Must-see restaurants in Mexico

  • El Cardenal

    Centro Histórico

    Possibly the finest place in town for a traditional meal, El Cardenal occupies three floors of a Parisian-style mansion and has a pianist playing sweetly…

  • Restaurante La Mora

    San Agustinillo

    Tucked onto a sheltered slice of beach, there's something of the old posada about La Mora. You can park yourself in the tavern-like interior or feel the…

  • Alcalde

    Guadalajara

    A favorite top-end restaurant in Guadalajara, the 'Mayor' is chef Paco Ruano's local venture, having cut his teeth at El Celler de Can Roca in Girona and…

  • Tata

    Morelia

    It could very well be the 190 different mezcals from Michoacán, Jalisco and Oaxaca that keeps pulling us back to Tata, but we're more inclined to think it…

  • Sin Nombre

    Alameda Central

    Too good to keep hidden, the 'No Name' restaurant, next to mezcalaría Bósfaro, prepares handcrafted Mexican, slow-food dishes such as conejo encacahuatado…

  • Il Mercato Gentiloni

    Northeast Mexico

    This shimmering new gastronomic complex houses some of Saltillo's best restaurants. Here you'll find gourmet Mexican fare, creative sharing plates,…

  • La Barra

    Veracruz

    Wiggle your toes in the sand and dig into fish so fresh it may have just jumped onto your plate from the ocean in front of you. Whether grilled, or cooked…

  • Sunset Bar & Grill

    Sonora

    Overlooking a gorgeous stretch of beachfront, this open-sided gem serves up some of San Carlos' best seafood, Enjoy fantastic sunsets while tucking into…

  • Restaurante Hacienda de Cortés

    Cuernavaca

    Situated within Hotel Hacienda de Cortés, a 15-minute drive southeast of central Cuernavaca, this elegant but unpretentious hotel restaurant serves an…

  • La Terraza Amarilla de San Fernando

    Mérida

    With mouthwatering cheap eats well worth detouring for, La Terraza Amarilla is a gem: you choose between four styles of mains (tacos, tortas etc) and one…

  • Tortas Ahogadas Migue

    Guadalajara

    Take it from tapatíos (native Guadalajarans) in the know: this bright yellow-and-orange cafe serves the city's best tortas ahogadas, Guadalajara’s beloved…

  • Santo Nahual

    San Cristóbal de las Casas

    Even before you've tasted the food, this wonderful new venture impresses with its glass-roofed courtyard dining area filled with worn timbers, smooth…

  • Sur Beach House

    Cabo San Lucas

    With an exceptional location on the beach looking toward El Arco, this elegant yet laid-back place serves ceviche and tacos using the freshest ingredients…

  • Plaza del Mariachi

    Chihuahua & Central North Mexico

    An upscale food court set in a colonial-style building with exposed brick, a central courtyard and a gentle mist to keep patrons cool. There are eight…

  • Hierbabuena

    Todos Santos

    Walk past growing fruit and vegetables to this farm-to-table restaurant and be greeted by a vivacious crew who will serve you one of the best meals in the…

  • Mariscos Villa Rica Mocambo

    Veracruz City

    This restaurant in particular is reason enough to make the pilgrimage to Boca del Río. Fish is the all-encompassing ingredient, from camarones…

  • Restaurante Bajlum

    Palenque

    Creative and stunningly presented Maya gastronomy fills the menu at this upmarket but inviting restaurant. The house specials include the delicious rabbit…

  • Las Delicias de Mi General

    Northeast Mexico

    Everywhere you look, this place has Mexican art and nods to those who create it. Murals of revolutionary heroes and film stars, life-sized catrinas (paper…

  • Hostería de Santo Domingo

    Centro Histórico

    Whipping up classic Mexican fare since 1860, Mexico City's oldest restaurant has a festive atmosphere, enhanced by live piano music. The menu offers…

  • Tuna Blanca

    Central Pacific Coast

    The exquisite surf-and-turf offerings at this gorgeously designed oceanfront restaurant feature renowned chef Thierry Blouet's tried-and-true favorites,…

