18 Best Restaurants in Mexico

The name says it all at this New York–inspired restaurant where entrées are grilled on wooden planks or Himalayan salt blocks. The smoky flavors of cedar, maple, hickory, and oak come through in signature dishes like grilled salmon or beef filet in mushroom sauce. Sides of roasted cauliflower and grilled asparagus are served in mini cast-iron skillets, and flatbreads are topped with Brie cheese, cherry tomatoes, and arugula leaves. Cocktails such as the Margarita Golden add smolder to your meal. This is the place to celebrate birthdays, as the entire staff will burst out in song with cake and sparklers.

Modeled after the dock warehouses that have been converted into modern eateries in Argentina's Puerto Madero, this steak-and-seafood restaurant gets rave reviews from locals. The grilled octopus seasoned with paprika is exceptional, as are the thin tuna rolls filled with Alaskan crab meat and Maine lobster. The sushi menu lists swanky appetizers. If the restaurant is too loud inside, ask for a table outside on the patio overlooking the lagoon. Reservations are recommended on weekends.

Opened by three-Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, this signature restaurant at One&Only Palmilla is one of the priciest spots in Los Cabos, but it's also one of the best. Boasting hand-selected cuts of steak and freshly caught Pacific seafood, the menu showcases everything from caviar to Kobe beef. Their premier wines from around the world pair beautifully with such entrées as grilled lamb chops and steamed red snapper. Appetizers like black truffle pizza and roasted foie gras pastrami will make you swoon. For a sweet finish, try the strawberry pavlova or coconut custard. Live guitar takes this fine-dining restaurant to the next level in romance, but expect to pay heavily for the memorable evening. Feeling more casual? Adjacent to Seared is Suviche Bar, which offers fresh sushi and Mexican ceviches incorporating both local and Asian flavors, and chic cocktails.

One of the most sophisticated restaurants in Puerto Vallarta and a favorite of meat lovers, Sonora Prime is a renowned chain that serves high-quality steaks, imported directly from the northern Mexican state of Sonora.

Locals recommend this steak house with large windows, high ceilings, and white linens, so the place is often crowded. The steaks and tacos are all tasty, served with roasted green onions and plenty of salsas. Out back there's a playground with tables where parents can enjoy a coffee and dessert while kids can run around.

The cowhides decorating the walls let you know exactly what's on the menu at this longtime favorite. Start off with Argentine-style empanadas (stuffed with beef, naturally), then move on to the grilled short ribs. If you have a hankering for the enormous rib eye, call at least three hours ahead. The impressive wine list includes selections from Argentina, Chile, and Spain, as well as a respectable representation from Mexico.

This steak house also serves grilled chicken and seafood. Under a roof but open on all sides and with an incredible view, it's highly recommended by visitors and locals. In fact, it’s a popular place for locals’ reunions and family parties.

The initial draw of this rooftop restaurant may be its privileged overlook of Médano Beach (sunset, unsurprisingly, is the hottest hour for a reservation), but the strength of the menu would warrant a visit, regardless. Every item from this "Open Fire Kitchen" is grilled and smoked, bringing a creative technique and fresh flavor to an area mostly dominated by beach clubs. The wind can get somewhat fearsome come nightfall, but thick, cozy blankets are readily provided.

The scent of sizzling steaks and a giant neon cowboy draw meat lovers to this cavernous ranch-style restaurant morning, noon, and night. The epic menu lists nearly 100 dishes—from spicy chorizo hot off the grill to tongue sautéed with tomatoes and onions. Or try the shrimp stuffed with peppers and wrapped in bacon. The house specialty drink, jarra de clericot (red wine with melon and pineapple), is delicious. The place opens at 7 am for breakfast.

