Vegan Restaurants in Antigua
Bienvenido! So, you’ve made it to Antigua and are unsure where to start looking for good, safe vegan food? Satisfying not only your stomach but your tastebuds too? Look no further. We’ve done our time in Antigua and we’ve come across plenty of ‘plant-based’ or ‘health-food’ restaurants. After trying out a whole lot of them, we can confidently recommend 9 of the best vegan restaurants in Antigua, Guatemala.
Almendra
As a newly opened, passionately vegan restaurant in Antigua, Guatemala, we were excited but cautious when coming across Almendra.
For Gabby’s birthday, we made sure to research first and find something with good hearty vegan meals and sweet treats that could double as a birthday cake.
Lucky for us, Almendra was one of the few with both!
With a mix of more traditional Guatemalan dishes and things like pasta or veggie burgers, it was hard to go wrong. While it’s not street food price, spending a bit more on a meal for a special occasion (like a birthday) is worth it.
The owner was a kind young man with obvious excitement and dedication to a plant-based lifestyle. He was making everything himself in the kitchen, including vegan meringue, carrot cake and black bean brownie!
We wish we had been in Antigua longer so we could have visited this restaurant more often, and supported his new business.
Delhi6
I’m sure you all know how it feels to wake up one day suddenly craving a beautifully spiced curry with rice and naan. And to be fair, we had been travelling for a few months at this point, and a couple of Indian restaurants we had tried across Central America had just not been up to par.
So of course the curry craving is going to come with a vengeance! And that was where Delhi6 came in.
Delhi6, an Indian restaurant right next door to our hostel saved the day with a massive stuffed dosa, and a flavourful aloo gobi (potato and cauliflower dry curry). Of course with a side of rice and a hot naan.
Meaning we quickly filled any remaining desire for curry spices and heart-warming Indian food as we stuffed ourselves full.
If you’re willing to splurge on a meal and spend upwards of Q50, then we recommend Delhi6 for sure.
While the menu isn’t entirely vegan, the many items on the menu that are are marked clearly with a symbol.
Kombu Ramen Shop
Sick of beans? Craving ramen!?! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Some of the best ramen we have ever eaten was at Kombu Ramen shop!
Be warned, it’s not cheap. But so worth it for a treat, or just to eat something a bit different for a change.
On their menu, they have a few different vegan options that are clearly marked. A delicious Vegan Shoyu, which is a vegetable broth with red cabbage, bock choy, mushrooms, turnips and spring onions.
There is also a vegan curry option that has similar vegetables but is cooked with curry paste instead.
They even have vegan gyosas which looked amazing!
When we visited, we ordered the miso ramen. The depth of flavour was amazing, and the noodles were super fresh.
Kombu is definitely worth visiting if you have the time.
La Bruja
One of our favourite vegan restaurants in Antigua, Guatemala, is La Bruja. They serve a nice balance of traditional Central American cuisine, alongside more Western foods like burgers and pizzas.
The service here was awesome, and when the food came out we were even more impressed.
We know many vegans aren’t fans of the fake meats you can find in vegan options at restaurants. But here at La Bruja, whether you like fake meats or would prefer veggie alternatives for your protein, they’ve got all your options covered.
Impossible meats, soy sausages, or fried tofu and veggie burgers. It’s all good!
So, if you’re in desperate need of a loaded pizza with your choice of yummy toppings, La Bruja is the place to be.
Once Once
At Once Once, you pay for the service and the vibes. So if you’re looking for budget-friendly meals, move on, my friend.
Once Once (11:11) is one of the best vegan restaurants in Antigua if you want to splurge for a special occasion.
On arrival, you’re served a complimentary broth-like soup. Similar to a miso, to warm you up for your meal.
Their menu lists a variety of beautifully put-together dishes such as enchiladas, pad Thai, pasta and even tempura sushi.
Followed by incredible vegan desserts including a creme brulee, tiramisu and key lime pie making for a special evening.
