17 Cool Cafés, Bars, and Restaurants in El Paredón

A complete list of the best places to eat in El Paredón, Guatemala, from local eateries and restaurants to cafés and bars.

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El Paredón is Guatemala’s tiny surf town, so it doesn’t have the most diverse culinary scene. But what it does have is surf cafés, local eateries, beach bars, and a few fancy restaurants perfect for date night. While there are some fun things to do in El Paredón, there’s not an endless list of activities on offer, so we spent a fair bit of time simply eating and drinking our way through the town, trying everything from local pupuserías to brunch cafés.

Don’t expect the variety you’d find in Antigua’s restaurants (surprisingly, one of our favourite food cities in the world), but whether you’re looking for a decent coffee, fresh seafood, casual bites, or drinks at sunset, discover the best cafés, bars, and restaurants in El Paredón that are actually worth visiting in this guide.

Where to eat in El Paredón

El Paredón may be a small surf town, but we were pleasantly surprised by the restaurants on offer. From casual Salvadoran stalls and Mexican street food to Asian fusion and sushi, there’s a little something for every craving just steps from the volcanic black-sand beach. We ate out a lot while travelling Guatemala, and were pleasantly surprised at the variety and quality here.

El Paredón Restaurants Map

We’ve pinned the best places to eat in El Paredón worth adding to your Guatemala itinerary on the interactive map below.

The best restaurants in El Paredón

1. Pupusas El Antojo

Starting off cheap and cheerful, Pupusas El Antojo is a must-visit if you’re travelling Guatmeala on a budget. Offering authentic Salvadoran comfort food, these thick, handmade pupusas are stuffed with cheese, refried beans, or meat and served hot with tangy curtido and spicy salsa.

We practically lived off frijoles y queso (beans and cheese) pupsas on both trips to El Salvador, and so we went here as soon as we arrived in El Paredón and weren’t disappointed.

The small café is casually set just off the main road in the heart of town, just a few minutes’ walk from the Super 24 grocery store, perfect for a handheld lunch or late-afternoon snack. The lady who owns it also does burgers and offers refreshing drinks and even beers.

2. Soul Food Kitchen

Soul Food Kitchen is perfect for anyone craving Asian fusion with a relaxed vibe. Set next to Element, one of the best hotels in El Paredón, this is one of the most popular restaurants in El Paredón.

The menu features Asian-inspired dishes, from fragrant Thai curries to colourful Malaysian noodle bowls, all made fresh. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are plentiful, and dishes can be adjusted to suit different spice levels.

The outdoor seating under a thatched roof is surrounded by greenery, a contrast to the hot beach it’s just a few minutes’ walk from.

3. Yoli’s Local Cuisine

Yoli’s Local Cuisine is one of El Paredón’s most popular restaurants for hearty, locally influenced Latin American and Caribbean dishes. Just a short walk from the beach, the menu features fried fish, grilled meats, rice and beans, and fresh salads – simple but satisfying coastal comfort food.

The portions are generous, making it perfect after a morning surfing in El Paredón or a long day in the sun, and the vibe is casual with tables set in the sand and a few colourful murals on the walls. There are also good veggie options available (which are sometimes hard to find with local cuisine), but the seafood (especially the ceviche) is highly recommended.

4. Zicatela

Zicatela is the go-to spot in El Paredón for proper Mexican food and strong margaritas. Located right on the main strip just a short walk from the beach, it’s one of the livelier restaurants in town, especially in the evenings.

The menu focuses on classic Mexican favourites like tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and loaded nachos, with fillings ranging from carne asada and grilled shrimp to solid veggie options. Our go-to order ever since visiting Baja California Sur is a fish taco, but we’ve heard good things about the shrimp tacos, too, and they also serve vegetarian tofu tacos. Pair it with a frozen margarita or a cold Gallo beer, refreshing in the town’s intense heat.

5. Taqueria La Guagua

One of the most unique restaurants in El Paredón, Taqueria La Guagua is hard to miss – it’s a converted bus with disco lights turned taco stand parked along the main road.

This is one of the most well-known casual dinner spots in El Paredón and tends to draw a crowd after sunset. True to its name, the focus is on tacos done well. You can choose from battered fish, shrimp, and grilled meats like pastor (pork) and pollo (chicken), topped with crunchy slaw, creamy sauces, and plenty of lime. They even offer vegan tacos!

Portions are generous and reasonably priced. It’s informal and slightly chaotic when busy, but a solid budget dinner option.

