12 Best Places to Eat in San Pedro La Laguna

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If you’re looking for where to eat in San Pedro La Laguna, you’ve come to the right place!

During our two-month stay in San Pedro, we discovered the best restaurants in town and ate our way through the city.

There’s a surprising amount of options here, with restaurants featuring cuisine from all over the world. 

You’ll find everything from authentic Japanese to Indian, Israeli, and Mexican cuisine. 

Vegan and vegetarian restaurants, brunch spots, and BBQ joints are also among the best places to eat in San Pedro!

You’ll also find plenty of cafes that are perfect for digital nomads in Lake Atitlan, looking for a place with good WiFi. 

I even included eating lava cake as one of the top things to do in San Pedro because where better to eat molten chocolate cake than in the shadow of three volcanoes?!

Whether you’re spending just a few days or weeks, here are the best places to eat in San Pedro La Laguna!

Best Restaurants in San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala

1. Yakitori de Cava

• Prices: $ | Q30-50 per person
• Menu: Teriyaki Skewers, Bowls, Miso, Curry (Veggie/Vegan-Friendly Menu)
• Location: 4-minute walk right of the Pana dock (directions)
• Hours: Wed-Sun 11 AM – 4 PM, closed Mon-Tues

Yakitóri de Cava is a cozy and endearing open-air restaurant serving authentic Japanese food like teriyaki bowls, skewers, saké, curry bowls, miso soup, ramen, and homemade ginger ale.

It is owned by the lovely couple, Kabo and Hiroko, who have lived around Lake Atítlan for the past twelve years.

When the lunch rush settles, Kabo can sometimes be heard strumming his Brazilian ukulele. The gentle music and homemade meal, combined with the breezy view overlooking the lake, all make for a perfect setting.

You can hear Kabo & Hiro play and sing together as well as peep at their adorable restaurant in the video below, made by traveling filmmaker Vagabundo:

You’ll also spot little flyers around the restaurant offering contactless acupuncture sessions with Hiro. 

Both Kabo & Hiro speak predominantly in Spanish but are happy to switch to English if needed (and of course, they’re always happy to meet fellow Japanese travelers or those who speak it).

I really feel so happy each time I visit Kabo and Hiro and their two sweet pups at Yakitóri de Cava. It is truly a gem of a place to spend your time while eating delicious and authentic Japanese food.

2. Sababa

• Prices: $$ | Q50-100 per person
• Menu: Israeli Food, Sandwiches, Pastas, Breakfast, Cafe (Veggie/Vegan-Friendly Menu)
• Location: 2-minute walk left of Pana dock (directions)
• Hours: Mon-Sun 8 AM – 9:30 PM

Sababa is one of the best restaurants in San Pedro La Laguna for its laid back atmosphere and coffee. Their food is pretty decent, too! We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Sababa, not to mention many afternoons of coffee and lava cake!

Another reason travelers love Sababa is because it has a cute, photo-worthy swing bar on the ground floor and a breezy upstairs dining area, both of which give way to panoramic views of Lake Atítlan and the Indian Nose summit (a popular hiking trail).

The only downside to Sababa is that it can get extremely busy. When that happens, the quality of the food and service can become a bit rushed. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most popular places to eat in San Pedro. Most tourists who come here will end up at Sababa at least once.

3. Fifth Dimension

• Prices: $$ | Q50-100 per person
• Menu: Vegetarian & Vegan – Flatbreads, Pasta, Salads, Curry, Burgers
• Location: 3-minute walk left of Pana dock (directions)
• Hours: Sun-Thurs 12 – 9 PM

Vegetarians and vegans rejoice! Fifth Dimension is not only one of the best places to eat in San Pedro, but it also has one of the best vegetarian menus in town. They also make their own bread, mango chutney, kombucha, hummus, drinks, jams, peanut butter, and more, which is pretty special!

Although I have never let my taste buds explore beyond their amazing flatbreads, they also make hearty salads and burritos, among a few other items like black bean burgers, hummus toast, and spicy tandoori tempeh stir fry.

