Must-see restaurants in Western Central Highlands

  • Fonda Marceva

    Morelia

    Specializing in the cuisine of the Tierra Caliente (Hot Land) region of Michoacán’s southeast corner, this lovely courtyard restaurant spread over three…

  • Las Mercedes

    Morelia

    This astonishingly decorated restaurant is spread over various rooms in an erstwhile colonial mansion. The rich decor could pass for a museum with…

  • La Leña

    Guadalajara Region

    Get away from the rather sanitized restaurants around the malecón and try a slice of local life at this semi-open-air place a flight above Chapala’s main…

  • Papas y Miel

    Guadalajara

    A tiny vegetarian cafe channeling Miami Beach with its hint of art deco, pastel walls and flamingo accents. Dishes are beautifully presented,…

  • Chapala's Fonda

    Guadalajara Region

    For something more down to earth than the glossy restaurants around the lake, check out the simple restaurants under the portales (arcades) of the main…

  • Allium

    Guadalajara

    This sleek fine-dining addition to Guadalajara’s growing gourmet circuit directed by chef Sebastian Renner Hamdan puts emphasis on locally produced food:…

  • Chiles & Beer

    Guadalajara

    Despite it's unfortunate name, this is one of the best places in Tlaquepaque for fresh seafood. It's best known for its aguachiles (spicy ceviche) – 17…

  • El Zapote

    Guadalajara Region

    This friendly local restaurant decorated with antiquated farm implements serves its house specialty, the eponymous zapote (chimichanga), with pride but…

  • Hueso

    Guadalajara

    The preserve of acclaimed chef Alfonso Cadena (in fact, it's described as his taller, or 'workshop'), this restaurant gets consistently rave reviews for…

  • La Cocina de Licha

    Morelia

    One of Morelia’s best deals available can be found at this super-friendly hole-in-the-wall, which serves up cocina económica (literally ‘economic cuisine’…

  • Zaguán

    Guadalajara

    Touted as one of Tlaquepaque's best eateries, this restaurant and gallery places a lot of emphasis on colors, tastes and textures and is largely…

  • Napoli Centro

    Western Central Highlands

    The pizzas are huge and the pasta dishes savory (especially the seafood linguine), but we come to this Italian eatery up the steps from the Museo Regional…

  • Ajijic Tango

    Guadalajara Region

    Ajijic’s most popular restaurant is never less than crammed with locals, resident expats and visitors, all here to enjoy the excellent steaks (it is an…

  • i Latina

    Guadalajara

    This eccentrically decorated place requires a sharp double-take with its wall of ceramic pigs, a giant swordfish and lots of kitsch, fun touches. The…

  • El Rinconcito

    Morelia

    A small corner eatery with a fast moving line, Rinconcito serves up home-style meals in a colorful dining room. Expect traditional eats like milanesa …

  • Tomate Taquería

    Guadalajara

    A bustling, sit down taquería serving up fresh tacos or, if you're really hungry, taco meat by the kilo (with unlimited corn tortillas and all the fixins)…

  • La Cafetería

    Guadalajara

    A French bistro style cafe with shabby chic decor and a pleasant patio shaded by huge flamboyan trees. The menu consists of a creative combo of foods from…

  • Llueve Café

    Western Central Highlands

    A half-block from the main plaza, this artsy two-story cafe, serves up creative sandwiches, salads and desserts plus a mean menu of coffee drinks and…

  • El Cargol

    Guadalajara

    You can pay homage to Catalonia (that Spanish collector of Michelin stars) in the unlikely environs of Chapultepec at the family-run 'Snail.' The Catalan…

  • La Jíma

    Guadalajara Region

    This comfortable restaurant serving international favorites at the Los Abolengos hotel has seating both inside and in the covered back garden. The lovely…

  • Anita Li

    Guadalajara

    Next door to gourmet Guadalajara restaurant I Latina is its lighter, brighter sister restaurant, Anita Li (I Latina spelt backwards) offering a fusion…

  • Beer Garden

    Guadalajara Region

    This Chapala institution has drawn crowds to the lakefront since 1925. Enjoy guacamole mixed at your table (M$99), deep-fried local charales (whitebait),…

  • TlaquePasta

    Guadalajara

    This upmarket restaurant, open to all at the Quinta Don José in Tlaquepaque, specializes in Italian fare, though it has a fair number or other…

  • Tacos Doña Mary

    Western Central Highlands

    Take it from local Comalans: this simple stall with a few outside seats has the best tacos in the region. But don't start World War III by debating which…

  • Festín del Portal

    Guadalajara Region

    Overlooking the main plaza, this study in primary colors is reminiscent of a first grade classroom but the food is far from elementary: hearty salads,…

  • Piccolo Suizo

    Western Central Highlands

    Comala's priciest eatery is a strange hybrid – a Swiss-owned restaurant with dishes from the land of the cuckoo clock and a Sunday speciality of paella…

  • Pig's Pearls

    Guadalajara

    Tapatíos rave about the burgers here – there are a dozen to choose from – so who are we to argue? Sit in the industrial-chic terrace in fine weather or…

  • Chimbombo's Grill

    Guadalajara

    This bustling streetside grill is the place to come for steaks and spicy tortas ahogadas. Steaks are rubbed with olive oil, splashed with soy sauce and…

  • Chile Amor

    Western Central Highlands

    This very colorful corner eatery, with floor-to-ceiling painted walls and where the waitstaff wear flamboyant traditional Mexican garb, serves some of the…

  • El Chile Verde

    Guadalajara Region

    A world away from all the arty expat-style restaurants and cafes, this tiny lemon-and-lime-colored eatery serves up authentic and delicious home-cooked…

  • Don Comalón

    Western Central Highlands

    One of many restaurants lining Comala's main plaza that serves a botana (free snack) with every drink you order. If you haven't got time to make your…

  • Posada Alpina

    Guadalajara Region

    Right on the main plaza, Posada Alpina is a smart hotel-restaurant that serves the best molcajete stew (choose beef, chicken or prawn) and chilaquiles …

  • La Palapa de Don Juan

    Guadalajara Region

    A soaring palapa and two floors of waterfront dining, make Don Juan's a popular spot for daytime eats with locals and daytrippers alike. The menu ranges…

  • Merendero Lake

    Guadalajara Region

    This self-styled 'gourmet burger' joint does grill a decent patty (M$89 to M$95) but there are also salads (M$70) and prawn dishes (M$125 to M$140) on…

  • La Palapa del Guayabo

    Guadalajara Region

    This may not be the best seafood restaurant on the boardwalk, but it's the largest, and its sprawling terrace practically reaches Isla de los Alacranes…

  • Paulino's

    Guadalajara Region

    This fonda-like eatery above the northern side of the Plaza Principal serves basic Mexican dishes in substantial portions but the main reason for climbing…

  • La Troje de Mazamitla

    Guadalajara Region

    This very popular hotel-restaurant on the road out of town and not far from the bus station serves lots of seafood dishes (but not exclusively so) and its…

  • Carnes a la Leña Amatián

    Guadalajara Region

    This roadside eatery is an excellent place to feast on wood-grilled lamb, pork and beef and all their fiery excellent accompaniments. To drink, try a…

  • Mercado de San Juan

    Morelia

    Also known as Mercado Revolución for its address, this is a favorite of Morelia's trinity of markets, with meat, produce, dry goods and an infinite…

  • La Guarecita Peltre

    Morelia

    Resting on your laurels in the leafy, music-filled Jardín de las Rosas is a Morelia rite of passage – the university is around the corner and the music…

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