Supermarkets Located Downtown
Supermercado Stock In the basement of the Mall Excelsior, this supermarket also has a food court. Tel: 021 442 640, Corner of Chile and Manduvira, www.stock.com.py, Mon-Sat 7am-9:30pm, Sun 7am-9pm (food court closes half an hour early)
Supermercado Espana Tel: 021 200 902, Avenida Espana between Brazil and Pat Perez, daily 7:15am-9:30pm
Villa Morra
See Agroshopping for options available on Tuesdays in Shopping Mariscal Lopez.
Quattro D Serving up massive cones of soft gelato, 4D is an Asuncion institution, frequently drawing crowds regardless of the season. Fruit flavors such as the deliciously tart mbaracuya (passion fruit), kiwi, and smooth mango are bright and refreshing while rich piedmont (dark chocolate), nocciola (hazelnut), and tiramisu rival those of any gelateria in Italy. Each serving includes two flavors (three for larger sizes and cones). There is also a full menu of pastas, sandwiches, and meats, if you can resist the temptation to start with dessert. Combine a lomito 4D (steak with fries, egg and bacon) with a three scoop cone, and you may never have to eat again. Tel: 021 600 129, 021 6160-444, corner of Andrade and San Martin, daily 10am-12am, Gs. 10,000-30,000
Churrasqueria Acuarela The best of Asuncion’s Brazilan-style churrasquerias. For a fixed price, take your seat as waiters come to your table non-stop bearing large spears of juicy meats. The buffet also includes salads,pastas, Brazilian pork and black beans (feijao). On Sundays, the menu also includes special meats and fish. Dessert and drinks are not included in the fixed price menu. Take a break from eating to get a photo of yourself in front of the enormous grill alongside meat-sword clad waiters. Tel: 021 609 217, 021 605 183, Avenida Mariscal Lopez 4049, almost at the corner of San Martin, www.acuarela.com.py, daily 11am-1am, Gs. 77,000
La Creperie Tucked away a couple of blocks from Mariscal Lopez, La Creperie is a charming, slightly quirky restaurant that’s perfect for a romantic date or an intimate meal. The bright red walls filled with an eclectic array of posters and paintings, softly lit tables, and baskets of utensils on each table create an atmosphere that is cozy. The menu consists of over thirty different types of savory crepes (including vegetarian), and sweet crepes. The sangria here is also good though on the sweet side. Be sure to sign the wall in one of the side rooms before leaving. Cheese and chocolate fondues are on the menu in the winter. Tel: 021 607 499, Manuel del Castillo between Monsenor Bogarin and Teniente Zotti, Tue-Sun 6pm-11pm, Gs. 12,000-
Smuchi This cheerfully decorated sandwich and smoothie shop has been an instant hit with expats and locals alike. Specialty cheeses, and a variety of meats and breads make this sandwich shop a great option if you are sick of empanadas. Favorites include Ni Salado Ni Dulce (with mango chutney), Vale (cured ham, brie, and arugula), and the enormous Con Todo (as the name indicates, the works). Smoothie options include a wide assortment of fruits as well as coffee flavored concoctions. Unfortunately, service grinds to a halt when there are more than a handful of customers. Tel: 021 604 685, Dr Morra 245 almost at the corner of Andrade (two blocks from Quattro D and two blocks from Mariscal Lopez), www.facebook.com/smuchi, Daily 9am-11pm, Gs. 10,000-25,000
Bellini Pasta Located in the Shopping Mariscal Lopez food court, this pasta bar is a great value with fast and efficient service. As your pasta boils, select a base sauce and up to eight ingredients (from a good variety of cheese, veggies,meats and other ingredients) to be sauteed together, creating a delicious made-to-order dish. Probably the best deal around. Tel: 021 606 652, Shopping Mariscal Lopez food court (there is a larger more upscale branch in Paseo Carmelitas as well), Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri 11am-12pm, Sat 11am-1am, Gs.20,000-25,000
O Sole Mio Located in the courtyard of the San Rafael church and community center, O Sole Mfo (also known by expats as “Holy Pizza”) offers you the opportunity to eat tatakua (brick oven) baked pizza in the shadow of a mini-medieval palace hidden from street by enormous hedges. The pizza crusts are thin, the sangria is good, and the ambience is like nothing else in Paraguay. Plus you get the “good Samaritan” benefit of helping out a community organization. Be sure to check out the literary cafe and the gift shop with Paraguayan handicrafts, alongside O Sole Mio in the courtyard. The siciliana with chunks of saltypancetta and sliced onions is especially good. Tel: 021 609 638, 0982 529 340, Cruz del Chaco 1690, almost at Alfredo Seiferheld (if riding a bus along Argentina towards Eusebio Ayala get off two blocks past the Supermercado Superseis), Sun-Fri 7pm-11pm, Sat 7pm-12am, www.sanrafaelobras.com, Gs.
