Where to eat in San Salvador, in the bustling capital of El Salvador? This city is a treasure trove of culinary experiences, offering a mix of traditional flavors and modern tastes. Whether you’re in the mood for authentic pupusas, international cuisines, or cozy cafes, the city has something to satisfy every palate and budget. In this guide, I’ll share some of the best places I’ve personally tried. From iconic street food spots to casual dining options that showcase the city’s vibrant food culture.
1.) Pupusería Mayarac
This pupusería is a go-to spot for traditional Salvadoran cuisine and known for its freshly made pupusas with a variety of fillings. Also try their hot chocolate. The characteristics of this restaurant are: cozy, casual atmosphere with authentic experience and it is highly praised for its flavour and quick service. It is a local favourite, however the place itself is not so big.
Prices: Budget-friendly; pupusas typically cost around $1-$2 USD each.
Address: at the intersection of streets Calle Constitución and Boulevard Constitución, Calle Constitución 2, San Salvador
FB: https://www.facebook.com/mayaracpupusas
But what is pupusa exactly?
It is declared the national dish of El Salvador. Pupusas are like flatbread and are made of corn or rice flour and usually are stuffed with one or more ingredients. Pupusas typically accompanied by a spicy fermented cabbage slaw and tomato salsa, and are traditionally eaten by hand.
Me personally I liked the pupusas made from rice flour better, but try both.
2.) Pupusería Abbi
Offers a wide range of pupusas and other kind of dishes, as well. The pupusería is loved for its flavourful pupusas and large portions, you can choose between two sizes of pupusas. It is a welcoming and family-friendly place with an authentic touch. The place itself is big, and can be a bit noisy. Try also their hot chocolate. You can even buy sweets and other little souvenirs there.
Prices: Affordable, with most pupusas priced under $2 USD.
Address: Planes De Renderos, San Salvador
FB: https://www.facebook.com/abbi.pupuseria.7
IG: https://www.instagram.com/abbipupuseria
3.) Pollo Campero
A fast-food chain famous for its fried chicken and accompanying sides like fries and salads. The three characteristics: tender, juicy and crispy inseparably associated with the brand. I think the not crispy chicken is more delicious than the crispy one. The air-conditioning was heavy, it was too cold (at least for me) in the restaurant.
It was founded in 1971 in Guatemala and appeared in El Salvador a year later. In the 1990s, they began to expand throughout Latin America and in 2002 also in the USA with great success. Thanks to these successes, they expanded their presence to Europe (appeared in Spain in 2006) and Asia (in 2007 in China, India and Middle East), thus they are now present in 12 countries in total. We tried this fast food restaurant in Guatemala, too, but I think the food was tastier in El Salvador.
Prices: Moderate; meals range from $5-$10 USD.
Address: Multiple locations throughout the city.
web: https://www.campero.com/sv/inicio
FB: https://www.facebook.com/PolloCamperoElSalvador
IG: https://www.instagram.com/camperosv
4.) Puerto Marisco
A seafood restaurant with relaxed and vibrant atmosphere, focused on coastal flavors and decor. You can order fresh seafood dishes, including ceviche, grilled fish, and shrimp cocktails. Praised for its fresh ingredients and generous portions and wide variety of food. For me the food was plentiful, I couldn’t eat my dinner all at once. So, I took it home and ate the leftover food next morning.
Prices: Mid-range, with main dishes costing between $10-$20 USD.
Address: several locations throughout the city.
Menu: https://puertomarisco.com/menu-pdf-ss/
web: https://puertomarisco.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/puertomarisco.sv
IG: https://www.instagram.com/puertomarisco/
5.) Pizzeria da Mario
Authentic Italian-style pizzas, panini and other italian dishes are on the menu. The restaurant is loved for its authentic Italian flavors and friendly service. The owner is an Italian guy. Cozy and welcoming, perfect for casual dining with friends or family. You can choose between two sizes of pizzas and the restaurant is in Santa Tecla.
Prices: Reasonable, with pizzas priced around $8-$15 USD.
