20 Best Lake Atitlan Restaurants: Where To Eat Around The Lake

Searching for the best Lake Atitlan restaurants?

You’ve come to the right place!

We spent 2 months living in Lake Atitlan eating at dozens of restaurants in the most popular towns around the lake in our search to find the best places to eat. We’re sharing our favorites with you in this guide!

From casual to mid-tier dining experiences, there’s a spot for you! And we were pleasantly surprised at the variety of cuisines we found — from Japanese, Israeli, BBQ to so much more!

Whichever town you find yourself in — whether it’s San Pedro, San Marcos, San Juan, or Panjachel in this guide, we’re sharing our top spots that we’ve tried in our recent visit to Lake Atitlan and we think you’ll enjoy them too.

Now let’s get into the best places to eat around Lake Atitlan!

Quick Answer: Our Top 5 Lake Atitlan Restaurants

After spending 2 months as digital nomads in Lake Atitlan, one our favorite things to do was try all the different kinds of restaurants this magical lake had to offer!

Here are our 5 favorite restaurants we experienced in Lake Atitlan:

1. Sababa Restaurant (San Pedro)
2. Pizzeria El Callejon (San Pedro)
3. Deli Jasmin (Panajachel)
4. Yakitori de Cava (San Pedro)
5. La Casa Zapote (San Marcos)

Want more recommendations? Keep scrolling for the complete list of the 20+ best restaurants in Lake Atitlan!

Lake Atitlan Restaurants: Where To Eat Around The Lake

Whether you’re just visiting for a weekend getaway or you’ve been a Lake Atitlan digital nomad for some time, these are some of the best restaurants to check out.

We were shocked at the variety of food you could get in Lake Atitlan – from Israeli food to American BBQ, you can find most of the cuisines you’re in the mood for!

The cost of living in Guatemala is generally affordable and you’ll be able to find all price ranges for these restaurants.

To make this list a little simpler, I divided up the Lake Atitlan restaurants based on which town they are located in. You can easily scroll through and if you happen to find yourselves in a different town for the day – you’ve still got a list of restaurants to try!

Here’s the list of the Lake Atitlan restaurants that are worth the try:

Best Restaurants in San Pedro La Laguna

As you can probably see, San Pedro has the biggest list of restaurant recommendations. There are two reasons for that: 1) we lived here and 2) it just has the biggest selection, in my opinion!

If you’re a foodie, you’re going to love living in San Pedro La Laguna.

Here are the best restaurants in San Pedro La Laguna:

1. Sababa Restaurant – Israeli Food

There are just so many good things to say about Sababa Restaurant! The lake views are some of the best, the interior decor is super cute and the Israeli food is next-level.

Whether you’re craving shakshuka, hummus, salad or pasta – you’re in for a treat. The portions are pretty big and we found it was always hard to finish our meals.

The coffee is one of the best cups we’ve had of all the Lake Atitlan restaurants! There’s a rush around brunch time but if you get in early enough, you can snag the best seat on the second floor of the restaurant.

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 8am to 9.30pm

2. Fifth Dimension – Veggie/Vegan Food

Craving some decent vegetarian food? Fifth Dimension is one of the best Lake Atitlan restaurants for vegetarian/vegan food.

Located a little further away from the main road, you’ll find a small sign and a couple of steps to walk up to the restaurant.

If you walk to the top level, you’ll get awesome views of the lake! you can order curries, pizza, pasta and so many more creative veggie dishes!

You can also order bottles of homemade kombucha which tasted really nice!

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 12pm to 9pm 

3. Smokin’ Joes – American BBQ Gathering

Love a good ole BBQ?

You’re in for a treat with Smokin’ Joe’s! This unique restaurant in Lake Atitlan is only open on the weekends – it depends on the owner and the weather.

There are 2 locations, San Pedro & Panajachel. However, while we were digital nomads in Lake Atitlan – it seemed like the San Pedro location was the most consistently open.

Our best advice is to follow their Facebook Page for updates and opening hours!

Here’s how Smokin’ Joes BBQ works: You pay for a main (such as pulled pork, BBQ ribs, etc). The price you pay includes unlimited sides like mac & cheese, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, etc.

