Santo Pan, Guatemala City

This trendy cafe-bistro opened in November 2015 and entered a crowded market in Zone 4 of Guatemala City.

Santo Pan offers gourmet sandwiches with a number of options available. I opted for the Cuban sandwich, which came with thinly sliced, marinated Cuban pork with a side of French fries.

The pork itself was succulent and the bread was fresh and crusty. The portion of fries was on the small side, but they were excellently cooked and lightly seasoned with paprika.

As part of a $9 combo, the sandwich and fries came with a coffee. Guatemala is renowned for its many different blends, most of which are exported. This can make it far harder to find a decent coffee than you might expect, but the owners of Santo Pan have gone out of their way to ensure you can get a good brew.

I tried a blend from Huehuetenango in the north of the country, which came served in a French press. After a friendly reminder to wait four minutes before drinking, I knew I was in for a good coffee. I wasn’t disappointed.

The ingredients at Santo Pan are top quality and while the portions are on the small side you will leave feeling satisfied. At $9 for a sandwich, fries and coffee, it’s not exactly cheap, but the knowledgeable and helpful staff make you appreciate the slight premium you are paying.

There is indoor and outdoor seating, but a windy location between two tall buildings can make the outside seats more stressful than they are worth. It’s overall recommended for those who like their sandwiches a bit more imaginative than ham and cheese.

Santo Pan

Via 4 1-30 Zona 4

Guatemala City

502 2362 0399