Restaurants in Guanajuato State
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A
El Midi
This French-run café-restaurant is hard to go past for its fresh delights. Tartes, salads and a huge array of daily offerings can be enjoyed on the perfectly pretty plaza under brollies. Morning croissants available; the salad bar starts at 12.30pm and á la carte meals are served in the evenings.
reviewed
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B
Santo Café
Stop by this cozy, slightly funky spot on the quaint Venetian-style bridge and check the latest university vibe. It serves excellent salads and snacks, plus heftier dishes and drinks. Some tables overlook the alley below, and there is music of all styles.
reviewed
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C
Yamuna
A great range of quality veg food, most - such as the generous comida corrida - with a very Indian Hindu influence and flavor.
reviewed
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Vía Orgánica
This healthy option – a café and vegetable shop – is part of the not-for-profit Mexican organization, Vía Orgánica. The organic produce is grown by local farmers. The café’s menu delights the taste buds; think minestrone soups, salads, and some of the best cakes around. Vía Orgánica also runs permaculture/farming workshops. Follow your nose north along Hidalgo. Veer right onto Calzada de la Aurora, first left into Talavera and first left again.
reviewed
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D
Casa Valadez
This classic place is a smart choice in every respect and attracts a loyal crowd of well-dressed locals. Given its fine location – it faces both the Jardín and Teatro Juaréz – it’s excellent value. Servings are Mexican (read generous); dishes are a blend of international and Mexican. Especially tasty are the pollo con enchiladas mineros (enchiladas with the ‘lot’) and the beef steak, filete Valadez.
reviewed
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E
La Capilla
This elegant restaurant's atmosphere and location - in a former chapel of the parroquia - is unbeatable. The restaurant's fairy-lighted rooftop terrace affords romantic and spectacular sunset views. The menu, which offers truly international cuisine doesn't always live up to the location's lofty heights; it gets mixed reviews. Downstairs there's a classy café-bar and counter selling quality chocolates.
reviewed
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El Gallo Pitagórico
South of the Jardín, up the path (and then steps) behind Templo San Diego, this romantic restaurant is chock-a-block with folkloric artifacts, friendly atmosphere and fine city views. The Italian cuisine includes assorted antipasti, a range of pastas and great meat dishes. The lengthy wine list can hike the price, but service is good and it’s a reliably pleasant experience.
reviewed
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Ice-Cream
Don't leave without sampling a hand-turned ice-cream from an ice-cream vendor on the plaza or around town. You can test your taste-buds on the flavors: mole, chicharrón (fried pork skin), avocado, corn, cheese, honey, shrimp, beer, tequila and tropical fruits. The market on the corner of Chihuahua and Michoacan serves up some satisfying corn-based snacks.
reviewed
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G
Café Tal
This slightly grungy coffee spot, owned by a French-horn player, is the wi-fi-enabled study spot for students. It roasts, grinds and serves excellent coffees ( barista is a word used here!). Don’t miss the beso negro (black kiss), ultra-concentrated hot chocolate (M$12). If you’re lucky, Tal the cat might sit on your lap.
reviewed
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Ik-Etznab
Around 8km from Guanajuato, near the hamlet of Santa Rosa, is where you’ll find this cutting-edge eatery. It serves haute cuisine at its best – the most impressive of colors, flavors and artistic presentation mean everything to its Mexican chefs, who were trained in Europe. This classy spot overlooks the green Sierra de Santa Rosa.
reviewed
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La Posadita
This enjoyable eatery gets five stars for its excellent service, Mexican fare, and location – near the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. Head up a steep set of stairs to the restaurant or the wonderful rooftop terrace with great vistas. It serves delicious margaritas, enchiladas and meat dishes.
reviewed
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I
Los Burritos
You definitely don’t head here for the decor (although note the carved donkey heads on the chairs), but instead for the vast array of cheap antojitos and the mouthwatering, made-to-order guisados (fillings) from mole to chipotle (a type of chili) and potato.
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Bugambilia
Said to be one of the oldest surviving restaurants in San Miguel. Indeed, it offers a traditional experience in a lovely bougainvillea-filled patio setting. It’s famous for chiles en nogada (stuffed chilies, fried in batter and served with creamy sauce) but receives mixed reviews.
reviewed
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El Ten Ten Pie
This unpretentious hangout is a great choice for home-style Mexican cooking with superb chili sauces – at a less spicy price. Try the inexpensive set lunch (M$110) or the tortillas stuffed with delicious fillings. Excellent breakfasts and veggie options.
reviewed
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La Capellina
This smart ‘special occasion’ place creates international (mainly Asian, Italian and Mexican) fusion cuisine. The menu is à la carte and features pizzas, pasta and other meat and salad ‘specialties’ (all identified by the word ‘capellina’ in their name).
reviewed
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Café Olé Olé
Charge in to this brightly decorated restaurant – bullfighting posters, matador jackets and massive bull heads adorn the walls. It’s been eternally popular for its grilled chicken, beef fajitas and arrachera (flank steak) .
reviewed
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Restaurant La Carreta
Follow your nose to La Carreta, an unpretentious café, whose street-front grill spins out a super-scrumptious pollo al pastor (grilled chicken) and carne asada (grilled beef), served with large portions of rice and salad.
reviewed
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O
El Tomato
One of the few wholly vegetarian places, the Tomato serves healthy light meals such as pasta, whole-wheat sandwiches and salads, using fresh and tasty organic ingredients. There are also fresh-squeezed juices and a good-value set lunch.
reviewed
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Bella Italia
Rome meets San Miguel in this smart, slightly old-fashioned place set within an attractive courtyard. Think hand-made pasta, mussels in white wine and grilled lamb chops - just as Mama used to make. Excellent musicians perform nightly.
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El Buen Café
This simple place does excellent healthy breakfasts, Mexican specialties and sweet home-baked gourmet-style goodies. Think French toast with blackberry sauce, or thick oatmeal topped with blackberries and crème brûlée.
reviewed
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Tío Lucas
This stylish place with a silver-star-covered courtyard is known for its beef, especially the fillet steak, and for being ‘reliable.’ Happy hour runs from 6pm to 8pm Monday to Thursday, and there’s live blues or jazz nightly.
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Il Romanico
A modern Italian-style, all-in-one type place where you can get your morning juice, lunch-time crepes and a gelato snack. In the evening, grab a pizza or pasta and then hit the hip bar, La Juanita, upstairs (open 'til late).
reviewed
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S
Café de la Parroquia
Expats love this place for its tranquil and shaded courtyard setting with a fountain and reliable food. In the evening it morphs into La Brasserie (open from 5pm to 10pm Tuesday to Saturday; mains M$70 to M$160).
reviewed
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Tasca de La Paz
This place opposite the basilica has outdoor tables on picturesque Plaza de la Paz for tapas, paella and other Spanish specialties. It’s a bit pricey, but worth it for the authentic flavors and European ambience.
reviewed
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Rincón de Don Tomás
An oldie but a goody. This long-standing joint has a solid following and a menu of classic Mexican dishes such as chicken with moles and cordites. Given its position on the Jardín, it’s not bad value.
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