El Salvador’s culinary scene is as diverse as its landscapes. Offering everything from traditional pupusas to gourmet dining experience surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Whether you are exploring the beaches of El Zonte, hiking the trails of Cerro Verde or wandering the charming streets of Suchitoto, this guide will lead you to some unique restaurants and cafés. These locations let you know where to eat in El Salvador and offer a taste of the Salvadoran culture.
1.) Pupusería La Carmencha in Olocuilta
Pupusería La Carmencha is in Olocuilta, which is the “Home of Pupusas.” Olocuilta is famous for its rice flour pupusas, a local specialty you shouldn’t miss. Rice flour pupusas are the original version of pupusas. You can choose from many pupusería in Olocuilta, but La Carmencha is a local favourite. It is perfect for experiencing a local culinary tradition and authentic flavours.
Prices: Very affordable with pupusas priced at $1–$2 USD.
Olocuilta is a 20-minute drive from San Salvador. It is on the main highway that connects the airport with San Salvador, so, you can make a quick stop en route to or from the airport. It is accessible by car or public buses heading south from San Salvador.
Address: HV7M+H66, Olocuilta, Salvador
But what is pupusa? I wrote about it in this blog post, where you can find places, you shall try in San Salvador, the capital city of El Salvador.
2.) Bella Luna at El Zonte beach
Bella Luna restaurant is located at El Zonte beach, one of the favorite among beachgoers. The restaurant offers fresh dishes like seafood, including ceviche and shrimp, alongside international options like burgers and salads. Or you can order a Frozen, like we did, it really is cooling in the hot weather, and also flavourful. Bella Luna is a perfect place for dining with picturesque ocean views and it has a truly relaxing vibe.
Prices: Mid-range; meals typically cost between $8–$15 USD.
Accessible by car, 45-60-minute drive from San Salvador along the coastal road, or you can call an Uber.
Address: FHW6+39Q, Final Calle Principal, Playa El Zonte, Chiltiupán, Salvador
IG: https://www.instagram.com/elzonte_bella_luna/
3.) Ixcanal Café in Suchitoto
In the charming colonial town of Suchitoto, Ixcanal Café is the perfect spot for a traditional Salvadoran meal paired with a dessert or locally sourced coffee. I tried lemon coffee which looked like if I had drunk beer, it even had foam on it. Its flavour was definitely not beer, it was tasty and very refreshing. Coffee and zesty lemon, definitely worth a try.
The restaurant has a colonial-style decor with a peaceful, laid-back vibe, reflecting the town’s charming atmosphere. It is truly a hidden gem for coffee lovers and fans of authentic flavours.
Prices: Affordable; meals range from $5–$12 USD.
Easily accessible by car, it is about 1-hour drive from San Salvador; or you can reach Suchitoto by bus 129.
Address: Av. 15 de Septiembre 1, Suchitoto, Salvador
FB: https://www.facebook.com/p/Ixcanal-100089990165787/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ixcanal/
4.) Los Volcanes Bistro Café Cerro Verde
Nestled in Cerro Verde National Park with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding volcanoes. After exploring the trails of Cerro Verde National Park, you can take a break at Los Volcanes Bistro Café. The restaurant offers soups, sandwiches and grilled meats, and exceptional coffee. You can debate whether the meals and coffee or the landscape and views are better.
Prices: Moderate; dishes range from $10–$20 USD.
You can reach it with a scenic drive from Santa Ana or San Salvador by car or you can attend any tour group.
Address: R9GG+F5, El Congo, Salvador
Web: losvolcanesbistrocafe.com.sv
FB: https://www.facebook.com/losvolcanesbistrocafe/
5.) Ice-cream on the Santa Ana volcano
After the rewarding hike to the summit of the Santa Ana Volcano (Ilamatepec), there’s a delightful surprise waiting for you. You can buy ice cream at the top and can even choose from 4-5 flavours. It’s not just about the ice cream, because honestly, it’s nothing special. But rather it’s about the surreal experience of enjoying a cold dessert atop an active volcano.
