Casa Santo Tomas, Antigua

Antigua, Guatemala, is not short on dining options, and it takes something special to stand out from the crowd. Family-run Casa Santo Tomas combines tasty food, reasonable prices and a spectacular setting to do just that.

Located in an old colonial house in the center of town, the restaurant is at once both grand and intimate. Candlelight plays on the crumbling, bare brick walls and dark wood furnishings, taking the imagination back to Antigua’s colonial past.

The menu draws on this interplay between Spanish and Guatemalan influences, with dishes such as the Galician-style octopus and Spanish omelet, alongside tortilla soup and Suban-Ik, a traditional chicken, pork and beef dish from the Coban region of Guatemala.

My octopus starter was fresh and tangy, while the diavolo chicken was well-cooked and brought to my table by friendly staff. Casa Santo Tomas offers an extensive wine list and locally-sourced coffee, acting as a perfect accompaniment to your dining experience.

As well as delicious, fresh food and drinks, the restaurant also contains a small art gallery which gives some exposure to local artists, and a small café which provides a space for customers to come and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

The restaurant provides an exemplary example of how to make an impact on a crowded culinary scene, and the quality of the food beats that of some of the more expensive restaurants in town. A meal for two with a bottle of wine costs around $50, and you cannot put a price on the setting.

It’s rare to find a restaurant apt for all occasions, but Casa Santo Tomas manages to be just that, and touches such as the art gallery and café provide an extra element to mark the restaurant as something special.

Casa Santo Tomas

2da Avenida Sur, #10 B

Antigua, Guatemala

Sacatepequez

502 7832 1129