Must-see restaurants in Mexico

  • Los Aluxes

    Laguna Bacalar

    An open-air palapa restaurant serving regional and fusion dishes, this waterfront restaurant prepares interesting creations such as pechuga sikil pak …

  • Red Cabbage Café

    Puerto Vallarta

    Though the atmosphere is casual, with eclectic and bohemian artwork, the food is serious, featuring old recipes and uncommon indigenous sauces. It’s a…

  • Mangata

    Puerto Morelos

    If you like eggs Benedict you're gonna love the 'Mangata Benedictin' (poached eggs with slow-cooked roast beef smothered in a rich hollandaise sauce)…

  • El Nene

    Puerto Escondido

    El Nene serves enormous tacos and Mexican- and international-style fish, shrimp and chicken mains. Fish of the day prepared Cajun-style is a good choice,…

  • Dogos El Chino

    Guadalajara

    A classic Tapatio experience – and must do post-bar hopping – is a two-for-one plate at El Chino, a street stand grilling up rows and rows of dogs wrapped…

  • El Navegante

    San Agustinillo

    A Catalan chef whips up innovative fish and seafood dishes at this intimate sand-floor restaurant perched above the main strip. Mains include lobster in…

  • SU-FÓ Sushi & Cocina Bistro

    The Copper Canyon & Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico

    Popular SU-FÓ serves up an eclectic menu of sushi rolls (most with signature cream cheese), rice bowls, hamburgers with hand-cut fries and even fancy…

  • La Casa de los Milagros

    Chihuahua & Central North Mexico

    Legend has it that Pancho Villa and his pals hung out in this atmospheric 110-year-old mansion featuring tiled floors, lots of snug little rooms and an…

  • Max's Cafe

    Sonora

    Max's serves up solid Mexican eats, hamburgers and sandwiches in a setting reminiscent of a cozy railcar. Located steps from Playa Bonita, it's a…

  • Taller del Chef

    Chihuahua & Central North Mexico

    A stylish Asian-fusion bistro restaurant, this downtown eatery serves up delicious ramen bowls overflowing with noodles, veggies and proteins. If soup isn…

  • Kaffee Haus

    Sonora

    A long-standing favorite, this local institution draws crowds for its enormous breakfasts, served daily until 2pm. Juicy burgers, steak sandwiches, blue…

  • Piedra de Fuego

    Zipolite

    If you came to Zipolite to eat Mexican rather than Italian food, this is your bag with generous servings of fresh fish fillet or shrimp, accompanied by…

  • Mango y Chile

    Laguna Bacalar

    Bacalar's first and only all-vegan dining option, Mango y Chile has a beautiful, large deck overlooking the fort and the lagoon, and friendly service…

  • El Tigre y El Toro

    Cancún

    Gourmet thin-crust pizza and homemade pastas are served in a candlelit gravel garden at El Tigre y El Toro ('Tiger' and 'Bull' are the owners' nicknames)…

  • Kiosco Verde

    Cancún

    The Green Kiosk just might be the most underrated seafood restaurant in all of Cancún. It began in 1974 as a small grocery store and now it excels in well…

  • Restaurant Los Geranios

    Chiapas

    Clients seem to be in two minds about Restaurant Los Geranios. The setting is gorgeous, inside the elegant Parador Santa María, though it's said that the…

  • Cabañas Díaz Eatery

    The Copper Canyon & Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico

    Tasty home-cooked meals are served at long communal tables at this family-run establishment. There's no menu, just a daily special, freshly made. Service…

  • Palmar Trapiche

    Sayulita

    Owned by the excellent Colima microbrewery, this restaurant and beer garden excels in North American fare such as burgers and braised ribs slow-cooked in…

  • Chile, Maíz y Frijol

    Acapulco

    Thimble-sized family restaurant with an open kitchen and a very local vibe, serving generous Mexican breakfast (great chilaquiles!). As the day progresses…

  • Simple

    The Copper Canyon & Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico

    Big sandwiches, made-to-order burgers, salads, yogurt with fruit, and a variety of crepes are offered at this tiny cafe, just steps from the central plaza…

