From traditional Guatemalan street food and excellent local coffee to wood-fired pizza and lakeside restaurants – these are some of our favorite places to eat in San Pedro.
As chefs and food lovers, one of the first things we do when we arrive somewhere new is explore the local food scene.
And San Pedro La Laguna has turned out to be a surprisingly interesting place to eat.
You'll find everything from tiny family-run kitchens and street vendors selling traditional Guatemalan food to specialty coffee shops, international restaurants and beautiful places overlooking Lake Atitlán.
Since moving here in 2025, we've spent plenty of time discovering our favorites.
Here are some of the places we keep coming back to.
Tamales
Traditional Guatemalan Food and Street Food
If you want to experience the real food culture of San Pedro, start with the local markets and street vendors.
Some of the best food in town is also the simplest – freshly prepared, inexpensive and made by families who have been cooking the same dishes for generations.
Churrasco, Tacos, Pupusas, Pepian and Tamales
Head towards the town center, particularly around the market and central park, and you'll find plenty of opportunities to try traditional local food.
Look out for churrasco – grilled meat and sausages cooked over charcoal, often served with tortillas, beans and vegetables.
You'll also find tacos, pupusas and tamales, along with plenty of other things. In corn season, look for ‘elote loco’ - steamed corn with mayonnaise, ketchup and cheese. It’s a little weird, but the local love it.
Usually a woman is standing at the corner next to Sarita selling pepian - chicken in a special red sauce - and other local specialties.
The food is usually simple, freshly prepared and full of flavor.
Our tip: Visit the central park in the early evening, when local street food vendors often set up their stalls.
Fresh Ceviche in the Town Center
One of our favorite little discoveries is a tiny cevichería on the main street.
It specializes in ceviche made with fish and squid, marinated in lime juice and seasoned with chili and Worcestershire sauce.
It's the kind of place you might easily walk past without noticing – and exactly the sort of place we love discovering. It’s placed next to a carniceria - a butcher, and is literally just a hole in the wall.
But if you don’t find it, don’t worry. You find good ceviche many places in town.
Fresh Fruit, Coconuts and Street Snacks
San Pedro's streets are full of small culinary pleasures.
You'll often see vendors selling freshly cut mango, sometimes sprinkled with chili and lime.
During mango season, roughly from March to September, it's especially worth trying.
You should also try to find jocote, the little fruit that grows so abundantly here. They are in season for a few months each year, from October usually.
Another favorite is fresh coconut.
Look out for the young men pushing wheelbarrows full of coconuts and ask for a coco pelado.
You'll get refreshing coconut water and the fresh coconut meat.
And if you see someone squeezing oranges by the roadside, stop for a glass!
The Best Coffee and Cafés in San Pedro
Guatemala is famous for its coffee, and around Lake Atitlán, coffee production is part of the local landscape.
That makes San Pedro a wonderful place to enjoy a really good cup.
Cotuc Mayan Specialty Coffee
If you're serious about coffee, Cotuc is one of our favorite places in San Pedro.
They serve excellent specialty coffee, and their croissants are also worth a visit.
It's a lovely place to start the morning or take a break while exploring town.
Café Orbe
Located along Camino a la Finca, Café Orbe is another convenient option, especially if you're staying in our part of San Pedro.
It's just a short walk from La Cocina Bonita and a nice place to stop for coffee.
Our Favorite Restaurants in San Pedro
San Pedro has a wonderfully eclectic mix of restaurants, reflecting both the local community and the many international visitors who spend time here.
These are some of the places we enjoy.
Pita Sabij – Middle Eastern Food
Pita Sabij is one of our favorites around the tourist area near the dock.
If you're in the mood for Middle Eastern flavors, it's a great option.
No Hay Deer – Burgers
Sometimes, you just want a really good burger.
And when we do, No Hay Deer is one of our favorites.
Al Tempo – Wood-Fired Pizza
For pizza (and sourdough bread), we love Al Tempo.
Tucked away in a cozy courtyard, it's a lovely place to enjoy a wood-fired pizza in a relaxed atmosphere.
Ask for Flora’s favorite pizza: White pizza with added blue cheese and rucola.
