Situated on the Lake Nicaragua shoreline of Isla Ometepe, Ranchos Morgan is a hidden gem with fresh local dishes at a serious bargain. Sunset dining means sipping mojitos (45 Córdobas/$1.69) with basil from the property’s herb garden while watching the locals ride by on horseback with a backdrop of Maderas Volcano.

For dinner we shared the chicken filet with a creamy mushroom sauce flavored with onion and garlic (150 Córdobas /$5.65). It was accompanied by our-soon-to-be favorite side dish in Latin America– patacones– lightly breaded and fried plantain patties, a salty sweet delight. The clear winner though, was the tender filleted fish in a parsley, garlic and olive oil sauce (190 Córdobas /$7.16) served with a side salad and fries — the flavors perfectly bold, not overpowering.

Dinner was so delectable that we returned for breakfast the next morning, having a quiche-like vegetarian omelet of tomato, onion, green pepper, sweet chillies and fresh basil with incredibly tasty homemade rosemary toast.

Be prepared to wait as all meals are prepared fresh to order and can take awhile. The restaurant also has no menu so a basic level of Spanish is needed to converse with the chef/owner on the daily offerings.

 

Ranchos Morgan, San Jose del Sur
Ometepe, Nicaragua
Phone+505 8600 4188