Pampatar's restaurants line the malecón along the bay and run the local Caribbean spread: grilled fish, fried plantain, arepas, and rum. Lunch is the main meal; many places close in the early evening.
El Punto Criollo — straightforward Margariteño food on the waterfront, fresh fish (often pargo or mero) grilled or stewed with coconut, generous portions.
Cocina Caribeña — slightly more upmarket, with a terrace over the bay; the seafood platter is the dish to order, two people minimum.
Around the central square, several casual places serve empanadas de cazón (the local shark turnover) and breakfast arepas; they are cheap, fast, and the best meal of the day for a lot of visitors.