There are two levels at Fifth Dimension now, so you can enjoy a panoramic view from the barstools up top or relax in the down-to-earth atmosphere below. Their all-woman staff are always super friendly and can accommodate delivery requests!

4. Idea Connection

• Prices: $+ | Q50-100 per person
• Menu: Italian Bakery, Breakfast, Pastas, Sandwiches, Cafe Bar
• Location: 9-minute walk from Pana dock in the tiny street 7a Avenida (directions)
• Hours: Everyday 7:30 AM – 9:30 PM

Restaurant Idea Connection is an Italian bakery and restaurant in San Pedro La Laguna that is popular among locals, expats, and backpackers. The owner is Italian himself and makes you feel very welcome!

The restaurant whips up a delicious and budget-friendly breakfast paired with a yummy cup of coffee, as well as lunch sandwiches and dinner plates of pasta. The bakery sells homemade bread and pastries, like croissants and pain au chocolat, as well as fresh cheese and dairy.

There aren’t that many laptop-friendly places to eat in San Pedro, but Idea Connection welcomes digital nomads to work and enjoy the tranquility of their plant-filled garden. Whenever our internet was out at home, we’d usually end up here for a morning of yummy brunch and WiFi.

5. Salud Para Vida

• Prices: $-$$ | Q50-100+ per person
• Menu: Healthy Vegetarian & Vegan Food
• Location: 3-minute walk from Pana dock (directions)
• Hours: Mon-Sat 9 AM – 4 PM

Salud Para Vida is a health food store and vegan restaurant located on San Pedro’s bustling main ave near the Pana dock. If you are walking toward Yakitóri de Cava at the end of the street, you can’t miss this two-floor building painted in a flourish of rainbow colors, including pictures of animals and healthy food.

On the ground floor is the organic health food store, where you can find just about every type of imported food, healthy snack, vitamin, or natural product. The second floor is a well-stocked library and restaurant.

Keeping in line with its brand, the restaurant only serves up vegan and vegetarian food with faux-chicken and faux-beef meals, healthy drinks, fresh juices, smoothies, and more. They also only use natural coconut oil in their kitchen, as well as locally sourced and organic ingredients.

You might wait a while for your food, as service tends to run slow, but it’s probably because they’re making it with love! Get their garlic green beans and fresh apple juice – they’re on point!

6. TLV Chef Bar

• Prices: $$+ | Q100-150 per person
• Menu: International Fusion
• Location: 3-minute walk from Pana dock, nearby Sababa (directions)
• Hours: Sat-Thur 2–11 PM, Fri 12–8 PM

TLV Chef Bar, formerly known as Hamburg and TLV Tapas Bar, is a newly-renovated restaurant serving international fusion and creative cuisine. They are most well-known for their burgers, but their menu stretches to everything from tapas to platos fuertes, ravioli, eggs benedict, and salmon ceviche.

On two separate occasions, I ordered the veggie and blue cheese ravioli and the potato carpaccio, and both were so delicious and creative. In fact, all their dishes were unique and well-presented! Their cocktails are well made and colorful as well! 

As for the atmosphere, both the downstairs and upstairs seating areas are cozy and modern, with a wooden swing bar that looks out over the lake.

The only downside to TLV is that it tends to attract a rowdy crowd in the evenings, and during the day, the music is on full blast. If you don’t mind that or are willing to ask them to turn it down, you’ll really enjoy your meal at TLV!

7. Pita Sabij

• Prices: $ | Q50-100 per person
• Menu: Middle Eastern – Falafel, Shwarma, Wraps, Pita Schnitzel (Veg-Friendly)
• Location: 4-minute walk from Pana dock (directions)
• Hours: Tues-Sun 11:30 AM–10:30 PM

Pita Sabij is a delicious place to eat in San Pedro if you are craving falafel, shawarma, schnitzel, or other zingy Mediterranean dishes! Located right to the left of Yakitóri de Cava, the restaurant is set outside in an open-air sheltered space with cute natural touches like plants and wooden swings.

