Vida Verde A good lunch option for vegetarians, Vida Verde is a small restaurant serving up a medium sized meatless buffet. Offerings include traditional stir-fry dishes made with TVP, breaded eggplant, and Paraguayan-style vegetable casseroles and quiches. They also sell blocks of tofu packed in water and Chinese teas. Tel: 021 446 611, Palma 634 almost at 15 de Agosto (across the street from Galeria Central and Unicentro), Mon-Fri 7:30am-3pm, Sat 7:30am-2pm, Gs. 15,000-25,000
La Flor de la Canela Sick of surubi? Head to Flor de la Canela for an extensive menu of traditional Peruvian seafood based dishes. A great option at a very reasonable price and the only place in Paraguay you can dine with a large-scale image of Macchu Pichu looming overhead. Ceviche super especial and jalea especial are two favorites. Tel 021 498 928, Corner of Eligio Ayala and Tacuary, www.laflordelacanela.com.py, daily 11:30am-3pm, 6:30pm-12am, Gs. 20,000-80,000
Taberna Espanola The go-to place in Asuncion for traditional Spanish food, this restaurant has a quirky yet homey feel to it. The walls are covered in decorations from the ceiling to the floor. Wise, cheeky, and bizarre sayings are painted all over the walls, and long strands of clam shells hang from the high ceilings. Classic Spanish dishes, good paella, and a delicious onion garlic soup. Tel: 021 441 743, Ayolas almost at the corner of General Diaz, on Facebook, Mon-Thu 11am-2:30pm, 7pm-11:30pm, Fri-Sat 11am-2:30pm, 7pm-1am, Sun 11am-3pm, 7pm-11pm, Gs. 20,000-80,000
Chez Bong A great option for those who want to sample Asuncion’s authentic Korean cuisine without having to venture in to Mercado Cuatro. Cooked in a hot stone pot the bibimbab is excellent. There is a vegetarian bibimbab (with or without egg) if meat isn’t your thing. If it is then go for the bibimbab con bulgoki. Traditional bahn chon sides are delicious. Sushi is good but expensive. Tel: 021 222 784, Republica Francesa 266 between Eligio Ayala and Mariscal Estigarribia, Mon-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-11pm, Gs 25,000-50,000
Il Capo – Peru A longtime favorite among Asuncion’s Italian food fans, this restaurant serves up freshly made pastas in an intimate and cozy setting. Customer favorites include the soft Gnocchi Il Capo and, although it is not on the menu, the flan dessert is perfect. Tel: 021 213 022, Corner of Peru and Jose Berges, www.ilcapo.com.py, Daily 11:30am-12am, Gs. 20,000-60,000
Confiteria Honey Tucked away in a historic residential neighborhood, everything in this coffee shop is delicious from the rich cakes (try the Honey cake) and pastries to the flavorful empanadas. Work off the calories afterwards by walking along Mariscal Lopez to view some of Asuncion’s oldest manors. Tel: 021 206 200, corner of 25 de Mayo and Vice Presidente Sanchez, www.confiteriahoney.com, Mon-Fri 6:30am-9pm, Sat-Sun 7am-8:30pm, Gs. 6,000-20,000
La Paraguayita Here you will find traditional Paraguayan food done well. Meats are cooked to perfection and serving sizes are quite large. Meat lovers should try the asado de costilla ribs
(with plenty of meat on the bone), a juicy bife de chorizo or buttery soft tapa cuadril. Or go all out and order theparrilla completa with more meat than you’ll know what to do with. Veggie options include pastas and crepes. Musical accompaniment on many nights. Tel: 021 204 407, Corner of Brasilia and Siria, Mon-Sat 12pm-3pm, 7pm-2am, Gs. 20,000-80,000
Michael Bock This German bakery has delicious desserts and a wide variety of freshly baked breads including ricotta bread. They also carry whole grain breads that are hard to come by in Paraguay. Michael Bock provides bread to stores in German communities throughout the country. Tel: 021 495 847, Presidente Franco 828 between Ayolas and Montevideo, Mon-Fri 6:30am-7pm, Sat 6:30am-1pm, Gs. 8,000-20,000
