Each week, Tommy-Maurice is going to a different restaurant in Asunción. This week, he has been to La Farola, an establishment located in Barrio Pettirossi, a couple of minutes from the downtown core.
I first saw this restaurant while walking around my hostel in early January of 2023. It was my first full day in Paraguay. I was trying to find a place where my inability to speak proper Spanish would not be a problem. At first, I was hesitant. I was still stressed after the 14 hours of flight leading me to the country. Ultimately, I entered that day, and approximately 80 other days. I did not only have access to local cuisine. Along the way, I built friendships with the employees and some regulars. I returned to Paraguay two months ago after leaving for ten months. When I returned to the restaurant, they remembered me. Overall, it was the experience I sought in my new South American life and one I will never forget.
La Farola offers primarily buffet-style food to its customers. It also has breakfasts, a daily menu, and sandwiches on the go. You can bring your buffet food home. The restaurant always has a mix of local and non-local food. You can eat multiple types of meat such as beef, chicken, pork, and veal, pasta such as spaghetti, macaroni, or penne, and vegetables such as potatoes, manioc, and other items in the salad bar. You can also access a wide range of fruits, desserts, and drinks. If lucky to come by on a Friday, you can eat food directly from the barbecue, such as sliced beef and sausage. It is delicious and tasty, with fresh ingredients that make it even more enjoyable. If it is not hot enough for you, you can put your plate in the microwave.
As for the price, like multiple restaurants with a buffet, you pay by the weight. A lunch at La Farola will cost between 20K and 40K Guaraníes, including the beverage, the bread and dessert if you choose to take one. From a Canadian perspective, it would cost me 60K Guaraníes for the same amount of food, sometimes without the beverage included. Regarding seating, the establishment is significant compared to the others in the neighbourhood and has a capacity of 154 places for 39 tables. You can often see employees of the IPS or the Health Ministry at lunchtime eating in big groups at the restaurant. I have also seen people celebrate their birthday there, singing Happy Birthday in Spanish and Guaraní. The restaurant is super clean and well maintained by its staff members, giving you a sense of security, as they know what they are doing.
The establishment is open Monday through Friday, starting at 6 AM. Breakfast finishes at 11 AM to focus on the buffet and the daily menu. It closes at around 3 or 4 PM, depending on demand. It is located on Constitution (#777), at the corner of Pettirossi. As the latter is a one-way street, you can access the restaurant by taking Avenida Brasil.
If you are looking for a clean, friendly place with good food, La Farola is the place for you!
Look next week for another article about a restaurant in Asunción!
