Restaurants in Central Gulf Coast
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Ulúa Fish
This upscale café was opened by the famous chef José Burela Picazzo, who also founded a cooking school in the city and has written a cookbook about the local specialties of Veracruz state. If you are in the mood to splurge on excellent seafood, this is the place. Some of the waitstaff have student-shadows from the school who are nervous and over-attentive…in a cute way.
reviewed
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Tourist Restaurants
The lake provides the specialties here: tegogolo (a snail, reputed to be an aphrodisiac, eaten with chili, tomato, onion and lime) sold by street vendors and chipalchole (shrimp or crab-claw soup). Many tourist-aimed restaurants line the malecón. Explore the city's viscera, and you'll find interesting local eateries.
reviewed
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Mercado de la Rotonda
At the north end of Revolucíon, this untouristed market with numerous, orderly eateries has delicious regional food on the cheap. Ask for zarza parrilla, a drink made with its namesake root that’s used in genuine root beer and is known for its qualities as a medicine and an aphrodisiac.
reviewed
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Restaurant Atracadero
This barge-turned-restaurant docked on the river is a fabulous place to splurge, with its open-air, upscale ambience. Drink red wine while enjoying the house specialty: paella (M$300), which can feed three to four people and is made with all sorts of meat, mariscos and veggies.
reviewed
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A
La Fonda
You can eat in the vibrant, mural-festooned interior or grab a cozy two-person, plant-adorned balcony overlooking the street. Try the mole here, or the chileatole de pollo (chicken soup with little floating corns on the cob). The four-course set meal is M$45.
reviewed
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Ambar de Dona
This cozy restaurant decorated with art and dark wood tables looks over the mountains and has patio seating. It offers a menu of pizzas, tasty sandwiches, whole-wheat bread, steaks and salads, beside the regular Mexican favorites. Take your pick of coffee, fresh juice or wine.
reviewed
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Mercado
If you’re just passing through town or waiting for a bus, you’re in luck, compadre. Located between the bus stations is a massive labyrinth of little eateries and merchants selling a myriad of things, including food of all colors, textures and shapes.
reviewed
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Mardel
Recently opened by an ex-Argentine soccer player, this upscale restaurant, literally over the water, specializes in Argentine favorites, but there are also Mexican and Spanish influences in the menu. The food is quite delicious, but service is hit or miss.
reviewed
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B
Barra de Mariscos
An enjoyable, atmospheric place near the Parque Reforma, where freshness is valued; try the pulpo con salsa de ajo (octopus in garlic sauce) or camarones a la plancha (grilled shrimp) or empanadas de mariscos, the specialty.
reviewed
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Las Tortugas de Xilitla
Plop onto a cushy green barstool at this popular, cheap sandwich spot and watch the cook whip you up a sandwich with fresh ingredients. The torta huasteca (M$25) comes decked with cecina,chorizo and shredded cheese.
reviewed
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C
Plazoleta
This cool cafeteria has streetview seating as well as tables placed around trees and vines in a courtyard. It has an extensive coffee menu and fresh fruit juices, along with traditional Mexican food and an open-air tortillería.
reviewed
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Cochinito de Oro
A couple of blocks away from the zócalo, you can actually escape the hawkers and incredible price inflation. The food is simple, plentiful and tasty, and the atmosphere is affable. The set menu is M$50.
reviewed
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Restaurante Tlacotalpan
For good eats try this place, one of the numerous terrific open-air eateries on the riverfront that whip up fresh, traditional seafood. They’re more expensive than eateries in town, but the ambience is worth it.
reviewed
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Restaurant Totonaca
This air-conditioned hotel bar-restaurant aims to be a step fancier and has an extensive menu. There’s also a short wine list (M$80 to M$100), and it serves cocktails made with locally produced vanilla extract.
reviewed
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La Lechuga
Properly located in front of Alameda Park, where the health-conscious population comes to run and walk, this pleasant vegetarian restaurant offers a breakfast buffet and a daily set-lunch menu (M$45).
reviewed
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E
Gran Café de la Parroquia
As a Veracruz icon, this busy restaurant- coffeehouse faces the harbor and buzzes from daylight until midnight. The trademark custom is for customers to request refills by clinking spoons on glasses.
reviewed
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La Flor de Café
Run by a co-op of Nahua women, this simple place offers local specialties, including zacahuiles (huge tamales), as well as delicious aguas frescas (sweetened fruit water).
reviewed
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Sanborns
This huge, ever-busy café with a terrace facing the zócalo and extensive international and Mexican menu is a local and tourist staple. Waitresses sport campy indigenous costumes.
reviewed
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G
Boca del Río Seafood Restaurants
Some 11km from the city center, the gritty, off-shoot town of Boca del Río has a smattering of brightly colored seafood restaurants looking over the mouth of the river on Blvd Camacho.
reviewed
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Plaza Pardo
Eating enchiladas with a cold beer at a balcony table over the zócalo is the best way to enjoy a dying afternoon in Papantla. It has steaks (M$140) for the carnivorously inclined.
reviewed
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Ninfas
This colorful little restaurant is usually stuffed with locals taking advantage of the good food and prices. The homemade tortillas are divine, as are the empanadas. Set menu is M$50.
reviewed
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H
Nieves de Malecón
On the way to the malecón from the zócalo, equip yourself for the stroll by treating yourself to a scrumptious Mexican-style sorbet laden with fresh fruit chunks.
reviewed
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I
Callejón González Aparicio
This alley is loaded with hip, international eateries and even hipper crowds. Try Cubanias, where you can sip mojitos; La Condesa for salad and sushi; or Shalom to grab falafels.
reviewed
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El Mirador
This very new beachside palapa restaurant is smack on the water on Blvd Camacho. It’s an ideal place for seafood, beer, music and ocean breezes. Live tunes on weekends.
reviewed
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J
El Patio
This open vegetarian eatery has a vividly hand-painted wall and serves breakfasts and a daily set meal (M$45) that is a deal. There’s no sign, so look for the colorful doorway.
reviewed
