Where to eat in Mexico is one of the most frequently asked questions by travellers who are organising a trip to this incredible country. Although we know that it is impossible to make a list of all the restaurants, after our experience on our trip to Mexico in 45 days, visiting most of the must-see places in Mexico, we want to give you a list, always from our experience, of the most recommended restaurants where to eat in Mexico. Let's start!
Basic tips for eating in restaurants in Mexico
Taking into accountthat gastronomy is a very important part of the country and that it is practically as much a part of the trip as the visits, we believe it is very important to know some of the best restaurants in Mexico, to be able to enjoy the best dishes and the best experiences after each day or between visits.
And although we could say that eating in Mexico does not require very specific advice, we do want to give you some details to make this moment a more intimate experience.
Something to bear in mind in Mexico is that most restaurants include service charges in the final bill. This is usually 10%, although as you get closer to the most touristic places in the country, this can increase to 25%.
The service charge is always optional and although we recommend including it, we believe that the place, the service and the quality should also be taken into account when determining the %.
In the ticket it is always indicated at the end, if the service is included or not and in case it is included, the %.
Although you may think that all Mexican dishes are spicy, nothing could be further from the truth, especially if you are in tourist areas, where the dishes have been adapted to the Western palate. That is why, although it is advisable to ask, most dishes are not excessively spicy.
Portions are usually large, so before ordering, it is also advisable to look at other tables to see more or less what they are like and, based on that, order one or more dishes.
The desserts deserve an extra mention, such as the corn pie, which is spectacular. Remember it and whenever you can, leave some room for it during the meal.
In our experience, although you can eat very cheaply in Mexico, if you go to tourist restaurants, the prices are higher. To give you an idea, you can see the prices in the list of recommended restaurants where to eat in Mexico below.
Recommended cards for travelling
Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate, we recommend you use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free and will save you a lot of money.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
Recommended restaurants where to eat in Mexico
Despite the impossibility of making a selection of all the recommended restaurants in Mexico, we do want to leave you a list divided by the areas we visited, of the restaurants we ate in during our trip and which we recommend, so that you can get an idea of the prices and the most typical or recommended dishes.
Restaurants in Mexico City
As we said before about recommendations on where to eat in Mexico, it is impossible to make a list of recommended restaurants in CDMX. However, after being in the city for several days, during which we visited most of the must-see places in Mexico City as well as some of the best tours and excursions in Mexico City, we would like to leave you with a selection of what we consider to be the best restaurants in Mexico City.
Taqueria El Caifan: In Mexico City, in the area of the Palace of Fine Arts and the Alameda Central, we recommend you not to miss this taqueria, a highly recommended restaurant in Mexico City.
We ordered guacamole, tacos, quesadillas, soft drink, beer and two coffees for 298 pesos.
Taqueria El Caifan
Restaurant El Cardenal: Another recommended restaurant in Mexico City is this local restaurant, in the heart of the Historic Centre, very close to the Zócalo and the Zócalo Central hotel.
We ordered a tuna ceviche plus smoked tuna tostadas and a plate of octopus plus two waters for 620 pesos, which were exquisite.
However, bear in mind that the opening hours are until 18:30, so if you want to come, it's best to go early.
Dinner at El Cardenal restaurant
Azul Histórico: Another of the most recommended restaurants in Mexico City is this one, located right in the centre of the city. Going there at night, as you can see in the photograph, is to enjoy a unique atmosphere, as well as exquisite service and gastronomy.
We ordered a guacamole as a starter, a cochinita pibil as a main course and some fritters with mole plus a glass of wine, water and a couple of coffees for 795 pesos.
Azul Histórico Restaurant
After the experience we have to say that although it is a bit more expensive than the more usual restaurants, the result is incredibly good, so it is more than recommended.
Dinner at Azul Histórico Restaurant
Balcón del Zócalo: Located in the Zócalo Central hotel, with incredible and unique views of the Zócalo, this is another of the most recommended restaurants in Mexico City.
Views of the Zócalo from the Balcón del Zócalo restaurant.
The day we were there we ordered a guacamole a la mesa, some octopus tostadas, a gordita of duck confit plus water and beer for 895 pesos. All the dishes were exquisite and highly recommended.
Guacamole at the table at Balcón del Zócalo
Casareyna: Located in Puebla, this is considered the best restaurant in the city and one of the must-visit places to eat in Mexico. Highly recommended are the chalupas poblanas, a mole de la abuela and the king's tuna. We ordered these three dishes plus beer, water and two coffees for 800 pesos.
Mole de la abuela. Casareyna
Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico, but in addition to its beauty, places to see and walks through its charming streets, the restaurants where to eat in San Miguel de Allende also deserve a mention.
