Ten Trendy Restaurants in Nicaragua
Pacaya Lodge & Spa’s Restaurante Guardabarranco
Make the most of your Nicaragua vacation with a delicious and unique culinary experience. With the right atmosphere and flavors, great restaurants can serve up some amazing times that make your trip memorable. Here are our ten favorite trendy restaurants that are perfect for a romantic date, a classy family outing, or simply a tasty treat.
1. Ciudad Lounge Cigar, Bar & Restaurante. Granada
Charming and chic, Ciudad Lounge is composed of a cigar lounge, restaurant, local artisan store, and wine bar. A lot of detail is given to the decor, which features a curated mix of wooden tables and chairs,ceramic vases, sculptures and larger statues. For the cigar aficionados, Ciudad Lounge has a cigar bar supplied by the top cigar producers in Nicaragua. But Ciudad Lounge is not like a typical smoke-filled cigar lounge. It is a refined, high-end restaurant and bar that also offers a cigar selection. All in all, Ciudad Lounge has the food, service, design, and atmosphere that makes for a great time.
2. El Tercer Ojo. Granada
Granada’s hipster haunt, El Tercer Ojo is a fusion restaurant where Far East meets the Mediterranean and Americas. You can find sushi, burgers, hummus, and more on their eclectic menu. Cool and lively, El Tercer Ojo features a vintage store and live music takes over in the late hours of the night. Silent black and white films projected onto the restaurant’s walls add to the hip atmosphere. Be sure to bring along your large-rimmed glasses and shredded scarf when you swing by.
3. La Casa de Los Nogueras. Managua
Enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at this refined and elegant European bistro. You can enjoy meals indoors surrounded by artwork or outdoors for alfresco dining in the garden. With top-notch formal service, La Casa de los Nogueras sets high standards for itself and its customers. Travel tip: no shorts are allowed in this classy restaurant.
4. Le Café de Paris. Leon
Run by executive chef Janine Fiche de Bon Vine, who has over 40 years of experience in high traditional French cuisine including directing restaurants in Paris, it’s safe to say that Le Café de Paris serves exquisite French cuisine. In particular, Le Café de Paris is known for its wines, foie gras, and pepper steak. Located inside Hotel Los Robles, you can enjoy your meal with a view of the café’s lush garden.
5. El Zaguán. Granada
Among expats, travelers, and locals, El Zaguán receives consistent praise as the best steakhouse in town. The cozy restaurant serves up filling, locally sourced steaks flame-grilled to perfection. Be sure to make reservations during high season as this place is popular with travelers.
6. Campestre Habana. Leon
Campestre Habana is a small restaurant that features delicious Cuban dishes. Campestre Habana is located outside of Leon on the way to the beach and tucked away in the middle of a tropical garden, but the trek is definitely worth it for a unique and quality culinary experience. Ingredients are fresh and tasty, and different dishes are available each day. In fact, there is no menu; the server will tell you the dishes of the day and the recommended dish. A knowledge of Spanish or at least some broken Spanglish is a must. With an open air setup, you will be dining in a relaxed, oasis-like scenery.
7. Restaurante Meson Real. Managua
For a more formal dining experience, be sure to check out Restaurante Meson Real. The menu reinvents classic flavors with their Spanish Mediterranean-style haute cuisine. With an open style kitchen and personalized attention in its food and service, Restaurante Meson Real provides a comfortable and quality dining experience.
8. The Garden Café. Granada
Damien Hopkins from California and Xiomara Diaz Hopkins from Managua met while studying at Ave Maria University in San Marcos and, upon graduation, built their dream business together. Set in a remodeled beautiful, old Spanish Colonial home, The Garden Café offers a breathe a fresh air and a homey atmosphere with their open patio and gorgeous courtyard garden. The Garden Café uses quality ingredients and locally produced goods in their daily baked breads, fresh vegetables, and fruit. The atmosphere is wonderful. Open creative spaces for the community: Features human rights activists speakers and cultural activities like singing and bands. Offers great breakfasts, healthy sandwiches and salads, plus a daily special featuring a traditionally home-cooked Nicaraguan dish. It also has cocktails, sangria and wine, plus an excellent fair-trade store onsite.
9. Los Ranchos. Managua
Founded in 1964, Los Ranchos was once a place where prominent Nicaraguan politicians met to hash out ideas. Still retaining its original atmosphere, Los Ranchos remains a popular steakhouse amongst locals and travelers alike. Here, you can take your pick from a range of grilled meats, such as steak, pork, or guapote–a white fish from Lake Nicaragua.
10. Restaurante Guardabarranco. Laguna de Apoyo
Pacaya Lodge and Spa’s very own Restaurante Guardabarranco offers a fine dining experience. Inspired by traditional Nicaraguan favorites, Pacaya Lodge and Spa presents a menu that features a modern take on local staples. With seasonal ingredients fresh from their organic garden or sourced from local farmers, Restaurante Guardabarranco serves up a memorable meal. At Restaurante Guardabarranco, you can enjoy your meal in the open-air restaurant and bar with views of the crater lake and distant volcanoes. Along with the stunning view, there is live music from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays which adds to the magical experience of Pacaya Lodge & Spa.
Click here for a look at Restaurante Guardabarranco’s menu or to book with Pacaya Lodge and Spa.
If you want to check out places to eat in Granada, Leon, or Managua, click here to see tours and excursions to these cities from Pacaya Lodge and Spa.