A dark, wood-paneled restaurant with leather booths, Mexican antiques, and a large central fireplace, this is one of Rosarito's oldest eateries, and the best in town for atmosphere. Diners unimpressed with newer, fancier places come here for grilled venison, lamb, and quail from the owner's farm in the Baja wine country. Made-to-order tortillas, salsa, and margaritas are remarkably fresh. Farm-grown mangos, strawberries, and melons are infused into simple syrups for cocktails. They serve organic vegetables, have a delicious flan, and offer wine tastings in their small damp cellar. Ask for a table on the back patio where potted plants and a waterfall make a pleasant setting in the charming greenhouse.

High-profile locals and visitors alike are drawn to this contemporary steak house’s Vegas–meets–Beverly Hills style. The spectacular menu features glazed duck, Maine lobster, and Kobe beef served with aged Vermont cheddar cheese. When you get past the glass meat cooler in the lobby, you’ll encounter the dimly lit interior dominated by white stone, with cedar beams adding a touch of warmth. (All that stone creates echoes; ask about patio seating.) The concept here is impressive—steaks are aged in-house for 21–28 days, then grilled and broiled to perfection. Save room for dessert. Waiters deliver a tower of cotton candy with the check. (Try not to faint when you see the total.)

Follow your nose to this Mexican grill house, where locals gather for some of the best-tasting steak in town. The open-air restaurant is filled with the sounds of mariachi music blaring from the radio, and a mounted bull's head hangs above the plastic tables and chairs. The main draws are the huge cuts of beef, pork, and chicken served with baskets of corn tortillas, baked potatoes, and ripe avocados. This might just be the tastiest arrachera (skirt steak) you'll find on your vacation. There is a second location on Calle 1ra Sur.

The scent of sizzling steak wafts from the door of this open-air restaurant. Portions are huge; the mixed grill for two, four, or six people comes with beans, tortillas, and salsa—a super deal. A beautiful wooden staircase leads to the second-floor terrace that overlooks the marimba players who entertain most afternoons. To see the floor show on Friday and Saturday nights, make reservations in advance.

Named for its location on the map, this upscale restaurant at El Cielo Vineyards specializes in grilled cuts and Baja-Yucatán cuisine. Suggested El Cielo wines are listed next to each menu item to assure a perfect pairing with dishes baked in annatto, sour orange, and other unique indigenous spices. The pork belly tacos are particularly good, as is the cast-iron octopus bathed in chili oil. The main challenge is deciding between the strawberry crumble or the chocolate ganache pudding. 

This popular steak house is a great place to enjoy a meal on a sunny day. There's a nice outdoor dining area with plants as well as toucans and other birds in cages. The menu has large tasty salads, including the so-called Kenya salad, with lettuce, nuts, pear, grapes, spinach, and Brie. Try the puntas de filete a la Mexicana (tenderloin tips with a red Mexican sauce served with rice and beans).

This elegant restaurant, with its white linens, open trusses, and soft candlelight is the best steak house in Baja California. Prepared on mesquite wood, the steak is divine and tender, almost as if it's been marinated in butter (though the chef swears salt and a little love are the secret). Aged for 21 days, the rib eye is the star of the show—juicy, flavorful, and served with a side of asparagus and baked potato. Preempt the experience with local oysters, a Baja beer tasting, and the romaine wedge doused in blue cheese. They also serve homemade pastas, grilled lamb, and hamburgers. The wine list extensive. The chocolate truffle cake will leave you asking, “Did I really just eat that whole thing?”

Come to this sophisticated steak house for the finest cuts of the famous Sonoran beef. You won't break the bank, as the prices here are quite reasonable. The specialty, rib-eye steak, is aged for 28 days. Vegetarians can graze on a variety of salads or opt for cream of green chili soup. The restaurant is a good spot for a late-night meal—it's open until 1 am.

Menu highlights at this beautifully designed, upscale restaurant include tuna steak in a black-pepper crust and Angus beef served with rosemary potatoes. A glass wall separates the formal indoor dining room from the less-formal patio seating area, which is surrounded by lush vegetation that helps you forget that you are on a bustling avenue. Although steaks are the specialty, you'll also find plenty of delicious tapas and salads, and the starters alone make Trotter's worth visiting—try the octopus carpaccio or foie gras.