Must-see restaurants in Mexico

  • Los Placeres

    West of Mexico City

    This artsy garden restaurant on Malinalco’s zócalo serves international fare (Nicoise salad or chicken curry) alongside creative takes on traditional…

  • Yerbabuena del Sisal

    Valladolid

    Wonderfully healthy dishes are served in this gorgeous open-sided space with a peaceful garden right on Parque Sisal. Tortilla chips and three delectable…

  • Restaurante Nachita

    Veracruz

    Sit on the deck overlooking the river and order one of the restaurant's specialties: manuelitos (locally caught crawfish) in salsa verde or chipotle sauce…

  • Los Campos

    Guanajuato

    A Canadian-Mexican husband-and-wife team runs this small cozy, candlelit restaurant. The innovative menu, which runs from tapas plates to full dishes such…

  • La Candela

    Xalapa

    This brightly decorated place attracts a crowd of loyal regulars who come for the inventive Mexican cuisine and great steaks at lunchtime, but it's the…

  • Ágora Alta Cocina

    Veracruz

    An unexpected surprise in a quiet residential part of town, Ágora Alta Cocina is indeed high – both in terms of location and the sky-high aspirations. The…

  • Trogon

    Veracruz

    Sample traditional ingredients such as chapulines (deep fried grasshoppers) and escamoles (ant larvae) in a couple of the dishes at this excellent modern…

  • Asadero Super Burro

    Loreto

    At this locals' favorite, watch this team of heroes press fresh tortillas, and stew and grill the beef and chicken at the open kitchen. Super Burro is…

  • La Cantina Mina

    Guanajuato State

    This wonderful patio restaurant around a small fountain inside the Posada de las Minas is the best place for a leisurely meal in Mineral de Pozos. The…

  • Mesa Verde

    Aguascalientes State

    This delightful find is a fabulous spot for a relaxed lunch, with its vegetarian-friendly comida saludable – health food – that is freshly made right in…

  • El Balcón del Zevallos

    Veracruz

    The upper floor of the historic Portal de Zevallos claims the prize for Córdoba’s most famous restaurant. It has a wonderful setting – a balcony…

  • Tostévere

    San Miguel de Allende

    With a discreet, almost grimy exterior nothing would lead you to think that Tostévere is currently San Miguel's restaurant of the moment. Step inside…

  • Restaurante Mesón Xiqueño

    Veracruz

    Near the corner with Calle Carranza is Xico's best known restaurant. Dine inside the lovely courtyard and sample the famous local mole (a complex mix of…

  • Baja Fish Taquito

    San Miguel de Allende

    You'll find extraordinarily solicitous staff here at this fabulous little joint specializing in mind-blowingly good Baja-style fish tacos and tostadas…

  • El Manglito

    Barra de Navidad

    With a lovely view over the lagoon and welcome breezes, this open-air restaurant with palm-thatch roofing and sand floors produces some really excellent…

  • Sotavento

    Taxco

    It's easy to be wooed by the cobblestone arches in the warm lighting of Sotavento's leafy, tranquil courtyard. Classic Mexican dishes such as enchiladas…

  • Café Jade

    Palenque

    This very cool bamboo construction has indoor and outdoor seating and is one of the most popular places in town. Has fabulous staff, and serves good…

  • La Jefa

    Tapachula

    This classic Tapachula parrillada is a great night out with a group friends. Huge hunks of meat sizzle over the barbecue, cold beers are slapped down onto…

  • Taquería Los Nuevos 4 Vientos

    Veracruz

    One of four taquerías (taco stands) in a row, this one wins our praise for its extensive collection of fresh salsas, which complement the nine types of…

  • Gran Café de la Parroquia

    Veracruz City

    In business since 1808, this celebrated Veracruz cafe is the home of the milky coffee lechero. It's a great breakfast and light meal joint, too, with eggs…

  • Pola

    Mérida

    You'd head to this place even if were you in the Arctic, it's that good. Get your tongue around full-cream, 100% natural gelati with some of the quirkiest…

  • Mr Taco Segovia

    Veracruz

    Satisfying late-night munchies since 1996, this taco stand is a study in nose-to-tail eating, Mexico-style. Watch the guys fry up the tortillas and top…

  • La Alberca

    Central Pacific Coast

    On the island's east side, this breezy restaurant has a great lagoon view and is the most reliable of the village's dining options. It's all about shrimp:…

  • Taquería El Cheff

    Acapulco

    This popular neighborhood taquería does two things, tacos and panuchos (tortillas stuffed with beans) filled or topped with cochinita pibil (spiced pork,…

  • El Camarón Desvelado

    Veracruz

    The Sleepless Shrimp is the standout seafood restaurant in town, briskly serving platters of arroz a la tumbada (seafood rice with a tomato base), garlic…

  • El Huequito

    Alameda Central

    These old pros have been churning out delectable tacos al pastor (marinated pork roasted on a spit) since 1959, thus the higher than average asking price…

  • Florentina Pizzas

    Chiapas

    Thin-crust, wood-fired pizza, washed down with craft beer in Tuxtla? Yep – this is the most frequently recommended pizzeria in town, for good reason. The…

  • El Mole de Jovita

    Puerto Vallarta

    This family-run restaurant specializes in chicken with mole (a complex, long-simmered sauce that includes chocolate and spices) from a jealously guarded…

  • La Gloria Chocolatería y Pan 1876

    Toluca

    You'll probably be the only foreigner at this wonderful, friendly, family-run cafe. It serves a tempting (photo) menu of local cuisine, from tacos al…

  • Gran Café de Orizaba

    Veracruz

    It's not every day that you can you sit back and enjoy a coffee and cake on the balcony of a regal cafe that's part of an iron palace designed by Gustave…

  • Restaurante La Estación

    Aguascalientes State

    You can't miss this family-run, wine-red and very homely restaurant decorated in Day of the Dead skeletons and tiny cacti. The food is traditional Mexican…

  • La Galería

    Tabasco

    An altar to Frida Kahlo presides over this uber-kitschy pizzeria 2½ blocks east of the plaza on Medina. The pizzas and pastas are excellent, and the…

  • Cuattro Cycle Café & Té

    Zihuatanejo

    While walking around in Zihua heat, you come to appreciate havens of arctic air-con, such as this split-level, bicycle-themed cafe – ideal for sipping a…

  • Fussion

    Veracruz City

    With dishes such as tuna tataki in a mole sauce, octopus risotto and delicious prawn tacos, Fussion delivers a more contemporary take on Mexican cuisine…

  • Río Bec Dreams Restaurant

    Campeche State

    This wonderful open-air restaurant, set amid tropical plants, has the best homemade food in the area. The wide variety of main dishes includes roasted…

  • DaMónica

    Dolores Hidalgo

    This unexpectedly snazzy and inviting culinary marvel is hosted by Mónica, the Italian owner, whose team whips up tasty Italian delights such as lasagna,…

  • Mandarina

    Isla Holbox

    Mandarina restaurant boasts the best location for dining with an ocean view, filled with warm lighting and rustic wood furnishings right on the Holbox…

  • Crab House

    Cancún

    Offering a lovely view of the lagoon that complements the seafood, the long menu here includes many shrimp and fish-fillet dishes. Stone crab is the…

  • Lola Valentina

    Isla Mujeres

    Overlooking the quieter north side of the restaurant strip, Lola does popular Mexican fusion with dishes like coconut shrimp, plus several vegan, gluten…

  • John Gray's Kitchen

    Puerto Morelos

    One block west and two blocks north of the plaza, this ‘kitchen’ turns out some truly fabulous food. The chef's specialty, though not listed on the…

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