El Gran Sol, Santiago Atitlan

Travelers to Lake Atitlan in Guatemala can find great dining options in some villages such as San Pedro and Panajachel.

However, Santiago Atitlan has the fewest dining options of any of the villages. That said, visitors to El Gran Sol will not be disappointed.

Situated just beyond the main dock, it’s impossible to miss this simple yet attractive restaurant. The décor is not fussy, and the same can be said of the menu.

Although there is a large selection of items, most do not stray beyond your choice of meat in a variety of sauces with steamed vegetables and tortillas. While it might not win any prizes for innovation, there is nothing wrong with a well-cooked plate of tasty food.

The garlic chicken was exactly what I need after a long day hiking around the lake. Instead of trying to make complicated dishes and failing, El Gran Sol knows what it is good at and sticks to it.

The asparagus soup was great, as was the grilled beef. You can choose from a number of local juices or fizzy drinks, but one point to note is El Gran Sol does not serve alcohol.

However, the wait to get your hands on your first beer is a small price to pay in return for a good feed in a clean, friendly restaurant. There is little to shout about at El Gran Sol, but nothing to complain about either.

The bill came to $5 per person with a bottle of Coca Cola.

El Gran Sol

Canton Tzanjuyu

Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala

502 4271 4642