could have spent a full week hanging out here! You can find more information on booking a night at Earth Lodge here.
Note: you will need to walk about 15-20 minutes down a dirt path to reach the lodge from the parking lot. I recommend not bringing heavy bags and definitely wear sturdy shoes.
Hours: Daily 8AM-7:30PM
Where to Drink in Antigua Guatemala: Best Bars and Breweries
Antigua Brewing Company
Come for the craft brews, stay for the epic rooftop 360 views of the looming volcanos. Don’t fret if you’re not a beer drinker, you can also grab a craft cider or cocktail here. There is a decently large menu of food as well, but I didn’t get a chance to try any food off the menu myself.
Visit at night for a change to see some eruptions in the distance. A good sneak peak for anyone planning to hike any of the nearby volcanoes.
Address: 3 Poniente, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11AM-11PM, Friday & Saturday 11AM-1AM, Sunday 11AM-10PM
Ulew Cocktail Bar
Without a doubt, a night out at Ulew Cocktail Bar is a must if you enjoy craft cocktails. This speakeasy is located within Antigua Brewing Company. When you enter the brewery, step inside the red telephone booth on the left hand side to find the bar.
Ulew doesn’t have a menu, but instead you tell the bartender the liquors and flavor profiles that you like, and he will create a custom cocktail for you. From smoking our drinks to displaying them on elaborate plates, these cocktails are true masterpieces, plus they are super tasty. Cocktails are typically around 70-80Q a drink.
Address: 3 Poniente, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 4-11PM, Closed Mondays
Visiting Mexico next? Here are some articles to check out:
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- 3 Days in Mexico City Guide
- San Miguel de Allende Travel Itinerary
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