Restaurants and Bars

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.

The mainstay of international cookery, anywhere in the world, is Chinese food. In Guatemala City, this is best served at Don Lee (Calle 24 in Zone 9) and Lai Lai, (corner of Avenida 7 and Calle 12 in Zone 9). Italian food can be found at Piazza (La) while Spanish cooking is best represented by Barraca (La), in Zone 4 and /Altuna, on Avenida 5 in Zone 1. For the subtle flavors of French cuisine, try L'Entrecôte de París, on Avenida Reforma or Jean Franceau, on Real de la Villa Street and for meatier Argentinean fare, Fulanos y Menganos, or La Media Cancha, in Zone 9. German food is served at Los Tilos and ever-popular Mexican cooking at Rancho Grande. Less well-known, although no less delicious, includes Salvadorian cuisine, which can be sampled at Pupusería Típico or the Cafe Restaurante Salvadoreño, on Avenida Reforma in Zone 9. There are also two good Uruguayan restaurants in town: the Punta del Este, on Avenida 6 in Zone 9 or A Fuego Lento, on Calle 6 in Zone 10. Finally, of course, you must try the home-grown tastes of Guatemala itself. Two of the best restaurants for this are La Posada del Mondongo, and Comidas Guayacán.

Zone 10 is well known as the Zona Viva as the parties here last all night. To start the party, here are some good places where you can go to have a drink. Señor Tortuga Fun, Food and Music is a bar-restaurant with a good selection of drinks and cocktails as well as live music. Further down the street is Gaudemus (15 Calle y 2 Avenida, Zona 10) and El Closet (15 Calle 2-23, Zona 10). Both places offer a fun atmosphere. If you like playing while you drink, walk three more blocks until you get to Calle 12 1-92, zona 10, where you will find the Billiard & Bar Monte Carlo.

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, Tutu Bene, Restaurant Al Carboni, Restaurante El Italiano or <Piazza (La). Good choices for French cuisine are Maison de France La Lancha or the Restaurante Jean Francois. For the hearty steaks of Argentina, you can try the La Calle Ocho or Facundo, which offers excellent grills, live music, and a well-stocked bar. Hacienda de los Sánchez, Los Panchos, El Rodeo Steak House, La Escudilla del Tecolote 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, Romanos Bar, Salambo, Savoy, Croom and others all have a lively atmosphere, featuring the intoxicating rythms of salsa, merengue, rock, reggae, as well as romantic music for when the night gets mellow.