6. The Spaceship Bar & Restaurant

The Spaceship Bar & Restaurant is probably the quirkiest place to eat in El Paredón. With its futuristic, sci-fi-inspired décor, it stands out immediately from the more rustic beach shacks nearby. They just finished it on our visit, and we were transfixed every time we walked by.

Set along the main stretch close to the beach, and true to its Star Wars-inspired look, the Force is strong here. The menu is varied, with small plates and steak options, plus a wide variety of drinks. It’s known for creative cocktails, which makes it more of an evening hangout than just somewhere to eat.

7. Wok & Surf

Wok & Surf brings Asian-inspired stir-fries and noodle dishes to this small surf town, and it’s a welcome addition if you’re craving something beyond tacos and fried fish. Located just off the main road, it’s easy to reach from most hostels and hotels.

The menu includes pad thai (Lucy’s fave), fried rice, curries, and build-your-own wok bowls with your choice of protein, plus good vegetarian and vegan options. The flavours are fresh and well-balanced, and portions are generous enough to refuel after a long beach day.

The setting is simple and semi-open-air, keeping with El Paredón’s laidback feel, and it’s particularly popular for casual dinners.

8. Naoko Woks & Sushi Paredón

Naoko Woks & Sushi is one of the more upscale dining options in El Paredón, specialising in sushi rolls and wok dishes (true to its name). It’s set in an open-air courtyard, with a few different cuisine options in one space, so it’s a good spot for groups with varying tastes.

While the sushi looked delicious, with fresh tuna and salmon rolls, and tempura options, we were drawn in by the spring rolls. They also serve hot wok dishes if you’re in the mood for something lighter.

It’s a good choice for date night – you can grab a drink from Aura Mixology Bar at the same time – and it’s a bit different from the usual surf-town staples.

The best coffee shops and cafés in El Paredón

Having tasted our way around the incredible coffee shops in Antigua, we were after proper barista coffee in El Paredón and were pleased to find a few good options. Whether you’re after a strong flat white before a sunrise surf or a smoothie bowl after relaxing on the beach, here are our top cafés in El Paredón.

9. El Paredón Coffee

El Paredón Coffee was our daily go-to for a proper caffeine hit. Set along the road by Green Belly Surf Lodge, the little stall is unassuming but easy to find.

They serve solid espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos, flat whites, and iced lattes, made with Guatemalan beans, and they also have oat milk, which is our preference. You can also pick up a pastry or brownie, if you’re peckish.

There’s a small seating area out the back, as it’s on the same courtyard as Naoko Woks & Sushi Paredón, so you can sit and sip your coffee, but we’d take ours away in our reusable coffee cups and enjoy the view on the beach.

We went here practically every day as they did an amazing iced oat milk latte, which was so refreshing in the intense heat.

10. Papi’s Place

Papi’s Place is a great all-rounder if you’re after something for breakfast or lunch. Set just off the main road in the centre of town, it’s easy to stumble across while exploring.

The menu features brunch classics like bagels (even a Vegemite one for homesick Aussies) and breakfast burritos, while smoothie bowls, poke bowls, and good coffee make it a nice break from heavier fried food.

Papi’s Place is also one of the few restaurants in El Paredón with air-conditioning inside, which feels like a luxury during the hottest part of the day.

11. Surfista Cafe by Arina

Surfista Cafe feels like a little oasis tucked away from the sand. Located on the main road, a short walk towards the dock where the mangrove boat tours depart, it’s a relaxed café with a minimalist vibe and natural wood finishes.

Unfortunately, it was never open when we walked by, which is a shame, as the menu looks right up our street. It offers smoothie bowls, good coffee (with oat milk), fresh juices, and light breakfasts, making it ideal after an early surf session. Surfista also has fast WiFi, so it’s a good spot for digital nomads.

12. Cafecito Del Mar

Cafecito Del Mar is a small, no-frills café that does exactly what you need it to. Set close to the centre of town, it’s a convenient stop whether you’re heading to the beach or back to your hostel.

They focus on classic brunch items, with avocado toast, smoothie bowls, and toastadas on the menu alongside coffee, smoothies, and cold coconuts. There’s a semi-open seating area under a thatched roof, with fans which are welcoming in the midday heat.

It’s more local than some of the other spots we’ve mentioned, with friendly service and prices that won’t stretch your budget, which is perfect.

The best bars in El Paredón

When the sun dips behind the Pacific Ocean and the sky turns pink over the black sand, El Paredón shifts from sleepy surf town to laidback party spot. The bar scene is small but fun, with everything from creative cocktail lounges to hostel hangouts. Here are the best bars in El Paredón (beyond the Spaceship Bar & Restaurant, which we’ve already mentioned above).

