Insider Antigua
Food scene
Antigua’s international appeal has made it a hotbed for food, drink, and everything in between. With a deliciously diverse choice of traditional and contemporary Guatemalan food, as well as cuisine from around the world, Antigua’s offerings can sometimes seem a little overwhelming. We’ve tried our hardest to narrow it down to our favourite places. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Deliciously modest home-style Argentinian empanadas, asados and salads. Also boasting one of Antigua's best beer selections (along with a food pairing guide!). $
Chermol
Deliciously modest home-style Argentinian empanadas, asados and salads. Also boasting one of Antigua's best beer selections (along with a food pairing guide!). $
High-end French fare in a grand candlelit space. The mussels and steak frites are excellent, as well as the impressive wine menu. Ideal location for an intimate birthday dinner or anniversary. $$$
36 locals recommend
Bistrot Cinq
7 5a Calle PonienteHigh-end French fare in a grand candlelit space. The mussels and steak frites are excellent, as well as the impressive wine menu. Ideal location for an intimate birthday dinner or anniversary. $$$
Roots is almost unbeatable for lunch. For such a small kitchen they offer an impressive range of consistently fresh and delicious dishes with a Mediterranean twist. One of our favourites! $$
Roots Juice Bar and cafe
4a Calle OrienteRoots is almost unbeatable for lunch. For such a small kitchen they offer an impressive range of consistently fresh and delicious dishes with a Mediterranean twist. One of our favourites! $$
Located just outside Antigua is the Caoba Organic Farm. Thursday evenings see later opening hours and deals on their delicious pizzas, and well worth a visit for weekend brunch. There's also a kid’s play area and the chance to catch a glimpse of the farm. $$
71 locals recommend
Caoba Farms
Final 5 Avenida SurLocated just outside Antigua is the Caoba Organic Farm. Thursday evenings see later opening hours and deals on their delicious pizzas, and well worth a visit for weekend brunch. There's also a kid’s play area and the chance to catch a glimpse of the farm. $$
In an ideal world Chris would live in Epicure full-time. A non-profit business (all proceeds go to the people of Tecpan) offering European classics, unbeatable homemade bread, and reasonable prices for some excellent wines. There's also a deli at the front (their sandwiches are great for a quick inexpensive lunch). $$
36 locals recommend
Epicure
11 5a Calle OrienteIn an ideal world Chris would live in Epicure full-time. A non-profit business (all proceeds go to the people of Tecpan) offering European classics, unbeatable homemade bread, and reasonable prices for some excellent wines. There's also a deli at the front (their sandwiches are great for a quick inexpensive lunch). $$
One of Antigua's latest additions. Fermento combines well thought-out Guatemalan fusion dishes with exceptional cocktails in a gorgeous outdoor space. Brilliant value for money. $$
22 locals recommend
Fermento
9 1a Avenida SurOne of Antigua's latest additions. Fermento combines well thought-out Guatemalan fusion dishes with exceptional cocktails in a gorgeous outdoor space. Brilliant value for money. $$
Frida's Mexican has been a heavyweight in Antigua for many years. Amazing food (try the baja-style fish tacos), music and an important LGBT venue. Cannot recommend enough! $$
40 locals recommend
Fridas
Frida's Mexican has been a heavyweight in Antigua for many years. Amazing food (try the baja-style fish tacos), music and an important LGBT venue. Cannot recommend enough! $$
Exceptional Japanese fusion food. Dishes are small but packed with flavour. We usually order a few dishes in the style of tapas. $$$
6 locals recommend
Izakaya
19A 6a Avenida NorteExceptional Japanese fusion food. Dishes are small but packed with flavour. We usually order a few dishes in the style of tapas. $$$
Owned by the renowned brains behind Saul: L'Osteria is great any time of day. A stylish open space serving contemporary Guatemalan cuisine, as well as a whole host of other dishes. $$