Café Oso Azul: If your breakfast is not included in your accommodation in San Miguel de Allende or you feel like eating something light, we recommend you not to miss this cafeteria, very well known in San Miguel de Allende, where you can try one of the most incredible chilaquiles in the world.
We ordered green chilaquiles, some huevos rancheros with fruit plus soft drinks and two coffees for 250 pesos.
Blue Bear. San Miguel de Allende
Baja Fish Taquito: Another must-visit restaurant in San Miguel de Allende and one of the most recommended places to eat in Mexico. We ordered shrimp with cheese, guacamole with tortilla chips, octopus and shrimp tacos, plus beer and soft drink and coffee for 385 pesos.
Baja Fish Taquito
San Agustin: Whether for breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner, in San Miguel de Allende you can't miss a visit to this café, an institution in the city, where you can't miss the chocolate con churros tasting.
We ordered a chocolate marmoleado, which is Spanish chocolate with white chocolate, plus a churro filled with dulce de leche and a lemonade with cheesecake for 147 pesos.
Snack in San Agustin
Restaurants in Guanajuato
Considered another of Mexico's must-see cities, Guanajuato is the perfect place to spend a few days getting to know some of the country's most deeply-rooted traditions and to prove what they say about it: In Guanajuato anything is possible.
La Trattoria: If you want to change your diet a bit and opt for Italian gastronomy, in Guanajuato you cannot miss this Italian restaurant, located right in the historic centre of the city.
We ordered a salami pizza and a pasta dish plus beer, water and coffees for 520 pesos, which we have to say, are exquisite and we can only recommend it.
Eating at La Trattoria in Guanajuato
Los Campos Restaurant: Another must-visit restaurant in Guanajuato is the number 1 in the city. As it is quite small and in high demand, it is best to make sure you get a table by booking a little in advance.
The night we were there we ordered a guacamole, a goat cheese, plus quesadillas and tacos with water for 370 pesos. Incredibly delicious and also super value for money.
Guanajuato
Estación Gelato Artesanal: If you want to taste a good ice cream in Guanajuato, there is nothing better than this little place to do it. Located in the beautiful Cantaritos alley, we opted for a strawberry ice cream granita and a chocolate ice cream for 80 pesos, which we have to say, are exquisite.
Gelato Station
El Midi Bistro: In Guanajuato we recommend you to go one day to this highly recommended restaurant in the city where we ordered several dishes to share: hummus, handmade salami, tomato pie and beef tartar, plus beer and lemonade and two coffees for 732 pesos.
The Midi Bistro
Unbelievable, highly recommended!
La Vie en Rose: Another place not to be missed in Guanajuato is the best pastry shop in town, where we dined on a couple of pies plus soft drinks for 230 pesos.
Restaurants in Zacatecas
Zacatecas was one of the big surprises of our trip, not only because of the city itself but also because of the places to eat in Mexico that we enjoyed in the city.
Lucky Luciano: In Zacatecas you can't miss this restaurant, the most recommended in the city.
We ordered a fried cheese, some enchiladas with mole and some with red chilli, plus soft drinks, beer and coffee for 650 pesos, which we have to say, is exquisite, as well as having a very special place and owner. Highly recommended.
Lucky Luciano in Zacatecas
Acrópolis Restaurant: Another of the restaurants we recommend in Zacatecas is located in the historic centre and very close to the Hotel Casa Torres which was our accommodation in Zacatecas, where we ordered a torta de lomo, cheese and chorizo quesadillas plus water and soft drink for 350 pesos.
Dinner at the Acrópolis restaurant
Gorditas Doña Julia: If you feel like a quick but hearty meal in Zacatecas, you can't miss this place, another of the most recommended places to eat in Mexico and the best known in the city for gorditas.
We ordered 4 assorted gorditas, between 15 and 20 pesos each, plus two soft drinks for 165 pesos. We can't say more than "Impressive! Although we also have to say that they are quite filling, even though they don't look like it, and that the rajas with cheese and the egg ones are not spicy, not spicy at all!
Gorditas Doña Julia
Restaurants in Guadalajara
This city was another of the big surprises of the trip, although in this case, it was not love at first sight, as we commented on several occasions in the guide we wrote about the trip. Nevertheless, little by little, we ended up getting hooked, both as a city and its gastronomy.
Café Boutique: In Guadalajara we recommend eating at the Teatro Degollado, one of the must-visits in Guadalajara.
We ordered nachos, a plate of jicama, a pizza and salad, as we already had to eat green, plus beer and soft drinks and coffees for 450 pesos. Everything was great, although you have to bear in mind that you can only pay in cash.
