Guadalajara Restaurants

1. Chiles and Beer

Chiles and Beer serves quick (or not) meals throughout the day, to be washed down with—you guessed it—beer. Their burgers are big and tasty, but it's the seafood that stands out, particularly the aguachile, a type of Mexican ceviche that hails from Sinaloa. The classic version is made with fresh raw shrimp or fish, cucumber, red onion, lime juice, and chilies that have been pulverized with water—hence the name.

2. Ajijic Tango

Considered one of the top restaurants in Ajijic, this Argentine favorite has locals and tourists waiting in a line down the block to get inside. Many go for the arrachera (flank steak), lamb, or carpaccio. Reservations are a must on weekdays, but the eatery doesn't take them on weekends, so get there early.

3. Casa Fuerte

Relax with tasty Mexican dishes at the tables along the sidewalk or in the oversize garden patio surrounding a magnificent old tree. Try the house specialty: chicken stuffed with huitlacoche (a corn fungus that's Mexico's answer to the truffle) and shrimp in tamarind sauce. Live musicians accompany the food (2:30 to 6 pm, approximately) every day except Monday.

4. Fonda Cholula

This typical Mexican restaurant owned by José Cuervo serves decent quesadillas and other local favorites without leaving your wallet empty. The margaritas are quite tasty, too.

5. Johanna's

Come to this intimate bit of Bavaria on the lake for German cuisine like sausages and goose or duck pâté. Main dishes come with soup or salad, applesauce, and cooked red cabbage. For dessert indulge in plum strudel or blackberry-topped torte. Come on the early side, though; this restaurant closes at 8 pm.

6. La Antigua Casona

Food in this "Old House" is exquisite, the location is serene, and the service is very good. Located inside Hotel Solar de Las Animas, it's open to the public.

7. La Bodega de Ajijic

Eat on a covered patio overlooking a grassy lawn and a small pool at this low-key restaurant. In addition to Mexican standards, the menu has Italian pasta dishes. Service is friendly, and there's live music—ranging from Mexican pop and rock to blues, jazz, guitar, and harp—most nights.

8. La Moresca

9. Restaurant Cazadores

This grandly turreted brick building was once the summer home of the Braniff family, former owners of the defunct airline. The house specialty is chamorro, pork shank wrapped in banana leaves. A patio overlooks the boardwalk and is inviting in the evening.

10. Sacromonte

If you're into trying local favorites, this is the place to order lengua—beef tongue—or chicken mole, which has a sweet twist. The pork loin and barbecue ribs are also worth a taste. For dessert, order the flan with cajeta (a local soft caramel sauce); it's homemade—literally made in someone's house and delivered nightly to the restaurant.

11. Santo Coyote

One of the most sophisticated restaurants in Guadalajara, Santo Coyote offers top-notch Mexican-fusion cuisine, like delicious tacos el negro with lobster and traditional Mexican sopa de tortilla. Set in a wide indoor/outdoor space, the atmosphere couldn’t be more spectacular with outstanding lighting, a huge palapa, and a beautiful garden. This is the place you would take that date you are trying to impress.