L'Osteria Antigua
12 C. del Hermano PedroOwned by the renowned brains behind Saul: L'Osteria is great any time of day. A stylish open space serving contemporary Guatemalan cuisine, as well as a whole host of other dishes. $$
(Sunday evenings) Sundays are the best days to grab yourself some Guatemalan comfort food. Families gather before and after church to eat shukos (Guatemalan hotdogs), tostadas, tamales, and a whole host of other treats. Messy, cheap and delicious. $
87 locals recommend
Iglesia de La Merced
(Sunday evenings) Sundays are the best days to grab yourself some Guatemalan comfort food. Families gather before and after church to eat shukos (Guatemalan hotdogs), tostadas, tamales, and a whole host of other treats. Messy, cheap and delicious. $
Really great lunch spot just a little out of the centre. Ethos is to deliver French comfort food for a very manageable price. $$
Le Comedor
2a Avenida SurReally great lunch spot just a little out of the centre. Ethos is to deliver French comfort food for a very manageable price. $$
Another of Antigua's longstanding institutions: Ni-Fu Ni-Fa boasts exceptional Argentinian BBQ dishes and steaks. $$$
9 locals recommend
Ni Fu Ni Fa
Another of Antigua's longstanding institutions: Ni-Fu Ni-Fa boasts exceptional Argentinian BBQ dishes and steaks. $$$
Famed for its lunchtime rotisserie chicken and potato salad. Usually a little busy but always delicious. Also worth checking out their cheap and traditional breakfasts. $
24 locals recommend
Rincón Típico
3a Avenida SurFamed for its lunchtime rotisserie chicken and potato salad. Usually a little busy but always delicious. Also worth checking out their cheap and traditional breakfasts. $
A quiet outdoor space set back from the street. Offering a wide choice of Guatemalan dishes (the pepian and tamales are delicious) as well as deli and bakery goods. The store at the front is also ideal for picnic foods. $$
29 locals recommend
Saberico Delicatessen
A quiet outdoor space set back from the street. Offering a wide choice of Guatemalan dishes (the pepian and tamales are delicious) as well as deli and bakery goods. The store at the front is also ideal for picnic foods. $$
A new contender on the high-end scene, Santo Spirito is a must for fans of superb Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Also occasionally doubles-up as an art space. $$$
7 locals recommend
Santo Spirito
8 5a Calle OrienteA new contender on the high-end scene, Santo Spirito is a must for fans of superb Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Also occasionally doubles-up as an art space. $$$
Innovative Guatemalan restaurant chain. Famous for its tostadas and fusion dishes, as well as the innovative design and authentic textiles used for the interiors. Well worth a visit at some point. $$
Café Saúl
Innovative Guatemalan restaurant chain. Famous for its tostadas and fusion dishes, as well as the innovative design and authentic textiles used for the interiors. Well worth a visit at some point. $$
An Antigua institution: Toku Baru's menu offers dishes from across the globe. HUGE portions for very little money. $
18 locals recommend
Toko Baru
1a Avenida SurAn Antigua institution: Toku Baru's menu offers dishes from across the globe. HUGE portions for very little money. $
Bars, pubs, clubs
Company Local and foreign enthusiasts came together to set up this microbrewery in the heart of Antigua. Well-known for its small-batch beers, live music and rooftop view. Also home to U'Lew (see below). $$
28 locals recommend
Antigua Brewing Company
15 7a Calle PonienteCompany Local and foreign enthusiasts came together to set up this microbrewery in the heart of Antigua. Well-known for its small-batch beers, live music and rooftop view. Also home to U'Lew (see below). $$
Another of Antigua's craft brewers. Antigua Cerveza has a cosy taproom here in town where you can enjoy their delicious beers. They also offer tours of their brewery on the outskirts of Antigua. $$
29 locals recommend