13. Aura Mixology Bar

Aura Mixology Bar is one of the more elevated drinking spots in El Paredón, specialising in properly crafted cocktails rather than just rum and Coke. Tucked in the open-air food court we keep mentioning, it feels slightly more refined than the typical beach bar and is great if you’re celebrating a special occasion.

The menu focuses on creative, well-balanced cocktails made with fresh ingredients, house infusions, and quality spirits. Dan was thrilled to have an Old Fashioned after some real budget backpacking through Central America, and I always love an opportunity to enjoy a prosecco when I’m not fancying a margarita.

The setting is intimate and softly lit, making it a good choice for date night or a slower evening with friends before heading somewhere livelier.

14. The Driftwood Surfer Beach Hostel

The Driftwood Surfer Hostel is home to two bars and is one of the most social hubs in town. Located on the beach by the main surf break, it’s a natural meeting point for backpackers and surfers looking to start (or end) their night.

You can choose from cold beers, simple mixed drinks, and wines, with sea views from the upstairs bar (we’re sure we saw a whale splashing out at sea!), or sip your drink by the pool on the ground floor. Don’t miss happy hour, when drinks are dirt cheap.

If you’re travelling solo, this is one of the easiest places to strike up a conversation and make plans for the next day’s surf.

15. Wander Boutique Hotel

We discovered Wander Boutique Hotel because it looks so beautiful, but we were sold when we saw it offers a colourful mimosa flight. Set just off the beach, this is a more sophisticated place for an evening drink.

Wander also has a Southern-inspired restaurant next door, serving classics like chicken and waffles and wings. It’s a great middle-ground option if you want a nice outdoor atmosphere and decent drinks without committing to a full hostel party.

16. Cocori Lodge

Cocori Lodge is one of the beachfront bars in El Paredón. It’s set right on the beach, making it a prime sunset spot. The drinks menu is simple, with cold local beers, classic cocktails, and fresh coconut water with or without rum, but that’s all you really need in this setting.

The vibe is super lively with loud music, and it’s pumping all day, so it’s not as upmarket, but it’s great for day drinking in the sun with direct beach access. This is also one of the best places in El Paredón for nightlife, with themed nights, weekly beer pong tournaments, and guest DJs from around the world.

17. Xanadu Cocktail Bar

Xanadu Cocktail Bar feels like a bit of a hidden gem compared to some of the louder spots in town. Tucked away off the main road, it’s tiny – literally just a bar – near the beach.

The cocktails are creative and well thought out, often featuring fresh fruit and interesting flavour combinations, but it’s not the cheapest spot.

Where to buy groceries in El Paredón

El Paredón is a tiny town, so don’t expect big supermarkets or endless choice, but you’ll find everything you need for a short stay. Most grocery shopping happens along the main road that runs through the centre of town, where small tiendas and mini-markets sell the basics (mostly on the west side of town).

The most convenient option is Super 24, located right in the centre of town on the main strip. It’s the closest thing El Paredón has to a mini supermarket, selling snacks, alcohol, soft drinks, basic groceries, toiletries, and even bags of ice. It’s open long hours and is usually the first stop for travellers when they arrive. You can also pick up fresh fruit and veggies from Local Fruits and Vegetables.

If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, it’s easy enough to pick up snacks, drinks, fruit, and simple ingredients for breakfast or lunch. For anything more specific or speciality, you’ll need to stock up in Antigua or Guatemala City before arriving.

Tips for dining in El Paredón

Dining in El Paredón is very much a go-with-the-flow experience. Most restaurants are open-air, with tables set in sandy courtyards, under palm-thatched roofs, or right off the dusty main road, which is all part of the charm. Because of that, it’s worth bringing a good eco-friendly insect repellent, especially in the evenings when mosquitoes come out near the beach and mangroves. Loose, lightweight clothing also helps once the sun goes down.

Another thing to be aware of is that opening hours can be unpredictable. Even in peak season, we found several places closed on random days or operating on reduced hours, particularly midweek. It’s common for kitchens to close earlier than expected if it’s quiet, or for spots to shut entirely for a day off.

Our advice is to have a couple of backup options in mind, eat slightly earlier than you might in a city, and don’t leave it too late if you have your heart set on a specific place. Part of El Paredón’s appeal is that it’s small and locally run, but that does mean flexibility is key when it comes to food plans.

Read next:

A Traveller’s Guide to El Paredón: Guatemala’s Surf Town

15 Exciting Things to Do in El Paredón

Where to Stay in El Paredón: 17 Hotels For Every Budget from Boutique to Boujee

A Complete Guide to Surfing in El Paredón

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