The owner BBQs right in front of you and it feels like such a cool gathering. It’s a great Sunday activity with friends. We went every Sunday we could and highly recommend it!

4. Zoola Hostel – Arabian Food

Cool vibes, yummy food and great views!

The style of Zoola is really laid-back. There are no chairs – you sit on comfy mats on the floor. You can order Arabian food, salads, brunch food or burgers – the choice is yours!

The portions are pretty big here and you will leave with a happy tummy. If you walk out to the back of the restaurant – there’s a popular bar, pool and chill area with amazing lake views!

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 8am to 9:45pm

5. Restaurant Idea Connection – Breakfast/Brunch Spot

One of the best Lake Atitlan restaurants for breakfast food!

Idea Connection is an authentic Italian restaurant in San Pedro La Laguna. Kinda weird to recommend it for breakfast food right? But trust me – it’s really popular! The omelets are super tasty and the coffee is decent.

We went here to work a couple of mornings and loved it. This Lake Atitlan restaurant is set in a quiet street in San Pedro and you’ll be sitting in a beautiful courtyard/garden area.

Restaurant Idea Connection is also a bakery! You can order homemade bread and pastries here. We often bought our bread here and ate it throughout the week.

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 7.30am to 9.30pm

6. TacoMex – Cheap Eats

Maybe you came from San Cristobal to Guatemala and you’re missing Mexican food?

We get it – we craved it too! While it’s not the best tacos we’ve ever had, TacoMex a great option if you just need to eat some tacos. These are also very cheap which makes it a great spot if you’re tight on your budget but still want to go out to eat!

They have a deal – 3 tacos for 15Q ($2 USD) and tortas are only around 15Q ($2 USD) each. It’s a no-frills, basic restaurant in Lake Atitlan but there are still some pretty decent lake views here.

Opening hours: Monday – Thursday & Saturday 3-11pm; Sunday 8-10:30pm; Friday – Closed

7. Yakitori de Cava – Authentic Japanese Curry & Stir-Fries

I spotted this Lake Atitlan restaurant while we were kayaking around the lake!

We love Asian food and I saw this was a yakitori place. We went to Yakitori de Cava for lunch for the first time and we were hooked! The owners are a lovely Japanese couple that now live in Guatemala full-time.

They have a minimal menu – you can order curry, teriyaki skewers and stir-fries.

They also serve a homemade ginger ale which I didn’t really like (it’s pretty strong on the ginger taste so it’s not my thing)!

This small spot has limited seating so be sure to get there early before the lunch rush!

It’s only open a couple of days a week so watch out for the opening hours at this place. Highly recommend visiting this cool restaurant at least once!

Opening hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 11am to 4pm

8. Pita Sabij – Gyros With Lake Views

The food at Pita Sabij is amazing!

For only 50Q ($6.50 USD), you can get a fresh and delicious pita with falafel. You can order a vegetarian pita or there’s great chicken options too. The pita sandwiches are pretty big and I often found it hard to finish!

The cooking time takes a little while, so it’s not a great place if you’re in a rush. This Lake Atitlan restaurant also has limited seating but if you snag a spot near the water – it has some of the best views on the lake!

Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11:30am to 10pm

9. Kamui – Japanese Food (Sushi, etc)

We heard of this Japanese spot from our friend who saw they had an awesome deal!

We got a 2 for 1 rolls deal! The owner of Kamui is Japanese as well and she’s created a really laid-back and cool space to enjoy sushi, miso and sake!

Check the opening hours because like some restaurants in Lake Atitlan, they’ve got very specific times and days. They regularly have deals and you can follow their Facebook Page to stay up to date!

Opening hours: Monday & Friday, 1-6pm

10. Salud Para Vida – Healthy Food & Grocery Store

Salud Para Vida is a true staple for the San Pedro community on Lake Atitlan!

Salud Para Visa is a health food store on the first floor and a restaurant on the second floor. If you want a health kick – this is your spot!

The sandwiches, stir-fries, pizzas and salads are all fresh and delicious and the portions are huge so you’ll leave feeling full.

