The 10 Best Restaurants In Guatemala City

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Guatemala City, Jean Francois is one of the most relaxing and peaceful restaurants around. After following an unmarked corridor in the maze of a small, up-scale shopping center, you will find this Antigua-style hacienda with a stunning array of food complemented by a beautiful courtyard rich with arcades and adorned tables. For inside seating, Jean Francois also has an elegant yet inviting dining room with panoramic windows and a crackling fireplace. Amongst its decadent French offerings is an incredible beef with béarnaise sauce with top-notch French fries; grilled Robalo fish with fresh tomato and basil; great pastas (try the fettuccini in mushroom and cream sauce); and incredible mousses.

Created by New Jersey native Jake Denburg (painter turned restaurateur), Jake’s boasts a romantic Italian ambiance with sophisticated décor in a beautiful farmhouse-turned-restaurant with hardwood ceilings and tile floors and a fire place. The chef’s creative talents are evident in his extravagant dishes, from vaquer chino (a tenderloin steak served with sweet soy, espresso, and star anise sauce) to crab cakes with avocado wasabi cream sauce. Save room for the dessert, the pudín de chocolate and cheesecake with crème brule also come highly recommended. Jake’s is also great for kids (it offers crayons for drawing on the table clothes) that being said it has what some have called one of the best wine lists in Central America.

A beautiful French restaurant located in a large former home, Camille is filled with candles, French posters, and other French paraphernalia. For an avid foodie, this place is a must-visit. The food by Chef Jorge artfully blends local ingredients with traditional French techniques. Camille offers baked Camembert, Tartar de Atuna, Lomita de Cebol, and paparadelle. However it is somewhat expensive for Guatemala. It also doubles as a cooking school, be sure to sign up for a class or even just chat with the chef and hear about his vast culinary background.

Slightly out of the way, Ambia is a fusion restaurant. Heavily influenced by a range of Asian styles, it offers artfully presented hearty steaks, well-seasoned lamb, and excellent carpaccio in either the open-air or outdoor-indoor chic ambiance. Prices are a bit high but the atmosphere, flavor, and composition of the food make up for it.