Antigua is one of my favorite cities on earth in general… not even just the food.
Not only is the city amazing but they have some of the best places to eat and you could spend days hopping around eating all day and never try them all.
Going back over my notes there are just so many random unique dining experiences that make me want to go back asap!
Whether you want an entire farm with one of the most fresh restaurants ever, coffee plantations, a rooftop view, slow cooked chicken roasting over a giant flame, unreal street sandwiches, women making tortillas made right in front of you, dive bars and everything in between, Antigua has it.
The best thing about Antigua is you can eat like royalty for so cheap. A nice restaurant, a meal, appetizer or two and 3-4 cocktails comes to $25-40… it is unreal.
There are so many eccentric places to eat so here are some of my favorite best places to eat in Antigua.
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Best Farm To Table Restaurant in Antigua
Caoba Farms in Antigua is absolutely amazing and arguably the best place to eat in Antigua.
The farm is more than three hectares with three farms, a store, restaurant, has a mini zoo, aerial yoga, kids play area and offers activities throughout the week.
But back to the food… wow. They have their own bakery, wraps, smoothies, salads, unreal breakfast, wood fired pizzas, burgers, they have a huge selection of juices and cocktails they make fresh.
I never really care about salads… they’re salads it’s fine… but to give you an example of the taste, in realtime I bit into a carrot and it was the best carrot on earth.
It was like a kid in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory tasting all of the flavors of a simple carrot. Now imagine their burger, bread and meat!
You can get to it in 5 minutes via uber or tuk tuk so make sure you go on your visit!
Rincón Antigüeño – Best Local Food
Arguably my favorite place as it just screams unique cultural travel experience.
As you enter the modest looking restaurant there are local women making your tortillas from scratch right in front of you.
From there you enter the courtyard and see the roaring fire roasting your chicken & vegetables.
This place is so cheap as well so if you are on a budget just keep on coming back for more. It is basically all you can eat with a glass bottle of coke for $5USD.
It is no frills but huge on flavor and experience.
La Merced – Best Street Food
No trip to Latin America is complete without sampling the local street food.
While I will say, be careful with the chicken and never eat fruit that isn’t peeled and cut in front of you… most of the time the food should be good… even the chicken but you’ve been warned.
On the weekends the park is stuffed with vendors but even the weeknights you will find multiple vendors serving up unreal food.
There are so many options but the sandwiches with mixed meat, fixins and buns grilled in front of you for $2USD… oh my God… heaven.
Hobbitenango – Great Food with Immaculate View
I love Hobbitenango, if you have read any of my articles or listened to any podcast you know it is one of my favorite places.
If you have a chance, you must stay there in your own little hobbit house where you even get your own personal concierge.
Visiting it is a cute experience as well if you can’t stay there and their food is surprisingly good and reasonably priced.
They also make up lots of fun themed cocktails!
If you can get up there for breakfast before any clouds roll in and have views of all three volcanos. Be sure to reserve well in advance as the rooms to sell out.
Finca La Azotea – Coffee Plantation
Where to start… even if you don’t love coffee, surely you must love espresso martinis… and it still is a stunning place to get a meal.
Azotea has a stunning indoor/outdoor restaurant, full bar and then the grounds are incredibly unique.
I suggest you go to the bar, get an espresso martini and then walk around the coffee plantation, visit the museum, see the chocolate factory and if you are really into coffee you can also do a full tour.
They have multiple bars & shops on the grounds, horse riding, mini golf, bike rental to get around and of course a shop to purchase their coffee right from the source.
La Cuevita de Los Urquizú – Amazing Local Food
Another delightful place if you want to dive into local Guatemalan fare.
Similar to Rincon, here you can fill up for cheap and try a ton of different mouth-watering dishes.
They have all of their dishes they are serving that day at the entrance, which gives you a good chance to see all of the options so you can sample a ton of different Guatemalan delights.
Antigua Brewing Company – Best Brewery
If you want a nice chill brewer for a burger and a beer then ABC is the place for you.
Craft beers on a rooftop with some of the best views of the volcanos along with comfort food makes this place a must visit.
After dinner you must also visit the secret speakeasy via going through the phone booth! Ulew is the name and it is a place you don’t want to miss.
Doña Luisa Xicotencatl – Best Sandwich
Probably the most eccentric sandwich shop in the world…
Built in 1650 the house was once a nun convent and has been restored from multiple earthquakes over time.
They have their history all over the walls along with a stunning courtyard inside to enjoy your meal.
They also are a bakery making their bread and creations that much more delectable.
Mercado Central Food Court – Authentic
If you are feeling adventurous & want to dive right into Guatemalan food & eat with the locals in the food court inside the Mercado Central.
Here you will find a plethora of small restaurants serving a vast array of Guatemalan food at ridiculously cheap prices.
Guateleria Rooftop – Best Rooftop
Another spectacular location serving Guatemalan BBQ and other fare, you have to visit the rooftop at night just to enjoy a meal overlooking La Merced lit up in all its glory.
There are a lot of tasty meat options in all different cooking methods and is a must visit for the view and the food.
Similar to many places in Antigua, from the outside and even upon entering, it does not look like much and once you walk to the back and up the stairs it is a whole new world.
Angie Angie – Best Mediterranean
Angie Angie has a stunning inside & outside patio location with food to match a truly perfect ambiance.
They have a fire pit in the middle and most nights have life music adding to the perfect feel.
Their pizzas are wood fired, pastas amazing, empanadas so good and everything at a very reasonable price for the perfect setting you are in.
Definitely go to Cafe No Se next door for a drink after, one of the best bars in the world!
Fernando’s Kaffee
Fernando’s is a cafe, chocolate factory, breakfast and coffee roastery all in perfect spot.
It is tucked around the corner from the main area as well, which makes it feel like a bit more of a secret tip, but as you will see it is no secret.
A great place for breakfast/brunch, working in their courtyard and be sure to buy any of the great options from their shop full of homemade chocolate, coffee, liquor and more.
Cafe Cafe Guatemala – Delicious Sandwiches
Another great spot for sandwiches and place for an affordable quick meal.
Their bread, meats and all else are delightful and a must-visit. It is a cute little location with mouth watering sandwiches.
USA Fast Food Chains
I would never tell you to go to a Fast Food chain ever…. but…
As odd as it seems… you have to visit the Mcdonald’s & Starbucks even if you don’t dine there.
I assume it is a city ordinance where they make any chains like this create a full experience for their guests to mold into the Antigua vibe.
I wish more cities with do this as it truly is the most beautiful Mcdonald’s you might ever see.
The Taco Bell is also beautiful with both TB and Mcdonald’s being surprisingly modern.
Best Cafes in Antigua
Antigua has endless numbers of cafes so definitely be sure to scope out a few.
Fernando’s was already mentioned and a great spot. Rooftop Cafe is one of my favorites (Pictured below). El Viejo Cafe is a perfect lunch place, Cafe Sky is loved by all as is Cafe Bohem.
However, you truly can’t throw a stone in Antigua without hitting some amazing cafe so just go on a walk and you will easily bump into one you love!
