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In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Local Restaurants around the World

Sometimes the local restaurants have the "best" food ever. They can be family-run enterprises, a small little shack-of-a-place, or a well known local hangout.

Countries are listed in alphabetical order

For videos of these restaurants, scroll down below

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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Colombia

La Pepita sign: No Music No Life, Cartagena, Colombia La Pepita Burger Bar Cartagena, Colombia

We arrived in Cartagena at about 3pm and after getting settled into our hotel room, we were ready to eat! Fortunately for us, a few doors down was this Burger Bar. We thought we'd give it a try.

Fried Mojarra, La Estrella, Cartagena, Colombia La Estrella Restaurant - Bar Cartagena, Colombia

We were finally on our long-awaited trip to Colombia. After settling in at our hotel, the first afternoon we simply walked out the door, found a place and (happily) ordered some of the best burgers we have had in Latin America. But these were at tourist prices, so we needed a local place - A restaurant where the native Cartagenos ate, at native prices. Enter, La Estrella Restaurant and Bar.

Dominican Republic

Manny's Restaurant/Bar Manny's Restaurant Cabrera, Dominican Republic

We spent about 10 days in Cabrera, Dominican Republic, a sleepy little town with a distinct Caribbean feel. Walking down by the sea on the newly finished malecon, we ran into this seaside restaurant.

France

Banana crepes at a bistro on  Champs-Elysees, Paris, France Bistro des Champs, Paris, France

We had just finished our tour of the Arc de Triomphe on this blustery autumn day, and took a stroll down the Champs-Elysees looking for someplace warm to get in out of the weather.   We found this cheery bistro not far from the Arc, in fact you can see this monument from our inside table.

Outdoor seating at Cafe le Quartier, Paris, France Cafe le Quartier Latin Quarter, Paris, France

Cafe le Quartier is located in the Sorbonne area near the Pantheon and offers outdoor seating with views of some of the famous architecture of Paris. The Latin Quarter has always been a hotbed of intellectual activity, with philosophers, theologians, and scientists gathering here. Names like Thomas Aquinas, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Sartre, would debate and discuss ideas that would shape modern thought.

meat on a vertical spit at the Souvlaki Athenien, Paris, France Le Souvlaki Athenien Paris, France

We wanted a traditional lamb gyro so, we went wandering down this Medieval street in the heart of the Latin Quarter until we came upon Souvlaki Athenien. BINGO! This was it.

Guatemala

Steak Roquefort Circus Bar Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

The Circus Bar is an old time favorite in the community. You can find good selections of Italian food, pizza, salads, beef, chicken and fish. Portions are large it's a good value to eat there.

Our $6US meal Tuscani Restaurant Panajachel, Guatemala

One of the best ways to find good eateries is through word of mouth as nothing can beat that person-to-person recommendation. In previous years that we have lived in Panajachel, we never paid mind to this little restaurant. It was on a section of street that wasn't on our daily trek, so without knowing it, we were missing out on one of the best places in town to get a meal!

Smoked tenderloin of pork Smokin' Joes Bar-b-que

If you are at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala you must stop by Smokin' Joes to get some real tasty BBQ. Every week end Nestor cooks baby back ribs, bacon wrapped filets, fresh fish, smoked pork, grilled chicken, steaks and burgers.

Tempura with pickled vegetables, rice and salad Japanese Sushi Panajachel, Guatemala

What is refreshing many times in these foreign countries is the entrepreneurial spirit we see. Previously the competition to another Japanese restaurant and located just outside of town, this man and his wife chose to close their establishment and begin to work out of their home and offer home delivery of their cuisine.

The finished product The Ceviche Man Panajachel, Guatemala

Unlike Mexico, Guatemala is not known for its street food. However there are exceptions. Mexico offers dynamic, tasty street food with all sorts of sauces. It can be chicken, beef, pork, snacks and even dessert but it's bound to be tasty. Guatemala has a more traditional cuisine, and most of it is sold in small sit-down restaurants instead of on the street.

The guys found the pig inside the dirt and hoisted it out Christmas Day Pig Roast Panajachel, Lago Atitlan, Guatemala (Pronounced: Pan-nah-hah-CHEL, LAH-goh Ah-teet-LAHN, Gwah-tay-MAH-lah)

We are headed to Santiago, the largest of the lakeside communities for our Christmas Day Pig Roast. We arrived to our host's home and after some fresh tropical fruit and coffee, it was time to take the pig out of the pit. Last evening, Christopher and Kevin placed it into the earthen oven with glowing hot coals. It's been cooking all night.

 Dietrich Gawtenbein speaking with the other couple Artesano Vinos y Quesos - San Juan la Laguna, Atitlan, Guatemala

San Juan La Laguna is a village across Lake Atitlan just outside of San Pedro la Laguna. It can be reached directly by boat or a 10Q tuk tuk ride from San Pedro. While in Panajachel I had heard about a terrific wine and cheese restaurant called Artesano so I specifically went to San Juan to check it out.

Nestor with the roasted pig San Pedro, Lake Atitlan Christmas Day Pig Roast

Living in one of the most gorgeous places on earth, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, is a real discovery. People are friendly, weather is good, price of living is affordable, and the natural beauty is stunning. Christmas Day was coming up and we heard that Nestor from Smokin' Joes BBQ was going to do a Christmas Day Pig Roast. Well, we just HAD to go. We collected a group of friends, hired a private lancha and headed to San Pedro for the feast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIDEOS!

Colombia

Eating at The Star Restaurant, Cartagena, Colombia

Here we are at a very popular local open-air restaurant called The Star. Just up the street from our hotel, we ate here most afternoons. TASTY food, fun people, and GREAT prices!

Guatemala

Quick Survival Tips for Travel

The man looked interested, the woman looked HORRIFIED. Clearly she held resistance to entering this clean, brightly decorated eating establishment.

 

 

 

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About the Authors

 
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are recognized retirement experts and internationally published authors on topics of finance, medical tourism and world travel. With the wealth of information they share on their award winning website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com, they have been helping people achieve their own retirement dreams since 1991. They wrote the popular books, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible available on their website bookstore or on Amazon.com.

 

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