Must-see restaurants in Mexico

  • Barbacoa Renatos

    Mexico City

    In the seldom-visited working-class neighborhood of Azcapotzalco, Renatos has been quietly preparing some of the best barbacoa (lamb) in Mexico City for…

  • Taquitos Frontera

    Roma

    While you may be drawn by the huge pastor roasting outside, you should stay for the sizzling plates of alambres (tasty mixes of grilled fish, meat,…

  • Burger Bar Joint

    Roma

    For gourmet burgers and cheap craft beer, head to this sports bar along Roma's main drag. Choose from juicy beef burgers, vegan tofu and oat burgers, and…

  • Finca de Vaqueros

    Oaxaca Coast

    This ranch-style restaurant with long tables in a large, open-sided barn is worth an expedition from anywhere on the coast for its superb grilled meats…

  • Manta

    Cabo San Lucas

    Foodies will recognize Enrique Olvera as the chef behind Mexico City's world-famous Pujol, but since 2015 he's also had Manta here in Cabo. Its elegant…

  • Tobaziche

    Oaxaca City

    Named after a type of indigenous agave plant, the new and unashamedly hip Tobaziche slams down complimentary mezcals on selective nights and trumpets some…

  • La Olla

    Oaxaca City

    La Olla (the cooking pot) is very much its own invention. It’s not a trying-too-hard bohemian cafe, or a fancy fusion restaurant or a purveyor of nouveau…

  • Restaurante Catedral

    Oaxaca City

    Perhaps Oaxaca’s most refined and romantic eating choice, with sharp but nonshowy service on a patio or in a variety of interior rooms. The specialty is…

  • La Leche

    Puerto Vallarta

    The restaurant owners have opted for a milk theme and have run with it a few miles. The interior is suitably Instagram-worthy, the milk gags appear…

  • Pitiona

    Oaxaca City

    Food as art. Oaxacan chef José Manuel Baños, who has worked at the renowned El Bulli in Spain, takes the ingredients and flavors of his homeland to new…

  • Corazón de Maguey

    Coyoacán & San Ángel

    Adorned with old glass jugs used for transporting booze, this attractive restaurant does traditional Mexican fare that's typically prepared in mezcal…

  • El Hojaldre

    Chihuahua & Central North Mexico

    Various rooms set with antiques, Mata Ortiz pottery and old photos set the scene at this popular eating and gathering space a few blocks southeast of the…

  • Terra-Cotta

    Bahías de Huatulco

    One of Crucecita's classiest restaurants is affiliated with the equally classy Misión de los Arcos and inhabits a refined air-conditioned dining room and…

  • La Playita

    Laguna Bacalar

    A sign outside reads, 'Eat, drink and swim' – and that about sums it up. Fish and seafood dishes are tasty, albeit on the smallish side, but the mezcal…

  • La Popular

    Oaxaca City

    Cheap, quick, boisterous and – as the name implies – popular, this little corner restaurant with a sideline as an art gallery does a variety of…

  • Cenaduría Tlayudas Libres

    Oaxaca City

    It might smell more like a blacksmith’s forge than a restaurant, but don’t be put off. A dip inside the charcoal-y interior of this city institution is…

  • Mysis III

    Central Pacific Coast

    Some 2km south of the San Blas–Tepic Hwy, this palapa seafood restaurant is the pick of the Playa Las Islitas beach shacks. whips up excellent shrimp…

  • Tras/Horizonte

    Tijuana

    With sunsets and sea creatures painted on the walls, and ferns, cacti, driftwood and fairy lights throughout, this indoor warehouse restaurant feels like…

  • Trattoria Italiana

    San Cristóbal de las Casas

    Set inside a pastel-colored colonial building and with some tables outside under the trees, this Italian-run local delivers in Tuscan style, right down to…

  • El Abuelo

    Chetumal

    Overlooking the azure waters of Laguna Milagros, about 15km west of Chetumal, this open-air seafood restaurant draws deserving praise for its fried whole…