You can also order pre-made alternative proteins like seitan, vegan chicken from Salud Para Vida.

Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 9am to 4pm; Sunday, 10am to 4pm

11. Pizzeria El Callejon – Best Woodfire Pizza

Craving a good ole slice of pizza?

Pizzeria El Callejon is the best pizza restaurant in all of Lake Atitlan – there I said it! The owner is also Italian and takes great pride in his woodfire oven.

The dough is thin, crunchy and very tasty. There are lots of different toppings like pepperoni, Hawaiian and vegetarian! Check out on their menu via Whatsapp here.

A medium sized pizza starts from 60-100Q ($7-$13 USD) depending on your toppings. Pizzeria El Callejon offer delivery service around San Pedro. The best way to order is via WhatsApp (+502 5627 2934).

One of Matthew’s favorite foods is pizza and we got a pizza delivery every Friday night which was awesome!

We got pizza from here on one of our first nights and it was so difficult to find! I had to call them several times asking for directions. It’s in an alley near the end of town.

The restaurant is very simple and it takes quite a while for the food to come out (around 20-30 minutes) so lots of people tend to order delivery instead but it was hot every time we received it!

Opening hours: Thursday – Tuesday, 4pm to 10pm; Wednesday, Closed

Best Restaurants in San Marcos La Laguna

San Marcos La Laguna is a cute, hippie town with its own style and vibes.

As soon as you step off the boat, you’ll know what we mean! There are plenty of restaurants in San Marcos that offer vegetarian/vegan food, healthy food, Asian cuisine and so much more. It’s got a lot of great cafes in San Marcos too!

Here are the best restaurants in San Marcos La Laguna:

12. La Casa Zapote – Amazing Wine & Charcuterie Boards

A charcuterie board with some of the most delicious cheese paired with excellent wine in a small village in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala?!

Say it ain’t so…Well, there I said it!

La Casa Zapote is well-known around the lake for offering the best cold cuts and selections of cheese.

Located up in the hills of San Marcos, a server will meet you in the center of the town to guide you to the restaurant. Once you enter this peaceful property, you’ll tables in the garden which makes for such a tranquil dining experience.

Sometimes you just need to get away to a secluded restaurant in the hills and enjoy a charcuterie board paired with some delicious wine – La Casa Zapote is the best restaurant in Lake Atitlan for exactly that!

Check opening hours before visiting — this is their number if you want to call ahead, +502 5340 0501.

13. Restaurant Fe – Fusion Food

I have mixed feelings about this Lake Atitlan restaurant. The reason is…

…The food is really good, but the service is very slow when we visited!

Restaurant Fe is a popular restaurant in San Marcos located on the main street. They have a fusion menu with Indian curries, pizzas and burgers available to order. They also don’t welcome people with laptops so just keep that in mind as well.

As I said, I’m unsure how to feel about this place and you just need to make your own judgment. I’ve put it on here because it’s pretty good food and it’s a nice ambiance for a romantic dinner!

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 8am to 10pm

14. La ORQUÍDEA Restaurant & Beach Bar – Lake Views & Good Burgers

Want insanely good lake views?

Visit La ORQUÍDEA Restaurant & Beach Bar in San Marcos located inside the El Dragon Hotel. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the center of town but it’s worth it because you are right by the lake.

The food is pretty simple but it’s still pretty good. You can order burgers, pizza and breakfast food at this Lake Atitlan restaurant. There are tables and lounge chairs with lake views so it’s a great place to chill for the afternoon.

The rosé here is really good too! We came back just to have a glass of wine and watch the sunset.

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 7am to 9pm

15. Il Giardino – Romantic Dinner Spot

We went to Il Giardino with our friends and it was really romantic at night.

This Lake Atitlan restaurant is located on the main street of San Marcos and it can be pretty easy to miss – look for the yellow sign! They have great breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

You can order pizza, pasta, steak, seafood and so much more! We really recommend going here for a date night – it’s super intimate and the food is fantastic!

