972 Best Restaurants in Mexico

This jungle-side hangout is laid-back, casual, and comfortable, with an open kitchen and airy layout in a large, traditional palapa. Standout dishes include organic-chicken-stuffed jalapeños and organic chicken in red sauce (so tender that it practically falls off the bone). Paying tribute to local blends is the wine list, on which 80% of the bottles are from Mexico. An international crowd of expats and in-the-know vacationers makes for a lively scene, especially at night. For large parties or special events, book ahead.

Named after El Tajín pyramid in Veracruz state and a longtime proponent of the "slow food" movement, this elegant lunch spot inside Jardin Cultural Del Centro Veracruzano sizzles with pre-Hispanic influences. Innovative appetizers include chilpachole, a delicate crab-soup with epazote and macha chile paste, while main dishes might include rabbit in a guajillo mole sauce and octopus cooked in its own ink with red wine, olives, and almonds.

One of the best-kept secrets in Guanajuato is this hole-in-the-wall across from the university whose bargain comida corrida at lunchtime—four courses for MX$65—is equally popular with students, faculty, and local workers. It starts with delicious fresh-baked bread, then continues with a starter such as crema de verduras (vegetable soup) with green chili, or a chipotle-spiked chicken soup. Tacos and an antojito (appetizer) then a meat will follow, plus dessert. The space is cute, with brick archways, knickknacks, and waiters dressed in black and white.

The name "Titanic" may refer to the amount of food you'll get at this restaurant on the edge of the city. Sit down and just say "surtido," and you'll be brought a sampling of obscure local specialties, often including unusual parts of the pig. The food doesn't stop coming. You'll enjoy multiple courses in rapid succession, ranging from lengua (tongue) to the more pedestrian pollo en mole (chicken in mole). If you’re feeling less adventurous, you can also just order off the menu. The out-of-the-way location has kept the place supremely local (you'll want to go by car or taxi), and you'll probably be the first foreign visitor in weeks.

The Tunnel—named for its long, narrow entrance across from the exit of the Teatro Angela Peralta—has been in business since 1945, and black-and-white photos of classic Mexican stars line the yellow-and-lavender-trimmed walls. You can taste its experience with faithful renditions of such famed regional snacks as gorditas (fried rounds of cornmeal topped with garnish), tostadas, meat or potato tacos and pozole (pork-and-hominy stew), and its specialty, asada de la plaza de res (chopped beef and cubed potatoes, spiced and smothered in lettuce, carrots, and onions).

Located off the beaten path, in a weathered, palapa-topped fisherman's cottage, this local favorite is known for its fresh mojitos, but its reasonably priced, family-style plates of grilled or fried fish are an even bigger draw. The day's catch might include anything from grouper to lobster (order them with creole sauce if it's being served). Cuban specialities such as tostones and sandwiches round out the menu. If you come here for dinner, make it an early one. The place closes at 7:30 pm.

With its quirky setting inside a large industrial building that also houses an auto repair shop, this Colonia Narvarte Poniente hot spot was featured on Netflix's Tacos Chronicles and is a serious contender in the city's crowded battle for al pastor primacy. Overflowing with happy eaters into the wee hours of the night, as late as 5 am on Friday and Saturday, Vilsito serves pastor tacos with or without cheese along with a good variety of the usual suspects (tacos choriqueso, tortas Cubanas). 

This casual open-air street-side eatery specializes in hearty Mexican food. The place is open 24 hours most days—although on Tuesday the folks here open at a leisurely 3 pm—serving Acapulco's famous green-and-white pozole as well as steak dishes like filete tampiqueña (a strip of tender grilled beef), which comes with tacos, enchiladas, guacamole, and beans.

