12 Best Restaurants in Western Honduras, Honduras

Background Illustration for Restaurants

Hearty and filling describes the cuisine of Western Honduras. The region combines the indigenous-influenced food of the highlands—chicken, pork, beans, rice, and lots of corn—with the abundant and varied fruit from the nearby lowlands around San Pedro Sula. The plato típico (traditional dish) is everywhere at local restaurants, and the combination of meat, rice, beans, and cheese always makes a filling, inexpensive lunch. The pupusa, a golden-fried patty of corn, beans, and cheese, usually served with a vinegary blend of cabbage and onion called repollo, has made inroads from nearby El Salvador.Charcoal-grilled corn on the cob makes another tasty treat. One of the country's best-kept secrets is frita de elote (a deep-fried, sizzling mash of corn and sugar), sold by competing little girls along the road near Lago de Yojoa. Restaurants have it on their menus, too.

Café San Rafael

$

The aroma of freshly ground coffee envelops you as you walk into this small café set on the patio of a brick house. In addition to the coffee, you'll find a nice selection of Chilean wine and sandwiches made with artisanal cheeses from a farm outside of town. Try the grilled turkey and blue cheese. If you come here for dinner, make it an early one; the place closes at 8.

Av. Centroamericana, 1½ blocks south of Parque Central, Copán Ruinas, Honduras
-651–4546

Café Vía Vía

$

Though many backpackers flock here, Vía Vía provides a great meal and atmosphere attractive to nearly any traveler. Food is served from 7 am to 9 pm every day, and the bar stays open until just before midnight. Great selections of world music, as well as salsa-dancing lessons, bring in lots of people in the evenings. The kitchen specialties include vegetarian dishes, Indian and Thai food, and local favorites, all at great prices. Basecamp Tours, the affiliated tourist information center, is located across the street, making this a great first stop on your visit to Copán.

Cafetería Pamplona

$

This cheerful eatery on Parque Central serves up inexpensive Spanish-style dishes that are a welcome change from the beans-and-rice routine. Get here early, as it's only open until 8 pm. Breakfast is a bargain, and the coffee is nice and strong.

C. 2 SO at Parque Central, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
-550–2639

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Carnitas Nía Lola

$

Housed in a charming wooden building, this longtime favorite has sweeping views of the valley from its second-story dining room. Wonderful smells emanate from the meats on the grill, which is crowned with a stone skull reminiscent of those at the nearby ruins. One of the favorite dishes here is the carne encebollado, sizzling beef topped with onions and accompanied by a mound of french fries.

Chef Marianos

$$$ | Barrio Suyapa

San Pedro Sula isn't far from the Caribbean, which means you can easily find delicious seafood. This local favorite is run by a Garífuna family, and everything is as fresh as possible. Recommended are the king crab, jumbo shrimp, and the negro bello (a mixed plate of meat, conch, and fish). If it's available, don't pass up the lobster. The service is attentive.

Flamingo's

$ | Barrio El Centro

Considered one of the finest restaurants in town, this is the place to come for a quiet meal. A touch of elegance is added by the white- or melon-colored tablecloths. Dishes include such specialties as pork with onion sauce. The wine list includes some decent Chilean options.

Hasta La Pasta

$ | Col. Moderna

Homemade antipasti and hearty pastas, all at reasonable prices, make this is one of the most popular Italian restaurants in town. The garden courtyard makes a pleasant place to savor a glass of wine.

Av. 22 and C. 2 NO, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
-550–5494
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.

Llama del Bosque

$

Named for a colorful flower, this cheerful little place is tucked away on a side street. It feels much larger than it really is because of the sloped wooden ceiling that soars above the dining room. This is the place to come for barbecued meats—try the pinchos, which are chunks of beef brought to your table on long skewers. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this is a longtime favorite in Copán.

Pizza Copán

$

The sign in front may say "pizza copán", but everybody knows this old standby as Jim's Pizza. You'll find the standard variety of pizza toppings and sizes here at this long-time favorite expat hangout, along with rotisserie chicken and decent burgers. The place is not open for lunch, per se, but does start serving at 2 "pm."

Av. Centroamericana, ½ block south of Parque Central, Copán Ruinas, Honduras
-651–4381
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch.

Twisted Tanya's

$$$

An eclectic open-air dining room on the second floor makes Twisted Tanya's great for a romantic dinner or a special occasion. There's usually a prix-fixe menu, with several selections for the main course. Even if you already know what you want, the waitstaff enjoy holding up the menu board and describing each item to you with a flair.

Villa Real

$$

This is the best restaurant in the city. Tables are set in a pretty, overgrown garden beside a trickling fountain. Enjoy the hint of a breeze as you sample pechuga marsala (chicken breast with vegetables). The plato típico is also quite satisfying. Ask the manager to show you around the historic building.

Weekends Pizza

$

A Honduran-German couple operates this friendly pizza joint. They make thick-crust pizza with fresh organic ingredients grown on their farm outside of town and herbs cultivated out on the restaurant patio. Italian, vegetarian, and Hawaiian pizzas are expected, but for something different, try the Copaneca, an offering made with a topping of sausage, avocado, fried beans, and cilantro. Sandwiches, salads, calzones, and lasagna are on the menu, too, if pizza doesn't interest you. No alcohol is served. The place opens at 9 am; although there is no breakfast per se, you can stop in for the freshly baked bread these folks make in the morning.

C. 2 SO and Av. 4 NO, Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras
-662–4121
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Tues.