Nelly’s Pizza (7 a.m.–9:30 p.m. daily) has moved to a new location on the Avenida Circunvalación, close to Hotel Los Andes. Despite the ornate fountain in an interior patio, the decor is rather spartan, but the pizza (US$7–11) is popular. Steaks are also available (US$8–10).

Tre Fratelli (tel. 504/557-3019, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri. and Sat.), on Circunvalación at 1 Calle, in front of Mantra Disco, an upscale chain restaurant, serves up good Italian cuisine with a California touch in a homey atmosphere with blue-and-white checkered tablecloths, murals of rural Italy on the walls, an open kitchen, and a raised bar that sometimes hosts live music. Breakfasts include crepes and frittatas (US$4.50), and the lunch special is a good deal. The coffee and desserts are superlative. Inside is the bar Salotto, popular with young sampedranos on weekend nights.

At the Italian-owned Trattoria Bel Paese (5 Calle A NO between 13 and 14 Av.) the pasta (US$5–6) comes in great sauces but is cooked Honduran-style; that is, until limp. Be sure to ask for your dish al dente.