Lake Atitlan Restaurants: La Niez in San Pedro
My main rule when dining out is never eat anything I can't pronounce. Luckily, I made an exception with the Guicoyitos at La Niez in June.
La Niez is one of the few places here with Guatemalan food beyond burritos (which, for the record, were invented by Mexicans in the southwestern United States).
Guatemalan Cuisine
Guicoyitos is a sort of thick, tomato-based stew made with zucchini, onions and just enough chile to make it slightly spicy.
It was accompanied by a big portion of rice and a salad. Guicoyitos can be ordered with meat or all-vegetarian. A friend had just ordered the same thing, and agreed that it's a delicious meal that is good for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The chef, Evelyn, is Guatemalan, so you know you’re getting an authentic recipe. Guicoyitos are on the menu, but watch for occasional specials such as Flor de Izote, a pork dish spiced with the heart of a white flower, the Izote.
Early Breakfast
La Niez is a convenient for an early breakfast like the Desayuno Tipico. Lunch and dinner favorites include sandwiches, Chicken Burritos and the new Guacamole Cheeseburger. I especially like the small boiled potatoes that come with the hamburgers instead of French fries.
Prices are economical, and the same goes for drinks such as two for one Mojitos.
Crane plays some of the town's most eclectic music, giving the place a distinctly Bohemian feel. So does Crane’s original art.
The garden restaurant is the place to see and be seen, as locals and tourists stroll past the wooden fence a few feet away (international fugitives, take note). Inside the bar, only one table and a few barstools make this a cozy place to drink, gossip and invent rumors.
Location: 7th Ave. between el Barrio and Nuevo Sol. Opens at 7 AM, Monday-Thursday; 10 AM Saturday-Sunday