323 Best Restaurants in Mexico

This cavelike restaurant might only be open on Friday and Saturday, but it has unforgettable regional cuisine and a fun atmosphere with live music. Even simple items like the salsas and frijoles (black beans) are intensely flavored. There's an exquisite sopa de setas (soup of oyster mushrooms), or you could try the signature dish, enchiladas de picadillo con mole de olla (ground beef and raisin enchiladas with a savory local mole).

Patrons come to Restaurante Pineda for the generous portions of delicious seafood, though the beautiful ocean view is also a draw. Locals rave about the grilled octopus, oysters, and scallops, but the coconut-breaded shrimp aren't too shabby either. You'll leave the place with a full stomach and a somewhat emptier than expected wallet, but it's well worth the experience.

Dark mahogany furniture, crisp white table linens, exquisite blue-and-white Talavera place settings, and refined service strike a note of restrained opulence at this 18th-century estate whose dining rooms surround a central courtyard with fragrant gardens and a circular fountain. Although you'll find European-influenced classic fare like chateaubriand for two and crispy calves' brains in brown butter, the Mexican delicacies are the stars—consider the crepes of huitlacoche, or a jewel-like dish of escamoles panfried in butter and herbs. The dessert cart, which displays everything from rich chocolate cake to Bavarian cream with strawberries and cajeta (goats-milk caramel), is a must. Even if you don't come for a full meal, try to drop by for cocktails and appetizers in the beautiful courtyard.

Just above the market, with a view of the main plaza, this plant-filled restaurant makes delicious regional cuisine served by a friendly staff. The envueltos de mole (chicken-filled tortillas covered in a thick, smoky mole sauce) are an excellent choice if you want to take a break from walking around the market and enjoy a snack. There is often live traditional music at lunchtime.

Rico Suave boasts an impressive selection of 100% natural juices and smoothies, freshly squeezing and blending almost every fruit (and vegetable) that you can imagine. You can order breakfast or lunch here, as well; tortas (street food--style sandwiches made on bolillo bread, a baguette-style roll) are popular.

You'll recognize this bustling corner stall near the Mercado San Juan by the tangling garlands of chorizo hanging over its flat top. And while the taqueros here serve perfectly good tacos of many varieties, the reason you're here is the fragrant, herbal chorizo verde, or green chorizo, from the nearby city of Toluca, stained emerald with herbs and green chiles.

Just a handful of blocks from the entrance to La Merced, Roldán 37 may well be Centro's most surprising restaurant. Set over two floors in a 200-year-old house, the restaurant, run by chef Rómulo Mendoza, is an elegant oasis of high ceilings, French doors, and lovingly prepared family recipes, some drawn from Mendoza's grandmother's handwritten cookbook, which he keeps out of sight but on the premises. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the pace and crowds on this side of Centro, Roldán 37 is the place to stop for a bite and a breather.

The walls at this cozy pink restaurant are decorated with historical photos from Mexico's past, including many of Mexican revolutionaries. Ask anyone in town, and they'll tell you Rosa's ample breakfasts are the best way to start the day. Try the machaca with eggs and salsa; the tortilla soup is great for lunch or dinner. Gringos who miss being pampered will appreciate the decaf coffee and salad bar.

Sabina Sabe is one of the newest mezcal bar–restaurants in the city, and its enviable location on the zócalo makes it a welcome addition for tourists looking to move away from the traditional tourist dining options. The menu is filled with fresh, locally sourced plates and a wide range of drink options including beers, mezcals, and cocktails. It is the perfect place to while away the late afternoon with a small plate and a drink in hand.

This open-fronted but underventilated restaurant near the main plaza is the perfect spot to learn the ABCs of traditional Oaxacan cooking. Try one of the massive sampler plates (enough for two or three people). You can go as far as nopal (cactus) soup or a side dish of chapulines, the spicy, toasted grasshoppers that locals consider a delicacy. For the less adventurous diner, any one of the chicken dishes in gently spiced mole sauce is recommended. This is also a good place for a late-night snack of tlayudas (giant open-faced tortillas with toppings) or queso fundido (a heavenly fondue).

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.

In 1917, the Sanborn brothers took over the iconic Casa de los Azulejos building to expand their drugstore business and now the popular stores-cum-restaurants, owned by billionaire Carlos Slim, populate every major town in Mexico. The menu plays it safe with decent Mexican standards and international options like burgers, soups, and club sandwiches, but the long, winding counter is one of the best places around for a solo coffee and breakfast, while happy hour deals at the endearingly old-fashioned upstairs bar are hard to beat.

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.

The perfect spot for a quick coffee or pastry, Signora Mariola is a tiny place with very few tables placed on the sidewalk outside, so be prepared to take your meal to go as you stroll through Polanco. The croissants and bread are to die for, and the Mexican breakfasts are tasty and light.