  • Restaurantes Mexicanos Any

    Zihuatanejo

    This thatched-roofed diner with cheerful, colorful folkloric decor is an essential stop in Zihua for traditional Guerrero cuisine. Breakfast egg dishes…

  • Mansión de los Orrantía

    The Copper Canyon & Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico

    A short hop from the main plaza, the Mansion Orrantia serves up some of El Fuerte's best cooking. Feast on beautifully prepared plates of lobina (black…

  • La Sibarita

    Tepoztlán

    High on a hill above town, the restaurant at Posada del Tepozteco has gorgeous views of the valley below. With surreal cliffs and a pyramid overhead, the…

  • El Charco de la Higuera

    Western Central Highlands

    This salt-of-the-earth restaurant doubles as a modest museum to local mask-making and offers typical cocina colimense (Colima-style cuisine). The combined…

  • Los Cocuyos

    Centro Histórico

    Suadero (beef) tacos abound in the capital, but this always-open stand reigns supreme. Follow your nose to the bubbling vat of meats and go for the artery…

  • Tamales Madre

    Zona Rosa & Reforma

    This is tamales heaven, especially for vegetarians. Cyclists blaring 'tamales!' from speakers on CDMX's streets sell lard-based tamales that are stingy on…

  • Pacifica del Mar

    Manzanillo

    Grab a cocktail and watch ginormous container ships cruise into port from this restaurant's open-air patio on Playa Las Brisas. The menu, drawing from an…

  • Bistro Orgánico

    Central Pacific Coast

    Tucked into a pretty plant-filled courtyard, Bistro Orgánico is San Francisco's most sophisticated dining choice. Chef Calixto adheres to the farm-to…

  • La María Cocina Peninsula

    Campeche

    Despite not looking much different from any of the other Mexicana-heavy old-town restaurants replete with sombreros, national flags and Yucatecan art, one…

  • Zapoteca Cocina del Istmo

    Bahías de Huatulco

    If you can't make it out to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, don't miss this intimate restaurant for some outstanding regional cuisine. You might start with…

  • El Jacal de San Antonio

    Western Central Highlands

    If you're headed towards Volcán de Fuego from Comala, don't miss this classy outdoor restaurant. Surrounded by lush tropical forest, it enjoys truly…

  • Santo Huacal

    Inland Michoacán

    This lovely garden restaurant run by a young couple from Oaxaca is a wonderful find. From the weekly-changing five-course tasting menu, choose such…

  • La Galería Café

    Monterrey

    Popular with a young and affluent crowd, this hip and contemporary restaurant-bar is a very popular pre-clubbing dinner and cocktail spot. It serves…

  • Monte Verde

    Palenque

    There's a real Mediterranean vibe to this Italian restaurant tucked away in the forest (do a bit of bird- and monkey-watching while waiting for your lunch…

  • Restaurante LUM

    San Cristóbal de las Casas

    This swanky indoor-outdoor restaurant in San Cristóbal's first designer hotel serves up exciting blends of Chiapas, Veracruz and Yucatán cuisine fused…

  • Apoala

    Mérida

    With influences from Oaxaca, which like the Yucatán is known for its extraordinary regional cuisine, Apoala reinvents popular dishes such as enmoladas …

  • Icú

    Puerto Vallarta

    A discrete side door leads you into a subtly lit dining room for one of Vallarta's best meals, signature cocktail in hand. Chefs Mauricio Leal and Josué…

  • Metate Cafe

    Puerto Vallarta

    This wonderful thimble-sized cafe gives you the chance to try hot chocolate with chili, the way the Aztecs used to drink it, as well as other traditional…

  • Las Mercedes

    Guanajuato

    In a residential area overlooking the city is Guanajuato's best restaurant, where Mexican cuisine como la abuela – grandmother's cooking that takes hours…

  • Nao Kitchen Bar

    Mazatlán

    One of Mazatlán's youngest and most innovative chefs, Andrea Lizarraga Osuna combines local ingredients with Far Eastern touches, with faultless attention…

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