Monterrey Restaurants

  1. Basiko

    Another chef-driven place, this one known for mixing in flavors from the owners' native Ensenada.

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  2. Cafe El Infinito

    Highly enjoyable, tranquil cafe set inside colonial premises with gorgeous tiled floors, high beamed ceilings and walls adorned with art. It offers healthy veggie sandwiches, Oaxacan-style 'pizza', fruit frappés and properly made espresso coffee. There are books to browse, and occasional art-house film screenings and poetry readings.

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  3. Como En Casa

    Popular for the price, of course, but the food isn't bad. You have a choice of eight mains plus soup, salad, beans, rice, and a drink. Closing time can depend on when food runs out.

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  4. El Infinito

    Highly enjoyable culture café set inside colonial premises with gorgeous tiled floors, high beamed ceilings and walls adorned with art. Musically, things are kept tranquil with ambient and classical music on the hi-fi and Friday-night live jazz on the rooftop terrace. It offers high-priced sandwiches, cheese plates, pizzas, fruit frappés, mango martinis and properly made espresso. There are books to browse, and occasional art-house movies. Ask Pepe, the amiable owner, about his desert tours.

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  5. El Rey del Cabrito

    Huge landmark restaurant, complete with a revolving crown on its roof and hunting-lodge-kitsch interior. Your goat arrives at the table still sizzling on a bed of onions, with a large salad and tortillas. Start things off with the principio de fritada (fried blood). There's another location to the west of the center on Av Constitución.

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  6. El Siciliano

    Authentic, intimate little Italian restaurant on the eastern edge of the Barrio Antiguo. Great pasta and stuffed calamari are served up on gingham tablecloths and there's a good wine selection.

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  7. Fonda San Francisco

    Like nothing you've tried before, most of the recipes in this cozy little bistro are inspired by pre-Hispanic cooking. English-speaking chef Adrian Herrera will guide you through the menu, which is ripe with delights like molito de hongos (mushroom mole with chicken) and pavo en pipian de cacao (turkey with pumpkin-seed and chocolate sauce). It's located just south of Av Vasconcelos; if you take bus 130 get off by the Super Roma.

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  8. Iannilli

    Seriously elegant and expensive Italian restaurant with intimate dining rooms and formal service. The extensive menu includes risotto with porcini mushroom, gnocchi, shrimp dishes and pizza. The attached Mexican restaurant, Madre Oaxaca, is also very good.

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  9. La Casa de Maíz

    A bohemian place specializing in corn-based comfort food from southern Mexico, including memelas (thick tortillas with black beans topped with cheese and more), plus quesadillas and tostadas, all served on hand-painted tables.

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  10. La Zanahoria

    Simple little vegetarian place run by yoga fanatics serving food like beregena gratinada (eggplant baked with breadcrumbs and tomato and cheese) and mock-meat milanesa . All dishes include wholemeal bread, soup, salad and a drink.

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  12. Las Monjitas

    The waitresses are dressed as nuns and nearly every inch of space is covered in colorful tiles at this bizarre restaurant. The food is only so-so, but it's a fun experience. And, yes; they serve beer. There's another branch at the corner of Morelos and Galeana.

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  13. Luisiana

    Tuxedoed waiters and all the trappings of high-end dining are available at this classic. The meat and seafood menu is a mix of old and new, Mexican and Continental, with choices like cabrito, beef stroganoff, Indian curried shrimp and pato al hono al'orange (duck a la orange).

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  14. Mi Pueblito

    Enjoy filling Mexican standards in this cute little place while using the free wi-fi.

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  15. Mi Tierra

    If you like mole you'll love this open-fronted place on the pedestrian mall, or its other locations around the Zona Rosa.

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  16. Restaurant Gran Plaza

    If you get hungry while exploring the Gran Plaza, this popular Chinese-owned Chinese restaurant a block off Explanada de los Héroes will fill you up fast.

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  17. Restaurant La Puntada

    This large, simple place with a long list of Mexican items, plus steaks, at fair prices has had a loyal following since 1955. The food is fantastic.

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