Cocina Antigua — Restaurant in Novato

A Glimpse into Guatemalan Cuisine

We were in Novato looking for a place to eat and stumbled upon Cocina Antigua online. This restaurant specializes in Guatemalan cuisine, and we were eager to try it.

Located in the Nave Shopping Center Annex, the restaurant was filled with a young crowd when we arrived. The dining area, though small, was clean and well-organized. A friendly hostess greeted and seated us. She patiently explained the dishes, highlighted the day's specials, and even offered to prepare a couple of Guatemalan dishes we were interested in, even though they weren't on the menu.

We opted for a selection of small plates to sample various dishes. The dishes arrived, a couple with a vibrant display of colors and textures. While the presentation was inviting, the overall flavor profile lacked the punch I expected in Guatemalan food. It leaned more towards bland, leaving me wanting more complexity or heat. However, the Pork Pupusas and Plantanos stood out for their flavor...

Update:

Still delicious! And omg hit all the spots This time we tried the fried fish and the beef fajitas.

The fish as nice and crispy and flavorful

The fajitas were cooked well and in a yummy sauce

This place was pretty hot inside, so we were relieved to eat in their outdoor seating

You would miss this gem if you weren't looking for it. Glad we found this place!

The pupusa was so yummy and fresh with the perfect amount of salad and salsa The chicken quesadilla was huge! And so filling The horchata was nice and flavorful The passion fruit drink was also delicious with the little crunchy bits

While we waited for our food we explored their shop and got some goodies

Excited to go back and try...

We had a great time, our small family of three. The service was fantastic from the moment we sat down, the tortilla chips were made in the house and the guacamole tasted really fresh with big chunks of jalapeño in it, but not too spicy.

We ordered three pupusa‘s and five tacos, Al Pastor. The pupusa‘s are definitely what they are known for, they have delicate flavor combinations like zucchini and cheese and squash blossom, and they were grilled to perfection. We actually thought the Al Pastor was quite delicious as well, and the tacos were of a good size.

Will definitely be back! Highly recommend stopping into this place, for a quick snack, to go, or sit down as well. The friendly service...