The owners are super friendly and their food is truly amazing! They have a special Sabij pita that is stuffed with fried eggplant, eggs, hummus, tomato salad, cucumbers, and topped with zhoug hot sauce. It is fairly inexpensive to eat here and they also offer home delivery if you feel like staying in one night.

8. Tacomex

• Prices: $ | Q20-50 per person
• Menu: Mexican
• Location: Less than a 1-minute walk from Pana dock (directions)
• Hours: Mon-Sat 11 AM –11 PM

Tacomex is a Mexican-inspired restaurant in San Pedro serving up authentic Mexican-style tacos and drinks. If you are missing tacos al pastor, and fresh salsa, you have to come here! The restaurant has weird hours and says it opens after 11 AM, but we’ve seen that it usually opens around mid-day.

Nonetheless, if you are missing the flavors from just across the Mexico-Guatemala border, Tacomex should satisfy your craving. The location is ideal, in the center of it all and near the Panajachel dock in San Pedro.

The view from the windows is great, too, and looks out over the incoming boats and Indian Nose summit.

9. Zoola

• Prices: $$ | Q60-100 per person
• Menu: Israelí
• Location: 7-minute walk from Pana dock (directions)
• Hours: Mon-Sun 8 AM – 9:45 PM

Tucked away off the main streets of San Pedro, you’ll find the cozy, bohemian restaurant and hotel, Zoola. 

The restaurant features a large outdoor covered tent, underneath which are floor cushions, carpets, warm low-hanging lantern lights, and short wooden tables. The vibe is earthy and the menu is Israelí-inspired with falafel plates, shakshuka, hummus, tahini spreads, and more.

Since Zoola doubles as one of the coolest hotels in San Pedro La Laguna, the restaurant, rooms, and bar are separated on the property. You’ll arrive at the restaurant first, but if you’d like a drink from the bar, you’ll need to cross the open garden to reach the back, where a chill bar area and an outdoor pool peer out over the lake.

You can find Zoola in the backstreets of town, about a 6-8 minute walk from the Pana dock. The path to reach the hotel and restaurant is just opposite the Tzunun’Ya museum.

10. Smokin’ Joe’s

• Prices: $$ | Q50-100 per person
• Menu: American BBQ
• Location: 14-minute walk from Pana dock (directions)
• Hours: Wed-Sun 11 AM – 10 PM

A small, American-style BBQ joint that’s located just off the Pana dock, Smokin’ Joe’s serves up classic dishes like pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and steak. They also serve up a huge list of traditional BBQ sides like coleslaw, potato salad, corn on the cob, and macaroni and cheese. 

Sundays are the star of the show when Smokin’ Joe’s puts on their BBQ buffet. Although this is definitely a meat and potatoes restaurant, they do have grilled portobello mushrooms and several vegetarian side dishes as well! 

Smokin’ Joe’s is also known for its margaritas and cocktails, which are perfect on a hot day by the garden swimming pool.

11. El Barrio

• Prices: $$ | Q50-100 per person
• Menu: American
• Location: 10-minute walk from Pana dock (directions)
• Hours: Mon 4 PM – 12 AM, Tue-Fri 11 AM – 12 AM, Sat-Sun 10 AM – 12 AM

If you’re a sports fan or a lover of American-style brunch, El Barrio is a great hangout spot in San Pedro La Laguna. Their menu is full of classic American bar food, including their famous cheeseburgers, nachos, and more of the same.

They also host a champagne brunch on Sundays from 10 AM to 2 PM with omelets, breakfast sandwiches, yogurt bowls, and pancakes.  

12. Al Tempo Panadería y Pizza

• Prices: $$ | Q50-100 per person
• Menu: Bakery & Pizzeria
• Location: 11-minute walk from Pana dock (directions)
• Hours: Tues 9 AM – 5 PM, Wed-Sat 9 AM – 9 PM

Don’t miss out on the chance to stop by Jaime’s little hole-in-the-wall bakery, officially known as Al Tempo Panaderia y Pizza, to buy fresh sourdough bread! It’s the best we’ve had outside of France. 