Price: very affordable.
6.) Hostal y Café Entre Piedras in Alegría
This hostel and café can be found high in the mountains of Alegría, which is famous for its crater lake of the Tecapa volcano. The cafe is highly regarded for its hospitality, with a family-run feel. They offer freshly brewed coffee and hot chocolate, homemade meals, including soups and traditional Salvadoran dishes. Perfect for relaxing after exploring the nearby crater lake, and the surrounding charming towns. It’s garden is full of tropical plants and very cozy.
Prices: Budget-friendly; meals are typically under $10 USD.
You can reach it from San Salvador in about 2 hours by car.
Address: 2a Av. Sur & Pje Gimaldi, Alegría, Salvador
FB: https://www.facebook.com/entrepiedrasalegria/
7.) Café Albania in Apaneca
Café Albania is a café and an adventure park with activities like zip-lining and a maze. It’s really fun. It can be found in the serene coffee-growing region of Apaneca, tranquil and scenic, and is surrounded by coffee plantations. Exceptional coffee, pastries, and light meals are offered. You get a voucher of $5 USD with your entrance ticket which you can use for buying food or any of the activities.
Prices: Reasonable; coffee and snacks cost around $5–$10 USD.
Accessible by car, it’s a 90-minute drive from San Salvador; or by public transport along the Ruta de las Flores, buses 205 and 249.
Address: Cantón san Ramón, contiguo a pila san Andrés Finca Albania, Apaneca, Salvador
Web: https://laberintoalbania.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/restaurantecafealbania/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cafealbania/
8.) Tayúa in Concepción de Ataco
This charming restaurant serves gourmet Salvadoran dishes, including grilled meats, tamales and soups in the picturesque town of Ataco along the Ruta de las Flores. It is an elegant yet cozy restaurant with an artistic decor in a unique atmosphere. It is praised for its warm hospitality and delicious food, which you can see on the cover image of this post. You can even visit the garden where you can see a lot of tropical plants and coffee plantations.
Prices: Mid-to-high range, with meals costing around $10–$20 USD.
Address: RN 15S, Concepción de Ataco, Salvador
FB: https://www.facebook.com/tayuabosque/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/tayua_bosque/
9.) Food festival in Juayúa
Juayúa, a charming town along the Ruta de las Flores, is renowned for its food festivals. The festival transforms the village into a bustling hub of culinary delights. The vendors offer a variety of traditional Salvadoran dishes like grilled meats, seafood, soups, and, of course, pupusas. I tried the yuca fríta con chicharrón (fried yuca with pork), they served it on a banana leaf. It was very tasty. Perfect to fill up with food before or after you visit the nearby waterfalls.
Address: you can find it near the main square of Juayúa
Prices: affordable
10.) Tiny pupusería in Apaneca
In the heart of Apaneca, just a short walk from the main church, a small pupusería offers a cozy and authentic dining experience, giving you a true taste of local dining. It’s a hidden gem for anyone looking to enjoy simple, authentic Salvadoran food in a charming little town. They offer classic Salvadoran pupusas made with love and served hot, right from the stove. Discovering such places is part of the adventure in traveling to small towns like Apaneca.
Where to eat in El Salvador? From the streets of Olocuilta to the mountains of Alegría, El Salvador offers a wealth of culinary treasures to discover. Each restaurant and cafe on this list is more than just a dining spot; it’s a window into the culture and flavors that make this country unique. Wherever your journey takes you, be sure to savor the food and the unforgettable experiences along the way.
Have you tried any of these spots? Let me know your favourite Salvadoran dining experience in the comments!
Which ones are your favourites?
Are there any other affordable restaurants in El Salvador you know?
What do you think the best restaurants are in El Salvador?
Which Pupuserías would you recommend in El Salvador? Where to eat pupusas in El Salvador?
What would you suggest for people who want to try traditional Salvadoran food?
Where to eat in El Salvador in your opinion?
