Budget
The Bagel Barn
5a calle poniente #2, centrally located 10 m off central park, travelers come here to get their fix of bagels, excellent coffee and wifi internet for those traveling with their own laptops. bagel sandwiches include different breakfast and lunch selections using quality ingredients such as fresh mozzarella cheese, real cheddar, etc. its a home away from home, a very cozy environment, movies showing in the afternoon and evenings.
Pan Colonial
Traditional Guatemalian bakery, good selection of breakfast breads, one of the best and least costly in Antigua.
Helados Sarita
"despues 1948", 5a ave nte, just up from the northwest corner of parque central on the east side. this seems sort of like the baskin-robbins of guatemala. several dozen flavours of ice cream in three different choices of cones, sundaes and other more elaborate concoctions.
Helados Marco Polo
5a ave nte, just up from the northwest corner of parque central on the west side, opposite helados sarita. offers ice cream dishes in a more polished atmosphere.
Midrange
El PelÃcano Dorado
At the south end of calzada santa lucia, where it leaves for ciudad vieja, nos. 7&7a. tel: +502 7832-7242. authentic food from livingston: fresh fish and seafood, tapado, caldo de mariscos, ceviches, rice and beans, giffity, etc. also traditional garãfuna punta music played live on the weekends.
Cafe Mediterraneo
Pasta, pasta, pasta, delicious.
Sangre
5 av norte #33, fancy place, great food, fine atmosphere. moderate prices. large selection of wine per glass.
Mono Loco
Located just off parque central on 5a ave. sur, is a funky tourist friendly joint with cheap international calling and a few computers for internet use. the food is very "gringo-esque" but tasty nonetheless. there's a large bar on the ground level, as well as a covered open air second floor eating area. good place to meet and greet or enjoy a burger.
Y tu Piña, también
6a calle oriente and primera avenida sur. breakfast and lunch. licuados. benito's flavored rums. luisa's famous hangover soups. proper espressos. manu chao daily. gratis wi-fi. detox at y tu piã±a. retox across the street at cafã© no sã©.
El Mix
Music, patio, vegetarian dishes, happy hour, Israeli food.
Rainbow Restaurant and Bookshop
(http://www.rainbowcafeant...) 7a. ave sur #6 at 6a calle, one block south and two full blocks west of the southwest corner of parque central. tel +502 7832-1919. offers tourist-friendly and wholesome breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. an early-bird breakfast special of tomatoes, beans, eggs, rice, and tea or coffee is easy on the wallet. sandwiches and dinner entrees are inexpensive too, and salads and big desserts are also on offer. use purified water for all drinks, ice and preparation. they have a rich schedule of live music, poetry readings, and interesting lectures about guatemala.
Cinema Café Bistro
5a ave sur #14, two blocks south of the southwest corner of parque central on the west side. offers food and a full schedule of movies from mid-afternoon to late evening. stop by for the current week's schedule.
Dabbawala Tandoori
(http://www.dabbawalatando...), phone +502 7832-9976. a new curry delivery service in antigua. samosas, onion bhajis, chicken madras, vindaloo, naan -- the works. one of the english owners, felix or mick, will bring your order round on a motorbike. most small hotels are happy for you to have food delivered if you ask. remember to ask the guys for plastic plates and forks if you need them!
Top end
La Fonda de la Calle Real
(http://www.lafondacallere...) three locations: 3a calle pte 7, 5a ave nte 5, 5a ave nte 5 the last two just north of the northwest corner of the parque central, tel +502 7832-0507. generous helpings of guatemalan specialties, with reasonable prices and a touch of corporate efficiency in their operations. the "de todo un poco" "a bit of everything" platter combines steak, chicken, and sausage for q91. the vegetarian "pepian vegetariano" offers green beans and other vegetables in a unusual smoky-flavored sauce. the green salad is fresh and overflows the large plate. the 5a ave nte 5 location features a rustic three-story wood-frame building just off the parque central with pleasant second-story open balconies. uses purified water for all drinks, ice, and preparation.
Estudio35
5a avenida norte. nice place, fine atmosphere, excellent pizza and tasty crepes and large variety of drinks and cocktails, free wi-fi.
Bistrot Cinq
A French bistro featuring great food, very authentic cuisine found no where else in Antigua. American USA not Guatemalan owned and operated. Features an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs work, and a great bar. Offers many specials and unique local foods hard to find elsewhere.
Nokiate
Antigua's only real sushi bar where you can watch the sushi chef prepare the fresh rolls, sashimi and sushi, also has a great selection of Latin-Japanese cooking. The ambiance is very warm and inviting. Great bar scene also.
La Peña de Sol Latino
Is a bar and restaurant featuring live music by guatemalan and central american bands featuring paco. the music, the "feel", and the food make this a really special place. make sure to try their brownies; they are absolutely amazing. their grouper macadamia dish is also highly recommended, and their other desserts are fantastic. they use only purified water and disinfect all produce, so go ahead and enjoy one of their creative salads. open for lunch and dinner and located at 5 calle poniente just along from el sitio and opposite la bodegona supermarket.
Sabor Cubano
4a calle oriente 3a, a half-block east of the north side of the parque central. this restaurant has a slightly up-market feel. it has live cuban music on thursday through saturday evenings and sunday afternoons.
Travel Menu
6a calle pte #14, one block south and partial block west of the southwest corner of parque central, on the north side of the street. promises "small place, big portions", and delivers. it seats perhaps 20 people at about eight tables, in small, dim room painted to look like a underground european keller, lit only by candles on stands overflowing with waterfalls of wax drippings. they offer dinner entrees for low prices, with vegetarian options for everything. the portions are indeed generous. beer and wine are also available, but not desserts. topping it all off is the friendly proprietor, jesper nilsen of denmark. attracts a traveller crowd.
Kloster
3a calle oriente no. 28. right next to casa santo domingo, good fondue, the beef is tasty, the shrimp, shrimpy. bread is local, savory, and fresh. ok wine selection, though i was there later in the day and just had some gallo beer. the desert fondue is a good touch, the chocolate is great quality. service was excellent including descriptions of the meals in spanish. the seating in the back is visible only if the garage door is open so get a table back there for a pleasant night.
Restaurante Doña Luisa Xicotencatl
4a calle ote 12, has the feel of a well-run corporate restaurant set in a gorgeous leafy courtyard of a historic building. menu includes well-executed breakfast, hamburgers, and guatemalan interpretations of tex-mex food. they use purified water on their vegetables and for drinking and ice, which means their menu is in-bounds for tender first world stomachs. there is a bakery in the building, which means that when you get close you can follow the delicious smells the rest of the way in. highly recommended, especially for the cookies and daily selection of delightful breakfast breads.
Antigua has cafes and restaurants for all tastes and budgets. The town is the most touristy place in Guatemala so you will find anything you are looking for including internationally-recognized fast food shops. Be careful with where you eat. Facilities lacking in bathroom or bathroom cleanliness suggest a higher probability of food poisoning. Avoid cold salad, fresh vegetables, and undercooked meat. Street ice cream carts are common through the city and popular with the locals, but of are unknown safety for sensitive stomachs.