International restaurants in Mexico
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A
Restaurante Lu
Inside the Hotel Casino, talented young chef Lucero Soto Arriaga turns humble pre-Hispanic ingredients into exquisite gems of alta cocina (Mexican haute cuisine). Her multicourse tasting menu might begin with tamales with smoked butter, then move on to delicate salads of dried nopal (cactus paddle) with caramelized pumpkin seeds, squash blossom-peanut tacos and whimsical confections of local fruits. Try to snag an outdoor table for perfect plaza views.
reviewed
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Casas Viejas
Opened in 2007, this is already one of the finest restaurants in Chiapas. Set in a gorgeous garden patio of two 'old houses,' chef/owner Matias Klein Kötter creates a delectable and ever-evolving international menu using regional ingredients.
The pollo al tamarindo (tamarind chicken) and pasta de salmon (salmon pasta with orange and tequila) keep the locals in eye-fluttering rapture, and if it's not too busy, the kitchen might whip you up a custom dish (including vegetarian options). For dessert, locally-grown cardamom, chocolate and coffee are blended together to make scrumptious crepes, but Kötter won't give up the family secret of the chocolately pastel tlacopac.
reviewed
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B
El Secret Gourmet
A rare combination of gourmet restaurant and TV dinners; if you are renting an apartment, the frozen or refrigerated selection of dishes available here may appeal. They include various mousses, like salmon, Roquefort and olive, Middle Eastern choices, such as hummus and tabouleh, plus pastas, stuffed tacos, chicken and vegetarian dishes. There is also a deli section selling organic produce, including jams, chutneys and sauces.
reviewed
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C
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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D
Café Mangia
Enjoy an uncomplicated menu of panini with fillings such as pesto and smoked cheese, roast beef, cheese and herbs and smoked salmon with cream cheese. There’s a healthy salad and breakfast choice, plus fresh juices and seriously good coffee. The atmosphere is boho-arty with white-painted brick walls, challenging artwork and an outside terrace. All the vegetables are organically grown.
reviewed
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E
Breadhaus
Everything costs M$59 on this menu, including baguettes, paninis, ciabatta and fat focaccias stuffed with a nine-filling choice like serrano ham, roast beef and salmon. If you want to lay off the dough, go for one of their mixed-leaf salads. The space is inside-outside and attracts local business types with limited lunch breaks and expansive appetites.
reviewed
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F
Restaurante Bucaneros
Below the Hotel Mesón del Bucanero between Abasolo and Madero, this is a fan-cooled, mostly outdoor restaurant with a pleasing ambience and a variety of alcoholic and nonalcoholic tropical shakes and drinks. The best deal is the menú especial (set menu), which gives you a choice of several mains accompanied by soup or salad and a dessert.
reviewed
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G
Gaia
Once the mansion of the ‘Mexican Charlie Chaplin, ’ actor Mario Moreno, this stylish restaurant has a very impressive international menu, with dishes like linguini with shrimp in cilantro sauce and a ‘fish trilogy’ served with tamarind and chili. Reserve a table with a view of the Diego Rivera mosaic that adorns the bottom of the swimming pool.
reviewed
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H
Restaurant la Gruta
Set in a vast cave a short distance from Gate 5 (don’t be put off by the sign on the path that says it’s 500m away; it’s a misprint), this white-tablecloth, tourist-centric restaurant is unapologetically gimmicky. Yet the food, while pricey, is surprisingly good and there’s live music on weekend afternoons. Reservations are worthwhile.
reviewed
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La Canasta
One of Mexico's gastronomic greats, this famous place is decorated with art and antiques and warmed with a roaring fire. The menu is international with lots of meat and seafood selections. The signature dish is arroz huérfano (orphan's rice), which is loaded with ham, bacon, pecans, almonds and more.
reviewed
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I
El Ciruelo
Set in a courtyard with views of the cliffs and pyramid, this longstanding favorite serves an impressive upscale menu of dishes from camarones al curry (curried shrimp) and salmón chileno a la mantequilla (Chilean salmon in butter sauce) to good pizzas, salads and international dishes.
reviewed
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J
Onix
This bizarre restaurant has a sleek, seductive décor and exotic menu items like scorpion and steak with star fruit and coconut sauce. The soundtrack is equally schizophrenic, but the food is good. The bar upstairs goes off on Fridays and Saturdays.
reviewed
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K
Restaurant Kau-Kan
High on the cliffs, this renowned gourmet restaurant enjoys stellar views. Making a selection is exhausting when faced with choices like stingray in black butter sauce, marinated abalone or grilled lamb chops with Dauphinois potatoes and mint sauce.
reviewed
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Restaurant El Puente
Just after the tiny bridge as you leave the zócalo for the ruins, this atmospheric colonial house has two smart dining rooms as well as a great back garden where you can try a selection of antojitos, pastas, soups and steaks.
reviewed
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Axitla
This Swiss Family Robinson–style sprawling treehouse just off the pathway to the archaeological site is set amid thick forest. There’s a good selection of breakfasts available (M$40 to M$100) and a wide-ranging Mexican and international menu.
reviewed
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L
Mangos
Palm-roofed Mangos might have the best breakfast combinations in town (M$25 to M$45), and its seafood dishes – like a whole fresh red snapper – are well prepared. There are often two-for-one drinks, and the service is friendly.
reviewed
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M
El Alquimista
The classy Alchemist is delightfully sited in a sandy cove. Its wide-ranging fare runs from falafel or hummus starters to good meat and seafood dishes and brick-oven pizzas, complemented by a full bar and good espresso.
reviewed
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N
El Caracol de Oro
Coyoacán’s alternative set occupies the jazzily painted tables here, munching on nouveau natural fare like chicken topped with apple curry and goat cheese, and cheese-stuffed chilies bathed in mango sauce.
reviewed
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O
Restaurante Imperial
This busy, efficient place beside Plaza Cívica offers a wholesome two-course comida corrida (set lunch) with plenty of choice. It also offers a full breakfast menu and good drinking chocolate.
reviewed
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P
Restaurant El Delfín
This, the best choice for fine dining, serves an impressive array of rich, gourmet dishes. Desserts are magnificent and the international wines are reasonably priced.
reviewed
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Q
La Misión Dragón
Operated by the owners of El Dragón, this place is set among lovely gardens complete with pagoda and miniature lake. Both Dragóns are Mexicali institutions.
reviewed
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Los Girasoles
This restaurant offers a varied menu, including pizza, Mexican favorites and pasta. Art decks the walls, wi-fi is available, and it has live rock music on weekends.
reviewed
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R
Los Candiles
This restaurant opens onto a pleasant patio, and has a menu of surf-and-turf fare and a full bar with sports dominating the satellite TV.
reviewed
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MP Bistro
Celebrity chef Mónica Patiño blends Eastern and Western flavors with remarkable success in her MP Bistro.
reviewed
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T
Hotel Madan
It’s not glamorous, but this very reliable and popular hotel restaurant has good Mexican dishes and efficient, friendly service.
reviewed