Boutique Café
La Chata de Guadalajara: If you want to taste a traditional dish of the gastronomy of Guadalajara or the country, you cannot miss this place, which is among the most recommended in the city.
Located in the heart of the historic centre, it is usually full, although the queues that usually form at the door go quite fast.
We recommend you try the famous torta ahogada for 60 pesos each.
Torta ahogada
Restaurants in San Cristóbal de las Casas
Undoubtedly one of Mexico's must-visits and one of the places we are sure to return to. In addition to the city and all the gifts it gave us in the way of landscapes, culture, people and unforgettable moments, we can't forget the opportunity it gave us to eat in some of the most recommended places to eat in Mexico.
La Lupe: In San Cristóbal de las Casas you can't miss this restaurant, one of the most recommended in the city, located in the Andador Real de Guadalupe. We ordered guacamole, tacos al pastor and quesadillas arracheras, plus strawberry water, a beer and two coffees for 316 pesos.
Eating at La Lupe. San Cristobal de las Casas
All the dishes are incredibly good, the service is perfect, the terrace overlooking the street is very cosy and the prices are very reasonable.
Oh La La: Being in San Cristóbal de las Casas you can't miss the moment of tasting an incredible coffee and if this is accompanied by a sweet, all the better. And the best place for that is, without a doubt, Oh La La. We ordered a couple of coffees plus a sweet for 83 pesos and we have to say, they are exquisite.
Oh La La
Restaurants in Palenque
This is another must-visit place in Mexico and one of the most magical places in the world. Although it is usually a place to pass through, where most travellers spend a day to visit the archaeological site, it is advisable to visit some restaurants where you can enjoy Mexican gastronomy.
Maya Cañada Restaurant: Especially if you are staying at La Cañada, we recommend you not to miss this place, which is right next to the Hotel Chablis Palenque, our accommodation in Palenque, where we ordered an octopus, plus shrimp ceviche, beer, soft drinks and coffee for 600 pesos, which we have to say are exquisite.
Maya Cañada Restaurant
Café Jade: Another restaurant we recommend in the area of La Cañada in Palenque is Café Jade.
We ordered a pasta dish, guacamole, cochinita cakes, natural juices and two coffees for 395 pesos, which is great.
Café Jade. Palenque
Restaurants in Campeche
Campeche was the start of our drive through Mexico and a treat for us in the way of colour and tranquillity and of course, with a visit to Edzná, one of the most incredible places in the country.
La Parrilla Colonial: If you want to eat at one of the restaurants on Calle 59, one of Campeche' s tourist attractions and one of the best things to do in Campeche, we recommend you to do so at the most recommended restaurant in Campeche, where we tried the famous coconut shrimp, grilled octopus, corn pie, plus beer, lemon water and two espressos for 893 pesos.
Coconut shrimps at La Parrilla Colonial
The truth is that the food is very good, although we think the prices are quite high for what we have eaten, plus they try to put a 20% service charge on the bill, something that is the first time this has happened to us in Mexico, where since we arrived, the times they have included it on the bill, it has always been 10%.
Chocol'ha: If you want to have a light snack or dinner, we recommend the best-known restaurant-cafeteria in Campeche and one of the best places to eat in Mexico. We came here for dinner and ordered a couple of savoury crepes plus two natural juices and two coffees for 268 pesos.
The truth is that we didn't really like the savoury crepes, but the sweet crepes we saw were incredible.
Chocol'ha
Marganzo: Another restaurant not to be missed is Marganzo, another of the most recommended restaurants in the city, where we ordered a plate of octopus, a pan de cazón, a typical Campeche dish, beer, chaya and pineapple water plus dessert and two coffees for 633 pesos.
Pan de Cazón in Marganzo
After our experience we can only say that this restaurant is highly recommended!
Restaurants in Laguna Bacalar
Laguna Bacalar, despite being one of the most recommended places in the country, gave us mixed emotions as we found it very touristy. In spite of that, it gave us unique moments and an exquisite gastronomy.
Mango y Chile: If you are in Bacalar, a magical town, we recommend you not to miss Mango y Chile, one of the most recommended restaurants in the city. We ordered a classic hamburger, falafel tacos, two smoothies and coffees for 320 pesos, and everything was delicious!
Eating at Mango and Chile
Restaurants on the Puuc Route - Uxmal
Known for being one of the most impressive places in Mexico, we are sure that if you come to the area you won't fail to spend at least one day here. However, as in other places, we think it's important to have an idea of where to eat in Mexico to make the most of your time.
