Mangosteen (noon–10 p.m. Mon.–Sat.), in Colonia Palmira on Avenida República de Argentina, is a sleek restaurant that opened in the spring of 2009 and quickly became the new favorite in town. The menu is fusion, with several Thai curries alongside more typical Continental fare. Those in the know make meals of the outstanding appetizers, which include mozzarella in panko, Peruvian ceviche, salmon and beef carpaccio, and our favorite, the tiradito de pescado, a twist on ceviche served with crispy banana chips. Appetizers are in the US$8–12 range, and mains US$10–20. Try to snag a table in the romantic courtyard.

Rojo, Verde y Ajo (República de Argentina, tel. 504/232-3398, noon–11 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., until midnight on Fri. and Sat.), set in a converted house, is the place to see and be seen for Honduran politicians. The menu is on the pricey side (US$12–15 for most main courses), but quality is good. Try the corvina a la belle meuniere, white sea bass with mushroom, butter, and lemon sauce, or the medallones al cognac, beef medallions in cognac sauce.

Back downtown, Restaurante Mediterraneo (tel. 504/237-9618, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Sat.) has an extensive menu with a variety of Honduran and Greek specialties—recipes that the owner learned from her Greek husband’s family, such as fakés, lentil soup (US$3), and lamb in wine sauce (US$10). The house specialty is the “garbage sandwich,” a belly-busting sandwich with an entire chicken drumstick inside (US$3.50). There are also numerous vegetarian options. The diner-style restaurant, on Calle Salvador Mendieta three blocks from the parque, is a popular place for office workers to have drinks and talk, and the waitresses will bring you an endless supply of boquitas (snacks) while you drink. The US$4–5 daily set meals are a good value.