Mazatlán
This stylish eatery overlooking Plaza Machado does outstanding small plates, including delectable shrimp and octopus dishes and slow-cooked pork tacos…
Must-see restaurants in Mexico
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…
Bahías de Huatulco
Hometown favorite. This inexpensive plastic-bottle-on-the-table spot, a block from the Plaza Principal, proves that simple is sometimes best for fish,…
Chetumal
Set in an atmospheric century-old historic house, this beloved breakfast spot slings excellent huevos motuleños (fried eggs and ham on crispy tortillas,…
Coyoacán & San Ángel
A cone and a stroll is half the fun of Coyoacán. Picnic's organic helados (ice creams) and sorbets are the best around and miles ahead of the neon icy…
Querétaro
Querétaro is full of taco stands that spring up most evenings, but this one, which is on a pretty little plaza, is considered one of the best and always…
Cabo San Lucas
The perfect mix of outrageously delicious tacos to devour at chunky wood Mexican tables in a laid-back atmosphere with stellar service. Pair with fresh…
Manzanillo
One of several restaurants that are part of the Las Hadas resort, Legazpi is one of Manzanillo's best meals, its cuisine straddling the Mediterranean with…
Teotihuacán
A short walk from gate 3, behind the Pirámide de la Luna, this homey restaurant serves excellent home cooking at comparatively reasonable prices. The…
Mérida
An old-style spot can be romantic at night, especially when there are performing trova acts (after 8:30pm). It's in the courtyard of the house where…
Oaxaca City
The best Oaxaca tapas experience supported by some small Italy-worthy pasta, all served on typically Mexican ceramics, can be found in the pleasantly…
Cancún
It’s easy to order at a place where you have just a handful of choices: ceviche (seafood marinated in lemon or lime juice, garlic and seasonings), tacos,…
Tijuana
Like stepping into a Mexican grandmother's home, this warm cafe is our favorite breakfast stop with chicken emolades (layered meat and tortillas)…
Mazunte
A classic beach-bum-meets-backpacker place where you can wander in half-dressed from the beach and no one will bat an eyelid. The menu is an all-over-the…
Villahermosa
A maelstrom of heat, swirling fans and blaring TVs. Everyone’s here for the large and delicious seafood cocktails (though it also has good ceviche and…
San Miguel de Allende
True, it's a bit of a walk from Centro, but most people are happy to make the effort. Muro serves everything from chilaquiles con arrachera to French…
West of Mexico City
The ample, semi-outdoors seating, murals and colorful wooden tables give this converted 'Old House' courtyard vibes. It's an inviting casual restaurant…
Chiapas
This calm and quiet garden restaurant has fragrant walls of flowers that attract swarms of hyperactive hummingbirds, while the food, which is hearty…
Ciudad del Carmen
This large, open-air restaurant overlooks the water and affords terrific views of the Zacatal Bridge and local birdlife – there's even occasional faraway…
Sonora
This fan-cooled, family-run place is both simple and welcoming, with a covered terrace at the rear. The soups are crammed with ingredients and there's a…
Mazatlán
A terrific local coffee shop on the main seaside drag with strong coffee made from a locally roasted blend of Mexican beans, plus juices, smoothies and a…
San Agustinillo
The restaurant on the sands at Un Sueño serves up good breakfasts and, for lunch, sabores del Pacífico (flavors of the Pacific) with a touch of French…
East of Mexico City
This family-run restaurant west of the zócalo, decorated with photos of the town’s annual festivities, is extremely popular with locals for its large…
Inland Michoacán
Thin crispy crust pizza loaded down with toppings ranging from pulled pork to avocado slices is what you'll find at this local fave. Seating is in a…
Manzanillo
Under a tiled roof with an open-air rustic style, this steakhouse throws prime cuts of meat on the grill just long enough to sear, while fresh tortillas…
Mazatlán
This wildly popular street taco stand specializes in carne asada, grilled beef served on a corn or flour tortilla with your choice of salsas. Regulars…
East of Mexico City
Jaque's is just a few steps from the zócalo, but the Mexican fare is much better here than elsewhere in the area. Plus you still have the white…
East of Mexico City
Near Huamantla's sights, Xuni is set around a colorful courtyard and serves Mexican dishes such as tacos gobernador (shrimp and avocado tacos) and…
Chihuahua & Central North Mexico
Go to the 2nd floor of this modern building to find one of the best vistas in Chihuahua. With a terrace overlooking the city's cathedral, this casual…
El Merkadito Seafood & Beach Club
Puerto Morelos
The Little Market is a beachfront restaurant near the town square that greets guests with vibrant ocean views in a relaxed open-air setting. Seafood…
Western Central Highlands
The pizzas are huge and the pasta dishes savory (especially the seafood linguine), but we come to this Italian eatery up the steps from the Museo Regional…
Ruta del Vino & Valle de Guadalupe
Just want a quick bite between wineries or maybe want a budget meal in the land of upscale dining? Fortunately celebrity chef Javier Placensia offers this…
Sonora
Paying homage to one of Mexico's revolutionary leaders, Pancho Villa, the walls of this place are decked out in old school sombreros and photos of the man…
Chihuahua & Central North Mexico
Fish and shrimp don’t immediately leap to mind in an inland city such as Durango, but this seafood specialist is one of the best restaurants in town…
Isla Cozumel
An excellent and popular restaurant with a garden at the back, La Choza offers regional Mexican cuisine, with classics like chicken in mole poblano (a…
Xalapa
Elegant, but certainly not pretentious, Vinissimo offers imaginative dishes made from fresh market produce. The often-changing menu takes its risottos and…
Puerto Vallarta
In the heart of the Zona Romántica, this low-lit bistro has a growing fan base for its refined and delicious preparations that draw on both Italy and…
Northern Baja
You can't miss the vine-covered, wagon-wheel-decorated frontage of this steakhouse in the center of town. And the atmosphere continues with exposed brick…
Mexico City
Yucatecan snacks such as panuchos (refried tortilla topped with shredded pork), cochinita (shredded pork) tacos and sopa de lima (lime soup with tortilla…
The Copper Canyon & Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico
Despite the name, the showstoppers at this colorful place are the tortas (Mexican-style sandwiches) and tacos. Offering entirely meat-based meals, the…
