- Tamarindos (Zona 10, Guatemala City; tel. 502/2360-2815): The chef at this trendy Zona Viva restaurant is wowing Guatemala City with her eclectic fusion cooking. It's easy to overdo or miscalculate when combining ingredients and techniques from various world cuisines, but Tamarindos hits all the right notes. The menu is very long, and touches many bases, with culinary influences from Asia, Italy, and many places in between. Be sure to ask about daily specials, as this is where the chef really shines.
- Kacao (Zona 10, Guatemala City; tel. 502/2237-4188 or 502/2377-4189): This popular restaurant takes Guatemalan cuisine and polishes it up a bit. The cooking is fairly traditional, with signature dishes from around the country, but the service, ambience, and presentation are far more refined than you'll find at almost any other place specializing in Chapin cuisine. Although they do a brisk lunch business, I prefer to come for dinner, when the thatch roof is illuminated by candles and other strategically placed lighting.
- Ambia (Zona 14, Guatemala City; tel. 502/2322-3232): It's worth the effort to find this slightly out-of-the-way restaurant. The fusion cuisine is heavily influenced by a range of Asian styles, but you can also get hearty steaks and some delicious lamb.
- Meson Panza Verde (Antigua; tel. 502/7832-1745; www.panzaverde.com): Don't come to Antigua without having a meal at Meson Panza Verde. The Swiss chef ventures somewhat from his Continental roots, incorporating local ingredients into many of his dishes. The results are always superb. Tables are spread around various rooms, hallways, and open-air spaces in this elegant boutique hotel, and several nights a week there's live jazz to accompany your meal.
- Welten (Antigua; tel. 502/7832-0630 or 502/7832-6967; www.weltenrestaurant.com): I like to grab a poolside table in the back courtyard of this long-standing Antiguan restaurant. The Continental cuisine isn't as creative or adventurous as many of the restaurants listed in this section, but it is consistently well-prepared. The service is top-notch and the ambience delightful.
- Hotel Atitlan (Panajachel; tel. 502/7762-1441): With a burning fireplace, wood furniture, and ornate table settings and decor, this is easily the most elegant and refined restaurant in or around Panajachel. When the weather is nice, you can grab one of the outdoor tables, which have a good view of the lake and volcanoes. Luckily, the cuisine and service here live up to the ambience and surroundings. The Sunday brunch is quite renowned.
- Royal Paris (Quetzaltenango; tel. 502/7761-1942): While this is certainly the best restaurant in Quetzaltenango, the name is slightly misleading. Sure there are some French dishes on the menu, but there are also curries, vegetarian options, and simple sandwiches on home-baked whole wheat bread. There are also regular movie nights during the week, and live music most weekends.
- La Luna (Flores; tel. 502/7926-3346): If you find yourself in Flores, be sure to find your way to this restaurant. The eclectic decor varies from room to room, but like the food, it's consistently creative and tasteful.
- Casa D'Acu?a (Coban; tel. 502/7951-0482): The beautiful garden courtyard setting is enough to earn it a place on this list, but the excellent chefs do their part as well. The long menu includes pizzas, pastas, and typical Mexican cuisine. Your best bet is to get a nice steak or fresh grilled fish.
- Hacienda San Lucas (south of Copan Ruinas on the road to Los Sapos ruins; tel./fax 504/651-4495): The house specialty is a fire-roasted chicken smothered in a spicy adobo sauce, which the owners claim is based on ancient Maya recipes. I can't imagine the Maya ate this well, but you certainly should. The open-air setting by lamplight is very romantic.
- La Casa Rosada (Livingston; tel. 502/7947-0303): On any given night, the regularly changing menu at this cozy restaurant might feature a Thai-influenced stir-fry or shrimp gumbo. However, I often end up ordering the local tapado, a seafood stew cooked in coconut milk, which is as good as any in the area.
- Taberna El Pelicano (Monterrico; tel. 502/5584-2400): The fresh grilled fish is always dependable at this beach restaurant, but they also have a large menu with some unexpected twists, including excellent pastas thanks to their Italian chef, and a rich goulash thanks to the European owner.
Guatemala Travel Experiences
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Guatemala I: Livingston to Flores
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