Antigua Cerveza :: El Bosque
Another of Antigua's craft brewers. Antigua Cerveza has a cosy taproom here in town where you can enjoy their delicious beers. They also offer tours of their brewery on the outskirts of Antigua. $$
Antigua's coveted dive bar. Loved and loathed equally for its dim bluesy interior and own brand of (once illegally smuggled) Oaxacan mezcal. Expect tall tales, frosty service and warm mezcal. $$
62 locals recommend
Cafe No Se
1a Avenida SurAntigua's coveted dive bar. Loved and loathed equally for its dim bluesy interior and own brand of (once illegally smuggled) Oaxacan mezcal. Expect tall tales, frosty service and warm mezcal. $$
Low-key rooftop bar with unbeatable sunset views. Located amongst some of Antigua's best bars and restaurants. Our go-to on a Sunday evening. $$
41 locals recommend
Café Sky
15 1a Avenida SurLow-key rooftop bar with unbeatable sunset views. Located amongst some of Antigua's best bars and restaurants. Our go-to on a Sunday evening. $$
Cerveceria 14 The latest addition to Antigua's growing craft brew scene and hands down the best beers. A short Uber ride out of town: their brilliantly green and open space is an ideal spot for a lazy Sunday of food and drink. $$
59 locals recommend
Cervecería 14
Cerveceria 14 The latest addition to Antigua's growing craft brew scene and hands down the best beers. A short Uber ride out of town: their brilliantly green and open space is an ideal spot for a lazy Sunday of food and drink. $$
More like a labyrinth of themed bars, El Barrio is a Saturday night favourite amongst Antigua's locals. $
25 locals recommend
El Barrio
3 4 Avenida SurMore like a labyrinth of themed bars, El Barrio is a Saturday night favourite amongst Antigua's locals. $
Southbound on the Antigua Line. Great for anyone missing pie and mash, the swinging sixties, and mysterious cockneys. Decent pub quiz on Tuesdays. $$
14 locals recommend
The Londoner Pub
6 6a Avenida NorteSouthbound on the Antigua Line. Great for anyone missing pie and mash, the swinging sixties, and mysterious cockneys. Decent pub quiz on Tuesdays. $$
Hip speakeasy tucked behind a red telephone box in the entrance to Antigua Brewing Co. Definitely recommended for their made-to-order cocktails. $$$
18 locals recommend
Ulew Cocktail Bar
3 PonienteHip speakeasy tucked behind a red telephone box in the entrance to Antigua Brewing Co. Definitely recommended for their made-to-order cocktails. $$$
The place to be seen for Antigua/Guatemala City's budding glitterati. If, like us, hedonism is now a distant memory: pass by earlier in the day for their signature cocktails and pizzas. $$
45 locals recommend
Las Vibras de la Casbah
5a Avenida NorteThe place to be seen for Antigua/Guatemala City's budding glitterati. If, like us, hedonism is now a distant memory: pass by earlier in the day for their signature cocktails and pizzas. $$
Unassuming wine bar tucked beneath the Santa Catalina arch. Great wine selection, tapas and cigars. $$$
9 locals recommend
Tabacos y Vinos
28B 5a Avenida NorteUnassuming wine bar tucked beneath the Santa Catalina arch. Great wine selection, tapas and cigars. $$$
Veteran sports bar and pub here in Antigua. Great for all the things you would expect. Well-loved for the Ladies' Night on Tuesday. $
56 locals recommend
Monoloco Antigua
No.6 Interior, CentroaméricaVeteran sports bar and pub here in Antigua. Great for all the things you would expect. Well-loved for the Ladies' Night on Tuesday. $
Set back from a quiet street, loyal punters and visitors sink snuggly into this aptly-named Irish bar. $$
The Snug
14a 5a Calle PonienteSet back from a quiet street, loyal punters and visitors sink snuggly into this aptly-named Irish bar. $$
Arguably Antigua's best Dutch-owned Irish pub. Great for sports, drink deals and games of pool. Suddenly turns into a nightclub at the stroke of seven. $$
31 locals recommend
Reilly's Irish Tavern
7 6a Calle PonienteArguably Antigua's best Dutch-owned Irish pub. Great for sports, drink deals and games of pool. Suddenly turns into a nightclub at the stroke of seven. $$