Don’t expect spice in El Salvador; like its Central American neighbors, this
country’s food isn’t spicy hot. It does, however, tend to the heavier side, with
dishes like pupusas—thick corn tortillas stuffed with a variety of
fillings—common on menus. Restaurants range from casual to formal to downright
atmospheric, such as inside a volcano! As for drinks, look for homegrown coffee,
locally brewed beer, and a traditional corn-based drink called atol.
Credit: Collected by Julie Schwietert Collazo, AFAR Local Expert
Mercado Nacional de Artesanias
Market · San Salvador
"Shop at local markets Shopping at local markets is always a highlight of travel in Latin America, where you can often learn about the crafts and items for sale from the vendors—many of whom are the same artisans or craftspeople who made those objects. At the National Handcrafts Market in San Salvador, textiles, pottery, paintings, and musical instruments are just some of the items for sale, reflecting the typical arts and crafts of El Salvador and neighboring countries."
Photo by Chris Hsia/Flickr
Los Balcones Buffet
Restaurant · San Luis Talpa
"One of San Salvador’s most popular restaurants, Los Balcones is located inside the Quality Hotel Real near the airport. It’s an unlikely location, perhaps, but guests rave about the food and the service here. With respect to the former, the variety—especially at the breakfast buffet—is notable, especially for visitors who have tired of pupusas and heavier foods that are typical to the Salvadoran diet."
Photo by Kanko/Flickr
La Gastroteca Restaurante - El Salvador
Restaurant · San Salvador
"This white tablecloth, fine dining restaurant in the country’s capital. Headed by Chef Alejandra Girón, who trained at Institut Paul Bocuse in France, the menu is informed by her stint in that country, as well as stages and jobs at renowned restaurants in Spain and Australia . Dishes include rabbit, veal, and tongue entrées, and a wine list that’s fairly extensive for this region."
Photo by jenny downing/flickr
La Hola , Zona Rosa
Seafood restaurant · San Salvador
"Forget chain restaurants from home; La Hola Beto’s is the ubiquitous El Salvadoran equivalent to America’s golden arches. But don’t expect chicken nuggets and fries; La Hola Beto’s strength is in all things seafood. From ceviches to shrimp enchiladas and “guashimis” (Salvadoran sashimi), lovers of the fruits of the sea will definitely want to stop at one of La Hola Beto’s locations for lunch on the go."
Photo by Blok 70/Flickr
Restaurante La Fonda el Mirador
Restaurant · Suchitoto
"This restaurant’s name hints at one of its principal attributes: its view. “Mirador” means “scenic overlook,” and the vista here—of Lake Suchitlán-- earns the name. In fact, many of the guests stop by the restaurant on their way to or from a day trip to the lake itself. Cormorants and other large birds swoop gracefully across the sky as diners indulge in churrasco steaks and other Salvadoran specialties."
Photo by Mario Pleitez/Flickr
Viva Espresso
Coffee shop · San Salvador
"Other Latin American coffee-producing countries—Mexico, Colombia—are better-known in the U.S., but El Salvador is also a source of coffee, and this café specializes in pulling and siphoning espressos and other coffee drinks made with domestic beans. In addition to its drinks, Viva Espresso also has a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu."
Photo by Michelle Tribe/Flickr
Las Brumas Grill & Cafe
Restaurant · Santa Tecla
"Las Brumas If you’re feeling a bit short of breath, you’re not imagining things: the elevation of this restaurant, is more or less on par with Denver at around a mile high. Special not only because of its altitude, this restaurant is also unique because of its location in a volcano (don’t worry; it won’t erupt). Ceviche and grilled meats are the specialties of the house, which diners enjoy while watching hummingbirds flutter about in the air."
Photo by Rick McCharles/Flickr
Where to Eat & Drink in El Salvador
7 Places
Don’t expect spice in El Salvador; like its Central American neighbors, this
country’s food isn’t spicy hot. It does, however, tend to the heavier side, with
dishes like pupusas—thick corn tortillas stuffed with a variety of
fillings—common on menus. Restaurants range from casual to formal to downright
atmospheric, such as inside a volcano! As for drinks, look for homegrown coffee,
locally brewed beer, and a traditional corn-based drink called atol.
Credit: Collected by Julie Schwietert Collazo, AFAR Local Expert
Mercado Nacional de Artesanias
Market
"Shop at local markets Shopping at local markets is always a highlight of travel in Latin America, where you can often learn about the crafts and items for sale from the vendors—many of whom are the same artisans or craftspeople who made those objects. At the National Handcrafts Market in San Salvador, textiles, pottery, paintings, and musical instruments are just some of the items for sale, reflecting the typical arts and crafts of El Salvador and neighboring countries."
Los Balcones Buffet
Restaurant
"One of San Salvador’s most popular restaurants, Los Balcones is located inside the Quality Hotel Real near the airport. It’s an unlikely location, perhaps, but guests rave about the food and the service here. With respect to the former, the variety—especially at the breakfast buffet—is notable, especially for visitors who have tired of pupusas and heavier foods that are typical to the Salvadoran diet."
La Gastroteca Restaurante - El Salvador
Restaurant
"This white tablecloth, fine dining restaurant in the country’s capital. Headed by Chef Alejandra Girón, who trained at Institut Paul Bocuse in France, the menu is informed by her stint in that country, as well as stages and jobs at renowned restaurants in Spain and Australia . Dishes include rabbit, veal, and tongue entrées, and a wine list that’s fairly extensive for this region."
La Hola , Zona Rosa
Seafood restaurant
"Forget chain restaurants from home; La Hola Beto’s is the ubiquitous El Salvadoran equivalent to America’s golden arches. But don’t expect chicken nuggets and fries; La Hola Beto’s strength is in all things seafood. From ceviches to shrimp enchiladas and “guashimis” (Salvadoran sashimi), lovers of the fruits of the sea will definitely want to stop at one of La Hola Beto’s locations for lunch on the go."
Restaurante La Fonda el Mirador
Restaurant
"This restaurant’s name hints at one of its principal attributes: its view. “Mirador” means “scenic overlook,” and the vista here—of Lake Suchitlán-- earns the name. In fact, many of the guests stop by the restaurant on their way to or from a day trip to the lake itself. Cormorants and other large birds swoop gracefully across the sky as diners indulge in churrasco steaks and other Salvadoran specialties."
Viva Espresso
Coffee shop
"Other Latin American coffee-producing countries—Mexico, Colombia—are better-known in the U.S., but El Salvador is also a source of coffee, and this café specializes in pulling and siphoning espressos and other coffee drinks made with domestic beans. In addition to its drinks, Viva Espresso also has a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu."
Las Brumas Grill & Cafe
Restaurant
"Las Brumas If you’re feeling a bit short of breath, you’re not imagining things: the elevation of this restaurant, is more or less on par with Denver at around a mile high. Special not only because of its altitude, this restaurant is also unique because of its location in a volcano (don’t worry; it won’t erupt). Ceviche and grilled meats are the specialties of the house, which diners enjoy while watching hummingbirds flutter about in the air."
