La Casa Zapote

I needed to head to Panajachel, but made time to come to this restaurant and it did not disappoint! The cheese board was INCREDIBLE and the wine was so smooth and delicious. The staff were very kind and even sent someone to carry my bags for me up and down the hidden path to the spot. I highly recommend this experience! I had a great time as a solo traveler but I think it would be even better for groups.

Didn't stay at the Hotel, but ate at the restaurant. Group of 5 of us on our trip around Guatemala decided to have an afternoon tasting cheese and drinking wine.

The selection of cheese and meats were great and there was a bit for everyone. The servers were great and suggested some really good options! Really good experience, we very much enjoyed.

Little bit tricky to find but they do get someone to come and meet you in the square.

Didn’t stay at the hotel, just ate at the restaurant and it was delicious! The staff were very kind and helpful. They met us in town and walked us up to the restaurant, which was great. The cheese board was incredible- so many different types of Guatemalan cheese. Lovely way to spend an afternoon! Staff also super responsive through WhatsApp.

An amazing adventure for some snacks and wine. Three of us got bruschetta and the olives and a bottle of wine, and it was all very delicious and was served quickly. The staff were very kind and welcoming. So peaceful and quiet.

This is a must-do when you come to the lake. It is not hard to get to, do not let this deter you. There is a clear path through the woods and everyone knows where it is. We've been here twice on our 2 trips to the lake. There is no other experience like it. Get the meat and cheese plate and enjoy a great selection of wines and tremendous service. Nicholas was great! We'll be back!

A group of 5 of us came here for cheese, wine and cold meat platters! We also had a selection of other things from the menu. The place has a great vibe, and the food and wine was excellent! Would definitely recommend.

We had a lovely local experience at this restaurant. It’s in a beautiful setting and run by friendly people

We had a lovely time at La Casa Zapote! Finding the location can be a little tricky, but just ask around or call them and they will kindly help you :) very intimate space, we had the place all to ourselves and they were kind and accomadating. The cheese board is fantastic! I would recommend!

This was my second time coming to La Casa Zapote and each time has been absolutely wonderful. The meat and cheese boards are amazing (a nice elevated change from the other options around the lake). 25 cheeses with perfect pairings of honey, nuts, dates, figs and this delicious sweet and spicy papaya spread. My boyfriend and I had a bottle of Tempranillo and enjoyed the peaceful and romantic atmosphere. Our waiter Nicolas was so attentive, kind, and happy to answer our questions and chat with us.

Do not be dissuaded by the reviews complaining about it being a pain to get to. Yes, you might sweat a little as you work your way up to it but you're at Lake Atitlan, hills are the norm! Plus nothing this marvelous should be too easy, then everyone would do it.

Use WhatsApp to make a reservation time so they're ready for you. And If you don't like walking around in the dark, plan to get there two hours before nightfall.

Enjoy!

Was taken here for a birthday dinner and it was perfect! There was a small mix-up when we arrived as the staff had already gone home, but kindly one of the ladies in charge said we could still come in and she would serve us. The place itself was super romantic (more so as it was just me and my partner). The cheese and meat boards were delicious! Wine was delicious too. All affordably priced. As we left when it was dark, someone kindly also walked with us down to the main area with flashlights (super grateful for this as to get back there are lots of windy alleys)

Definitely a difficult place to get to. But once you get there its a very comfortable environment. Not very big selection of wine but the meat platter was delicious and for a group of friends its actually pretty well priced. Really beautiful and relaxing place to drink some wine and unwind.

We had a wonderful dinner at La Casa Zapote. The ambiance was awesome, as was the walk from the dock to the restaurant. We had some dietary restrictions in our group and there were options for everyone. They have a great wine selection.

We had an awesome experience. I highly recommend it.

Wow, I had an amazing dinner here. Alex went above and beyond. We had the most delicious and diverse cheese and meat board I have ever had...and all the cheese and meats were from Guatemala! We enjoyed the bottle of Tempranillo we ordered so much we had six!!! The architecture and vibe was so welcoming and other worldly. I can't wait to go back and all six of us on the adventure can not stop talking about how great and COOL the La Casa Zapote experience was. Definitely worth the walk, I can't wait to go back and stay next time. Thank You!!

We had an absolutely incredible time, celebrating our friends engagement here. Definitely recommend the 24 cheese platter (all local) and meats. The walk through the trail at the top of the hill is worth it, but maybe don’t wear heels like I did.

Beautiful secret cheese & wine place. There were at San Juan la Laguna before but they moved to San Marcos 2-3 years ago. You have to approximately 10-15 walk from parque San Juan. It can be difficult to get to at first, but the staff come out to pick you up. Place is peaceful and private. Cheese platter is so beautiful and staff explains the story of each cheese and how to eat it. That is impressive.

Great to find a place run by locals in San Marcos - 100% recommend

Amazing off the beaten path[literally]. This is a small piece of paradise in the middle of the jungle. It takes a short hike on a dirt trail to get here, but once here you will be rewarded with amazing food, excellent service and you will find it difficult to leave. The place also has rooms available and the entire place seems purposely built to integrate into the surroundings! You will be glad you took the extra effort to get here!

In the forest up in San Marcos there is a hotel that offers wine and special cheeses. We took the Cabernet Sauvignon at 190Q and enjoyed every sip of the wine. Along with the wine, we ordered a large cheese platter where we received 26 different local cheeses alongside a fresh and warm bread basket with local dips. The place is very pastoral and quiet with animals that can be petted. The service is great and the place is clean. You have to book a place the day before, the start time of the activity is 12:00 noon.

I missed cheese during my travel, even though this platter was a bit expensive compared to other food in guatamala it was definitely worth it!! The wine was quality wine, some of the best I ever tasted! The staff was professional and give us a five star service.

Wonderful hidden spot, amazing wine, and delicious cheeses (all made in Guatemala), and amazing service from Nicolas). And when you’ve had a couple glasses of wine, you can swing on the tire swing.