If you’re visiting Antigua Guatemala and are looking for good restaurants to try both local and international food, look no further. I tried all these places and had amazing meals at each one of them.
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In total, I spent around ten days in Antigua in October 2022 and, since I didn’t have a place with a kitchen, I mostly ate out. I tried many places, from the Guatemalan fast food chain Pollo Campero to entirely vegan restaurants.
I have been slowly transitioning to mostly plant-based eating habits, although I’m open to trying local dishes. In this guide, you’ll mostly find vegetarian and vegan options. However, Guatemalan cuisine isn’t exactly plant-based, so I tried some local food too. Before you wonder, no, you won’t find Pollo Campero here, although I still have a weakness for fried chicken.
So, without further ado, here are my favorite restaurants in Antigua Guatemala. But first, here’s a map of where you can find them all.
Rincón Antigüeño
If you want to eat with the locals, Rincón Antigüeño is the place to go in Antigua. The restaurant is charming and ethnic, and the smell of delicious food invades the covered patio. At the entrance, you can see women making the tortillas, and in a corner of the patio, the chickens are roasting slowly.
Grab a table and check out the huge menu hanging on the wall. You don’t have many choices, but there’s something for everyone, from chicken and chorizo to vegetarian dishes. The meal options have a fixed price, and each dish comes with tortillas and a drink. When I visited in October 2022, a meal was 35 quetzales, roughly 4.5 USD.
You need to order at the counter in the corner, where they give you a number so the waiters will bring the food to your table. I had a traditional stew with a side of rice, and it was delicious and heartwarming. It’s the kind of food that makes you happy, so enjoy it!
Samsara
Samsara is one of my favorite restaurants in Antigua Guatemala. If you are searching for something other than Guatemalan cuisine, this is a great place. Also, if you’re a vegetarian, this is a must in Antigua.
Samsara serves a mix of Asian and Latin dishes, all vegetarian, from zucchini noodles and vegetarian tacos to vegetable wok and burgers. My first time at Samsara I had the vegetable wok with quinoa croquettes, and it was amazing!
I was lucky to find the same restaurant in Lake Atitlan, Samsara Garden, so I got to try more dishes, including the Lao Tzu and the tempeh & manì bowl. Everything was delicious. I only had lunch and dinner there, but they also serve breakfast. Whether you are a vegetarian or not, you should try it at least once.
La Bruja
Did someone say healthy and fancy-looking bowls? This small restaurant is inside the Centro Comercial La Fuente and only has a few tables but serves delicious vegetarian food. You can make your own burger by choosing the type of bread, burger, toppings, and sauces.
Aside from burgers, you can also try empanadas, sandwiches, and other dishes at La Bruja. I chose the Buddha Bowl with falafel, and it was delicious! Prices are affordable, though on the more expensive side than other places in town. My Buddha Bowl was just over 6 USD, and burgers range from 6.5 to 12 USD, depending on the type.
I also loved the location of this spot. La Fuente is not your usual shopping center. There’s a patio with a fountain and flowers surrounded by shops and restaurants of all kinds. If you’re looking for good vegetarian food, try this out!
El Local
You won’t find traditional Guatemalan food here, but tasty toasts, burgers, and salads. Like other non-Guatemalan restaurants in Antigua, this one too is slightly more expensive, though still affordable compared to getting the same meal in other countries.
El Local is also in La Fuente shopping center, but you’ll have to go to a different area, in a small garden. The location is so peaceful and quaint, it’s a pleasure to sit and enjoy your meal under the shade of a tree.
I had the avocado and egg toast with a side of yuca chips, and everything was delicious. You can tell they use quality ingredients. Also, they have a nice variety of vegetarian and meat options, so there’s really something for every taste.
El Bowl
This was probably the most underrated place I ate at in Antigua. El Bowl was close to my accommodation, so I passed it a few times and always saw it empty, which seemed suspicious. But the reviews were good, and I really liked the menu, so one evening, I decided to give it a try.
I had the Mediterranean bowl with hummus, falafel, and a mix of veggies and it was so tasty! The bowl was 55 quetzales, which is around 7 USD, but it was so filling. Also, you can have free filtered water at any restaurant in Antigua.
I ate here for dinner, but they also serve breakfast. The smoothie bowls looked delicious; I wish I had a chance to try them. Aside from the colorful and tasty bowls, they also serve toast and a few other dishes. Also, you can build your own bowls for 5 quetzales more.
Wachuma
One of the best bowls I had in Antigua was at Wachuma. Okay, by now, you may have guessed that I really like bowls. But Antigua has so many nice restaurants that served these gorgeous bowls, I just couldn’t resist. And if you don’t eat meat, you’re pretty limited when it comes to traditional Guatemalan cuisine, so these places are great options.
Back to my bowl at Wachuma. I created my own bowl here, which is super affordable. I paid less than 5 USD for a tasty and very fulfilling bowl with lots of veggies and a delicious peanut sauce. This was probably the best value for money.
Everything at Wachuma is vegan. Aside from bowls, you can get vegan burgers, toast, tacos, and smoothie bowls. I went near closing time for dinner and was the only customer, but I hope the place gets more customers because it’s so worth it!
Café Boheme
This place is great for coffee, breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They have a lovely rooftop terrace where you can chill and even get some work done while you’re waiting for your food. I mentioned Café Boheme also in my article on the best cafés to work in Antigua Guatemala, if you want to check that out.
I went here twice for late breakfast, but they have a diverse menu with omelets and various types of eggs, salads, sandwiches, quiches, and desserts. Also, they serve various types of coffee and tea as well as refreshing drinks and juices.
The terrace is one of the highlights of this place, but the food is delicious too, and everything is very affordable. To give you an idea, an omelet is around 4.5 USD, and a cappuccino is just over 2 USD. They also have a good variety of vegetarian options.
Quick Tips About Traveling To and Staying in Antigua Guatemala
Antigua is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Guatemala. Most travelers skip Guatemala City to go directly to Antigua from the airport. You can easily do that by shuttle bus. It takes roughly 1.5 hours from La Aurora airport to Antigua.
For accommodation in Antigua, I recommend checking Booking.com. you’ll find many options for every budget, from hostels to fancy hotels.
I stayed in three different places. As soon as I arrived, I spent one week at Casa Landivar Hotel. While the room was basic, the place has a delightful garden and a small terrace with a view of Volcán de Agua. Plus, they serve delicious breakfasts.
In the other places, I only spent one and two nights, respectively. I stayed two nights at Casa ELA, the best place I stayed in Antigua. The room was small but cozy, and the guesthouse has a lovely terrace where you can sit and watch Volcán de Fuego erupt.
I spent my last night at Hospedaje El Viajero Antigua. This place is in a super central location and has private rooms for the price of a stay in a hostel. This is a great option if you’re on a budget but don’t want to stay in a dorm.
Booking.comWhile you’re traveling to Guatemala, you may want to visit Lake Atitlán too. Check out these charming villages you can explore on the lake. Also, you should visit these gorgeous colonial ruins in Antigua. Last but not least important, do yourself a favor and do the Acatenango Overnight Hike!
That’s about it. I hope you enjoy these restaurants in Antigua Guatemala and everything this charming city has to offer.
