turismo ·
Where to eat in Ciudad del Este: from lomito árabe to the Shopping China food court
Marco Três newsroom · edited by Annie Grellmann
SAX Palace, Ali Babá, Abbas Líbano, Mara Churrascaria, Patussi Grill, Chipería Mi Abuela, plus the Shopping China and Shopping Paris food courts
You can eat well in Ciudad del Este without leaving the shopping circuit: the food courts at Shopping China (with Madero and Jerônimo) and Shopping Paris, SAX Palace at the top of the SAX store, Lebanese food at Ali Babá and Abbas Líbano, barbecue at Mara and Patussi Grill, and chipa at Chipería Mi Abuela.
Quick answer: Ciudad del Este offers diverse dining options near the Friendship Bridge. Shopping China's food court features Brazilian brands Madero and Jerônimo alongside international chains, open 7 am to 10 pm. For Lebanese food, try Ali Babá or Abbas Líbano for traditional dishes, or Pizzería Super Cuatro for lomito árabe. Mara Churrascaria and Patussi Grill serve barbecue, while Chipería Mi Abuela offers Paraguayan cheese bread.
Most shoppers cross the Friendship Bridge, fill their bags and head back hungry. There is no need: a few minutes from the galleries you will find Lebanese food, barbecue and chipa. Prices and menus change often, so confirm on site.
Shopping mall food courts
The new Shopping China megastore, right by the head of the Friendship Bridge, opened in December 2025 with a food court that brought Madero and Jerônimo to Paraguay, the brands' first operation outside Brazil, alongside names like McDonald's, Burger King, KFC and Pizza Hut. According to the mall, the food court runs from 7 am to 10 pm. Shopping Paris (Av. Luis María Argaña, km 4) keeps its 4th floor for food, with Burger King, Chinese and Arab food and Santa Fe Empanadas. SAX Palace, on the 11th and 12th floors of the SAX store (Av. San Blas at Regimiento Sauce), has a menu that runs from hummus to pasta and sushi, with a view of the Paraná River.
Lebanese-Arab food
The Lebanese community is part of Ciudad del Este's identity, and you can taste it. Ali Babá, inside Shopping del Este, makes esfihas, kibbeh, kafta and shawarma to order. Abbas Líbano, on Av. Monseñor Cedzich downtown, is known for its esfihas and its own Arab bakery. The lomito árabe, a sandwich that wraps sliced beef in flatbread with a Paraguayan twist, even shows up at a pizzeria: the long-running Pizzería Super Cuatro, in the Súper Carretera area, serves lomito árabe along with its pizzas and baguettes sold by the meter.
Barbecue and buffet
Mara Churrascaria, on Cnel. José J. Sánchez street, serves a pay-by-weight buffet with salads and freshly grilled meats. Patussi Grill, on Av. Bernardino Caballero in the Boquerón district, is a reference for Brazilian-style barbecue.
Paraguayan food
To try chipa, Paraguay's cheese bread, stop at Chipería Mi Abuela, a regional chain born in Hernandarias with a branch on Av. Alejo García.
Tip
Most counters take Brazilian reais, guaraníes and cards, but change usually comes back in guaraníes (₲). Ask for the house exchange rate before paying in R$ — on a small bill, the difference can cover a lunch.
Frequently asked questions
- Where should I eat in Ciudad del Este?
- Close to the shopping area, the most practical picks are the food courts at Shopping China and Shopping Paris, SAX Palace at the top of the SAX store, and Ali Babá inside Shopping del Este. Beyond the malls, Abbas Líbano serves Lebanese food downtown, Mara and Patussi Grill cover barbecue, and Chipería Mi Abuela sells chipa.
- Where can I find Lebanese food in Ciudad del Este?
- Ali Babá, inside Shopping del Este, makes esfihas, kibbeh, kafta and shawarma to order. Abbas Líbano, on Av. Monseñor Cedzich, is known for its esfihas and its own Arab bakery. SAX Palace also has Arab dishes on the menu, such as hummus.
- Does Shopping China have a food court?
- Yes. The megastore opened in December 2025 by the head of the Friendship Bridge gathers Madero, Jerônimo, McDonald's, Burger King, KFC and Pizza Hut, among other brands. According to the mall, the food court runs from 7 am to 10 pm.
- What is lomito árabe?
- It is a signature Ciudad del Este sandwich: sliced beef in flatbread, a legacy of the Lebanese community adapted to Paraguayan taste. Pizzería Super Cuatro, a long-running local house, serves lomito árabe alongside its by-the-meter pizzas.
- Where can I try Paraguayan food near the shopping area?
- Chipería Mi Abuela, a regional chain with a branch on Av. Alejo García, is the quick stop for chipa. On the 4th floor of Shopping Paris, Santa Fe Empanadas sells sweet and savory empanadas.
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