
Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Guatemala City, Guatemala
1. Pupusas at La Puerta del Callao
Delicious corn tortillas filled with cheese and various meats or vegetables. This dish is a popular street food in Guatemala City.
- Authenticity: La Puerta del Callao serves traditional pupusas, making it an authentic experience.
- Convenience: Located in the heart of Zona 10, this restaurant is easily accessible for tourists.
- Variety: Enjoy a wide variety of fillings to choose from at La Puerta del Callao.
2. Chiles Rellenos at El Naranjo
Traditional dish featuring roasted and stuffed bell peppers with a mix of cheese, meat, and sometimes seafood.
- Quality Ingredients: El Naranjo uses fresh and high-quality ingredients for their chiles rellenos.
- Cozy Atmosphere: Enjoy a warm, family-friendly ambiance at this locally loved restaurant.
- Unique Recipe: El Naranjo's chiles rellenos recipe is slightly different from other restaurants in the city.
3. Tortas at La Popular
Mexican-style sandwiches with various fillings such as meats, cheese, beans, and avocado.
- Popular Choice: La Popular is a favorite among locals and tourists for its delicious tortas.
- Quick Service: Grab a quick bite to eat at La Popular, perfect for those on the go.
- Generous Portions: La Popular's tortas come with generous servings of fillings and toppings.
4. Bistec a Caballo at Casa Blanca
Steak served on a bed of beans with a fried egg on top. This dish is typically accompanied by rice and plantains.
- Traditional Preparation: Casa Blanca prepares the bistec a caballo following traditional Guatemalan methods.
- Wide Range of Meats: Choose from various cuts and types of meat at Casa Blanca for your bistec a caballo.
- Romantic Atmosphere: Casa Blanca offers a charming, candlelit atmosphere, perfect for date nights.
5. Sopa de Mondongo at El Sabor Guatemalteco
A hearty soup made with cornmeal, pork, and vegetables. It is typically served with cabbage salad.
- Homemade Broth: El Sabor Guatemalteco makes their broth fresh every day for the sopa de mondongo.
- Healthy Option: Sopa de mondongo is a filling and nutritious meal choice.
- Reasonable Prices: El Sabor Guatemalteco offers affordable prices for their delicious soup.
6. Tamales at Tamales La Vera Cruz
Corn husk-wrapped packages filled with a savory paste, typically made of masa, vegetables, and meats.
- Traditional Preparation: Tamales La Vera Cruz uses traditional techniques to prepare their tamales.
- Variety of Fillings: Choose from a wide variety of fillings for your tamales at Tamales La Vera Cruz.
- Portable Snack: Tamales are an easy, handheld snack to enjoy while exploring Guatemala City.
7. Empanadas at El Empanadero
Deep-fried pastries filled with various ingredients such as meat, cheese, or vegetables.
- Crispy Texture: El Empanadero's empanadas have a crispy exterior and delicious filling.
- Quick Bites: Empanadas are perfect for quick, on-the-go meals or snacks.
- Reasonable Prices: El Empanadero offers affordable prices for their variety of empanadas.
8. Chuchitos at Los Chuchitos
Corn husk-wrapped packages filled with a sweet or savory filling, often made of cheese and corn.
- Traditional Preparation: Los Chuchitos uses traditional techniques to prepare their chuchitos.
- Variety of Fillings: Choose from sweet or savory fillings for your chuchitos at Los Chuchitos.
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Los Chuchitos offers a family-friendly atmosphere, perfect for a casual meal out.
9. Pollo al Ajillo at El Ajillo
Chicken cooked in garlic sauce and served with rice and plantains.
- Garlic-y Flavor: El Ajillo's pollo al ajillo is known for its strong, delicious garlic flavor.
- Satisfying Portions: El Ajillo serves generous portions of their pollo al ajillo.
- Reasonable Prices: El Ajillo offers affordable prices for their garlic chicken dish.
10. Ceviche at Marisquería El Faro
Fresh fish marinated in lime juice and served with onions, chilies, and cilantro.
- Fresh Seafood: Marisquería El Faro uses fresh, high-quality seafood for their ceviche.
- Variety of Options: Choose from a variety of fish options at Marisquería El Faro for your ceviche.
- Coastal Atmosphere: Marisquería El Faro offers a coastal, beach-inspired atmosphere.
11. Guatemalan Coffee at Café Barista
Rich and flavorful coffee grown in Guatemala's highland regions.
- High-Quality Beans: Café Barista uses only the best, high-quality beans for their coffee.
- Variety of Roasts: Choose from a variety of roasts and brewing methods at Café Barista.
- Relaxed Atmosphere: Café Barista offers a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere to enjoy your coffee.
12. Tortilla de Camarones at El Pescadito
Shrimp-filled crepe served with a spicy sauce.
- Fresh Shrimp: El Pescadito uses fresh, succulent shrimp for their tortilla de camarones.
- Spicy Flavor: The spicy sauce gives El Pescadito's tortilla de camarones a unique flavor.
- Reasonable Prices: El Pescadito offers affordable prices for their shrimp crepes.
13. Platanos Fritos at Platos Tipicos
Fried plantains served as a side dish or snack.
- Crispy Texture: Platos Tipicos' platanos fritos have a crispy exterior and soft, sweet interior.
- Versatile Option: Platanos fritos can be enjoyed as a side dish or snack at Platos Tipicos.
- Reasonable Prices: Platos Tipicos offers affordable prices for their fried plantains.
14. Quesillo at La Feria
Thick and creamy cheese prepared from buffalo's milk.
- Rich Flavor: La Feria's quesillo has a rich, distinctive flavor.
- Traditional Preparation: La Feria uses traditional methods to prepare their quesillo.
- Delicious Dessert: Enjoy La Feria's quesillo as a sweet treat after your meal.
15. Chilate at El Chilate de Lola
Hot chocolate made from cocoa beans and spices such as cinnamon.
- Rich Chocolate: El Chilate de Lola's chilate is thick, rich, and flavorful.
- Warming Drink: Chilate is a perfect drink to warm up with on cold days or after a long day of sightseeing.
- Reasonable Prices: El Chilate de Lola offers affordable prices for their delicious hot chocolate.