Taste the flavors of Central America at Nahual Maya

For Vielka and Cesar Flores, owners of the newly-opened Nahual Maya Restaurant on Gallery Row, food has always been central to their lives. Both are originally from Central America— Cesar from Guatemala and Vielka from Panama—where much of their culture revolves around the cooking and conversations that happen in the kitchen. 

Longtime residents of Lancaster, Cesar and Vielka built successful careers as a roofing business owner and in healthcare, respectively. After first opening a restaurant back in Guatemala in 2023, which Cesar’s family now runs, they began to dream about opening a restaurant here in Lancaster City. 

“Every time we wanted to get Central American food, we’d go somewhere else to get it—there was nothing like that here,” Vielka said. 

Cesar added, “I told Vielka, ‘Why not open another restaurant here in Lancaster so we can share our food with the community?’” 

Vielka says the difference in the dishes served at Nahual Maya, whose menu features food from Guatemala, Panama, and El Salvador, is in the special spices and seasonings from each country. 

“A lot of flavors come from ancient traditions,” she added. “It has a very solid Mayan background.” 

The Floreses have been blown away by the positive response from the community, as people from all backgrounds have come in to try their food, and they have enjoyed educating people on their culture and guiding them on what to order. 

A few of their signature items include pupusas and tostadas, as well as fresh-made tortillas and daily pressed juices. They are excited to join such a vibrant international restaurant scene here in the city. 

“It’s a really amazing place to be. To be a little bit of a smaller city, there’s just so many different cultures here, and we are thankful to share ours too.” 

Vielka Flores

Visit them at 126 North Prince Street for a taste of their authentic cuisine. 

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