Mérida
The sharp minds behind this superb taquería combine the flavors and variety found on taco carts all over town, but in a pristine, air-conditioned…
Must-see restaurants in Mexico
Tulum
Odd for a casual beachside taco joint, there's valet parking at La Eufemia, where you can gorge on great cheap food (think 'In your face, pricey Zona…
Chihuahua & Central North Mexico
For good cheap eats, pop into this locals' eatery. Specializing in gorditas (a small, thick tortilla stuffed with your choice of fillings) – two or three…
Mérida
This modernised colonial building with contemporary local art on the walls puts a gourmet twist on regional favorites and makes a good downtown lunch spot…
Guadalajara Region
Get away from the rather sanitized restaurants around the malecón and try a slice of local life at this semi-open-air place a flight above Chapala’s main…
Bahías de Huatulco
Sit amid the sound of roosting birds and whirring fans and let friendly servers bring you classic Oaxacan food. Lots of local specialties are on show here…
Mazatlán
Helmed by Chihuahua chef Barbara, this cafe lives up to its motto: 'great mood, great food'. Piano music tinkles gently in the background as you order…
Querétaro
You can almost feel the history in this deeply traditional Querétaro establishment, where charming and smartly dressed waiters attend the tables with…
Acapulco
Tucked down a side street off the Avenida Costera drag is this hopping seafood house with its intimate palm-leaf interior spilling out onto the sidewalk…
Puerto Vallarta
At this popular brunch spot south of the river, tables are sprinkled on a ceramic-tiled patio beneath a stilted terracotta roof in a shady bar-side garden…
Sayulita
Welcoming and reliable, this family-run place has pleasant street-side tables and produces a range of fairly traditional Mexican fare. Enchiladas,…
Guanajuato
A popular place to try tasty traditional Mexican dishes in tasteful and colorful surrounds, including a delightful outdoor veranda. Also offers less…
Guadalajara Region
For something more down to earth than the glossy restaurants around the lake, check out the simple restaurants under the portales (arcades) of the main…
San Miguel de Allende
This cool cafe-bar-gallery comprises two separate rooms that are lovingly furnished with quirky antiques and eclectic curios, plus cozy couches near the…
Centro Histórico
Before the band there was the restaurant. Way before. A fantasy of colored tiles, brass lamps and oil paintings, this Mexican icon has served antojitos …
Guadalajara
A tiny vegetarian cafe channeling Miami Beach with its hint of art deco, pastel walls and flamingo accents. Dishes are beautifully presented,…
Guanajuato
This classic place enjoys an impressive perch on Jardín de la Unión and is a smart choice in every respect. As you'd expect, it attracts a loyal crowd of…
Guadalajara
This sleek fine-dining addition to Guadalajara’s growing gourmet circuit directed by chef Sebastian Renner Hamdan puts emphasis on locally produced food:…
Condesa
Blanca is the fonda for Condesa locals to eat breakfast in their pristine activewear. The encyclopedic menu includes figure-conscious egg-white omelettes…
Costa Maya & Southern Caribbean Coast
Veracruz-style picaditas (tortillas with a layer of salsa, cheese and topping) are tasty and cheap at this simple eatery near the bus station. For…
Ciudad Universitaria & Tlalpan
Run by a fun-loving couple from New York and CDMX, this muraled pizzeria-bar prepares savory pizzas, exquisite manicotti and fungi trifolati (flambéed…
Yucatán State & the Maya Heartland
In a tiny spot in an incongruous part of town, a few blocks from the plaza, this tiny and casual place fills up quickly, especially between 1pm and 3pm…
Acapulco
This darkish, old-school eatery attracts people for its daily menu, which includes mole verde (green chili sauce dish) on Thursdays and Sundays. The set…
Alameda Central
Good Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese food like this is rare in el centro. Equally so, this cafe, restaurant and gift shop's cool antique-store design, which…
Tulum
A good, cheap option to get your taco fix. You'll often have to wait for a table at this popular spot, or simply belly up to the counter. In addition to…
Isla Holbox
Ask just about anyone in town where to go for Holbox seafood and they'll probably point to Las Panchas, where you can get delicious Mexican and Caribbean…
Condesa
One of the city's best casual-but-smart restaurants for authentic Japanese sashimi, ramen, skewers and seasonal seafood-centric dishes. Sit at the bar for…
Ciudad del Carmen
This classic, open-fronted waterfront cafe is a busy gathering place for families and friends. It’s an excellent spot to sample treats such as pibipollo …
Oaxaca City
What wonderful treats emerge from this small place specializing in cuisine from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Regional dishes include pescadillas (fish…
Sayulita
An unpretentious spot, this simple taquería (taco stall) makes a good stop for no-frills, tasty seafood. Munch tostadas piled with shrimp and octopus and…
Central Pacific Coast
Don't let the casual appearance of this seafront restaurant fool you: plastic tables and chairs aside, the seafood repast placed in front of you is equal…
Yucatán State & the Maya Heartland
Ticul’s lively Mercado provides all the ingredients for picnics and snacks, and offers nice photo ops, too. It also has lots of those wonderful eateries…
Mérida
Inventive and delicious takes on traditional Yucatecan cuisine, a setting that would win design awards and superfriendly staff make for a winning…
Zihuatanejo
Zihua's premier breakfast spot, this open-air cafe slings a tantalizing array of Guerrero comfort food including huevos a la pasilla (fried eggs in…
Bahías de Huatulco
Bivouacked beneath bohemian La Crema, this open-air spot can claim to be equally arty (a mural by noted Zapotec graffiti artist Irving Cano beautifies one…
Monterrey
This local institution is synonymous with Monterrey and serves up its most famous dish: cabrito (goat). It's a masterwork of kitsch with an extraordinary…
Acapulco
This Acapulco mini-chain has been around since the '70s. Skip the ho-hum meat dishes and go for what these guys do best: shrimp al ajillo (with garlic…
Guadalajara
Despite it's unfortunate name, this is one of the best places in Tlaquepaque for fresh seafood. It's best known for its aguachiles (spicy ceviche) – 17…
Troncones
At first glance, this is an international hipster cafe. Creative salads, fish tacos and hummus-smeared baguettines are all present and correct, as is …
Acapulco
Just off the strip and a few paces from the beach, this thatch-roofed restaurant can nevertheless have a secluded vibe. It feels very authentic, with its…
