Puerto Morelos
OK, so it's not right on the beach, but the sand floor, palapa roof, fan-cooled dining area and fresh fish sure make you feel like you're there. Start…
Must-see restaurants in Mexico
Centro Histórico
Chef Ricardo Muñoz reinvents traditional Mexican recipes such as pescado tikin xic (a grouper dish from the Yucatán with plantain and tortilla strips)…
Northeast Mexico
A mom-and-pop eatery with plastic tables and chairs, Gorditas specializes in just that – gorditas, small thick tortillas stuffed to the brim with all…
Puerto Escondido
La Punta resembles in some ways a sybaritic Thai beach and Lychee doesn't have to try hard to meld in with superb Thai dishes – green curries, chicken…
Northeast Mexico
A swanky restaurant-bar with a colonial-meets-coyboy theme, Cantina El 40 serves up top-notch Mexican dishes with flair. Think gourmet street tacos and…
Acapulco
This homespun gem near the Estrella de Oro bus terminal is the place to go for Thursday pozole verde (green hominy stew). Founded on doña Tere’s patio in…
Bahías de Huatulco
The talented Italian chef here makes almost everything herself, including the pasta. Options include ravioli with a choice of five fillings and nine…
Mazatlán
Descend into the subterranean gloom of this 200-year-old cistern, and spot eerie mannequins, collections of forceps and other medical paraphernalia, human…
Ruta del Vino & Valle de Guadalupe
Good luck not having fun at this warm-hued, adobe-walled, sand-floored restaurant with the grill as aflame as the wine-drinking diners' spirits. Run by…
Zipolite
This shady tropical-garden cafe feels like a rough clearing in the jungle and its food tastes pretty good too, especially if you order their branded…
Cancún
One of Cancún’s most beautiful restaurants, Fred’s House features warm contemporary style and tropical gardens by Nichupté Lagoon. At this seafood eatery,…
Guadalajara
A self-proclaimed ‘bread laboratory,’ this tiny high end bakery offers a delicious range of baked goods from around the world: buttery croissants, melt-in…
Todos Santos
A great stop 19km on the way to La Paz, this family-run, always-busy, ranch-style-meal-slinging restaurant is as authentic as you'll find in this area…
Central Pacific Coast
Tired of the fish and seafood routine? Hit this restaurant in A&V Hotel Boutique, where you can order handmade pasta and lasagna, regional Oaxacan cuisine…
Central Pacific Coast
Under the direction of internationally renowned Cordon Bleu chef Betty Vázquez, this restaurant at the Hotel Garza Canela serves French-accented dishes…
Northwest Mexico
This sophisticated and thoroughly contemporary self-described 'fish kitchen' is a real find. The menu includes an excellent tuna burger, salmon teriyaki…
Taqueria y Carniceria La Mexicana
Monterrey
Done up like a Mexican party dress, this eatery/butcher shop is an explosion of colors – think Talavera tiles and piñatas. Tacos de Canasta (steamed tacos…
Isla Holbox
This quaint cafe is so tiny you just might miss it if you’re strolling too fast by the main square. La Tortilleria specializes in Spanish-style omelettes …
Puerto Vallarta
Once you've been seated, chef Memo visits your table with a detailed explanation of each dish featured on a chalkboard menu that changes weekly. It may…
Cancún
Softly illuminated by strings of lights, lanterns and moonlight, this alluring little restaurant sits within an enchanting walled patio on downtown Cancún…
Zihuatanejo
A shady hideaway tucked off a major thoroughfare isn't necessarily what you'd associate with a prime seafood joint, but this open-sided place with leather…
Monterrey
A variety of healthy plant-based meals – Mexican dishes, sandwiches and Mediterranean delights – are offered at this 2nd-story restaurant in the Barrio…
Sonora
In a region cruelly deprived of decent coffee shops, this colonial cafe is a better find for caffeine-starved travelers than any silver mine. Devour…
Puerto Escondido
Dan was one of the founders of local legend El Cafecito and this spot next to his eponymous hotel is great for hearty, surfer-pleasing breakfasts, juices…
Oaxaca City
The Isthmus of Tehuantepec has its own take on Oaxacan cuisine based on ingredients like tropical fruits and seafood, with many dishes cooked in banana…
Playa del Carmen
Putting a gourmet twist on tacos, tostadas and Mexican regional dishes, Axiote's diverse menu features creative treats like fish tacos with a sausage…
Western Central Highlands
An elegant restaurant with expansive tropical gardens and a wine cellar feel, this is the place to come for a leisurely breakfast or a special night out…
Ruta del Vino & Valle de Guadalupe
Our favorite of celebrity-Mexican-chef Javier Placensia's restaurants, this laid-back place looking out over the vineyards has a cracking oyster bar and…
Inland Michoacán
The chairs are plastic, there’s not much to look at decor-wise and service can be a bit slow, but so what? This place is about mix-and-match antojitos…
Tijuana
Taking Av Revolución to chic new standards, this cosmopolitan rooftop bar and restaurant serves insanely good and unusual tacos like cured mackerel with…
Acapulco
Famous for its pescado almendrado (mahimahi baked in a creamy Parmesan sauce with almonds), Pipo's is best after 6pm when the restaurant opens its airy…
Monterrey
If you like your decor eclectic, your spaces multicultural and your food purposefully slow, this innovative Barrio Antiguo place may just be right for you…
Isla Cozumel
Known for its Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and friendly neighborhood expat bar, 'Ohana (meaning family in Hawaiian) definitely feels like home. The owner…
Guadalajara
This hopping little restaurant specializes in big, steaming bowls of ramen noodles with loads of toppings that keep vegans to meat lovers equally…
Central Pacific Coast
Beachfront palapa (thatched-roof) restaurant Quezada grills pescado zarandeado (spiced, charcoal-grilled fish) to near perfection thanks to a delightful…
Cancún
In a gated residential community about 500m south of the Puerto Juárez ferry terminal, this hidden oceanfront restaurant wins over locals with dishes like…
Manzanillo
Worthwhile just to visit its very swimmable beach on Santiago Bay, this restaurant-bar also happens to prepare excellent cocktails, tasty international…
Isla Mujeres
This delightful Israeli-run restaurant makes everything from scratch, from Moroccan-style fish served on a bed of couscous to chicken shawarmas wrapped in…
Bahías de Huatulco
Artfully prepared tostadas come piled high with fresh tuna, octopus, shrimp and ceviche at this local fave. The seared tuna tostada (not on the menu) is a…
Isla Holbox
With just a few tables set under a palapa roof, this cool and contemporary joint features tacos piled high with a flavorful mix of ingredients and…
