39 Best Restaurants in Mexico

Located beside Centro Cultural Helénico, this latest branch of the chainlet of stylish bookstore-restaurants contains three levels designed with massive glass windows, loft mezzanines, and wide bridges and staircases—it's basically a modern tree house for hungry book lovers. The encyclopedic menu of creatively conceived food and drink includes Mexican, American, and European staples, from burgers to breakfast sandwiches to macadamia-nut cheesecake, but what makes this place special is the artful aesthetic.

New York chefs cooking New York food for New York prices—in a jungle setting open to the night sky—that's Hartwood. Though the menu changes daily, options might include slow-roasted pork ribs marinated in agave honey or a light, fresh ceviche, and you can always finish with homemade ice cream in flavors like peanut brittle, sweet corn, and cream cheese. Big-city transplants Mya Henry and Eric Werner opened this solar-powered restaurant in 2011, and it has been drawing a full house ever since. Chef Werner has added farming to his list of talents, and the rabbit on the menu comes from his farm. The setting of dark-wood tables on a white pebble floor is remarkably charming, though mosquito-repellent smoke can get heavy at times. The open kitchen and massive oven make for a dramatic, fiery show when the sun goes down. In high season, book ahead by email or get here when the restaurant opens at 6, or risk a New York–style wait.

With sprawling views of vineyards, this restaurant and open-air kitchen is shaded by a thatched palapa and surrounded by acres of farmland where chef Roberto Alcocer gathers ingredients. Beer, wine, vegetables, fruit, cheese, bread, meat, eggs, honey—nearly everything served is from the on-site farm, making this a true farm-to-table experience. Each plate is a work of art, including the deconstructed salad, the sweetbread tacos, the clam chowder mousse, and the catch of the day with edible flowers. The menu changes monthly, but expect to find a celebration of colors and textures from a kitchen that delivers dishes dribbled in squid ink, topped with egg yoke, or whipped into a foam. Three, six, and 10-course tastings are available ($70, $100, $150), which are reasonable considering the quality of the food. The desserts are not overly sweet, allowing you to taste the flavors rather than just the sugar.

Warm and inviting, with wooden tables and colorful chalkboards announcing the day's aguas frescas, this 10-table hot spot is a must if you're looking for an unbeatable breakfast or lunch. Standouts include traditional chiles rellenos, fish tacos, and delicious French toast. Portions are massive, so be sure to come hungry. A self-serve coffee bar guarantees you always have a full cup of joe. Once you move on to cold beers and mango mimosas, it's difficult to leave.

One of the most beautifully designed and eclectic of the city's many contemporary food hall–style mercados, this bustling complex occupies a stylishly converted colonial home off Plaza del Carmen. The front contains hip boutiques selling sophisticated gourmet goodies, designer sunglasses, and mod housewares, and the open-air rear section is anchored by a bi-level seating area with a retractable roof that's fringed with trendy food stalls dispensing elevated pork buns, American barbecue, sushi, burgers, tortas, pizzas, tacos, and a range of wine, craft beer, and cocktail options. Order at the counters and grab a seat at one of the long communal tables set beneath rows of hanging ferns and Edison bulbs—your food will be brought out to you. Moira's Bakehouse, with its decadent teacakes and hand pies, is a must for dessert—it's located among the boutiques, before you reach the food hall.

This jungle-chic restaurant serves up creative fine-dining fare unlike anything else you'll find in the region. Standout dishes include al pib--style lamb (with roasted mushrooms and birria sauce reduction), a la talla--style catch of the day (with adobe sauce and Mexican grasshoppers), and mole verde with curry and breaded avocado. It's difficult with dishes this good, but leave room for dessert. The lime sherbet with tapioca and coconut, is the perfect, decadent end to a perfect, decadent meal. This creative fare is served in a romantic jungle setting, with distressed wood floors, exposed stone walls, and ceiling lights that mimic birds' nests. In the background, Mexican music and the sound of water falling complete the atmosphere. Even the most discriminating foodies won't be disappointed by this hidden gem tucked away on the beach road just before the Sian Ka'an nature reserve.

Although there's a charming downstairs seating area, the rooftop terrace of this delightful bistro serving creative Mexican dishes as well as pizzas and gastropub fare is hard to beat, with its views overlooking the town's central plaza and the steep cliffs that frame Malinalco. Highlights from the diverse menu include a tiradito of raw cecina with serrano chiles, marinated wild-boar tacos, and trout topped with pineapples, ham, and cheese in a lightly spicy sauce. Among the pizzas, the Yucateca-inspired pie with tender cochinita pibil and cured purple onions is a favorite. Save room for the traditional corn cake with whipped cream and berries for dessert.

