Restaurants in Central North Mexico
-
A
La Casa de los Milagros
Legend has it that Pancho Villa and his pals loved this stylish café, and you probably will too. In a beautiful, 110-year-old mansion featuring high ceilings, tiled floors and an airy courtyard, the food, cocktails and ambience all merge into a fantastic evening. The menu features a great selection of coffee drinks, fresh salads, some original antojitos (Mexican snacks), and steaks and chicken for heartier appetites. There’s live music, usually ballads and trova, from 9pm Wednesday to Sunday.
reviewed
-
B
Botero’s
Botero’s is brightly contemporary in both its adventurous Chihuahua-meets-Europe cuisine and its bi-level, window-walled design. Steaks, seafood and pasta (in sauces, such as smoked salmon and vodka) head up the menu; lighter options include salads with ingredients such as mango and goat cheese, and some truly tempting tentaciones (temptations). It does a big M$90 breakfast buffet, too.
reviewed
-
La Cueva del Indio
This lovely cave-themed spot has a highly original design inspired by the ancient structures of the region, T-shaped door and all. Trout is the specialty of the house, but there’s a big selection of meat dishes too, and you might consider vestigios de la cueva, a delicious pre-Hispanic–style meat, bean and chili stew. Good breakfasts too, including a vegetarian omelet.
reviewed
-
C
Restaurant Playa Azul
Fish and shrimp don’t immediately leap to mind in an inland city such as Durango, but this seafood specialist is one of the best restaurants in town. Service in the colorfully decorated 18th-century patio is professional, and you can choose from 20 ways of preparing grouper fillets or a range of seafood cocktails, including the six-ingredient Molotov.
reviewed
-
Marioneta
This pub-like restaurant/café with six different rooms serves up tasty tacos, quiche, steaks and queso fundido (melted cheese with tortillas), to the accompaniment of varied live music (Tuesday to Saturday nights) and an ample range of cocktails, smoothies and beers. It’s near the Alameda park, 2km east of the Plaza de Armas.
reviewed
-
D
Mi Café
This American-style greasy-spoon diner caters both to travelers and local cowboys, serving up excellent breakfasts and coffee at big, comfy booths. Chilaquiles montados con huevos (corn tortillas with chili and eggs) is great way to start the morning or kick a hangover. Internet access also available.
reviewed
-
Al Gusto Restaurante
This air-conditioned surprise, just across Puente Francisco Villa from Plaza Principal, serves up carefully prepared dishes from burgers and salads to fish and excellent fajitas, in four separate rooms with a tranquil ambience. The introductory chips come with two great, original cream-cheese and chili dips.
reviewed
-
E
Cremería Wallander
A wonderful café and deli with a tranquil courtyard where you can enjoy healthy breakfasts and extraordinary tortas, made with cold cuts and cheese direct from the Wallander family farm on fresh-baked rolls. It’s also a great place to stock up on baked goods, wine, yogurt, honey and dried fruit.
reviewed
-
Los Farolitos
Clean and cheerily decorated, Los Farolitos provides great-value breakfasts and satisfying enchiladas, chicken in mole poblano (rich, chocolate-based sauce) or bisteck ranchero (steak with tomato, chili and onion sauce) for lunch. One block east of the Plaza de Armas.
reviewed
-
F
La Casona
The city’s top out-to-dinner experience is at this 19th-century mansion once owned by prerevolutionary potentate Luis Terrazas. Polished waiters in black ties and waistcoats serve up steaks, seafood, pasta and an ample wine list in a fairly formal atmosphere. Breakfasts are great.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
G
Nutry Vida
For vegetarians growing tired of cheese, this little natural-foods café and bakery is a welcome stop. You'll find salads, yogurts, veggie burgers (which aren't very good, frankly), fresh-squeezed juices and a variety of whole-wheat baked goods. Eat in or take out.
reviewed
-
Nevería Chuchy
Chuchy’s classic lunch counter is the perfect place to enjoy cheap, filling fare, from tortas (filled bread rolls) to licuados (milkshakes), plus a side of warm chat with Chuchy, the friendly old-timer who has owned the place for nearly three decades.
reviewed
-
H
Gorditas Gabino
A clean cheap-eats haven that bustles with all types of folk, mostly savoring the delicious gorditas (round masa cakes) and burritos stuffed with chicken and avocado, rajas con queso (chili strips and cheese) and other tasty fillings.
reviewed
-
I
Frida’s
Juárez’ most beautiful dining room is full of art (including dozens of portraits of its eponymous artist) and red velvet booths. The food, a mix of Mexican and Continental, probably won’t wow you as much as the decor, but most people leave satisfied.
reviewed
-
J
Fonda de la Tía Chona
This classy classic fills a gorgeously decorated old building full of nooks and crannies, while the menu is dedicated to classic durangueño cuisine, such as the caldillo (a stew based on beef and pasado chilies).
reviewed
-
K
Antojitos Pam-Pam
Nothing fancy, just great home-style cooking, which makes it a favorite with downtown workers at lunchtime. The chile relleno (chili stuffed with meat or cheese, usually fried with egg batter) burritos are delicious and filling.
reviewed
-
L
Restaurant La Gloria
This relaxed and arty spot is a nice place to linger. The large menu has very good breakfasts, antojitos, coffees and salads. It may also be the only restaurant in northern Mexico adorned with Free Tibet stickers!
reviewed
-
Restaurant La Fuente
Happy yellow walls and big windows add to the warm ambience at La Fuente, a local favorite a block off Plaza Principal, where you’ll find a good range of dishes including steak, chicken, enchiladas and a fine garlic soup.
reviewed
-
Mediterráneo
This surprisingly slick café/restaurant serves up tasty pasta, pancakes and salads with imaginative ingredients such as mozzarella, spinach, kiwi and, of course, the local apples. It has a variety of coffees, too.
reviewed
-
M
Restaurant Impala
The menu, with its cryptic English translations, covers all the usuals, but the massive breakfast platters (around $59) with favorites from both sides of the border set this simple hotel restaurant apart.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Rancho Viejo
Good ol’ Mexican food: choose from shrimp, steaks, enchiladas and other traditional options at this homey log cabin with a country-and-western soundtrack. Apple pie finishes off the meal with style.
reviewed
-
Restaurant Constantino
Opposite the main plaza, popular Constantino has served fresh, tasty meals since 1954. The enchiladas verdes (enchiladas in tomatillo sauce) can’t be beat.
reviewed
-
N
Los Equipales
Los Equipales serves up satisfying meaty meals, whether they be tacos, a gringa (large tortilla topped with cheese and grilled meat), ribs or a steak.
reviewed
-
O
Villa del Mar
If you’re downtown and ask a local where you should eat, many will point you to this simple seafood specialist, even if all you want is a taco.
reviewed
-
P
Pizzaly
It lacks the romantic vibe of some of the city's other Italian restaurants, but this one gets it right where it counts: the pizza.
reviewed
