Zihuatanejo
This sweet little family-run place is all about straightforward seafood dishes and reasonably priced beer. Specialties include garlic shrimp, coconut…
Must-see restaurants in Mexico
San Cristóbal de las Casas
This artisanal bakery and vegetarian hotspot has a few seats on a tiny plaza. Bites here are perfect for a quick lunch (or take out) and include organic…
Monterrey
This large upscale diner offers a long list of Mexican faves, plus sandwiches and steaks, at fair prices. It's had a loyal following since 1955. An easy…
San Luis Potosí
Notes of expensive perfume mingle with the aromas of paella, lechón asado (roasted piglet) and cod fish – just a few of the dishes on this culinary…
Tamales de San Agustín Yatareni
Oaxaca City
Find out why oaxaqueños queue up to buy these large tamales filled with ingredients such as squash blossom, chicken in salsa verde, mole and chapulines …
Cobá
Located at Hotel Maya, Chile Picante does everything from vegetarian omelettes with chaya (Mexican tree spinach) and fresh fruit plates to panuchos …
Todos Santos
This plant-laden, red-brick Italian restaurant makes its pasta fresh daily, and also serves some particularly scrumptious seafood platters. In the evening…
Zacatecas
It's all about recipes passed down through the generations and traditional home-cooked food at this bright and boisterous little restaurant. Don't expect…
Manzanillo
Manzanillo’s downtown market has a number of inexpensive food stalls to choose from. You'll find pretty good homestyle fare here, with chile relleno …
Playa del Carmen
One of the few restaurants in Playa del Carmen that dates from the 1960s. It continues to offer good seafood at decent prices in a casual place on the…
Sonora
Of the mostly touristic eateries along the Old Port waterfront, breezy Mary’s is the one where locals most often eat. It’s right next to the little fish…
Isla Cozumel
This is traditionally considered Cozumel's finest restaurant and the prices reflect its reputation. The menu focuses mainly on Angus steaks, pastas, fresh…
Veracruz
This wildly popular place is generally accepted to be the best seafood restaurant in town. Serving big portions, it's a favorite with family groups, and…
Laguna Bacalar
With its 'smoking bench' and 'flirting bench', this al fresco spot on the plaza charms, offering tapas-style food, plus pizzas, pastas, tacos and…
Sayulita
Down by the bridge, Ivan is still cranking out tasty tacos al pastor (spit-cooked marinated pork with chopped onion, cilantro and pineapple slices) long…
Mazunte
Decorated with chunky sofas and Mexican masks, the arty restaurant at El Copal accommodations serves international fusion fare with beautiful views along…
Mahahual
Hopping in the mornings, the tiny Tartaleta has decent expressos, pastries and freshly baked bread. Expect a line. It's in the pedestrian section of…
Central Pacific Coast
For four decades this little bakery has been cranking out some of the world’s best banana bread; with any luck, you’ll get a loaf hot from the oven. Juan…
Central Pacific Coast
For fish, shrimp and octopus cooked a dozen ways, hop on a boat to this family-run place on a small island just across from Mexcaltitán’s main dock…
Cancún
There’s a taco joint on nearly every block in Cancún, but this one has been a local favorite for more than 30 years. One bite of the al pastor (spit…
Sonora
For cheap traditional fare, head to the market where there's a section of food stalls serving up tasty eats at countertop seating. Afterwards, stroll the…
Central Pacific Coast
This family-run restaurant does delicious Mexican and seafood dishes, including a fish-and-shrimp concoction called merequetengue. Seating is on the…
Celestún
Of all the sandy-floored, plastic-table-and-chairs beachfront joints here, this one gets the thumbs-up from the locals. Fresh seafood and ceviche are its…
Veracruz City
With huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the beach, this new-in-2019 branch of the legendary Veracruz cafe operation is a wonderful spot to enjoy a…
Veracruz
Smarter than your average Italian-abroad restaurant, Il Fiorentino serves handmade pasta, Piedmontese wine, cappuccinos and great cake. It’s on the…
Tapachula
Staffed by solicitous bow-tied waiters and perennially popular, Los Jarrones provides welcome air-conditioning and a big choice of refined Mexican and…
Guadalajara Region
This roadside eatery is an excellent place to feast on wood-grilled lamb, pork and beef and all their fiery excellent accompaniments. To drink, try a…
Todos Santos
After conquering the surf at Los Cerritos, slide over to this chill, open-air restaurant for delicious tacos, ceviche and a farm-to-glass cocktail. The…
Puerto Vallarta
This buffet-style place with only 10 tables eschews cheese for fresh, dairy-free dishes such as soy carnitas, yam lasagna (yes, that’s right) and a wide…
Central Pacific Coast
Come to this simple, family-run restaurant and let congenial Ricarda feed you Mexican standards for breakfast and catch-of-the-day and Pacific shrimp the…
Veracruz
There's a nice view from this large waterfront restaurant on the malecón, serving all the seafood you could want, including reasonable pargo (red snapper)…
Southern Baja
For 29 years, the owner of this modest and wonderful stand has been serving up exactly one type of taco in San Ignacio's plaza each night. It's carne…
Cancún
Lorenzillo’s gives you 20 separate choices for your lobster presentation, including a taste bud–popping chipotle, plum and tamarind sauce. Facing the…
East of Mexico City
Seafood paella, potato tortilla and tapas are some of the Spanish favorites at this tidy little bistro-style restaurant. Drinks have a Mexican twist…
San José del Cabo
Set inside the Casa Natalia hotel, tiny Mi Cocina is a classy gem. The decor is artistic, the mains sublime, and desserts (such as vanilla flan or basil…
San José del Pacífico
The Italian-owned 'elves tavern' serves generous portions of pasta, pepper-rubbed steak and fried trout, plus there's affordable mezcal to sip on as you…
Tulum
A very popular seafood eatery at the south end of the center, known for its parillada de mariscos, a large platter (for three people) with grilled fish,…
Cuernavaca
Italian dishes, including a broad range of excellent, thin-crust pizzas, and an attractive setting just across from the cathedral make this a decent…
Mazunte
On your way down Calle Rinconcito to the beach you’ll surely have to stop for this little bakery well stocked with ready-made baguettes, muffins, pizza…
Isla Mujeres
Menu standouts at this Italian-owned sidewalk steakhouse include the black grouper fillet, baked mussels and the Angus beef cuts. When he's around, owner…