It's quite soothing to sit in this restaurant at the ocean's edge under the shade of a palapa while watching the surfers. For breakfast munch on their machaca con huevos (eggs scrambled with shredded beef) washed down with a fresh-fruit smoothie, but later in the day, grab some blue shrimp tacos or a grilled marinated octopus accompanied by a blueberry mojito. Burgers are piled high with jalapeños and caramelized onions. For something light, try the sashimi with Thai dressing. Drop in to watch the sunset and dine on wild sea bass with lemon butter. With a focus on healthy cuisine, the kitchen uses all local organic ingredients, cooks with olive oil (instead of butter), uses soybean oil for deep-frying, and will not serve marlin, mahimahi, or parrotfish due to commercial overfishing. Your entertainment is simple: a wonderful view that never stops changing.

Despite the rebrand---a restaurant on the other side of the world forced them to change their name (it's Ophelia backward)---you'll find this garden escape is still a favorite among the Ensenada foodie crowd. Here a blending of European, American, and Asian cuisines and a handful of dependable flavors and ingredients---fresh fish, tomatoes, chilies, and cilantro---mix with unexpected ingredients like shiitake mushrooms, pork, and ginger glazes. Top sellers include the seared bluefin tuna, the fried wontons, and the grilled pork chops with a balsamic glaze. Daily specials usually come with regional vegetables and rosemary potatoes. A good stop on the way home after a long day touring Valle de Guadalupe's wineries, this spot highlights many of the region's wines.

Although this restaurant is a 10-minute drive from downtown, its location in an underground cavern makes it extremely popular. A candlelit rock stairway leads to a setting that's part Carlsbad Caverns, part The Flintstones. Some of the "cavernous" rooms are for lounging, some for drinking, some for eating, some for dancing. Creative lighting casts the stalactites and stalagmites in pale shades of violet, blue, and pink. Although the setting is the highlight, the food—including the xcatic octopus, shredded deer, lobster, and steak—is also quite good. With a packed house, this place can get rather musty and humid.

A cute, unpretentious local favorite, Alverre has the sort of extensive international menu that's perfect when you and your friends aren't exactly sure what you're hungry for. Excellent bets here include the bountiful jamón serrano salad with arugula and goat cheese, the oven-baked lasagna with Bolognese sauce, and enchiladas suizas with chicken, but you'll also find crepes, omelets, quiches, empanadas, pizzas, and sandwiches.

This easy-to-miss eatery offers a little bit of everything from fish and meat to pastas and vegetarian dishes, but it's best known for its superb pizza. Breakfasts, featuring delicious omelets and strong coffee, are also served. Big portions, drink specials, and a convivial vibe make the place a local favorite; once you settle in at one of the street-side tables, the staff treat you like an old friend.

Sky-high prices are justified by the sky of stars above your head as you dine at this romantic bay-side restaurant. Hanging lanterns, a glowing blue pool, and a sleek lounge complete the scene. The menu is ambitious and international, highlighting lobster, shrimp, and fish tartare. Although at times the views can seem to outshine the cuisine, the service is always top-notch.

Revolving slowly on the 45th floor of the World Trade Center, Bellini maintains a formal, reserved character. While it's definitely known less for its food than the views (romantically twinkling city lights at night and a pair of volcanoes on a clear day), it's still worth the dining experience, especially for its beloved osso buco and French onion soup. Despite the name, most dishes here aren't Italian but rather Mexican and international, with lobster as the specialty. Colonia Nápoles is a lovely residential neighborhood south of La Condesa and La Roma, and across Insurgentes Avenue from Del Valle Centro.

Whether you come for breakfast or lunch, you'll enjoy the relaxed vibe at this open-air café. Its menu ranges from Mexican classics like chilaquiles and huevos divorciados (eggs with chile sauce), to pizza, grilled meats, and fish later in the day. If you feel like lingering, have a glass of wine with a friend, or spend quality time with your laptop (Wi-Fi is free) while enjoying a cup of organic coffee from the highland state of Chiapas.

This cute and casual eatery was the first in Todos Santos to open with tourists intentionally in mind, back in 1993. The building is over a century old, and was a house in the late 1800s; the flooring is original from 1933. The chairs and wall decor are colorfully quirky and very Mexican, with the menu mixing traditional cuisine with international favorites.

Although the food is consistently good---omelets, chilaquiles, tamales with mole sauce at breakfast, and salads, pastas, and pizzas in the afternoon—the best reason to dine in this home that once belonged to famed silversmith William Spratling is the elegant setting. The high-ceilinged dining room and terraces of the gracious colonial building exude old-world charm, and tables have wonderful views of the town's red-roofed homes. The restaurant closes at 6 pm, making it an option for only for very early dinners.

Eat at the horseshoe-shaped bar—especially if you happen to be by yourself—or out under the sky. Beautifully restored, Zihua's oldest house has a gorgeous patio open to the stars and surrounded by zillions of tiny white lights. Try the grilled pork chop, the sweet and zesty lobster, or the shrimp-stuffed chiles rellenos. In the evening a keyboarder or romantic duo playing bossa nova or jazz is sure to entertain.

