Dining out can be expensive, even in Guatemala. Many restaurants in Panajachel charge Q70 to Q150 ($9-$20 USD) per meal. If you are eating out for every meal, this could add up quickly and push you over budget.
Here is a list of my favorite cheap eats in Panajachel for Q35 ($4.50 USD) or less!
Restaurante Mexicano la Michoacana
Cost per meal: Q30 ($3.88 USD)
When we entered Restaurante Mexicano La Michoacana, it was a rainy day in Panajachel. Our clothes were soaked as we took our seats in the small and empty restaurant, only 1 hour before closing. I ordered the chicken burrito, with no dairy (no sour cream, no cheese). My husband opted for the beef steak burrito. My burrito was not spicy but instead reminded me of chicken soup. A comforting meal on a drizzly day in Panajachel. The burrito was quite large, delicious, and very affordable.
Churrascon Tejano
Cost per meal: Q30 ($3.88 USD)
Churrascon Tejano is one of my favorite places to eat in Panajachel. Not only is the food fresh and made to order, but the value is exceptional. We have tried both chicken and pork, with the pork being my personal favorite. Each meal comes with guacamole, beans, a tomato-based dipping sauce, grilled green onions, lime, tortillas, and your meat of choice. As long as you can put up with a bit of smoke coming from the grill, it is worth a visit on your next trip to Panajachel.
La Herradura Panajachel
Cost per meal: Q30 ($3.88 USD)
A little off the beaten path, La Herradura Panajachel is an excellent spot for a great taco or 4! They offer a variety of meat options, including pork, beef, and chicken. They do not have a menu, but instead, the chief helps you decide (the only staff member). We do not speak Spanish, so we opted for a mixed plate, so we could try a variety. 4 tacos came to Q30 or $3.88 USD, a great deal in my books!
Cheros Bar Pupusería
Cost per meal: Q30 ($3.88 USD)
Pupusas are an affordable and filling dish, perfect for those on a tight budget. Churros Bar Pupuseria is no exception, pairing cheap prices with a delicious product. Three pupusas is a standard meal, but to be honest, I would have been OK with two. With each pupusa costing only Q10 ($1.29 USD), you can always order less and save more. As pupusas typically contain cheese and I have a dairy allergy, I was worried there would be no options for me, but they were very accommodating. I had 1 chicken, 1 bean, and 1 pork pupusa, while my husband had a similar mix but with cheese. They were very delicious, filling, and made fresh to order. My only complaint is it was very smoky due to the grill.
Rinconcito Salvadoreño
Cost per meal: Q35 ($4.50 USD)
Another pupusa hot spot, Rinconcito Salvadoreno is a great spot to recharge, while taking in the view of Panajachels busy tourist strip. Although Rinconcito Salvadoreno is a little hard to find on street level, once you make your way up the two flights of stairs, you will be rewarded with a spacious roof-top restaurant. With various options to choose from, Rinconcito Salvadoreno is very accommodating and allergy-friendly. Because of my dairy allergy, I opted for no cheese and went for the mushroom and bean pupusas. Which are also a great option for vegans and vegetarians! Three pupusas are only Q25, but with the dipping sauce and sauerkraut, it costs Q35.
Trying to stick to a strict budget doesn’t mean not eating out or trying delicious local cuisines. We dined out at a variety of restaurants in Panajachel, including high-end establishments, and “Churrascon Tejano” is still my favorite. Just because a restaurant is fancy, doesn’t mean it has the best food.
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