Address: 5 av. Norte 2-4, Santa Tecla, El Salvador, 503
FB: https://www.facebook.com/pizzeriadamariost
IG: https://www.instagram.com/pizzeria_da_mario_2015/
6.) Small eateries around UCA
Small eateries and local food stalls can be found near Jose Simeon Canas Central American University. These offer affordable meals like pupusas, grilled meats, and typical Salvadoran dishes. Casual and no-frills, perfect for a quick and tasty meal. Great value for the price and loved by students and locals. I tried the choco banano here. It is a half banana dipped in liquid chocolate and sprinkled with nuts, sweets etc., of your choice.
Prices: Very affordable, with meals often under $5 USD.
Address: around Calle del Mediterraneo, Bulevar Los Próceres, Antiguo Cuscatlán, walkable from the university
7.) Club La Dalia
A lively and vibrant club in the heart of San Salvador, often featuring live performances or music. Appreciated for its atmosphere and excellent, unique blend of local dishes. In the afternoon people are playing billiard, the walls are covered with old photos. The view from the windows is very nice. A cozy and artsy place with drawings on the wall (e.g. the header image of this post). It was founded in 1937.
Prices: Mid-range, with main courses starting at $8-$15 USD.
Address: 4a Avenida Sur y 2a Calle Oriente, Edificio La Dalia, 2do Nivel, San Salvador
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ClubLaDalia/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/clubladalia/
8.) Café Palacio
A chic, modern cafe with a laid-back vibe, popular for its high-quality coffee and comfortable setting. Delicious coffee and light meals like sandwiches and pastries are offered. The café can be found in the center of Santa Tecla, in the Santa Tecla’s Palace of Culture and the Arts’ building. The building itself is also worth visiting.
Prices: Moderate; coffee and snacks range from $3-$10 USD.
Address: 1 Calle Pte. 2º, Santa Tecla, Salvador
web: cafepalaciosv.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/p/Café-Palacio-61550098535644/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cafepalacio_sv
9.) Juan Valdez Café
Colombian coffee and pastries are on the menu. Modern and stylish, known for consistently great coffee and comfortable spaces. Founded in 2002 in Colombia. They opened their cafe in Washington in 2005, and in 2014 in El Salvador. Now the cafe is present in 33 markets including South America, Europe and Asia. The coffee is delicious, you can choose from several options, worth a taste.
Prices: Moderate; coffee ranges from $3-$6 USD.
Address: Several locations throughout the city.
FB: https://www.facebook.com/JuanValdezCafe/?brand_redir=198826863623603
IG: https://www.instagram.com/juanvaldezcafe.sv/
10.) Typical Salvadoran breakfast
A typical Salvadoran breakfast contains eggs (scrambled or fried), mashed beans, fried platano (banana), cheese and sour cream and some kind of bread or tortilla. Their beans are completely different from the beans I know in Europe, they taste differently, and they don’t cause bloating either. Where to eat it in San Salvador? You can try it e.g. in pupuserías, at local markets or in shopping malls.
Where to eat in San Salvador, in the city that boasts a diverse food scene that caters to all tastes? For a traditional Salvadoran experience, head to Pupusería Mayarac or Pupusería Abbi for freshly made pupusas. Seafood lovers will enjoy Puerto Marisco, while fans of Italian flavors can visit Pizzeria da Mario in Santa Tecla. For coffee and light bites, Cafe Palacio and Juan Valdez Cafe offer excellent options. Whether you’re looking for affordable meals near José Simeón Cañas Central American University or a lively night out at Club La Dalia, this city has plenty to explore for food enthusiasts.
If you want to search for restaurants and cafés across the whole country, check out this blog post.
Which places are your favourites?
Are there any other affordable restaurants in San Salvador you know?
What do you think the best restaurants are in San Salvador?
Which Pupuserías would you recommend in San Salvador?
What would you suggest for people who want to try traditional Salvadoran food?
Where to eat in San Salvador in your opinion?
