Despite the fact that most visitors to Isla de Margarita stay at all-inclusive resorts, there are a host of restaurants around the island. Many of the beaches have simple restaurants on or close to the sand; they're great options for a lunch of fresh fish, lobster, or pabellón, the Venezuelan national dish consisting of shredded beef, rice, beans, and fried plantain.
In addition to the places listed, El Rancho de Pablo, Avenida Raúl Leoni (tel. 0295/263-1121), and El Pescador de la Marina, Avenida Raúl Leoni (tel. 0295/264-6374), are two excellent open-air waterfront restaurants in Porlamar specializing in fresh local seafood, while Café Mediterráneo, Calle Campos, Porlamar (tel. 0295/264-0503), Il Positano, Calle Fermín and Calle Tubores, Porlamar (tel. 0295/264-1110), and La Scala, in the Hilton Margarita (tel. 0295/262-4111), are all recommended options for Italian. Both El Rancho de Pablo and Il Positano have recently opened sister restaurants in the Sambil Mall.