The Pickled Onion: Very close to Uxmal, on the Puuc Route, we recommend this restaurant, located on the Puuc Route, quite close to Uxmal, where we ordered a guacamole, fajitas, Greek salad and two juices plus coffee and dessert for 450 pesos. The truth is that everything is very good and it is more than recommended if you are in the area. They are also open very early in the morning, so it can be a good option for breakfast if it is not included in your accommodation.
Restaurants in Celestún
Known for being one of the most idyllic places in Mexico, Celestun is the place where you can do the Celestun Tour in Yucatan, one of the most recommended in the country, and also one of the places to eat in Mexico that will not disappoint you.
Los Pampanos Restaurant: In Celestún we recommend you to go at least once to the most recommended restaurant in the town, where we saw the sea for the first time in this part of the country after visiting Uxmal in Yucatán. We ordered an avocado stuffed with crab, shrimp and cheese quesadillas, breaded squid and octopus, plus soft drink, beer and two coffees for 610 pesos. Besides the fact that the food is very good, we have to say that this restaurant, as well as a couple of others in the same location, is to be enjoyed, as they have direct access to the beach, making them the perfect place to enjoy several hours.
Los Pampanos Restaurant
El Lobo: Another restaurant we recommend in Celestún is this one, located in the main square. We had a couple of pizzas plus beer, soft drinks, coffee and dessert for 350 pesos. Both the service and the pizzas are exquisite!
New Year's Eve dinner at El Lobo Restaurant
Restaurants in Merida
Another of Mexico's most beautiful cities and one of the places not to be missed on any trip to the country. Besides the city as such, the places to visit in the surrounding areas make this one of the most impressive areas you can enjoy on this trip.
La Chaya Maya: If you are in Merida you cannot miss this restaurant where to eat in Mexico, where their speciality is Yucatecan food.
We ordered an order of cochinita, a plate of tikin-xic plus two aguas de chaya and two espressos for 510 pesos for a memorable meal. Definitely a highly recommended place.
Eating at La Chaya Maya
Restaurants in Izamal
One of the most unforgettable experiences in Mexico was strolling through Izamal, the yellow city of Mexico, which also gave us one of the most exquisite gastronomic experiences in the country: tasting papadzules.
Kinich: In Izamal you can't miss this restaurant, one of the most recommended in the country, where Yucatecan food is the main protagonist.
We ordered the Kinich papadzules, a plate of cochinita pibil, venison dzic, plus soft drink, beer and Neapolitan flan for 610 pesos. After the experience we have to say that despite being a tourist restaurant, the taste and quality of all the dishes is exquisite, the papadzules being the best we tasted during the whole trip to Mexico on our own.
Papadzules Kinich
Restaurants in Rio Lagartos
This is another of the places we visited during our route and where, as it happened to us all over the country, we returned to eat and enjoy the gastronomy as much as the culture, the landscapes and the people.
Perico Marinero: In Río Lagartos be sure to try this restaurant where we ordered a ceviche, pickled octopus plus a lemonade, a beer and two espressos for 460 pesos, which are exquisite.
Ceviche at Perico Marinero restaurant
Restaurants in Valladolid
Another must-visit city in Mexico, where you can also take a tour of the best cenotes in Valladolid to discover some of the most fascinating places in the world.
Restaurant El Mesón del Marqués: In Valladolid you can't miss this restaurant, the most recommended in Valladolid, where we enjoyed an incredible dinner with guacamole on the table, a Caribbean steak, which was cooked in front of us and papadzules plus two melon waters, dessert and coffees for 630 pesos, which made us feel great.
Restaurant El Mesón del Marqués
Restaurant El Atrio del Mayab: Another place you can't miss in Valladolid is located right in front of our hotel, next to the main square of Valladolid, where we ordered guacamole, papadzules and stuffed cheese, water, beer, dessert and two coffees for 510 pesos, a price we found very reasonable, both for the quality and the quantity.
Eating at the restaurant El Atrio del Mayab
Restaurants in Tulum
Undoubtedly one of Mexico's paradises and one of the most coveted places for travellers from all over the world. In addition to one of the most impressive archaeological sites and postcard beaches, despite being one of the most touristy places, you can also enjoy the best dishes of Mexican gastronomy in some of the most recommended restaurants where to eat in Mexico.
La Malquerida: In Tulum we recommend eating at this restaurant, one of the best places to eat in Tulum, where we ordered guacamole as a starter and shrimp tacos as a main course plus beer, watermelon juice and coffee for 500 pesos, all very good! So it is more than recommended as a restaurant in Tulum town.
Eating at La Malquerida
Il Boconccino: Another restaurant we recommend in Tulum is this Italian restaurant. We ordered tuna loins plus a pasta dish, beer, soft drink, dessert and two coffees for 595 pesos.