  • El Destilado

    Oaxaca City

    Belly up to the bar here and order a Mexican corn whisky, a small-batch mezcal or one of the innovative cocktails. Or simply go for a local craft beer,…

  • Lonchería El Pocito

    Cancún

    For authentic Yucatecan home-cooking, locals often recommend this fan-cooled palapa restaurant and it's easy to take an instant liking to the place. The…

  • Mayan Beach Garden

    Mahahual

    About 30km north of Mahahual, this off-grid inn and restaurant makes notably fresh seafood dishes such as mixed ceviche and fish fillet in raspberry…

  • Tacos Revolución

    Puerto Vallarta

    Excellent carne asada (grilled beef), al pastor (marinated pork), chicharrón (pork crackling), fish and vegetarian tacos are prepared on handmade…

  • Casa Luna

    Guadalajara

    Set in the heart of Tlaquepaque, Casa Luna spreads throughout an open courtyard under the shade of a large tree and inside as well. The cuisine is Mexican…

  • El Sacromonte

    Guadalajara

    This favorite alta cocina (gourmet restaurant) establishment in Colonia Americas has whimsical takes on classic dishes – quesadillas sprinkled with rose…

  • El Arrayán

    Puerto Vallarta

    Owner Carmen Porras takes special pleasure in rescuing old family recipes from obscurity, with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients. Specialties include…

  • Colibrí

    Sonora

    A wide-ranging quality menu, friendly service and an easy-going setting (with an umbrella-shaded terrace) make a great combination at this popular spot on…

  • Madre Oaxaca

    Monterrey

    One of the Barrio Antiguo's best restaurants, this charmer is set in a historic building and decked out with an extraordinary collection of handicrafts…

  • El Caldero

    San Cristóbal de las Casas

    Perfect for a cold day, simple, friendly little El Caldero specializes in delicious Mexican soups – pozole (shredded pork in broth), mondongo (tripe) and…

  • Taquería El Almendro

    Chetumal

    Choose from more than a dozen Yucatecan-style guisados (home-style dishes) prepared as tacos and tortas (sandwiches) at this fan-cooled breakfast joint…

  • Bonifacio’s

    The Copper Canyon & Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico

    A swanky restaurant within Torres del Fuerte hotel, Bonifacio's is the go-to for a special meal. Fine cuts of meat and lobina (black bass) are the…

  • San Ángel Inn

    Coyoacán & San Ángel

    Classic Mexican meals are served in the garden and various elegant dining rooms of this historic estate opposite the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y…

  • La Fregada Fonda

    Western Central Highlands

    A small, artful eatery, La Fregada brings the outside in with tropical plants, vine covered walls and a dining room that opens onto a lush hillside. The…

  • Restaurant Plaza

    The Copper Canyon & Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico

    This excellent, family-run restaurant offers fine food with real home-cooked flavor. The specialty is aguachile – a soupy, spicy shrimp cocktail full of…

  • Pascale

    Puerto Escondido

    An unlikely factory of gourmet food amid the grubbier fishing shacks of Playa Principal, Pascale prepares original and creative seafood, meat, homemade…

  • Soggy Peso Bar & Grill

    Sonora

    With sand floors and loungers on the beach, this lively and popular seafood restaurant makes for a fun and informal seafood lunch. It's on the north end…

  • Restaurant Carolina

    The Copper Canyon & Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico

    Rifles on the walls, pickles in jars and local scenes captured in paintings sum up this family-run restaurant a block beyond Batopilas' main plaza. Choose…

  • Los Arcos

    Mazatlán

    This venerable sea-to-fork restaurant has been around since 1977 and its reputation as a temple to seafood remains rock-solid. Dishes are executed with…

  • Harry's Steakhouse & Raw Bar

    Cancún

    Stunning, renowned Harry’s serves house-aged steaks, plus superfresh fish and a famous cotton-candy treat. The architecture’s impressive too, with outdoor…

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