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Bagel Cafe
An understated place and a fave of expats. It serves cheap bagels and egg breakfasts.
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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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Berlin
Stop in this cool, artsy spot for a tasty blend of German and Mexican food. The bar is very Euro and if you eavesdrop, you may get the scoop on where to find the next hip art opening.
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C@fe Internet Etc
Local expats like this place for its casual atmosphere, good snacks and Juan's extensive music and movie library.
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Café Colón
This café, run by local character, Irma, is popular with locals for its cheap set breakfasts and lunches.
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Café de La Parroquia
Expats love this place for its tranquil and shaded courtyard setting with fountain and reliable food. In the evening it morphs into La Brasserie (open from to , Tuesday to Saturday).
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Café Olé Olé
Charge in to this brightly decorated restaurant - bullfighting posters, matador jackets and a massive bull's head adorn the walls. It's been eternally popular for its special: grilled chicken and beef fajitas.
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Café Santa Ana
Another relaxing place popular with culture vultures and in the library annex. Good set breakfasts; try the pan árabe.
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Chamonix
Enter through the pink and orange organza curtains into a pretty garden atmosphere for an unusual but high-quality menu - with Mexican with French and Asian flavors. The restaurant also has a pleasant street-side lounge.
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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.
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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, or the fresh tortillas stuffed to the brim with delicious fillings. Excellent breakfasts and veggie options also.
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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.
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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.
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La Posadita
This delightful eatery gets five stars for its excellent service, Mexican fare, reasonable prices and location - near the Parroquia. Head up a steep set of stairs to the restaurant or the wonderful rooftop terrace with great vistas. It serves delicious margaritas, enchiladas and filete a la tampiqueña , to name a few.
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La Ventana
Stroll up to the window for a take-away coffee (or sit inside) and stock up on your organic roasted beans from Chiapas.
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Las Musas
The setting, within the courtyard of Bellas Artes, is among the most beautiful in town, which makes up for the rather average food.
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Los Burritos
You definitely don't head here for the décor (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 with a huge selection of delectable fillings from mole to chipotle and potato.
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Mercado El Nigromante
Has good produce stands and market eateries. It's centrally located, but light years away from the gringo scene.
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Nirvana
Artistically prepared international fusion served in one of two settings (one more contemporary than the other). Think venison in black chili seasoning and salmon in mango chutney. The menu indicates a red chili for spicy meals and a heart for low fat dishes.
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Petit Four
Another wonderful place to get your sugary hit: French pastries that you can enjoy in a cosy environment with a coffee.
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Planta Baja
You don't come here to be in Mexico; this contemporary-style place serves eclectic Mexican-Mediterranean fusion fare in funky surroundings by excellent waiters. The experimental dishes (such as caramelized swordfish) are tastier than the more straightforward grilled fish.
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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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San Agustín
A 'don't leave San Miguel without…' experience. A sweet tooth's paradise and the best place to go in Mexico for chocolate and churros.
