Best restaurants and what to eat
Paraguay
Asunción is the culinary heart of Paraguay, where Guaraní and Spanish traditions meet in a deeply maize- and cassava-based table. The city is especially known for savory baked snacks, hearty cheese breads, river fish, and refreshing local drinks like tereré.
A fresh, mildly salty Paraguayan cheese with a soft, springy body and clean dairy flavor. It is prized for melting beautifully in breads and savory pastries, and it pairs especially well with mandioca and sweet mate-inflected drinks.
A crisp-edged, tender starch cake made from cassava starch, cheese, and fat, with a nutty aroma and a delicate chew inside. It is one of Asunción’s signature snack foods, best enjoyed hot from the griddle with milk coffee or tereré.
The iconic Paraguayan ring bread, dense yet airy, with a golden crust, pronounced cheese flavor, and a subtle anise note in some versions. In Asunción it is sold everywhere, from street corners to bakeries, and is eaten at breakfast or as an all-day snack.
Despite its name, this is a baked corn-and-cheese casserole with a moist, fluffy crumb and rich savory depth. It is a classic home and celebratory dish in Asunción, often served alongside roasted meats or fish.
A soft, spoonable corn bread made with fresh corn, cheese, milk, and onions, offering sweetness from the corn and savory richness from the cheese. It is especially popular at family gatherings and Sunday meals in the capital.
Small cheese-and-cornmeal dumplings, typically served in a light broth, with a comforting, pillowy texture and gentle dairy savor. In Asunción it is a beloved dish for cool evenings and a classic example of Paraguay’s hearty home cooking.
The emblematic Paraguayan cold yerba mate infusion, served with ice-cold water or herbal remedies and sipped communally throughout the day. In Asunción it is both a social ritual and a refreshing antidote to the heat.
A roasted yerba mate drink with a toasty, caramelized aroma and a milder, rounder bitterness than traditional mate. In Asunción it is commonly sweetened with sugar or milk and served hot at breakfast or in the afternoon.
A darker, more intensely caramelized version of cocido, prepared by burning sugar before adding water and yerba mate. It has a smoky sweetness and is often enjoyed as a home-style comfort drink in the capital.
A creamy milk-based variation of roasted mate, with gentle bitterness softened by dairy richness and sugar. It is a popular morning drink in Asunción, especially with chipa or quesadilla.
A traditional yerba mate infusion prepared in the Guaraní style, valued for its herbal depth and earthy bitterness. It remains a culturally important local drink in Asunción, closely tied to everyday hospitality.
Fresh sugarcane juice with a grassy sweetness and a clean, cooling finish. In Asunción it is commonly sold freshly pressed and is especially popular in warm weather.
A dense, savory baked corn bread made with cheese, onion, and milk, with a moist interior and a golden top. It is one of the most recognizable dishes in Asunción and a staple at family tables and celebrations.
A rich baked fresh-corn casserole with cheese and onions, softer and more custardy than chipa bread. In Asunción it is a prized accompaniment to grilled meats and a beloved dish for gatherings.
A cassava-starch griddle cake that becomes crisp outside and tender within, with a pronounced cheese aroma. It is a hallmark of the city’s snack culture and is usually eaten freshly made.
A comforting soup of tiny corn-and-cheese dumplings in a delicate broth, with a soft, almost melting texture. It is one of Asunción’s signature dishes, prized for its homestyle richness.
A river-fish soup built around fresh local fish, vegetables, and aromatic seasoning, producing a light broth with satisfying depth. It speaks to Asunción’s connection to the Paraguay River and its fishing traditions.
Cassava sautéed with egg, often with cheese or onion, creating a rustic dish with a creamy, comforting texture and gently toasted flavor. In Asunción it is a popular breakfast or light supper item.
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