Local specialties in Nebaj include boxboles, an Ixil dish of steamed corn dough served with lemon and either tomato or peanut sauce.

A new addition to Nebaj is also an excellent value. Located on the way out of town towards Chajul and Cotzal and one block from the courthouse, La Quinta de los Reyes (tel. 7755-8098, $5) serves hearty, all-you-can-eat, buffet-style meals, including Guatemalan and International fare, as well as dessert and a drink.

For tasty Guatemalan dishes and nice views overlooking the central plaza head to Café Restaurante Maya Ixil (tel. 7755-8168). It’s also a good place for breakfast.

Nebaj’s main gathering spot is El Descanso (3a Calle Zona 1, tel. 5311-9100, 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m. daily) where there are good Guatemalan dishes, sandwiches, nachos, and pastries. There is seating upstairs on a covered patio as well as a bar/lounge with comfy couches on the lower level. Movies are sometimes shown here and they serve boxboles on Thursdays. They also have free Wi-Fi.

For decent pizza, there’s Pizza del César (2a Avenida, tel. 7755-8095).

Just off the square is Papi’s (tel. 5906-5780), serving healthy American-style food the likes of soy burgers. The bread is freshly baked on the premises.

For steaks, fajitas, and tasty sandwiches, Restaurante El Rancho (Cantón Xalacul, Barrio Tipepala, tel. 7755-8019 or 5715-5360, all meals daily) is a good bet and is popular with the NGO crowd.

On the road out of town heading out to Sacapulas, Asados El Pasabién (tel. 5701-2222, noon–11 p.m. daily) serves scrumptious grilled meats and chicken in a simple environment.