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 …
Must-see restaurants in Mexico
Mérida
Popular for its castakan (crispy pork belly), Wayan'e (meaning 'here it is' in Maya) is one of Mérida's premier breakfast spots. Vegetarians will find…
Puerto Escondido
Excellent Euro-Mexican dishes with fresh local ingredients are served in this restaurant run by a Mexican-French couple. You could start with the 'One…
Manzanillo
A giant Neptune statue points you toward this busy seafront palapa restaurant. With the waves practically lapping at your table and involuntary twitching…
Campeche
This casual restaurant appeals to everyone with its wide-ranging menu and attentive, long-serving staff. Order everything from fried chicken (M$112) to…
Tijuana
The narrow-lane approach provides a taster of what’s to come with its hip small boutiques and cafes; the Colectivo comprises nine small restaurants set…
Puerto Vallarta
This humble taco stand has been serving just four things since 1972: tacos, either blanditos (soft) or dorados (crunchy), and filled with birria (goat),…
Yucatán State & the Maya Heartland
Arguably the best eats in town, this dark place doubles as a karaoke bar at night for wannabe crooners. It overlooks a pretty plaza and has Yucatecan…
Troncones
Just north of Troncones Point, the French chef’s fusion menu ranges from Mediterranean (with nightly wood-fired pizzas) to traditional Mexican fare. The…
Chiapas
Not too far from the main plaza, this large place is set around a garden patio with atmospheric brick arches. The long menu includes the tasty house…
Veracruz
Overlooking the main square, this friendly little place cooks up all manner of antojitos (small bites) in the evenings, so you can learn the difference…
Zona Rosa & Reforma
The mostly Mexican menu is taste-bud heaven for vegetarians and vast enough for most carnivorous folk to find something they fancy. Choose from…
Oaxaca City
This relaxed family-run restaurant has relocated to a new location in the Colonia Reforma neighborhood. It's a little less central than it used to be but…
Cabo San Lucas
Arrive off-hours if you want a table at this cafeteria-like, cavernous joint. This is the place for outrageously fresh fish or shrimp (breaded or grilled)…
Central Pacific Coast
Cheery tiled tables and an equally cheery proprietor greet you at San Blas' most popular breakfast venue. Don't expect Big Macs, but do expect generous…
Campeche State
One of the town's smarter bar-restaurants, this large, modern spot is the place to munch on camarones (shrimp) on a deck jutting over the water. It also…
Northeast Mexico
One of the most elegant restaurants in town, this family-run place has an atmospheric interior and courtyard seating accented by a gurgling fountain. The…
Cabo San Lucas
This place has real wow factor. The courtyard-style interior has rooms on several levels and feels like something out of a 1950s Mexican musical – plants,…
Veracruz
This small cozy restaurant (open weekends only), serving exceptionally tasty and interesting local dishes whipped up by the talented doña Amelia, is found…
Guadalajara Region
This friendly local restaurant decorated with antiquated farm implements serves its house specialty, the eponymous zapote (chimichanga), with pride but…
Guadalajara
The preserve of acclaimed chef Alfonso Cadena (in fact, it's described as his taller, or 'workshop'), this restaurant gets consistently rave reviews for…
Northeast Mexico
This no frills eatery serves up tasty gorditas (thick stuffed tortillas) hot and fast. There are 13 fillings to choose from, including eggs with ham,…
Manzanillo
Right on the main plaza, this family-run restaurant is a local institution, drawing a loyal clientele for 70 years with their enchiladas, quesadillas,…
Cancún
The beautifully lit Patravali restaurant is owned by Indian expats living in Cancún. With a central location, it serves authentic Indian cuisine along…
Veracruz City
Owned by a retired Argentine football player, this upscale restaurant has a great seafront position and specializes in rib-eye steaks. There are also…
Chiapas
Beyond the stately carved wooden doors is a dramatic tableclothed dining room with high ceilings and interior arches in a century-old building. Dine on…
Condesa
Around picturesquely overgrown Plaza Popocatéptl, this diminutive cafe creates splendid brunches like giant cassava-tortilla quesadillas overflowing with…
Zona Rosa & Reforma
One of the best and most reasonably priced steakhouses in town. Uruguayan-owned Don Asado rocks a large wood-burning grill to cook juicy cuts such as its…
Tepoztlán
The chaotic market hides a stall with mostly vegan pre-Hispanic food. Mainly this means tortita (croquette) taste bombs wrapped up as tacos or with rice…
Morelia
One of Morelia’s best deals available can be found at this super-friendly hole-in-the-wall, which serves up cocina económica (literally ‘economic cuisine’…
Inland Michoacán
This tapas bar and restaurant serves specialties from León, named the 'Spanish Capital of Gastronomy 2018,’ and comes highly recommended by residents. Try…
Mazatlán
Internationally taught chef Gilberto del Toro has earned praise for a menu featuring globe-trotting dishes such as rib-eye steak, coconut-braised chicken,…
Guadalajara
Touted as one of Tlaquepaque's best eateries, this restaurant and gallery places a lot of emphasis on colors, tastes and textures and is largely…
Mexico City
Auto-mechanic shop by day, taco diner by night. No worries, though: the experts slicing down those excellent al pastor (spit-cooked pork) tacos aren't the…
Cancún
Owned by an Italian expat and located in one of downtown Cancún’s nicer and older neighborhoods, this local restaurant specializes in authentic Italian…
Central Pacific Coast
This bistro on the beach, coated in hot pink, serves standards such as ceviche, cócteles (cocktails) and fish tacos; it also folds shrimp with sautéed…
San Cristóbal de las Casas
This wonderful food court, housed in a refurbished two-storey colonial building, is chock-a-block with food options for all budgets and tastes, from Thai…
Palenque
It doesn’t take long to figure out why this place is always busy. It slings enormous portions of excellent home-style food – enough to keep you fueled up…
Condesa
This bright-yellow taco joint is unmissable for the queue waiting for a (folding) seat. Nearly all nine fish/shrimp fillings are battered, Sonora style,…
Valladolid
Located on the outskirts of town, on the premises of the resort Zenti'k, this pleasant open-air restaurant is an option for breakfast, lunch or dinner…
