Must-see restaurants in Northern Central Highlands

  • Áperi

    San Miguel de Allende

    This courtyard restaurant inside a boutique hotel is perhaps the best spot in town for fine dining. The chef here has been given the freedom to do…

  • Las Mercedes

    Guanajuato

    In a residential area overlooking the city is Guanajuato's best restaurant, where Mexican cuisine como la abuela – grandmother's cooking that takes hours…

  • Cafe Cortáo

    San Luis Potosí

    This simple spot is a breakfast institution and at times queues of locals form outside the doors waiting for them to open in the morning. The delicious…

  • Nomada

    San Miguel de Allende

    This gorgeous place with friendly English-speaking staff has some of San Miguel's best contemporary Mexican and European cuisine. Try its signature dish,…

  • Chinicuil

    Querétaro

    Being hidden away on the fringe of the old town and discreetly signed inside the entrance to a building means that this is one of those 'in the know' kind…

  • Botica del Cafe

    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…

  • Breton

    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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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,…

  • San Agustín

    San Miguel de Allende

    This is a 'don't leave San Miguel without…' experience. This sweet-tooth's paradise is the best place in the region for chocolate and churros (doughnut…

  • Los Dorados de Villa

    Zacatecas

    Unless you have a reservation you're unlikely to be allowed into this revolutionary-themed restaurant – and even with a reservation you'll need to knock…

  • Antojitos El Pozole

    San Luis Potosí

    The place for the local enchiladas potosinas – the tortilla dough is red from chili. This place was started by a woman selling antojitos (Mexican snacks)…

  • La Xurería

    Querétaro

    This hole-in-the-wall style place sells churros (fried dough pastry) and hot chocolate and that is all. But, these are not your average greasy churros…

  • Tikua

    Querétaro

    With a giant wall mural of traditionally dressed women, this restaurant specializes in Southeastern Mexican cuisine and the dishes – from the xi'i, a…

  • Restaurante Las Monjas

    Querétaro

    You can almost feel the history in this deeply traditional Querétaro establishment, where charming and smartly dressed waiters attend the tables with…

  • Café Rama

    San Miguel de Allende

    This cool cafe-bar-gallery comprises two separate rooms that are lovingly furnished with quirky antiques and eclectic curios, plus cozy couches near the…

  • México Lindo y Sabroso

    Guanajuato

    A popular place to try tasty traditional Mexican dishes in tasteful and colorful surrounds, including a delightful outdoor veranda. Also offers less…

  • Casa Valadez

    Guanajuato

    This classic place enjoys an impressive perch on Jardín de la Unión and is a smart choice in every respect. As you'd expect, it attracts a loyal crowd of…

  • Tacos la Congregación

    Querétaro

    Querétaro is full of taco stands that spring up most evenings, but this one, which is on a pretty little plaza, is considered one of the best and always…

  • Muro

    San Miguel de Allende

    True, it's a bit of a walk from Centro, but most people are happy to make the effort. Muro serves everything from chilaquiles con arrachera to French…

  • Don Taco Tequila

    San Miguel de Allende

    Trust San Miguel to turn the humble taco into hipster Instagram fodder! This stylish little restaurant serves wildly creative, fully vegan tacos that will…

  • Brewer Gastro Pub

    Querétaro

    This is what happens when a local artisanal brewer joins forces with a good chef: a casual drinking spot that serves fabulous brews, from honey IPAs (miel…

  • Lavanda

    San Miguel de Allende

    A guitarist strums away during superpopular breakfasts – get there at opening time or be prepared to queue – at this lovely place where killer coffee,…

  • El Manantial

    San Miguel de Allende

    Behind the swinging doors of a former saloon, 'The Spring' serves fabulously fresh ceviche in a dark and rather loud space with a cantina feel. It has a…

  • Acrópolis Café

    Zacatecas

    Established by a Syrian immigrant in the early 1940s, this cafe has been a city legend almost ever since. Today it retains a slightly quirky period diner…

  • Mestizo

    Guanajuato

    There's interesting art on the walls, a great menu and three breezy dining rooms, not to mention changing daily specials, so why is the lighting so poor…

  • Restaurant La Plaza

    Zacatecas

    The elegant dining room at the Quinta Real Zacatecas is especially memorable for its outlook to the aqueduct and bullring, as well as for its refined…

  • Costal

    Guanajuato

    Brand new at the time of research, but already causing waves of appreciation, this relaxed place with high ceilings, a jazzy soundtrack and a few window…

  • Cielo Tinto

    San Luis Potosí

    Generally held to be San Luis Potosí's best restaurant, the 'red sky' is an attractive upscale place housed in a renovated hacienda with a beautiful…

  • La Mesa Grande

    San Miguel de Allende

    An American-run contemporary panadería-cafe with excellent pastries, great breakfasts, tasty salads, and wood-fired oven pizzas that you can design…

  • Tacos Don Felix

    San Miguel de Allende

    An opportunity to get off the tourist trail presents itself at this pleasantly local establishment in the Colonia of San Rafael, a short way outside the…

  • El Paisa

    Guanajuato

    This place couldn't be any different to the swanky tourist restaurants deeper in the old town. El Paisa is a sun-bleached red building right opposite the…

  • La Mariposa

    Querétaro

    Unchanged since 1940, as the photos and coffee machine testify, this Querétaro institution is more about the quaint atmosphere than the food. Don't leave…

  • Santo Café

    Guanajuato

    Stop by this casual but cozy spot on the quaint Venetian-style bridge that's popular with students. It serves good salads and snacks; try the queso…

  • La Antojería

    Querétaro

    This fun and slightly disheveled Mexican street-food themed place serves up every style of antojito (typical Mexican snacks) known in Mexico. It's busy,…

  • La Borrasca

    La Huasteca Potosina

    This relaxed (sometimes rather too relaxed) pub does tasty Mexican food, including a good steak and numerous taco and enchilada iterations. There's also…

  • Camino a Bremen

    Northern Central Highlands

    Simple Italian restaurant filled with character that's tucked away in a room behind a tiny, old-fashioned bakery. It serves wood-fired pizzas and good…

  • Metate & Salmiana

    Guanajuato

    This old-school cantina-like place is a tale of two stories – literally – on the 1st floor they serve innovative tacos with weird and wonderful fillings…