They also serve delicious baked goods like focaccia, croissants, and cinnamon rolls. However, most people come for their legendary wood-fired pizzas, including a vegan option! The bakery is tucked just opposite Tony’s Book Store, about a five-minute walk from the main dock.

13. El Gato Perdido

• Prices: $$ | Q100-150 per person
• Menu: European / American
• Location: 12-minute walk from Pana dock (directions)
• Hours: Tues-Sun 7:30 AM – 9 PM

A seven-minute walk from the main dock, El Gato Perdido is a yummy restaurant with beautiful views over the lake. 

This family-owned bistro serves a mix of European and American dishes like spinach dip, pesto pasta, hamburgers, and artisanal pizzas. They also have a small selection of beer, wine, and simple cocktails, with smoothies and 

If you’re looking for desayuno, they also have a full breakfast menu complete with main courses like chilaquiles, omelets, and sourdough French toast, as well as delicious espresso drinks, too.

For American, European, or Canadian expats in search of a taste of home, El Gato Perdido definitely scratches that itch!

If you happen to be in San Juan La Laguna, you can also visit their sister restaurant, El Gato Perdido Deli.

14. Restaurant Don Diego

• Prices: $$ | Q150-250 per person
• Menu: Chinese
• Location: 8-minute walk from Pana dock (directions)
• Hours: Every day from 12-10 PM

Named for its chef and owner, Restaurant Don Diego might be the best Chinese restaurant in Guatemala. This family-run, hidden gem is a must-visit in San Pedro La Lagune for anyone who loves Asian cuisine! While the menu offers a more Americanized version of classic Chinese dishes rather than traditional cuisine, everything is handmade with fresh, local produce.

You’ll find favorites like chop suey, fried rice, orange chicken, and chow mein, alongside fried wonton appetizers and grilled meats. 

Prices are a bit steeper than you’ll find at other restaurants in town, but it’s worth it if you’re craving Chinese food or veggie-heavy dishes. 

15. Jakuu

• Prices: $$ | Q50-100 per person
• Menu: Traditional Guatemalan
• Location: 7-minute walk from Pana dock (directions)
• Hours: Every day from 8 AM – 11 PM

If you’re eager to try authentic Guatemalan cuisine, look no further than Jakuu. Just a 7-minute walk from the Pana dock in San Pedro La Laguna, Jakuu is a family-owned restaurant in the heart of town with both indoor and outdoor seating options.

Their extensive menu has both Guatemalan dishes, like local fish and nim achi, a mixture of beef tenderloin, eggs, beans, cheese, and rice, alongside some Mexican-influenced dishes like pollo con mole and veggie quesadillas. Jakuu is also a haven for vegetarians! 

Portion sizes are huge, and prices are extremely reasonable.

The ambiance here is homey and traditional, with locally woven textiles on the tables, rustic wooden furniture, and super friendly service, all only adding to the experience.

16. Kamui

• Prices: $$ | Q50-150 per person
• Menu: Japanese
• Location: 5-minute walk from Pana dock (directions)
• Hours: Mon, Wed, & Fri 5:30 – 8 PM

Kamui is another highly-rated Japanese restaurant in San Pedro La Laguna and a testament to San Pedro La Lagunas incredible diversity of cuisine options! 

This woman-run restaurant is owned by a classically trained Japanese chef. Here, you’ll find classic rolls like shrimp tempura, rainbow, and dragon rolls, alongside specialties like tofu burgers, sushi bowls, and plenty of vegan options. 

Kamui also runs weekly specials and sometimes has live music throughout the week!

17. Street Food

Last but not least on this list of places for where to eat in San Pedro La Laguna falls to Guatemalan street food! The local market that buzzes with life during festival days is a great place to immerse yourself into the local food scene. With pupusas, fried plantains, and more, there is something new to try!

I hope this foodie guide to San Pedro La Laguna inspires you to explore around via its diverse food scene!

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