Lake Atitlan is famous for its spectacular views, ancient cultures, and all kinds of adventures.
If you’re a first-timer in Lake Atitlan, it can be overwhelming to decide where to stay, where to eat, and what to do in the many villages around the Lake. That’s why I’m here – to give you my personal recommendations!
Unlike Antigua, Lake Atitlan isn’t known for its food scene. BUT that doesn’t mean there aren’t some incredible restaurants around the lake.
Whether you care more about the type of food (from Guatemalan to Western), or you care more about the atmosphere (live entertainment, unique decor, and spectacular views), I have the perfect recommendations for you!
In this guide, you’ll find some of the best restaurants around Lake Atitlan.
The Lodge – Selina Atitlan (Panajachel)
Selina Hostel’s restaurant (known as The Lodge) serves a large variety of food and drinks. I stayed there for 10 days and tried everything from meals to appetizers, smoothies, drinks, and desserts. Everything I ate was so good. If you want delicious Western food in a cool atmosphere, The Lodge is the place to go. You can order your food outside and relax by the pool or work from one of the outdoor tables while enjoying a nice meal.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/dksqDYSCJYVZN7vMA
Website: https://the-lodge-selina-atitlan-gtm.ola.click/products?_ga=2.125448393.231307486.1692
376647-671687506.1692376647
Selina Beach Bar / Pappa Pepino’s (Panajachel)
Just 2 minutes away from the Selina Hostel is the Selina Beach Bar. And you guessed it, it’s right on the beach! This is the perfect spot to go to watch the sunset over the lake. There are often events going on in the evenings so if you are looking to meet some new people, it’s a great bar to hang out at. Not only are there cheap drinks and amazing views, but there is also a pizza joint attached to the bar that serves great pizzas.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/C6feUvjv17ERpz2Y8
Website: https://pappapepinosthebeach.ola.click/products?_ga=2.125448393.231307486.1692376
647-671687506.1692376647
Sababa Restaurant (San Pedro La Laguna)
If I had to choose my favourite meal at Lake Atitlan, the shawarma platter at Sababa Restaurant would be the winner. They serve huge portions of delicious Israeli/Middle Eastern dishes as well as really great coffee and smoothies. The restaurant has a very cool atmosphere with boho-chic style decor and it is on a hillside so the views are great!
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/msTAvYwFzX2QDBW4A
Chapiteau Circus Bar (Panajachel)
Planning a visit to Chapiteau Circus Bar is an absolute must if you are staying in Panajachel! It is only open on weekend so you’ll need to plan your visit accordingly. An evening at Circus Bar is a unique experience where you can watch incredible circus acts and live music while dining. They have a large menu with a variety of food and drinks, including wood-fired pizza.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/ZL1ZGKPWHtC7Uwjb6
Casa Del Mundo Restaurant (Jaibalito)
Casa Del Mundo is a gorgeous resort set on a cliffside in the small village of Jaibalito. The resort has a restaurant that serves very healthy and fresh food that is grown locally. If you go there, I would definitely recommend getting one of their fresh fruit smoothies. While the food is good, it is the scenery that make it a must-visit. As you can see from the photos below, the views from the restaurant are unmatched! If you want to spend a bit of extra time here, you can find gorgeous little spots all over the resort to relax in hammocks or lounge chairs.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/4vmecwVNZrfeEm8J8
Website: https://lacasadelmundo.com/
Atitlan Rest Y Cafe (Panajachel)
One day as I was walking along the water in Panajachel, I stumbled across Atitlan Rest Y Cafe and decided to try it out – and I am so glad I did! While I didn’t take any photos of the restaurant itself, the two photos below show the incredible views from my table. The food was slightly overpriced, but it was absolutely worth it for the stunning views.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/8BgKFyk8UWip2kb89
Website: https://www.atitlanrestaurantes.com/en
Guajimbo’s (Panajachel)
Guajimbo’s serves Guatemalan cuisine in a small open-air restaurant, right on the main street in Panajachel. It is well known for its quality food and decent prices and they often have live music in the evenings. Every time I walked by, the restaurant was packed and was a mix of locals and tourists. If you are looking for authentic Guatemalan food, Guajimbo’s is definitely the place to go.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/kJwmz81qcV81r53G7
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I hope you find this guide helpful as you decide what restaurants around Lake Atitlan you want to check out. If you try any of them, let me know what you think in the comments below 👇
If you are looking for food recommendations in Antigua, be sure to check out my blog post about the Best Restaurants (& Bars) in Antigua, Guatemala.
