Italian

Pecorino (11 Calle 3-36 Zona 10, tel. 2360-3035, www.ristorantepecorino.com [1], noon–1 a.m. Mon.–Sat.) is an excellent choice for its authentic Italian food, including brick-oven pizza, seafood dishes, steak, pasta, salads, and panini served in an attractive Old World atmosphere. There’s also a huge wine selection.

In a more modern setting with attractive blue-and-white-checkered tablecloths, Tre Fratelli (2a Avenida 13-25 Zona 10, tel. 2366-2678, www.trefratelli.com [2], noon–1 a.m. daily) serves ample portions of very good food in a lively atmosphere with prices in the $5–10 range. It’s part of a growing chain of restaurants with locations in the United States, Mexico, and Central America. Other Guatemala City locations can be found in Zona 11 and Carretera a El Salvador.

For outstanding brick-oven pizza served in a casual atmosphere, it’s hard to beat Pizzeria Vesuvio (18 Calle 3-36 Zona 10, tel. 2337-1697, lunch and dinner daily, $7–15).

Downtown, Restaurante Piccadilly (6a Avenida and 11 Calle Zona 1, tel. 2253-4522, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. daily, $5–10) has a great selection of Italian and Guatemalan dishes in a pleasant family atmosphere. It also has beer on tap and a second location in Zona 9 at the Plazuela España (tel. 2334-7442).

In 4 Grados Norte, L’Ostería (Ruta 2 and Vía 5, tel. 2379-8719, lunch and dinner Tues.–Sat., noon–6 p.m. Sun., $6–9) has delicious pizza, pasta, calzone, and crepes among its wide assortment of dishes. There is live music on Thursdays.