Nalu Superfood Bowls & Coffee
Nalu was our go-to spot for breakfast in Antigua. They offer smoothie bowls, acai bowls, chia puddings and oat bowls.
You can build your own by picking your bases and different toppings, or order one of their popular premade options.
They have a massive selection of tasty toppings, from bananas and granola to cocoa nibs and strawberries.
It’s a small cafe at the entrance of La Bruja (another fully vegan restaurant). And while Nalu is not fully vegan, there are plenty of vegan options. You can even get vegan yoghurt!
Our go-to order is the classic acai with granola, blueberry and strawberry. A great way to stay the day with lots of fresh fruits!
Samsara
Whole food and delicioso is how we would describe Samsara. As far as vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Antigua, Guatemala go, Samsara is a tasteful, safe option.
Nearly everything on the menu is vegan (and plenty of gluten-free options!), and they’re usually open until late. They serve meals throughout the day, and we recommend coming here with others. Then, you can order a range of dishes and try them all!
Samsara gives organic, hippy vibes. Decorative pillows, beautiful tapestries and art hang on the walls, creating a comfortable atmosphere.
The menu includes different forms of tofu and tempeh, beans, tacos and tostadas, fermented foods like kimchi, and even the option for a burger. Samsara offers a wide range of options for all meals, including a variety of share plates, and generally fresh, organic foods.
Like a few of the vegan restaurants in the area, there is a fridge which stocks whole foods and raw desserts which you can buy to take away with you.
Union Cafe & Juice Bar
Union Cafe is one of the few spots in Antigua that have a vegan breakfast option.
They offer fluffy organic vegan pancakes with a side of seasonal fruits. The perfect breakfast before a long shuttle.
A bonus is that they open at 7:30 am most mornings!
Union Cafe has a wide range of superfood green smoothies and fruit smoothies if you need a health boost.
This restaurant is not fully vegan, but they have lots of plant-based lunch options to keep us tree-lovers happy. These consist of tortilla soup, vegan tacos and even a cactus wrap! Muy bien.
Wachuma
Wachuma is one of the many ‘health food’ vegan restaurants in Antigua. This vegan restaurant serves a delicious selection of classic tacos, burgers, and nachos, as well as a variety of raw bowls.
The taco bowls, curry bowls, and tempeh bowls are their most popular choices and are what Wachuma is most known for.
They also have a fridge at the front that displays whole foods and raw desserts. Jars of pickles, fermented foods, cashew cheese and kombucha are available here for purchase.
For large portions, fast service, and fresh food that brings you back to life after hiking up and down the Acatenango Volcano, come here!
Final Thoughts on the Best Vegan Restaurants in Antigua Guatemala
All in all, Antigua can be super accessible for vegans and vegetarians if you know where to look. Given there’s such a large western population residing in and around Antigua, you’ve always got a backup, even if it does end up costing a bit more.
Cooking for yourself is also a really smart option, especially if you do not want to spend so much money on Western plant-based restaurants or go out to eat 3 times a day! There’s a large supermarket off one of the main streets where you can find all types of bread, snacks, veggies and even a block of tofu if you look hard enough.
Also, if you’re looking for a vegan-friendly hostel, Hostal de le Fuente provides free breakfasts and free dinners (really delicioso), catering for the veggie lovers. And the hostel Casi Casa also serves vegan options included in their free breakfasts.
Gracias for reading this far. We’d love to know if we’ve missed somewhere hidden or iconic in Antigua, Guatemala, so reach out on our socials and let us know!
If you’re in Antigua and are interested in challenging hikes, we’ve written a blog on tackling the Acatenango volcano hike. Check it out!
If you are heading to Lake Atitlan check out our review of the best Spanish school in San Pedro! and where to find the best vegan food on Lake Atitlan.
Are you planning on heading to Belize or Honduras Next? Check out our guide on how to get from Belize to Honduras by ferry!