An outpost of Eladio's in Mérida, this lively bar and restaurant on the malecón is popular with beachcombers and cruise-ship passengers. You can sample typical Yucatecan dishes like longaniza asada (baked sausage) and pollo pibil (citrus-pickled chicken) while seated beneath a tall palapa on the beach. As you’d expect, fresh seafood dishes are also on the menu. Tasty appetizers are free with your drinks, and there are plenty to choose from. Live music every afternoon except Tuesday adds to the party atmosphere.

The individual huts with thatched roofs at this garden oasis provide an intimate setting to sample spicy Thai dishes like roasted duck in coconut red curry or the house favorite, a deep-fried fish fillet prepared with ginger, garlic, and a tamarind-chile sauce. The menu also features traditional Indian dishes such as chicken tikka masala, Kasundi shrimp with coconut sauce, and tandoori-style New Zealand lamb. Amp up the romance quotient by calling ahead to reserve one of the palapa casitas perched over the water on stilts. There are only 17 tables, so reservations are highly recommended. 

It's named for revolutionary hero Emiliano Zapata, which explains why sombreros and rifles serve as decorations. The place is filled with locals, who appreciate the good-natured kitsch. The tortillas here are made fresh by hand throughout the day, so the taco platters are especially good (try one of the big combinations, or the regional specialties on the table tents). It's a good place to stop for lunch (there are cheap specials), or late in the evening (the dining room is open until 1 am). Take a seat under the huge wrought-iron chandelier or in the dark upstairs bar.

Emilio is a popular all-day eatery in Polanquito, combining Italian, Mexican, and Spanish influences. The sidewalk seating is matched with a casual menu of imaginative shared plates and cocktails (try the tacos de pato confitado) while a classic European menu is served on the pleasant terrace upstairs.

From morning through early evening, this casual, contemporary café that opens to a quiet, tree-lined street near Parque España welcomes a mix of regulars and tourists with bountiful plates of Mexican and international breakfast dishes, soups, salads, and sandwiches. The menu tends toward healthy and fresh, with mango-granola bowls, toasted ham-and-gruyere brioche sandwiches, green juices, and fine teas and lattes.

World-famous Pujol mastermind Enrique Olvera is the talent behind Eno, a smart-casual bakery and café on a lively Roma Norte street corner (there's another location in Polanco). The airy brick-ceilinged spot with a handful of sidewalk tables is great for a light meal, dessert, coffee, or atole (a warm Mesoamerican corn drink) from early morning until late at night, with breakfast especially popular. Try the cochinita pibíl or hongos (mushrooms) rancheros in the morning, or a turkey–cheese torte later in the day.

It may not have the easiest name to remember, but Estrella Fugaz (which means "shooting star") is one of Mazunte's most popular hangouts. This funky Mexican café-restaurant offers an impressive collection of artisanal mezcal, good Wi-Fi, strong coffee, and a breezy second-floor location with fantastic views of Playa el Rinconcito, Mazunte's most swimmable beach. The menu is packed with choices from Mexican breakfast specialties to seafood to pasta, but if you're undecided, the chiles rellenos stuffed with vegetables (or seafood or cheese) is a whopping portion that will fuel you for the rest of the day. Live jazz and special theme nights keep the action happening until long after dark.

One of the best restaurants in Mexico is in the sleepy town of Apizaco, in Tlaxcala state, a quick 20 km (12 miles) from the capital city of Tlaxcala. Opened in 2011, Evoka shows that Mexico's gastronomic revolution, which celebrates local ingredients, small producers, and traditional techniques, isn't limited to the big cities. With a simply elegant dining room, impeccable service, and a clientele largely consisting of in-the-know foodies from Puebla and Mexico City, Evoka could be the hottest restaurant anywhere, but could only exist in the Valle de Tlaxcala, from where its ingredients, and chef-owner Francisco Molina, come. The tasting menu is a must, where you might find aged rib eye in a mole sauce of huitlacoche (corn fungus) and amaranth with plantain dumplings, or a salad of tiny wild tomatoes and local cheese with powdered, root-beer-like hoja santa herb shaken table-side over the top.