This low-key open-air oasis in the heart of El Pueblo has chit palms and ocean grape trees wrapped in fairy lights and adorned with seashell lanterns. House specialties like chicken mole and grilled octopus are served with a choice of two side dishes. Head to the rooftop lounge for live music and frozen mojitos.

On warm nights you can watch activities in the Plaza Vasco de Quiroga from a tiny balcony table at this second-floor restaurant. The brightly colored interior is warm and inviting, and the eclectic menu provides a break from typical Pátzcuaro fare: try the pear salad with goat cheese, walnuts, and watercress, or the chicken rolls stuffed with plantains, coconut, and almonds, topped with a mango sauce. For dessert try the mixed-fruit compote on phyllo dough drizzled with caramel and chocolate.

When was the last time you enjoyed a plate of stingray in black butter sauce? This unimposing restaurant encases the heart of Zihuatanejo's most deliciously inventive cuisine. Owner-chef Ricardo Rodriguez, who worked in Paris before returning to Mexico, applies deft Mexican and Mediterranean touches to seafood dishes in a beachcomber aura overlooking the bay. The melt-in-your-mouth abalone and exquisite grilled mahimahi under a sweet, spicy pineapple sauce are popular choices, but the house specialty remains patata rellena—potatoes stuffed with shrimp and lobster in a fresh basil-and-garlic sauce.

Helmed by warm and gracious owner-hosts, the restaurant in the Hotel Posada Edén Costa is widely considered the best in Huatulco. Its menu is certainly more varied than the competition, with French, Mexican, and Italian dishes—all well prepared. The huachinango en crema de poro (red snapper with a creamed leek sauce) is wonderful as is the boeuf bourguignon; the creamy almond-paste ice cream with fruit sauce is memorable. The bar has a fine selection of artisanal offerings such as Fidencio mezcal from Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca. The hotel's serviceable rooms (the largest have full kitchens) are beloved as long-stay havens by snowbirds from the United States and Canada.

This colorful restaurant set in a historic building in the trendy La Cruz district is filled with hanging plants, climbing vines, and eccentric paintings and folk art. Although popular for every meal of the day, the restaurant is especially known during the day for crepes, omelets, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and traditional Mexican dishes. Note that the restaurant is cash only.

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.

Located across the street from Malinalco's striking Agustino de la Transfiguración convent, this convivial taverna filled with whimsical artwork and lush hanging plants serves creative, eclectic fare with both Mexican and Mediterranean influences. You might start with beef carpaccio seasoned with lemon and olive oil or marinated-tuna tostadas with chipotle dressing, before graduating to grilled pistachio-crusted sea bass with roasted vegetables or linguine with a sauce of goat cheese, basil, and white wine.

It's a waterside palapa as large as a palace, but the character doesn't overshadow the menu: fish, beef, and pasta dishes are exquisitely prepared. A few old favorites come with a Mexican twist, perhaps a hint of cilantro or a spark of chili. There's an occasional outright adventure, such as stingray with black butter or calamari in its ink. Breakfast and lunch are served, too. The water views are hard to beat, especially at sunset.

The entrance to this second-floor restaurant is hidden on a small pedestrian walkway off Calle Enríquez, a block from Parque Juárez. Bright streamers, baskets of paper flowers, and paintings enliven the little cluster of dining rooms. Breakfast starts at 8 am, and includes delicious Mexican dishes like mole and chilaquiles, toasted tortillas in a spicy sauce. Lunch features hearty northern Veracruz fare. Delicious nopales (cactus strips) and chipotle chilies are essential elements of almost every dish.

The three-course lunch special costs between $3 and $5—such a deal.

You can stop by for an early dinner, but the restaurant closes at 5:30.

Open from 8 in the morning until late every evening (it closes a little earlier on Sunday night), this unpretentiously stylish café with a covered sidewalk terrace fits the bill for a wide range of occasions. Early in the day, it's a favorite for well-crafted espresso drinks, shakshuka, and French toast, but as the day continues, patrons drop by for smoked-trout sandwiches, French onion soup, and to share a bottle of from the short but well-chosen wine list. Service can be on the leisurely—though still friendly—side, but for many who favor this spot, that's the point.

Chef Jorge Melul, a master baker, has become known on the island for his breads, cakes, and pastas, made from organic, local grown ingredients. For a memorable meal, start with shrimp tempura dipped in chipotle cream or homemade pesto and then order the fish cooked in white wine and topped with spinach and pears. The daily catch is purchased directly from the fishermen who dock on the shores. If it's just ambience you're after, head to the rooftop Luuma bar for a reasonably priced basil mojito or ginger margarita.