Panama City
Pure pleasure defines these intense tropical-fruit gelatos and rich, creamy flavors such as coffee, orange-chocolate and ginger. A few scoops of these…
Must-see restaurants in Central America
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San José
At this felicitous fusion of antique shop and French restaurant, Michelin-starred chef Richard Neat offers an exquisite menu of smaller sampling plates …
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Tortuguero Village
On a dirt path near the beach north of town, the simple, tucked-away place could be straight out of California or Portland (the owner has lived in both…
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Panama City
Neighborhood fondas (cheap restaurants) serve cheap Panamanian classics, but this one – by Panama's top chef – delivers a massive twist. Sexy rice …
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Ambergris Caye
This absurdly cool shipping-container food park doubles as Ambergris Caye's entertainment hub, offering movie nights, adult spelling bees, live music,…
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Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Whaddya get when you take a champion sport fisherman, born and raised in Transylvania, and transplant him to Puerto Viejo by way of New Jersey? Answer: an…
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Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
You'd never know it from Mopri's dingy facade and cheap plastic tables, but this place serves some of the best seafood in Puerto Viejo. Choose your star…
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Península de Azuero
When chef Andres Morataya left award-winning Manolo Caracol and the hubbub of Panama City for Playa Venao, he opened this most inventive restaurant. The…
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Santa Cruz La Laguna
Up in the village, this brilliant community project comedor is run by local students who are learning to make traditional Guatemalan dishes to global…
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Panama City
Elevating humble Panamanian staples to haute cuisine, this 16-seat eatery is Panama's hottest reservation. Chef Jose prepares ñandu beans (native black…
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Montezuma
Most romantic dinner ever. If you're lucky, you'll snag one of the tree-trunk tables under the palms. The international menu with Mediterranean influences…
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Antigua
The restaurant of the exclusive B&B Mesón Panza Verde dishes up divine continental cuisine in an appealing Antiguan atmosphere. The menu features an…
Panama City
With style and pedigree, Maito toys with the classics, folding in everyday Caribbean, Latin and Chinese influences. While results are mixed, it's still…
Panama City
Under hanging vines and fairy lights, this gastronomical garden by Michelin-starred chef Andres Madrigal is romance incarnate. Start with a tropical-style…
Guatemala City
Set under a thatched palapa roof with a soft marimba soundtrack, this is Zona 10's best comida típica (regional food) restaurant. The atmosphere and food…
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San José
The Escazú residence of Joanna Stein, identifiable only by a small 'J' on the door, might not seem like a restaurant. In fact it's much more. All day long…
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Southern Belize
If you have only one dining splurge in Southern Belize, the restaurant at Copal Tree Lodge is the place to do it. The location, high on a jungle hilltop,…
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Cahuita
Enjoy some of the best French and Italian fare in town: the Florentina crepe is stuffed with spinach, cream, chicken and cheese and has an egg cooked into…
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Central Pacific Coast
Vida Hermosa has a sweet surf view and outrageously delicious cuisine. At breakfast, the hearty surfer’s burrito is the ideal fuel for Hemosa’s gigantic…
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Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Ever had a completely homemade PB&J, with bread, peanut butter and jelly all made from scratch? That and more can be yours at this dream of a cafe,…
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Little Corn Island
For a truly local experience in the Village, reserve an evening meal at this ambitious and eclectic supper club. Self-taught Managua transplant Darinia…
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Península de Nicoya
Foodies drive from all over Guanacaste to sample the fare at this otherworldly restaurant, the brainchild of chef/owner Patrick Jamon (let the jokes begin…
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Ambergris Caye
The classy, candlelit restaurant at Victoria House is the island's priciest, but also one of its best. Arrive before sunset to have a mojito on the…
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San Ignacio
One of San Ignacio's slickest restaurants, boutique Guava Limb is set in an adorable turquoise two-story building with a serene outdoor garden area. Fresh…
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Playa Sámara
Sámara's best restaurant is this cozy, contemporary Italian spot that wouldn't be out of place in New York City. And go figure, owner/chef Gigio Palazzo…
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Antigua
Front of house at this restaurant looks just like the early-20th-century general store it once was, but with the walls racked with a rather more…
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Chichicastenango
This charming cafe is tucked into the outside corner of Centro Comercial Santo Tomás and is a gem if you want to step back from the bustle of the market…
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Península de Nicoya
If you love potted plants, and you love eating nutritious food out of a bowl, this is your dream stop in Playa Grande. Bowls are divided into sweet (acai,…
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Quepos
A contender for the region's best restaurant, Gabriella's does many things well: the veranda catches the sunset and overlooks a gorgeous marina, and the…
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Uvita
After a successful run in Monteverde, charming Spanish couple Heri and Montse realized that they wanted to live by the ocean – to Uvita's good fortune…
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San José
If you can't get to the Caribbean coast, the 'yard' vibe here is a good substitute. Manzanillo native Ricky transported his lip-smacking restaurant to the…
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Caye Caulker
What began as a gallery for owner and artist Lee Vanderwalker has morphed into a top-notch cafe. And the art's still on the walls. While you browse you…
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San Ignacio
One of San Ignacio's top dining splurges, the restaurant at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel is named for the owner's Running W ranch that supplies most of…
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Roatán
If you're going to splurge on a meal on Roatán, go here. The gorgeous Oasis uses seasonal and locally sourced produce to create delectable creations such…
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Puerto Limón
Belly up to the cafeteria-style counter at this friendly family spot and cobble together a plate of coconut rice, red beans and whatever Caribbean meat…
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Central Pacific Coast
Right on Playa Herradura's pretty oceanfront, this simple Tico restaurant with white tablecloths and fairy lights holds its own in comparison to the…
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Monteverde & Santa Elena
Ease into a studded leather armchair in the lounge and indulge with a dazzling cocktail designed by the country's finest mixologist. Then around sunset,…
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Ambergris Caye
Living up to its name, Hidden Treasure is a gorgeous open-air restaurant in an out-of-the-way residential neighborhood (follow the signs from Coconut Dr)…
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Liberia
This beautifully restored colonial-era building has heavy wooden furniture and frescoed ceilings, creating a romantic ambiance for enjoying rich coffee…
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Guatemala City
As the prices may suggest, this is some of the city's finest dining, with a wide-ranging menu offering some good fusion dishes, leaning heavily on…
