Guyana is South America's hidden gem, where pristine rainforests meet the Atlantic coast. Home to the world's tallest single-drop waterfall, Kaieteur Falls, this English-speaking nation offers unparalleled ecotourism adventures, rich multicultural heritage, and some of the continent's most untouched wilderness.
Guyanese cuisine is uniquely rich, blending African, Indian, Amerindian, Chinese, Portuguese, and European influences into dishes found nowhere else in the world. Indo-Guyanese cooking dominates with exceptional roti, curries, and dhal, while Afro-Guyanese traditions contribute pepperpot (the national dish made with cassareep), cook-up rice, metemgee, and black pudding. The country's abundant rivers provide fresh fish including lukanani and gilbaka, and tropical fruits are exceptional.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Guyana.
Pepperpot
Guyana's national dish — a deeply flavored dark stew of beef or pork preserved with cassareep (bitter cassava extract), cinnamon, and hot peppers. Traditionally served at Christmas and eaten for days as it intensifies. Try it at Champoreau or De Guyanese Style.
Where to try: De Guyanese Style (Robb Street), German's Restaurant, Champoreau
Price: $8-20
Dal Puri Roti
Thin flatbread stuffed with ground split peas, eaten wrapped around chicken curry, goat curry, or channa (chickpeas). The definitive street food of Indo-Guyanese Guyana. Shanta's on Robb Street is the legendary address for Georgetown's best roti.
Where to try: Shanta's (78 Robb Street), Bourda Market stalls, street roti shops
Price: $4-7
Cook-up Rice
One-pot rice cooked with black-eyed peas or kidney beans, coconut milk, and salted meat or fish. The quintessential comfort food of Guyanese home cooking and the dish that defines Saturday lunch across the country.
Where to try: Bettencourt (54 South Road), local restaurants citywide
Price: $5-10
Metemgee
Traditional Afro-Guyanese dish of ground provisions (cassava, plantain, yam, eddoes) cooked in rich coconut milk with salted fish or salt beef. Thick, warming, and deeply rooted in African culinary heritage brought to the Caribbean.
Where to try: Local Guyanese restaurants; ask specifically as it's not always on menus
Price: $7-12
Pholourie with Mango Chutney
Crispy deep-fried balls of split pea and flour dough served with tangy green mango chutney. The quintessential Indian-Guyanese street snack available at every market and food stall. A bag of 10 costs $1-2.
Where to try: Bourda Market stalls, Stabroek Market vendors, street stalls citywide
Price: $1-3
Grilled Lukanani
Freshwater peacock bass from Guyana's interior rivers, grilled whole or filleted with spicy herb sauce. One of the country's finest fresh fish, served at the Marriott (Terra Mare) and at riverside lodges in the interior.
Where to try: Terra Mare (Marriott), Champoreau, riverside lodges
Price: $18-35
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Terra Mare
Georgetown Marriott's signature restaurant offering eclectic global cuisine with emphasis on fresh seafood. Features fusion of Indian, Thai, Japanese, and Italian flavors using locally sourced ingredients. Sophisticated atmosphere with ocean views.
Guyana Marriott Hotel, Battery Road, Kingston, Georgetown
Aagman Indian Restaurant
Guyana's premier Indian restaurant with exceptional authentic cuisine. Everything made fresh to order including broths, stews, and spice blends. Extensive menu featuring North and South Indian specialties in comfortable atmosphere.
245 Camp Street, Georgetown
Shanta's
Best place in Georgetown to try authentic Guyanese-style roti. Generous portions, flavorful curries, and affordable prices. No-frills atmosphere but exceptional food that keeps locals and visitors returning.
78 Robb Street, Georgetown
Seawall Food Vendors
Collection of food stalls along Georgetown seawall offering local snacks, grilled meats, and drinks. Atmospheric weekend gathering spot. Try local favorites like plantain chips, grilled fish, and coconut water.
Seawall Road, Georgetown
Gravity Lounge
Trendy Georgetown cafe with excellent coffee, smoothies, pastries, and light meals. Modern atmosphere with strong wifi makes it popular workspace. Creative drinks and healthy options.
156 Waterloo Street, Georgetown
Aura Sky Lounge
Georgetown's most sophisticated rooftop bar and restaurant at Pegasus Hotel offering stunning 360-degree views of the city and Atlantic Ocean. Upscale menu featuring premium steaks, seafood, and creative cocktails in chic atmosphere.