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 7am to 10pm

Best Restaurants in Panajachel

Panajachel is the biggest town around Lake Atitlan. It’s where most shuttles from Mexico and Antigua stop to drop people off. There are a couple of Lake Atitlan restaurants in Pana that are worth the boat ride over.

Here are the best restaurants in Panajachel, Lake Atitlan:

16. Deli Jasmin – Healthy Food w/ Vegan/Veggie Options

Deli Jasmin was one of the first Lake Atitlan restaurants we tried and we weren’t disappointed!

They have good vegetarian/vegan food along with some chicken options too. The sandwiches are pretty big and still so tasty.

The veggies taste really fresh and it’s a great place if you need a health kick! Their opening hours are pretty tight though so just double-check before you make your way there.

I highly recommend trying their Limonada con Chia – it’s so yummy!

Opening hours: Wednesday – Monday, 7am to 5:30pm

17. Circus Bar – Pizza & Live Music

This is a pretty famous bar/restaurant in Lake Atitlan!

If you’re in the mood for pizza, Circus Bar does really good ones! They also have a wide selection of drinks and every kind of Western food you could want (even sausage and sauerkraut).

On Fridays and some weekends, there’s live music played by talented artists sure to keep you entertained while you enjoy your dinner and a couple of beers!

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 12pm to 12am

18. Famosos Shucos – Try The Typical Guatemalan Sandwich

A shuco is a Guatemalan-style sandwich with some grilled meat of some sort and a few vegetables.

You should try them when you’re in Guatemala. You can find the best ones around Lake Atitlan here at Famosos Shucos.

It’s a local, no-frills restaurant. This is one of the cheapest eats around the beautiful lake at only 11Q ($1.44 USD) for a mixta de 2 shuco.

Opening hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10am to 10pm; Monday & Tuesday, Closed

Best Restaurants in San Juan La Laguna

San Juan La Laguna is probably the cutest town you’ll visit on Lake Atitlan!

There are just too many good restaurants in San Juan as it’s such a small and local town. However, if you are there for a day trip – there are 2 spots you can check out!

Here are the best restaurants in San Juan La Laguna:

19. El Gato Perdido – Yummy Pizza w/ Magic Sauce

We visited El Gato Perdido because our Airbnb host recommended this place!

While on our day trip to San Juan, we decided to have lunch at El Gato and it didn’t disappoint! They are famous for their pizza but even more so because of this delicous sauce that comes with the pizza.

If you like dipping your pizza in ranch like me – you have to visit this spot and try their dip! It was like this creamy, garlicky goodness that went perfectly with the pizza.

The owners of this place are also very friendly and welcoming. You will enjoy your dining experience at this Lake Atitlan restaurant!

El Gato Perdido have 2 locations: San Juan and San Pedro. Check their Instagram profiles (San Juan | San Pedro) for the latest updates!

Opening hours: Friday – Wednesday, 7:30am to 9pm; Thursday 7:30-11am

20. Comedor Elenita – Typical Guatemala Food

Comedor Elenita is a local spot known for great Guatemalan food. This is a simple restaurant with basic decor and seating.

It’s a great breakfast and lunch spot. Your meal will usually include some rice, beans, potatoes and a protein of your choice.

You’ll often find yourself surrounded by locals getting in on the action and it’s a great spot to try some typical Guatemalan food. A must-try if you’re in the area and want some cheap, local food!

Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 8am-8.30pm; Sunday, Closed

Lake Atitlan Restaurants Are Worth A Try

We know you’ll love any of the restaurants here on this list and hope you have a great time visiting the magical Lake Atitlan!

We absolutely enjoyed our 2 months living here (albeit a bit too long, but still great).

And you might be wondering about coffee (because it wouldn’t be a TwoTicketsAnywhere post without mentioning coffee now). There are some great cafes in Lake Atitlan you should try like Circles Cafe, Sababa and so much more!

The only thing with getting around the lake is watching the Lake Atitlan weather. It’s harder to get to all these restaurants if the weather is rainy! The best time to visit is around January to March so if you can, try planning your trip around this time!

Traveling through to Antigua? We’re sharing our favorite restaurants in Antigua as well, make sure to check it out!

Frequently Asked Questions