Guatemala
“This is an exciting time to be in Guatemala. Just like the land itself, this ancient culture is in a state of renewal, and you can feel the creative energy everywhere.”
PHIL'S Guatemala LOCATIONS
Doña María Gordillo
Phil’s first stop in Guatemala is for some sweet treats at Doña Maria Gordillo. Founded in 1872, it’s not only the oldest sweets shop in Guatemala, it might be the best one! Some of Phil’s favorites include the candied orange, figs stuffed with coconut, and a candied squash.
Address: H749+WC6, Poniente, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Mercado Central
Phil meets his friend Claudia Guerra at one of her favorite places from her childhood in Guatemala, Mercado Central. This central market is one of the largest in all of Central America, and is a must-see for anybody visiting Guatemala City. Phil and Claudia stop for chile rellenos, plantains in mole, and a towering tostada at Claudia’s favorite food stand, Doña Mela.
Address: 8 Calle, Cdad. de Guatemala, Guatemala
Barriga Llena
Phil meets chef Mario Godínez at his restaurant, Barriga Llena. Cozying up to the bar, Phil starts off with a plate of shucos (a Guatemalan hot dog) made with smoked sausages and topped with homemade sauerkraut. Don’t miss their fried chicken, Phil says it’s some of the best he’s ever had!
Address: 6a Avenida Norte 4, Antigua, Guatemala 03001, Guatemala
Casa Santo Domingo
Phil visits Casa Santo Domingo, a hotel set in a convent from 300 years ago. Destroyed in the last great earthquake to hit Guatemala, this beautiful hotel feels more like an archaeological site, with plenty to see and explore.
Address: 3a Calle Oriente 28 A, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Hugo’s Ceviches
Phil takes his local fixers Greg, Harold, and Rebecca to dinner at Hugo’s Ceviches. Phil and his new friends sit at the original ceviche truck operated by Hugo’s father (Hugo Sr.), which resides in the courtyard of one of Hugo’s two brick and mortar restaurants. They enjoy shucos, pizza, whole fried fish, and (of course) delicious ceviche.
Address: Alameda de Santa Lucia 19, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
El Comalote
The comal is a large cast iron griddle and is one of the fundamental instruments in Guatemalan cooking. Chef Gabriela Perdomo’s El Comalote is known for their beautifully multicolored tortillas made from different types of heirloom corn, griddled to perfection on their massive comal. Phil is joined by food journalist Lucia Barrios, and they share a large assortment of Guatemalan classics while Phil learns about and tastes the diversity of the local corn.
Address: 4a Calle Ote. 47, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Nanik
Phil brings Claudia along with his family to the modern Guatemalan restaurant Nanik. Chef Fernando Solís modernizes familiar Guatemalan cuisine with high quality ingredients and innovative cooking technique. They enjoy esquites with smoked cheese and beetroot, sea bass tartare, and beef tongue with peppers and charred onions.
Address: 4a Calle Ote. 44c, Antigua Guatemala 01003, Guatemala
Finca El Tempixque
Phil and his wife Monica visit Finca El Tempixque, a coffee and sugar cane plantation. Sugar cane in hand, Phil and Monica spend a beautiful afternoon on the plantation sampling Zacapa rum. Master blender Lorena Vasquez shows them how to juice sugar cane, and walks them through the rum blending process.
Address: G53Q+49F, San Miguel Dueñas, Guatemala
La Alianza Guatemala
Phil meets Carolina Escobar Santi to learn about her organization, La Alianza Guatemala. A safe haven for women who have experienced abuse, La Alianza provides its community members with living arrangements, training in different disciplines, and medical care. Please consider making a donation to this beautiful organization.
Address: G7GC+CXF, San Juan del Obispo, Guatemala
Mercado 24
Phil takes his daughter Lily and her fiancé Mason to chef Pablo Diaz’s modern Guatemalan restaurant, Mercado 24. They start off with some red snapper tostadas, and then share a whole grilled snapper with tortillas (even if it looks like a taco, don’t call it a taco in Guatemala). As chef Diaz says, the food isn’t just nice, it’s super nice!
Address: Via 5 2-24, Cdad. de Guatemala, Guatemala
Diacá
For his final meal in Guatemala, Phil has a reunion with his family and all his new friends at chef Debora Fadul’s Diacá. Translating to “from here” all of the ingredients used at Diacá are sourced from local farms. Chef Fadul is a champion of Mesoamerican cooking techniques, and you definitely shouldn’t miss the inventive menu at Diacá.
Address: Cámara Guatemalteca de la Construcción Colonia el Prado, Carr. Antigua al Salvador, Cdad. de Guatemala, Guatemala
