There are a number of good restaurants in Santa Lucía, serving the city folk who come for a weekend escape. Right by the central park is Típicos Lelys (11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily), a block-long restaurant with open-air seating. Plato típico (US$8) is served daily, while pupusas (US$2 for a plate) are reserved for Friday–Sunday, and soups like mondongo (US$1.50) and sopa marinera (US$8) are only available on Sunday. There is children’s play equipment in between the two seating areas.

Don Quijote (tel. 504/239-7920) recently changed digs from Valle de Ángeles to a house on a tree-shaded hill near the entrance to Santa Lucía. The Spanish restaurant is famous for its paella and also serves up fish and beef dishes (US$15–20). A basketball court and long slide might keep kids from getting bored while they wait for their food.

Glorieta Carmen, a little blue shack just down the hill from where the buses stop going toward the church, cooks up simple meals (fried chicken, burgers, tacos) and soft drinks or beer. For lighter refreshment, pick up a paleta (popsicle) at one of the home vendors near the church.

Before reaching Santa Lucía, about half a kilometer from the Tegus-Valle highway, is the bohemian-hipster hangout El Jaguar, famous for specialty drinks such as Mayan Orgasm and tamarind liqueur, and serving plenty of good food, such as shrimp and avocado quesadillas, to accompany the cocktails.