2 Best Restaurants in Guatemala City, Guatemala

If you only have one meal in Guatemala City, head to Jake Denburg's place. A New Jersey–bred painter-turned-restaurateur, Jake uses his creative talents on food, producing dishes ranging from osso buco to crab cakes with avocado-and-wasabi cream sauce. A longtime favorite is the vaquero chino (Chinese cowboy), a tenderloin steak served with a sweet soy, espresso, and star anise sauce. For dessert, the pudín de chocolate and cheesecake with crème brûlée are divine. The restaurant is in a beautiful converted farmhouse with hardwood ceilings, tile floors, an outdoor patio, and a sophisticated lounge. The wine list is quite possibly the best in Central America.

Occupying an elegant space in the heart of the Zona Viva, Zumo greets diners with simple modern decor, including a comfortable patio and a cozy downstairs bar. Chef Rodrigo Alvarado takes the often overused term "fusion cuisine" seriously, and mixes in-season Guatemalan ingredients with an around-the-world menu. We like the shrimp in mango sauce with avocado butter, the steak in tamarind sauce, and the pumpkin crème brûlée with amaretto ice cream. There's also an extensive wine list (one of the best in the capital, with 60 international offerings), and the service is impeccable.