Restaurants in Itauguá: where to eat and how to choose

In Itauguá, start by deciding where you'll be: Ruta PY02, which crosses the whole town, has the largest and easiest-to-find choice of restaurants, while the town centre around the church and Plaza Martín de Barúa has smaller neighbourhood places. For a Friday or Saturday dinner, or during the ñandutí lace celebrations, message ahead on WhatsApp to confirm a table and kitchen hours.

Which part of Itauguá should you look in?

Ruta PY02 (Mariscal Estigarribia) runs east to west through Itauguá and splits it roughly in half (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). That shapes how you get around:

• Along the highway: the most visible places and the chains. Paseo Guaraní, an open-air shopping strip at km 30.5 of PY02, was planned to bring food, shopping and a cinema together (Infonegocios⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠), and the town's first international burger chain opened there in December 2023 (Infonegocios⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). Handy if you're driving from Asunción or San Lorenzo and want easy parking.
• Town centre: Iglesia Virgen del Rosario, Plaza Martín de Barúa and the Mercado Municipal are the commercial heart (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). Best for a quick lunch between errands or lace shopping.
• Outlying compañías: if you live in Itauguá Guasú, Mbocajaty, Guayaibity or Estanzuela, a place in your own area usually beats driving to the highway at rush hour.

What kind of meal are you after?

• Weekday lunch: a dish of the day or pay-by-weight buffet close to where you are. Ask what's on and how quickly it comes out.
• Dinner with a partner or friends: pizza, lomito sandwiches, burgers and resto-bars. Check when the kitchen closes, not just the doors.
• Sunday family table: grills (parrillas) and places with a big dining room. Book for groups of more than six.
• With kids: ask about outdoor space or a play area and smaller portions.

What to ask before you go

A short message saves a wasted trip:

• Is there parking? On PY02 you don't want to leave the car on the shoulder.
• Is the dining room air-conditioned? It matters from November to March.
• Are portions single or for sharing? Grills often sell by the kilo or for several people.
• Are there meat-free or gluten-free options, if someone needs them?
• How can you pay? Card, bank transfer or QR. Neighbourhood places still often prefer cash.

When does Itauguá get busy?

Itauguá is Paraguay's ñandutí lace capital, and lace dates draw crowds:

• National Ñandutí Day: set by law on the second Sunday of October. In 2025 there was a craft fair and food court at the church square on Saturday and a float parade along calle Tte. Esteban Martínez on Sunday (ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). The centre fills up, so eat early or away from it.
• Festival Nacional del Ñandutí: the 2025 edition was held at Club Olimpia, km 32 of PY02, from 8:30 pm, free entry, with a food court and lace fair (ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). The date moves from year to year, so check the town hall's announcement.

On those nights, book early or pick somewhere away from Club Olimpia and the centre.

Eating on a day trip

If you're browsing the lace shops along PY02 in the town centre, have lunch nearby, then walk the centre: the Museo Parroquial San Rafael has a section on ñandutí, and the town also has the Monumento al Ñandutí (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). Save the careful choosing and booking for dinner.

Visiting the Hospital Nacional?

The Gran Hospital Nacional is in the Itauguá Guasú area (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). If you're there with someone, find a place that delivers to the hospital and save the number, so you don't have to drive out to the highway for every meal.