Taxco
As you traipse through a jewelry store to this hidden spacious restaurant, the last thing you might expect are 180-degree views of the town from its…
Must-see restaurants in Mexico
Roma
Vegans can join in the street-food action with soy and gluten taco versions of al pastor, loganiza (sausage) and chorizo. The late-night experience is…
Tijuana
Star Mexican chef Javier Plascencia's ode to revitalizing his hometown, Mision 19 is the city's poshest address with sparse black-and-white decor and…
Guadalajara
An upgraded 1950s-style cafe that is open all day, but best for a huevos rancheros breakfast (fried eggs on a corn tortilla with a tomato, chili and onion…
Centro Histórico
Started in 1953 by boxer Raúl Salazar, this unpretentious establishment prepares Yucatecan fare just as it’s done in don Raúl’s hometown of Mérida. The…
Querétaro
This hole-in-the-wall style place sells churros (fried dough pastry) and hot chocolate and that is all. But, these are not your average greasy churros…
Mercado Municipal Lucas de Gálvez
Mérida
Mérida’s least-expensive eateries are here. Upstairs are tables and chairs and diverse menus offering main courses of beef, fish or chicken. Look for…
Ixtapa
On main Playa Varadero, on Isla Ixtapa's north side, the pick of half a dozen waterfront restaurants serve mighty fine pescado a las brasas (grilled fish)…
Progreso
The 'cow in a rowboat' indicates you've arrived at this laid-back Texan-run spot. Despite the name, it doesn't specialize in milk-based drinks, but is…
Cuernavaca
The restaurant and bar of Cuernavaca’s most famous hotel, Las Mañanitas, is a luxurious splurge that's open to all. The expansive menu has a heavy French…
Cholula
Healthy-eating delights in dishes made from organic, locally sourced ingredients. The seasonal vegetarian menu includes elaborate salads (mango, fig and…
Chihuahua & Central North Mexico
Antiques Roadshow meets colonial Mexico in this quirky restaurant. Here, birria (goat stew, typical of Jalisco) gets Duranguense twists by incorporating…
Cabo San Lucas
If you don't mind waiting 45 minutes (when the place is crowded, which is often), this cute little family-run restaurants serves yummy, Italian-style…
Mazatlán
Hidden among the many taco joints of Avenida Rafael Buelna, this cute little restaurant is all bright tablecloths, friendly service and hearty Sinaloan…
Mérida
Popular with locals and tourists alike, this restaurant's main outlet can be found in charming downtown premises that are always busy. Consider La Chaya…
Coyoacán & San Ángel
Worth coming for the modern architecture alone, this library-sized cafe–bar–bookstore is built around a palm tree ascending over multiple well-stocked…
Mexico City
A line often swings around the corner in Colonia Álamos for these popular esquites (corn kernels in broth), the most coveted of which is served with…
Mexico City
Possibly the capital’s premier hangover-recovery spot, this humble eatery under a tin roof whips up batches of comfort food such as longaniza en salsa…
Palenque
A popular, atmospheric restaurant in the leafy La Cañada neighborhood. It has an attractive front patio with plastic chairs and umbrellas, and there's…
Condesa
Known simply as the 'chilaquiles corner,' this street stand does a roaring trade in tortas de chilaquiles – bread rolls filled with chilaquiles (fried…
Central Pacific Coast
An amiable Mexico City couple runs this small palapa-covered restaurant with Friday dinner specials that change weekly. The house specialty is the…
Morelia
This unassuming restaurant below the Hotel Casino is one of Morelia’s most inventive places to dine. Talented young chef Lucero Soto Arriaga turns pre…
Central Pacific Coast
Perched on a jungle-covered hillside overlooking the cove, this ecolodge's terrace restaurant makes a glorious spot to greet the morning with a full…
Querétaro
With a giant wall mural of traditionally dressed women, this restaurant specializes in Southeastern Mexican cuisine and the dishes – from the xi'i, a…
North of Mexico City
If you have hours to spare at the main bus station, across the road this bustling marisquería (seafood restaurant) serves fresh seafood – including shrimp…
Western Central Highlands
The name of this restaurant in indigenous Zapotec means ‘How delicious!’ and the rich, chocolatey but not overwhelming mole (sauce) is superb. Other…
Loreto
Colorful tablecloths, plastic furniture, a palapa (dried palm leaves) roof; this place has a no-frills setting but serves superb food. Try the pineapple…
Taxco
Offering an extensive menu of traditional Mexican dishes (including house-made jam in the morning and a 20-ingredient, house-made mole in the afternoon),…
Villahermosa
Locals enjoy this lively trattoria for its fantastic brick-oven pizzas, house-made pastas and scrumptious desserts. Most folks come for the pizza, but the…
Veracruz City
Jarochos prefer sorbets (nieves) over ice cream and this is one of the town’s sorbet favorites, sandwiched between the malecón and the zócalo. Loquacious …
Tijuana
Locals in the know flock to this clean-cut, semi-outdoor joint decked out in white and red. Tacos include the normal suspects like asada and pastor …
Barra de Navidad
For breakfast with a fine ocean view, this 2nd-floor eatery above Hotel Barra de Navidad is hard to beat. Grab one of the terrace tables overlooking the…
San Cristóbal de las Casas
This smart, colorful restaurant has a tempting and reliable European and Mexican menu that includes an authentic fondue suiza (Swiss fondue), sopa azteca …
Tabasco
El Bellote isn't so much a single restaurant as an 'eating zone' with dozens of little waterfront restaurants of varying type and quality serving up…
Manzanillo
At this little street stall across from Hotel Playa Santiago, locals crowd wooden tables for jaiba (crab) tostadas, cócteles (seafood cocktails) and…
Zona Rosa & Reforma
Rokai takes Japanese food to a new level in Mexico City in the emerging 'Little Toyko' area. Opt for the 'omakase,' a changing tasting menu consisting of…
Polanco & Bosque de Chapultepec
The attractive onsite restaurant at Museo Nacional de Antropología serves surprisingly good dishes, with a menu divided by region, providing a fast and…
Sayulita
This breezy spot on the plaza – where breakfast is served until 2pm – lives up to its name. The coffee is strong and sensational, and non-dairy milk…
Condesa
Healthy lunch along the plant-filled avenue outside this restaurant–organic grocery store is stylish and relaxed. A set menu includes a choice of sugar…
San Cristóbal de las Casas
Nattily attired staff serve baguettes, pastas and good coffee at this large cafe and restaurant, but the fresh-off-the-griddle crepes are the main draw…
