Lake Atitlan Restaurants: Cafe La Puerta in San Pedro la Laguna
Many restaurants boast views of the lake, but at Cafe La Puerta you can dine mere feet from the surf lapping the shore.
It’s among the most laid back, peaceful places to dine in San Pedro, especially for breakfast.
Dining on the Lakefront
Cafe La Puerta is on the lakefront, easy to reach from San Pedro Spanish School and hotels Mikaso and Sak Carit. You can eat in the garden beside the path or on a wide stretch of grass and tropical foliaged that leads to the shore and vistas of the nearby volcanoes and Punta de Oro.
I enjoyed a quiet breakfast under a palapa there on one of the first sunny days in mid-July, when I had a late breakfast of chilaquiles with scrambled eggs and beans. La Puerta is the only place in town I’ve seen serving this dish, which was far more authentic than what I had in Antigua in June.
Other Mexican-style breakfasts include Huevos Rancheros with a spicy red sauce and the Mexican with Jalapeno peppers. You can also get gringo-style breakfasts such as pancakes, omelets, French toast and granola.
Lunch and Dinner
Sandwiches share the bill with Tex-Mex, sandwiches and salads. Quesadillas, tacos and burritos can be ordered vegetarian or with chicken.
The most unusual item on the menu, aside from chilaquiles, is the Tropical Burrito. When’s the last time you had a chicken burrito with coconut, pineapple, citrus dressing and nuts in addition to the standard cheese and lettuce?
Another unusual dish is the Grilled Marinated Eggplant, flavored with olive oil, parmesan and pumpkin seeds. All of La Puerta’s sandwiches arrive on a three-seed integral bread with a side of fruit.
A wide assortment of juices, teas and other non-alcoholic drinks is available, as well as beer, wine and mixed drinks. This makes Cafe la Puerta a great place for a quiet drink or three while watching the sunset.
Location: On the lakeside path between Hotel Mikaso and San Pedro Spanish School. Open for breakfast and lunch; reservations required for dinner.