With dozens of dishes on the menu, this open-air restaurant is the most popular in Papantla. It's always crowded with locals who come to enjoy the reasonably priced seafood and to catch a few minutes of a telenovela (soap opera) on the giant TV set. The platillo mexicano, a selection of regional appetizers, is big enough for two.

Open all night and drawing a particularly spirited crowd during the wee hours, this no-frills taco stand named for the vampire-ish "goat sucker" of Latin American folklore serves joyfully messy, overstuffed pastor, chorizo, beef, cecina, and other meaty tacos for around just MP25 apiece. The casual seating area, set below a highway overpass, has several metal picnic tables.

A truly local joint that seems out of place in the Zona Hotelera draws crowds in the morning for its smoothie bowls and later on for its tacos and burritos. Forget your own private booth at this 24-hour place—you’ll eat at long tables and really get to know your fellow diners. This hangout sits a short distance from Cancún’s party central, but it’s a world away in style. Partiers converge here for a quick after-hours bite.

Founded 65 years ago and moved to its current location three decades back, Taco de Oro specializes in cochinita pibíl, the beloved dish of slow-roasted pork from the Yucatán. This small restaurant doesn’t have much seating inside, so be prepared to eat on a bench on the sidewalk or stand outside.

Fish tacos for breakfast? It may take getting used to, but that's how things are done in La Paz. The type of fish that's battered up "Baja Style" changes daily with the fishermen's catch, but is usually grouper, mahimahi, or sea bass. Top it with cream, chipotle, and avocado sauce ... plus spicier flavors, if you're brave.

In need of refreshments after a magical day diving or snorkeling in Cabo Pulmo National Park? Stop by Tacos and Beer, and soak up the muy tranquilo vibes while you eat delicious seafood tacos and admire views so paradisiacal they look like the set of a Corona commerical. The mostly seafood-focused tacos here are served at umbrella-shaded picnic tables that look over the pristine beach and Sea of Cortez beyond. Cans of ice-cold Pacífico are the most popular of the limited pairing options (no Corona here), but first-time visitors should also check out the bottled Big-Eyed Jacks pilsner from local Cabo Pulmo Brewing.

According to some food historians, tacos de canasta (literally "basket tacos") are the original taco and a street food par excellence as closely associated with the capital's unique culinary culture as tacos al pastor. Mostly made in the neighboring state of Tlaxcala and carried into the city in baskets (hence the name), tacos de canasta are cheap and tasty, slicked with fat and moisture from their journey, and stuffed with simple fillings like beans, potatoes, or chicken in adobo. You'll find tacos de canasta on just about every corner here, but Los Especiales, just off the Zócalo, is justly famous. Get in line, snag an order of five, chow down, and be on your way.

Street eats aren't as ubiquitous in Todos Santos as they are in Cabo or La Paz, but if you're craving tacos and want something cheap, easy, and oh-so-good, go to George's. Choose between fish or shrimp; either will cost you just a few bucks cash (credit cards not excepted), with agua de jamaica (hibiscus water) as the available beverage.

Day or night (and especially at night), this traditional taqueria has you covered for all your taco needs. Asada (beef) and pastor (pork) are the most popular orders here, and even a single taco comes with a giant tray of complimentary salsas and toppings—guac included. This longtime local favorite spot recently added a second seating area to accommodate even more patrons, so don't worry about not being served; despite potential crowds, the service is fast and the tacos are good. 

A true Tapatío (Guadalajara native) will tell you that these are the best tacos in town. Don’t expect anything fancy; it’s just a clean and functional taqueria where everything is about those exquisite tacos.

Don't be fooled by the bare-bones atmosphere: Tacos Rossy serves some of the best tacos in San José. Fish tacos are the thing at this no-frills joint brimming with local families who munch on everything from peel-and-eat shrimp to ceviche and chocolate clams. Served breaded and fried, the shrimp, scallop, and fish (flounder) tacos here are cheap and delicious. Dress them up however you like at a condiment bar that offers avocados, chilies, cabbage slaw, onions, and an assortment of sauces from tomatillo to habanero.

Try to arrive early to ensure that you get your choice of delicious tamales from this casual little shop with a handful of sidewalk tables---they sometimes sell out quickly, especially on weekends. Devotees of the hearty tubes of steamed corn masa come from all over the city, drawn by the extensive selection of fillings, including figs-and-cream cheese, chicken mole, pork with mushrooms in red sauce, and black beans with cheese and chapulines (grasshoppers).

The equivalent of a "soul food" restaurant for los Guerrerense (the people of Guerrero State), this noisy, fun spot a few blocks from the beach, amid small shops and cafés, specializes in the traditional cuisine of the deep countryside. Tamales—12 different kinds—are the menu's most popular items. Ingredients ranging from pork and chicken to poblano peppers are wrapped in masa, drenched in rich sauces, and baked in corn husks or banana leaves. Pozole, a pork-and-hominy stew that is traditionally eaten on Thursday, is a specialty of the house. Breakfast is served daily.