  • Mythos Estiatorio

    Polanco & Bosque de Chapultepec

    For a taste of Greece in downtown Mexico City, this upscale restaurant is your best option. The most popular menu items are grilled meats and seafood such…

  • El Mesón del Kiote

    Chihuahua & Central North Mexico

    For a fine steak, there's no better spot than this two-story restaurant with an alpine feel. There's a great variety of cuts, but go all out with the rib…

  • The Blue Marlin

    Sonora

    At the swankier end of the dining spectrum, the Blue Marlin specializes in seafood, serving everything from simple fish tacos to hearty coconut shrimp…

  • Me Muero de Hambre

    Monterrey

    A few steps from lively Calle Morelos, this three-story building has a casual spot devoted to delectable tacos, another for antojitos (snacks) and…

  • La Famiglia

    Playa del Carmen

    Pay a visit to the family and enjoy superb wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta, ravioli and gnocchi. Playa is a magnet for Italian restaurants, but this…

  • Café Cortez

    Chihuahua & Central North Mexico

    Join the student and bohemian crowd over good coffee at this creative, hangar-like place with its industrial fixtures, fairy lights, potted plants and…

  • Tacos Álvaro Obregón

    Roma

    The tacos al pastor (spit-roasted marinated pork) at this brightly lit taco restaurant come very close to being the best in the city. The meat is juicy…

  • Limoncito

    Isla Holbox

    This colorful little palapa-covered restaurant on the square slings excellent Mexican breakfasts all day long. The motuleños (eggs in tomato sauce served…

  • Las Parras de Santa Maria

    Northeast Mexico

    Amid massive wood doors, 18-foot ceilings and whitewashed walls, this colonial beauty serves Mexican classics, as well as an excellent paella that comes…

  • Virginia's Supercafe

    Puerto Escondido

    Hidden away off a quiet stairway, Virginia's cafe is pretty super, particularly if you're judging it by its coffee (among the best in the city and roasted…

  • Sulumar

    Mahahual

    Lobster, lionfish, octopus, you name it – this fishermen's cooperative cooks up the fresh catch of the day and serves it to you right on the beach at the…

  • Broka Bistrot

    Roma

    Set in a stylish hidden patio, Broka serves delectable Euro-Mexican fusion dishes such as a fish and nopal stack with blue-corn tortillas. The weekday…

  • Ferron's Jerk Chicken

    Playa del Carmen

    Venture out to the seldom-visited side of Playa for some fine Jamaican jerk chicken and a cool reggae vibe. Combo meals include sweet-and-spicy grilled…

  • Bobo's

    Isla Mujeres

    This bar and grill fries up excellent locally caught triggerfish for its popular fish and chips, and there's malt vinegar to go along with it (a rare find…

  • Tacos Don Sirloin

    Chihuahua & Central North Mexico

    Street tacos at their best, Tacos Don Sirloin serves up freshly grilled sirloin steak, sausage, even goat – all chopped up on a thick tree stump. Seating…

  • Agapi Mu

    Condesa

    Casual yet classy, this is one of the best Greek restaurants in the city. You’ll find all the classics such as moussaka, spanakopita and souvlaki on the…

  • Doña Mica

    The Copper Canyon & Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico

    Run by Velia and her husband, this place hits the spot for hearty home-cooked meals. Served in the front room of their house, there’s usually no menu,…

  • Alma Mía

    Northwest Mexico

    You'll find tasty coffee drinks, friendly staff and good-value bistro fare at this sunlit cafe facing the main square. Tuck into big salads, pastas,…

  • Taco La Paz

    Guadalajara

    Guadalajara may be a fair distance from the ocean, but fish and seafood remain a passion. For prawn and fish tacos, this simple eatery can't be beat and…

  • La Curva

    Sonora

    Set in the middle of town, this low-key place serves huge plates of traditional Mexican cooking. Try the amazing mariscada (seafood platter) or the carne…

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