The nicest place to eat in town, both for the setting and the food, is Villa Real (tel. 504/772-0101, restvillareal [at] yahoo [dot] com, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Tues.–Sat.), a block east of the Catedral de Santa María. Tables are set around a grassy courtyard garden, attractively lit up at night, in a restored colonial Comayagua house just off the parque. The restaurant owners are gracious hosts, happy to show visitors around the different rooms of the house either before or after eating, to admire colonial furniture, decorations, and art. The kitchen makes very good traditional Honduran food, and a nice sopa Villa Real with chicken, toasted tortilla, tomato, cheese, and cream.

Right next to the church is Plaza Colonial (7:30 a.m.–9 p.m. daily), one of the more atmospheric restaurants in town and always busy. The Honduran standards (namely, grilled meats) are US$5–8, while the set meal (at breakfast, lunch, or dinner) is just US$3.

Another attractive midrange restaurant with Honduran standards is Gota de Limón (9 a.m.–midnight Mon.–Sat., 6 p.m. onwards Sun.), with pupusas for US$2.50 and steak or chicken entrées for around US$7.

On the south side of the main square, in a restored building, is the rather ordinary buffet-style Casa Castillo (11 a.m.–9 p.m. Tues.–Sun.), which has low-priced breakfasts, comida corriente, baleadas, and other munchies.

Around the corner from the main square is D’Barros y Mariscos (tel. 504/771-6184, 9 a.m.–3 a.m. Tues.–Sun.), with wood tables, and everything from US$3 sandwiches to US$8 shrimp dishes. (Don’t believe that the late hours are kept on weekdays, despite what we were told.)

There are countless inexpensive eateries around town; one with a bit of charm is the Portal Colonial (8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri.–Sat.), serving typical breakfasts (eggs, beans, and tortillas) as well as lunches and dinners of things like tacos, pork chops, and beef roast for US$2.50.

Around the corner is Golosinas Doña Viki, serving Honduran “snack” food: enchiladas, tacos, baleadas, and blended fruit-milk drinks.

Packed with locals is Comida Rápida Dimas y María, with a similar menu of Honduran standards.