Bistro Isabella – Italian Food
Located along Camino a la Finca, just a few minutes from La Cocina Bonita, Bistro Isabella is another popular restaurant in our neighborhood.
It's a convenient choice if you're staying outside the busy center and want to enjoy a relaxed Italian meal.
Teriyaki – Japanese Food
San Pedro even has a small Japanese restaurant!
Teriyaki is worth visiting if you're looking for something different from the usual Guatemalan and international café food.
Don’t skip their homemade ginger ale!
Churrascería Emmanuel – Guatemalan Grill Food
For simple Guatemalan grilled food with a beautiful lake view, Churrascería Emmanuel is a lovely option.
It's the kind of place where the setting is part of the experience.
It’s easy to find in the middle of the main tourist street by the dock - just follow the smell of freshly grilled meat!
Luna y Sol – Vegetarian Lunch by the Beach
If you're looking for a vegetarian lunch in peaceful surroundings, Luna y Sol is one of our recommendations.
Located by the beach, it's a lovely place to slow down and enjoy a meal.
El Gato Perdido – Bistro Dining
Located inside Mikaso Hotel, El Gato Perdido offers a more upscale bistro-style dining experience, with good food and a slightly more refined atmosphere.
Prices are higher than at most restaurants in San Pedro, but it's a great choice when you're in the mood for something a little special.
Chicken Bus – Asian Food & Sushi
Located in the lively tourist area near the dock, Chicken Bus serves Asian-inspired dishes all day - and sushi during lunch hours.
A great option when you're craving something fresh and a little different.
Conde de Bavaria – Authentic German Food
Conde de Bavaria serves authentic German food, including homemade pretzels, sausages and mustard.
Their specialty is a proper German schnitzel – a great choice when you're craving hearty, traditional German cooking.
Doña Miriam – Authentic Home-Cooked Guatemalan Food
Doña Miriam is a local woman serving just two dishes each day, slow-cooked to perfection and full of flavor.
She offers delicious, homemade Guatemalan food for just Q35–40, including a drink. A true local gem!
The restaurant is placed on Camino a La Finca, a 15 minute walk from La Cocina Bonita.
Ice Cream and Sweet Treats
There are also plenty of opportunities to satisfy a sweet tooth in San Pedro.
Dolce Gelato
For Italian-style ice cream, Dolce Gelato is one of our favorites.
Perfect for a hot afternoon after exploring town.
Sarita
If you're looking for a more traditional local ice cream experience, visit Sarita.
You'll find a huge selection of flavors and toppings.
Josefina's Choco Frutas
One of the little pleasures of living along Camino a la Finca is discovering the small food stands run by local families.
We recommend stopping by Josefina's choco frutas shop for a sweet treat - across the street close to the gas station.
It's a simple local favorite and a lovely way to support a small family business.
A Special Meal at La Cocina Bonita
And, of course, we hope you'll also come and visit us!
At La Cocina Bonita, our approach to food is inspired by nature, traditional food cultures and more than 20 years of working as chefs, cookbook authors and food entrepreneurs.
We believe that good food begins with good ingredients.
That's why we work with local farmers and small-scale producers, choose naturally grown and organic ingredients whenever possible, and prepare our food from scratch.
Our menu includes homemade breakfasts, carefully prepared lunches and dinners, vegetarian and meat dishes, natural wines and seasonal specialties.
You can stop by for a coffee, enjoy a leisurely lunch or spend the evening with us over several courses.
We're located on Camino a la Finca, in a peaceful part of San Pedro, just a short walk from the lake.
A Few Final Tips for Eating in San Pedro
One of the things we love most about San Pedro is that you don't need to spend a lot of money to eat well.
Some of our favorite meals have come from tiny kitchens, market stalls and roadside vendors.
Don't be afraid to explore beyond the main tourist area.
Follow the smell of freshly grilled food, stop for a coconut, try something you've never eaten before and support the people who cook for their neighbors every day.
And remember that opening hours can change, especially at smaller family-run places, so it's always worth checking before making a special trip.
Happy eating – and welcome to San Pedro!
La Cocina Bonita
