Chiapas
Ever had an octopus tentacle burger? No, we didn't think so. Highly imaginative and quirky modern Chiapas dishes are served up at this easygoing place…
Must-see restaurants in Mexico
Playa del Carmen
'Okay, but first, coffee' is the motto here, and they sure do coffee well. They do everything well, actually: from tasty fruit-and-yogurt bowls to green…
Sonora
Huge juicy burgers, fresh and made to order, are served at this hopping restaurant. You'll find 15 varieties – everything from classic to pineapple – and…
Isla Holbox
El Chapulím has no menu and the kitchen closes when the food runs out – usually before 9pm – so come here aware of the quirks involved. Food is excellent,…
Troncones
On the southern end of Playa Majahua, Johny and his wife dish up some mighty fine fresh fish and seafood at this rustic oceanfront restaurant in a small…
Northern Central Highlands
This utterly delightful lime-green cafe is quite the find in a small town like Jerez. Housed in an old pharmacy, Botica del Cafe serves delicious chapatas…
Sonora
Eponymous chef Mickey has been cooking up a storm here for years, and you'll be hard pressed to find better quality and innovation elsewhere in town…
Central Pacific Coast
For honest and delicious home-cooked cuisine, head to this family-run place on the main street. It's a simply but appealingly decorated setup that does…
Puerto Vallarta
It's nighttime and the chefs are doing a brisk business at this unmarked taco stand, deftly slicing chunks of red-tinted, spit-grilled and marinated pork…
Querétaro
A delightful French bakery that has a lovely semi-open-air upstairs terrace. As well as doing excellent coffee and pastries to go, it serves up delicious…
Veracruz City
At the best restaurant in the city, the six-course tasting menu is the way to go, each small dish is supremely satisfying and brings a new taste angle to…
Northwest Mexico
A handsomely designed, upmarket seafood restaurant with a delectable assortment of creative shrimp plates, seafood pastas and mouth-watering sushi. The…
Playa del Carmen
The 'Monkey's Cave,' known for its fresh and natural ingredients, has seating in a jungly palapa setting or a verdant garden out back. Service is friendly…
La Paz
Largely undiscovered by tourists, locals have been coming here in droves since 1992. Expect pristine stainless-steel surfaces and the best fish tacos in…
Chihuahua & Central North Mexico
One of Chihuahua's best dining spots is set in an elaborate 19th-century mansion where well-dressed waiters serve up famed steaks and rich seafood dishes…
Mahahual
Nohoch Kay, aka the Big Fish, definitely lives up to its name. Don't miss this beachfront Mexican-owned restaurant, where they prepare succulent whole…
Puerto Morelos
You definitely can't go wrong with the fresh pasta and wood-fired pizza here, but this Uruguayan grill is best known for its steaks. The star cuts are a…
Mérida
This hip, friendly bakery and breakfast joint has an open kitchen, a stylish bar counter for single diners and a great jazz and blues soundtrack. You'll…
Chihuahua & Central North Mexico
This delightful deli sells the artisanal products of the Wallander family farm as well as regional delicacies, fresh bread, preserves and pastries…
Chihuahua & Central North Mexico
A Durango institution, this richly atmospheric, venerable place is dedicated to local cuisine such as caldillos (beef stews) and delicious chiles en…
Playa del Carmen
Good, healthy breakfasts (some vegan!) and a range of yummy baked goods are what keeps this French-run bakery-cafe busy. Savory croissants with smoked…
Northern Baja
This delicious taco stand with an outdoor grill is so popular that it often closes early when the ingredients run out. Get in line before 4pm if you don’t…
Central Pacific Coast
Tepic's best restaurant, Emiliano serves mostly regional fare in a stylish courtyard setting. Breakfast is very popular: fresh juices, coffee and the…
Southern Baja
Since 1901 this has been an obligatory stop for those in search of Mexican pastries and, more unusually, French baguettes in a weirdly Wild West…
Coyoacán & San Ángel
The best-value seafood restaurant in CDMX appears pricey with a designer, nautical-themed dining hall roomy enough for groups to linger. For the price, it…
Guadalajara
Many restaurants in the village-like Nueve Esquinas (Nine Corners) neighborhood specialize in birria, meat stewed in its own juices until very tender…
Puebla
This local institution is the place to try one of Puebla’s great dishes: the taco árabe. Unbelievably moist al pastor (shepherd-style) pork is marinated…
North of Mexico City
Pachuca’s most famous restaurant, La Blanca has been serving traditional hidalguense food, including pastes, ximbo (chicken and pork pit-roasted with…
Restaurante y Cabañas San Diego
North of Mexico City
Off the highway beside a rushing creek on the way into town (look for signs at the El Paraíso turnoff), San Diego is a true mountain escape. The owner's…
Yucatán State & the Maya Heartland
El Mirador means lookout in Spanish and, yes, you get an awesome view of Ticul and beyond from this large palapa restaurant. But it's the tasty Yucatecan…
Izamal
Kinich showcases fresh, handmade Yucatecan cuisine at its finest. The papadzules kinich – rolled tortillas stuffed with diced egg and topped with pumpkin…
Cholula
A cantina is a traditional Mexican bar with food, but Norberta forgoes saloon doors to welcome in families and young, discerning diners to eat mole…
Veracruz
This touristy restaurant, a couple of kilometers northeast of town, has traditionally dressed waitstaff serving supposedly authentic Totonac cuisine …
Cuernavaca
The colorful buffet (till 5pm) at La Maga features multitudes of glazed pots filled with salads, pastas, fruit, vegetables, and daily specials such as…
Veracruz
Claiming to be the 'most famous corner in Coatepec,' Casa Bonilla has been in business since 1939 and certainly knows what it's doing when it comes to…
Alameda Central
As festive as it sounds, a margarita and tuna tostada (large crispy tortilla) on the terrace overlooking the Monumento a la Revolución is a real fiesta…
Teotihuacán
Set in a vast, cool cave a short distance from gate 5, this tourist-centric restaurant is unapologetically gimmicky but definitely unique and kitsch fun…
Chiapas
One of a number of earthy, budget eateries around this neighbourhood, Taquitos Casa Blanca has made a name for itself for serving no-frills, filling,…
Taxco
The roof terrace of Pueblo Lindo hotel is one of the most spectacular spots for panoramic views of Taxco over a lunch of enchiladas de jamaica (chicken-…
Tepoztlán
Inside the pink exterior of this buzzing restaurant, the hearty traditional Mexican fare bubbles away in cazuelas (clay pots) – try the regional chiles…