Pegasus Hotel, Seawall Road, Georgetown
New Thriving Restaurant
Celebrated Chinese restaurant offering exceptional authentic cuisine with quality comparable to top Asian restaurants worldwide. Extensive menu, generous portions, and consistently delicious food. Long-standing Georgetown favorite.
96 Robb Street, Georgetown
Bettencourt
Traditional local restaurant serving up authentic Guyanese home cooking. Simple setting, generous portions, and honest prices. Perfect for experiencing everyday Guyanese meals like curry, rice, and provisions.
54 South Road, Georgetown
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Caribbean
Hibiscus Restaurant
Casual Caribbean restaurant with outdoor seating and tropical garden atmosphere. Fresh seafood, grilled meats, and local favorites at reasonable prices. Relaxed vibe perfect for lunch or dinner.
267 Thomas Street, Georgetown
Backyard Cafe
Hip open-air restaurant with garden setting offering creative Caribbean-international fusion. Fresh ingredients, innovative presentations, and relaxed atmosphere. Popular weekend brunch spot with local professionals.
28 Middle Street, Georgetown
Guyanese
De Guyanese Style
Popular local breakfast and lunch spot serving hearty traditional Guyanese meals at budget prices. Famous for souse, black pudding, and full Guyanese breakfast. No-frills setting but consistently good food beloved by locals and sought out by savvy travelers.
37 Robb Street, Georgetown
German's Restaurant
Local favorite serving traditional Guyanese cuisine with wide variety of delicious soups and comfort food. Friendly, welcoming atmosphere and generous portions. Excellent introduction to authentic local flavors.
168 Sheriff Street, Georgetown
Steakhouse
Realm Steak House & Sky Bar
Premium steakhouse offering finest cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and extensive wine list. Elegant rooftop setting with panoramic city views. Known for exceptional service and sophisticated ambiance perfect for special occasions.
207 Charlotte Street, Georgetown
Texas de Brazil
Churrascaria-style dining featuring continuous tableside service of grilled meats. All-you-can-eat experience with extensive salad bar, traditional Brazilian sides, and premium cuts. Festive atmosphere perfect for groups.
153 Oronoque Street, Georgetown
American
Hard Rock Cafe Guyana
International chain bringing rock 'n' roll atmosphere and American classics to Georgetown. Features burgers, ribs, and cocktails with music memorabilia. Popular for its lively ambiance and reliable quality.
Atlantic Gardens, Georgetown
Brazilian Cafe
Brazilian Cafe
Authentic Brazilian cafe serving espresso drinks, pão de queijo, brigadeiros, and other Brazilian treats. Welcoming atmosphere and taste of Brazil in Georgetown. Good breakfast spot.
88 Middle Street, Georgetown
Cafe
Vintage Coffee House
Cozy cafe offering quality coffee, teas, sandwiches, and pastries. Comfortable seating, books, and relaxed vibe. Popular spot for meetings and quiet work with reliable wifi.
234 Camp Street, Georgetown
Chinese
Tasty Chinese Food
No-frills Chinese takeout and dine-in offering generous portions at budget prices. Quick service, flavorful food, and local favorite for casual meals. Popular lunch spot for workers.
89 Regent Street, Georgetown
Guyanese Fine Dining
Champoreau
Upscale restaurant showcasing elevated Guyanese cuisine with international techniques. Beautiful presentation, refined flavors, and excellent service. Celebrates local ingredients and traditional recipes with modern interpretation.
151 Oronoque Street, Georgetown
International Cafe
Oasis Cafe
Popular cafe offering sandwiches, salads, burgers, and light meals in air-conditioned comfort. Reliable wifi makes it favorite for digital nomads. Good coffee and casual atmosphere.
124 Carmichael Street, Georgetown
Local Street Food
Bourda Market Food Stalls
Market vendors serving authentic Guyanese breakfast and lunch. Try traditional items like pholourie, bara, chicken foot souse, and fresh fruit juices. Rock-bottom prices and genuine local experience.
Bourda Market, Robb Street, Georgetown
Market Food
Stabroek Market Vendors
Food vendors throughout Stabroek Market serving quick local meals, fresh juices, and snacks. Experience authentic Guyanese street food culture. Try cassava bread, fresh tropical fruits, and homemade drinks.
