Dining and Drinking

Guatemala City is a cultural crossroads, the vibrant vital center of a country with 23 ethnic and linguistic groups. Growing foreign investment, tourism and expanded business activity have recently stirred this mix, creating a city that exudes exuberance and diversity. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the restaurants, where the eclectic choices will satisfy anyone's tastes.

Zone 1

In this historic center of Guatemala City, quality restaurants mingle with some of the most important buildings in the entire country. Altuna offers a taste of the city’s colonial past, serving up Spanish and Basque cuisine. Arrin Cuan specializes in traditional Guatemalan dishes, such as their award winning turtle soup. Mexican food can be found at El Gran Pavo, which has been around for over 40 years. Don’t miss the specialty Caldo Tlalpeño, a soup made of chicken breast, avocado, cilantro and onions. For something a little lighter, not to mention high tech, the Uranus Café Net, serves up your typical café items along side internet access to stay connected during your stay.

Zone 4

In the highly governmental Zone 4, visitors will find a fairly impressive array of dining and drinking opportunities. Spanish cooking is best represented by La Barraca, where not only can you enjoy the food, but the live music and occasional live theater performances as well. For a sweet snack, Pastelería Palace bakes up the best of Swiss pastries and chocolate, as well as light fare like salads. Alta Mar cooks up all kinds of seafood, but especially make sure you try the fish ceviche along with one of their special cocktails. For some after dinner entertainment, several nearby options exist such as El Refugio and Latinos.

Zones 9 & 10

Zone 9 is well-known for its restaurants. Kloster is a fondue restaurant with a Swiss theme that specializes in cheese, meat, shrimp and chocolate dips. It has a very good selection of international wines and serves beer by the yard. If you prefer pasta, head to Tre Fratelli, or La Piazza. Hacienda de los Sánchez, El Rodeo Steak House and Kacao are good Guatemalan restaurants, serving some of the exciting traditional dishes of this country. A satisfying dinner might get you in the mood for drinking and dancing. Most of the larger hotels have night-clubs, but there are many other choices. Discotheques such as Cashbah, La Iguana Azul and others all have a lively atmosphere, featuring the intoxicating rhythms of salsa, merengue, rock, reggae, as well as romantic music for when the night gets mellow.. Zone 10 is well known as the Zona Viva as the parties here last all night. To fill up before a wild night, try some ever-popular Mexican cooking at Rancho Grande or less well-known, although no less delicious Salvadorian cuisine at Pupusería Típico. To start the party, one good place where you can go to have a drink is Señor Tortuga Fun, Food and Music, a bar-restaurant with a good selection of drinks and cocktails as well as live music.

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