Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, indulge your taste buds by sampling Guyana’s diverse cuisine, which is heavily influenced by its African, Amerindian, Chinese, Indian, Portuguese and British heritage. Eating well in Georgetown is easy and certainly won’t break the bank, as there are plenty of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets.

New Thriving Chinese Restaurant
The cafe-styled ground floor buffet of this huge Chinese restaurant offers pastries, ice cream and buffet meals from G$720.  Otherwise, head for the first floor for a la carte dining, sushi and dim sum, or the open-air bar overlooking Main Street. A meal of Crispy Wanton, Sweet & Sour Chicken and Vegetable Fried Rice costs just under G$3000. For more intimate dining, book a private room on the top floor. Good for speedy snacks, large parties and business meals.
32 Main Street. Tel: (592) 225-0868. www.newthrivingrestaurant.com  Reservations needed for private dining

Dutch Bottle Café
The delightful Dutch Bottle Café, located in a traditional colonial-styled house, boasts a creative Creole and international menu that keeps an eye on the calorie count.  Try the delicious Callaloo Soup, Coconut Shrimp or Tamarind Glazed Pork Chops. Daily set lunches cost G$1200, and dinners average between G$2500 to G$4500. Visit on Saturdays for Black Pudding and Souse. There is a well stocked, all-wood, pub-styled bar, an outside eating area and local artwork on sale.
10 North Road, Bourda. Tel: (592) 231-6561 www.dutchbottle.com

Pegasus Hotel
This hotel offers round the clock eating options. Start the day with friends or business colleagues at Browne’s Cafe for its fabulous buffet breakfast including fruit, eggs, bacon, pepperpot, bakes, saltfish, pancakes, hot drinks, juices and more for G$2900, or have the buffet lunch for around G$3500.  Enjoy Afternoon Tea (finger sandwiches, petit fours and English tea) at the Oasis; romantic meals, the weekly BBQ and Friday night entertainment at the Poolside Bar & Grill; or choose fine dining at the El Dorado Restaurant, one of the finest (and priciest) dining experiences in town.
Seawall Road, Kingston. Tel: (592)-225-2856. www.pegasushotelguyana.com  Reservations advised for El Dorado

The Bottle Restaurant
The Bottle Restaurant on the ground floor of Cara Lodge is without doubt one of the finest in Georgetown. The interior is decorated with hundreds of Dutch bottles and Portuguese ceramic tiles which pay homage to Guyana’s bygone colonial history, and is a relaxing setting in which to enjoy the wonderful food on offer.  Lunch and dinner menu options include soups, meat loaf, lamb, pork, steaks, prawns and fish meals. Meals cost around G$5000 upwards but are well worth the price. For an aperitif before dinner or a late night drink, relax on the patio at the Mango Tree Bar, aptly named after the huge mango tree in the middle of partially open-air patio.
Cara Lodge, 294 Quamina Street. Tel: (592) 225-5301 www.carahotels.com

German’s Restaurant
This busy lunchtime restaurant wins hands down for its outstanding and generously sized bowls of cowheel soup, a steal at G$925, but if you snooze you lose, so get there early before it runs out.  Other tasty soups, Creole dishes and drinks are available but it’s advisable to take a taxi to this slightly edgy part of town. 
8 New Market and Mundy Streets. Tel: (592) 227-0079.

Sidewalk Cafe & Jazz Club and The Bourbon Restaurant
Sit on the open-air sidewalk area or inside the cafe to enjoy the daily lunch buffet, featuring local favourites and more from G$300–G$1000.  Alternatively, opt for dinner in the more sedate restaurant, with fish, meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes from G$1700.  Film nights, Happy Hours and once-a-month Jazz nights, lend to this venue’s hip ambiance.
176 Middle Street.. Tel: (592) 227-0152 www.ariantzesidewalk.com

Shanta’s Puri Shop
Join the locals at this affordable local eatery in the heart of town. What it lacks in ambience is more than made up for by the fresh, tasty food cooked on site.  Meat, chicken and vegetable curries and stews complement the soft dhal puris for which Shanta’s is famed. An entire meal with drinks should cost no more than G$1000.
225 Camp and New Market Streets. Tel: (592) 226-4365.

Maggie’s Snackette
Don’t leave Georgetown without sampling some of Maggie’s delicious but affordable pastries and cakes such as salara (red coconut roll), patties, pinetarts, cheese rolls, buns and cassava pone. Lunches and local fruit drinks are also served, as well as black pudding and souse. 
224 New Market Street. Tel: (592) 226-2226 www.maggiesgy.com