Coyoacán & San Ángel
Named after Mexico's mythical ‘goat sucker’ (a vampire-like creature), this famous taquería with seating under a freeway overpass slings wonderful beef…
Must-see restaurants in Mexico
Tapachula
Take a taxi to this popular, cheap and cheerful seafood spot and try to choose between the 17 different shrimp dishes, a freshly cooked róbalo (snook) and…
Mazatlán
Dining in the greenery-festooned courtyard or the pared-down, industrial-chic dining room of this beautifully restored 19th-century estate building takes…
Mexico City
Hit this longtime favorite for traditional Mexican food done right. Among chef Gerardo Vazquez's signature dishes are the sopa seca de natas, a 19th…
North of Mexico City
Artfully plated Mexican and bistro dishes such as camote (sweet potato) and watercress tacos, omelettes, tomatillo (green tomato) and requesón (cottage…
Puerto Escondido
Cafecito has cornered the market in crossover gringo-Mexican fusion food with large surfer appetites in mind. Herein are some of the best breakfasts on…
Taxco
This sushi restaurant in the lobby of Hotel Emilia reflects modern Taxco with its designer furniture but casual vibe. The sushi is fresh and finished…
Acapulco
This thatch-roofed clifftop restaurant is one of Acapulco's – and Mexico's – finest; a happy marriage of stupendous sea and sunset views and Mexican-Thai…
Polanco & Bosque de Chapultepec
This old-school taquería is a welcome sight in a neighborhood known for its pricey eats. With a recipe that's been in the family for 45 years, Turix does…
Central Pacific Coast
Head a few blocks east of Plaza Constituyentes, then one south to find this spacious seafood joint. True to the name, smoked marlin is one of its…
Acapulco
A long-time favorite of the carnivorously inclined, this local taquería chain has been around forever and it's still the pre- or post-clubbing stop for…
Mazatlán
This breezy open-air place is popular with young mazatleco couples for a date, offering a surf theme and a cheeky, good-time vibe, though staff show…
Guadalajara
This festive open-air restaurant serves up delicious Mexican antojitos (snacks), prepared homestyle and served on traditional clay dishes. Come here for…
Morelia
A charming restaurant with stone walls, folk art and repurposed tables, Cuish cooks up traditional dishes from Michoacan and Oaxaca: sopa Tarasca (spicy…
Zihuatanejo
This place near the market is renowned for its down-home Mexican cooking and casual atmosphere (complete with blaring TV). There are always several…
Roma
Sublime Mexican and French pan dulce (pastries), proper croissants and baguettes are made fresh daily at this tiny bakery, with a bench for coffee,…
Isla Holbox
Set on a spacious deck, Rosa Mexicano specializes in Mexican-inspired author cuisine, with innovative dishes such as pollo molito (chicken stuffed with…
Ensenada
Set within an elegant building's sumptuous interior, replete with flocked wallpaper, chandeliers and stained glass, this landmark restaurant dates from…
Oaxaca City
The mellow Jícara is not just a restaurant but also an alternative cultural center, with films, live music and a bookstore selling titles from independent…
Oaxaca City
Perched like a theater box overlooking the twilight entertainment in the Zócalo, the Asador Vasco lays on good Oaxacan, international, and – as the name…
Cuernavaca
Directly opposite the Palacio de Cortés, with a great terrace and upstairs balcony, this popular restaurant attracts a well-heeled crowd of local…
Tepoztlán
A splendid grassy garden makes a wonderful evening out of the already artful meals at this boutique-hotel restaurant in the quiet backstreets of Tepoztlán…
Northwest Mexico
In a strip mall next to the Jardín Botánico, this buzzing diner is an all-Mexican affair, with superb breakfasts, hamburgers, generous salads, antojitos …
Veracruz
Offering creatively crafted and presented contemporary Mexican cooking with flashes of inspiration from a sun-soaked Mediterranean, this plant-filled and…
Roma
The view here draws people as much as the food and cocktails. Multiple designer spaces each have their own personality and occasion. The most impressive…
Central Pacific Coast
Totally authentic and genuinely welcoming, this taquería in the center of town is run by an affable local family. Delicious cecina (cured beef) tacos are…
Taxco
This place doesn’t have the zócalo views, but the interior is charmingly decorated with B&W photos of everyone from Pancho Villa to Elvis, and the cute…
Valle de Bravo
Dishes at sleek Punto are so stylish they are hardly recognisable. The enchiladas include stuffed tortillas but they go easy on the mole and artfully…
Morelia
Gaspacho – not a cold tomato soup in Mexico but a 'salad’ of diced mango, pineapple and jicama (Mexican 'turnip') drowned in orange and lime juice and…
Puerto Escondido
For local flavors and the true PE atmosphere, head to the main market in the upper part of town, where dozens of comedores serve fresh fish and shrimp,…
Puerto Vallarta
This breezy open shack on the beach makes a top venue for a seafood lunch with ocean views. Grilled-shrimp tacos are famous; the tuna sashimi is more a…
The Copper Canyon & Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico
If you can get over the fact that it's in the Best Western, this is a lively spot for a meal. The restaurant serves good Mexican fare, steaks and thin…
Valle de Bravo
Soleado calls itself cocina del mundo and indeed there is a dish and a dessert from many a 'kitchen of the world' on offer. Admittedly, most dishes, from…
Morelia
Specializing in the cuisine of the Tierra Caliente (Hot Land) region of Michoacán’s southeast corner, this lovely courtyard restaurant spread over three…
Mazatlán
This family-run evening-only eatery that's been in business for decades is a step back in time, its walls decorated with characterful photos of Old…
Tulum
A taste of real Italy on the streets of central Tulum. This cafe is cramped (luckily there are some alfresco tables outside) but somehow Mario makes it…
Acapulco
This beloved and brightly decorated restaurant has some of the city’s finest traditional Mexican food, such as Oaxaca-style black mole (a dark and…
Toluca
On the northwest corner of the arcades, smoked hams and huge green-and-red sausages hanging over the deli counter signal first-rate tortas. Try a messy…
Alameda Central
The vegan dishes at this tiny cafe are a giant saviour if you want delectable, fresh Mexican meals like pipian eggplant in a creamy (almond) pepita sauce,…
Morelia
This astonishingly decorated restaurant is spread over various rooms in an erstwhile colonial mansion. The rich decor could pass for a museum with…