Stabroek Market, Water Street, Georgetown
Pizza
Pizza Hut Guyana
International chain offering familiar pizza, pasta, and sides. Reliable quality, air-conditioned comfort, and consistent menu. Popular with families and those craving Western fast food.
Main Street, Georgetown
Street Food
Sheriff Street Food Strip
Georgetown most popular late-night food strip where dozens of stalls line Sheriff Street serving grilled meats, fish, Chinese dishes, and local snacks until early hours. Packed with locals after 10 PM. The place to experience authentic Georgetown street food culture.
Sheriff Street, Georgetown
Street Snacks
Main Street Food Carts
Mobile food carts along Main Street offering quick bites, snacks, and drinks. Try local favorites like corn soup, chicken wings, and fried chicken. Convenient and budget-friendly.
Main Street, Georgetown
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Bara and Channa
Fried dough cakes (bara) topped with spiced chickpeas (channa) and tamarind sauce — one of the most beloved Indo-Guyanese breakfast street foods. Found at markets and street stalls from 6AM.
Find it at: Bourda Market, Stabroek Market vendors, Regent Street stalls
Chicken Foot Souse
Pickled chicken feet with lime juice, peppers, onions, and cucumbers — a beloved Afro-Guyanese street food particularly popular at breakfast. An acquired taste but a genuine local experience at market food stalls.
Find it at: Bourda Market stalls, De Guyanese Style (Robb Street)
Grilled Meats (Sheriff Street)
Georgetown's street food epicentre after dark — the Sheriff Street strip offers charcoal-grilled chicken, pork, and fish from dozens of stalls with accompanying macaroni pie, plantain, and local seasoning sauces.
Find it at: Sheriff Street food strip (evenings, 6PM-2AM)
Coconut Water
Fresh green coconuts macheted open on the spot — the perfect hydration drink in Georgetown's intense tropical heat. Vendors throughout Stabroek Market and along the Seawall Road.
Find it at: Stabroek Market, Georgetown Seawall, main streets
Cassava Bread (Farine)
Traditional Amerindian-style cassava flatbread made from grated and pressed cassava, now available at markets as a snack or with meals. A direct link to Guyana's indigenous culinary heritage.
Find it at: Stabroek Market, specialty stalls near Walter Roth Museum
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Bourda Market
Georgetown's most atmospheric covered market for fresh produce, spices, and street food. Morning hours are best for authentic local breakfast and the freshest tropical fruits, vegetables, and fish. Less touristy than Stabroek with more interaction with local shoppers.
Hours: Daily 6AM-4PM, best before 11AM
Stabroek Market
Georgetown's iconic Victorian market building housing food vendors, fresh produce sellers, and street food stalls alongside craft and goods vendors. The food area features fresh juices, cassava bread, fried plantain, and quick local meals.
Hours: Mon-Sat 6AM-6PM, Sun 6AM-12PM
Sheriff Street Food Strip
Georgetown's most vibrant food experience — dozens of open-air stalls along Sheriff Street serving grilled meats, fried fish, Chinese dishes, local snacks, and rum. The definitive Georgetown late-night eating destination, busiest Friday-Sunday from 8PM-2AM.
Hours: Daily from 6PM, busiest 9PM-2AM weekends
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch (12-2PM) is the main meal of the day — the best value local cooking is served at lunch, when restaurants offer full plates of curry, rice, and provisions for $6-12
The majority of Georgetown's best food is Indo-Guyanese — don't miss the roti shops, especially Shanta's, which locals consider the gold standard
Many Chinese restaurants in Georgetown (New Thriving, Tasty Chinese) serve excellent Chinese-Guyanese fusion — popular for generous portions and good value
Water is not safe from the tap; order bottled water (GYD 200-400/$1-2) or fresh coconut water at all restaurants
Cash is preferred at most local restaurants; cards accepted at Marriott, Pegasus, and a few mid-range spots on the main streets
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-12/meal | Street food, market stalls, local roti shops — pholourie from $1, chicken roti $5-7 |
| Mid-range | $15-30/meal | Sit-down restaurants like Backyard Cafe, German's, Hard Rock, New Thriving |
| Upscale | $40-80+/meal | Fine dining at Terra Mare, Champoreau, Realm Steak House, Aura Sky Lounge |