Restaurants in Holbox
Paradise. That's all. This island confirmed to us that places with magic still exist and that you just have to know how to find them.
Here we spent the last week of this trip, enjoying all the things to do in Holbox (Mexico) that this piece of land has to offer, saying goodbye to the country and making the most of its gastronomy in some of the best restaurants in Mexico.
Barba Negra: One of the places you can't miss in Holbox is Barba Negra, one of our favourite restaurants in Holbox.
We ordered three tacos each, shrimp and fish, plus lemonade and jamaica juice for 330 pesos. An incredible price for what are so far the best tacos we have tasted on this trip to Mexico on our own. In addition to some incredible dishes, we have to say that they have an exquisite service, something that gives this little place even more charm if that's possible.
Tacos at Barba Negra
El Chapulín: This is another of the recommended restaurants in Holbox, where they don't have a menu as such, as they work with fresh produce of the day.
The procedure to choose is a bit curious, since first they offer you a drink with or without alcohol, among which you can choose different cocktails and refreshing drinks, and then with the presence of the chef at your table, you choose one of the dishes he offers you.
Tonight we chose a natural lemonade, a chapulin cocktail, prawns with mole verde, fish of the day, chocolate cake and two coffees for 1050 pesos.
Although a little more expensive than the average of what we have been eating these days on the trip, the truth is that both the quality and the service are impeccable, so the price is more than justified.Pizzeria Edelyn: This pizzeria located in the central square of Holbox is the best known for a very special reason: it is the place where the famous lobster pizza was invented.
After our experience we have to say that the pizza is good, although the dough doesn't suit our taste, as it is like "bread" and we couldn't quite get the hang of it. It's worth bearing in mind that a large pizza is enough for two people, and even more if you add a starter.
The price of the lobster pizza is 400 pesos for a medium pizza and 500 pesos for a large one, and you can pay by credit card.
The customer service at the restaurant is a bit dry and in a month and a bit of travelling, it is the only place that refuses to give us a ticket for what we have consumed.Las Panchas: This is another of the most recommended restaurants on the island of Holbox for seafood and fish.
The medium ceviche costs 180 pesos and the lobster about 400 pesos for 400 grams, although it depends on the day.
We ordered a mixed ceviche, lobster tacos (250 pesos) plus beer and melon water for 510 pesos
The lobster tacos are good, but the lobster has too much breading, which is not mentioned on the menu, to fill it and in the end the flavour is lost.
Please note that you can't pay by credit card.
Las Panchas
Milpa: Located very close to the main square of Holbox, this small restaurant is the most recommended on the island. They have a fairly extensive menu and for two people they recommend a starter and two main courses.
We ordered shrimp sphere, shrimp and octopus, plus chocolate dessert, glass of wine, juice and coffee for 1100 pesos. Although the price is a little higher than the rest of the restaurants, it is a reference point, as well as having exquisite food and service. It is worth noting that you can pay by credit card.
Milpa Restaurant in Holbox
Casa Nostra: Considered the best Italian restaurant on the island, we went at 1:30 in the afternoon, when everywhere they announce that the opening time is at 1 o'clock, even in the reception area, as it is inside a hotel.
When we arrived at the door they told us, practically without looking at us, that the restaurant was not open and that if we wanted to eat we had to wait until at least 2:30 in the afternoon. Logically, after this treatment, we did not return.Viva Zapata: Another of the most recommended restaurants on the island of Holbox and where to eat in Mexico. We ordered garlic and butter shrimp and lobster medallions, plus beer, water and coffees for 840 pesos. The lobster was delicious and very reasonably priced.
Please note that you can pay by credit card at Viva Zapata.
Viva Zapata
El Hornito Argentino: If you want a change of food, this place offers very good pizzas for 170 pesos on average.
Please note that you can pay by credit card.
El Hornito Argentino
Capriccio: If you are looking for a good place on the island where you can have a good coffee and a delicious oreo cheesecake, this is the place for you. It also has an exquisite customer service, a reasonable price and free wifi, much better than many hotels in the area, which makes it one of the most recommended places to eat in Mexico.
Capriccio
Rosa Mexicano: Another of the best restaurants to eat in Holbox and for us a must on the island. They also have an exquisite and personalised service and a unique quality. We ordered guacamole, octopus and melted cheese, plus cheesecake ice cream (impressive) and two coffees for 700 pesos.
Rosa Mexicano, one of the restaurants where to eat in Mexico
If you feel like helping us to expand the list of the best restaurants to eat in Mexico, add yours in the comments.
