6 Best Restaurants in Tepoztlán, Side Trips from Mexico City

This unusual restaurant and organic farm in the lush Atongo Valley to the east of town produces artfully plated salads, such as fresh-made burrata with roasted beets, as well as heartier dishes like an earthy huitlacoche risotto with Parmesan, all made using ingredients grown on-site. Dining is in an open-air garden structure with an arched ceiling as well as at tables amid the flowers and plants, and the views of the surrounding mountains are breathtaking. The cocktails and desserts are also inspired by what's grown here—consider the chocolate brownie with pistachio, house-made chocolate sauce, and rosemary ice cream. A DJ spins music many evenings.

The colorful flagship branch of the popular ice cream and sorbet parlor stands out for its beautiful displays of Day of the Dead figures and other sculptures and crafts. You'll find an encyclopedic menu of flavors, including local fruits and vegetables (date, mango, mamey, beets, corn) and other distinctive options like coconut with chiles, pine nut, rose petal, and tres leches.

This smart establishment near the town's mountains is surrounded by ponds and bridges. Among the delicious concoctions are pork chops with a mango-pineapple salsa and grilled octopus in a rich garlic sauce. You can dine in the pink, high-ceiling dining room overlooking the trees and river or alfresco on a beautiful brick terrace with views of the mountains.

Tables at this casually stylish restaurant are centered on a partially open patio with grand views of the mountains. The varied menu includes contemporary takes on regional Mexican fare, including a fragrant soup of corn, zucchini, squash blossoms, and huitlacoche; spaghetti with duck ragu; and salmon cooked over a charcoal fire and served with cauliflower puree and grilled asparagus.

Head to this friendly and festive open-air café and shop that hosts a range of musical and literary events for a delicious breakfast. The eclectic options include traditional English bangers and mash with sautéed tomatoes and mushrooms, chilaquiles verdes, and baguette French toast. Lunchtime options include healthy salads and sandwiches, and there's an extensive selection of pastries, cookies, and other baked good for dessert.

Hung with colorful papeles picados (paper cutouts), this family-friendly restaurant with bright pink walls and regional folk art serves great soups (try the creamy fava bean or earthy lentil varieties), sopes topped with grilled chicken or cecina, and mole enchiladas made in an open kitchen. A specialty is the huauzontles (a broccoli-like vegetable you scrape from the stalk with your teeth).