This small café, which is just across the street from the main plaza, has some outdoor seating under its archways and a pleasant interior with high ceilings and plenty of fresh air. You can enjoy a meal here as you watch the people go by—they are open from breakfast through dinner. The sopade tortilla (tortilla soup) and enchiladas are both tasty options. They sell regional fresh bread, muffins, and delicious coffee all day.

Expect fine dining and culinary excellence, with rich-in-flavor ingredients, at this Mediterranean restaurant; consider the tasting menu for the full Fantino experience. With synchronized precision, servers unveil each plate with beautiful, if not artistic, execution. The restaurant's interior combines beautiful frescos with floor-to-ceiling windows that create a romantic and impressive space. Adjacent to the main dining room, Petit Fantino is available for private dining. Reservations are recommended and suggested attire is resort elegant.

In this intimate pizza place, you'll find a generous selection of excellent thin-crust pizzas and handmade pastas, plus a good variety of cocktails and wines. The pizzas come with red or white bases, with the truffle oil, gorgonzola, and wild-mushroom pie being a favorite among the latter, and the pie with Brie, mozzarella, pepperoni, and cherry tomatoes standing out among the "rosso" pies. You'll find a few other locations around town.

With a focus on wood-fire pizzas and veggie-packed salads, Farina delivers uncomplicated Italian food. The outdoor terrace makes for a cozy and romantic meal, including a full bar. You can also find five other locations in the city.

Fernando's friendly, homey restaurant—which serves as a sort of visitors bureau—seems to change locations often but remains a Mahahual institution. The affordable menu features Mexican and Yucatecan specialties with a generous splash of gringo. Should you be in the market for a margarita, don't be shy; as the name suggests, this is the place for expert guidance on all things agave. You can even buy a bottle of Fernando's homemade tequila to go. If the indoor party scene isn't lively enough for you, head to the outside tables, where cruise passengers are known to do shots.

From the moment you see guests clinking glasses atop wine-barrel towers, you know you’re in for a memorable dining experience. On the edge of sprawling vineyards, this rustic setting has a seasonal menu to match. Chef Javier Plascencia is famous for his oak-grilled favorites like quail with chard or beef-cheek tacos. The homemade sausages and slow-cooked lamb come with sizzling sides on cast-iron skillets. If you’re just looking for a starter with a view, try the oysters, chocolate clams, or ahi tostadas. By day this alfresco spot is a family favorite, and by night romance kicks in with fire bowls illuminating grapevines creeping toward the sky. Finca Altozano is just one branch of the family tree made up of several businesses—including four eateries, a café, shop, hotel, and farm—all within the property.

At the top of the Sears building, you'll find an only okay coffee shop with one of the city's most famous and beautiful views of Bellas Artes. You will need to buy something to enter, so grab a drink or a pastry and enjoy the view below.

This charming colonial-era café is open to the street, with regulars, families, and digital nomads regularly making appearances. It’s bustling, maybe a bit too bustling for some folks to focus on work, but the price-to-quality ratio is impressive, as is its selection of Mexican-style hot chocolate, which range from spicy to sweet to bitter. Whether you're looking for molletes, chilaquiles, or pan dulce, this place has it all, served quick and delicious. 

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.

In a low stone building on a tree-lined street, this unassuming café is overlooked by most travelers but is always packed with locals. The series of small dining rooms means it won't be hard to find a quiet table. The delicious traditional fare includes such dishes as chicken broth with creamy avocados and strips of cactus flambéed with bits of onion and chilies. Ask your waiter if there's caldo de habas, a bean soup with strips of cactus; it's something of a local specialty, and is quite tasty. Open until 8 pm, and quiet after 6, it's best for breakfast and lunch.

For an informal bite on any given evening, there's nothing like Food Park PV. Here you'll find a variety of snacks, beer, live music, and good vibes, all in a refreshing outdoor atmosphere.