During my most recent trip to San Miguel de Allende, I was not only impressed with the city’s finest dining establishments but also by the town itself.
That it was not very genuine was something that I had heard from a lot of people. Both the fact that it was too costly and the fact that it was solely occupied by people from other countries.
To tell you the truth, I had heard most of this from my acquaintance who lived in the area and with whom I was traveling. He had been there before and reluctantly agreed to come back for a total of only two nights so that I could see the city.
What we came upon instead was a city that is without a doubt one of the most beautiful in all of Mexico.
The town center, also known as the centro, of San Miguel has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The city of Mexico City is about four hours away by automobile. It is because of this that almost all of the structures in this neighborhood have managed to preserve their age-old look. The restoration of the structures has been carried out with a great deal of care and attention to detail, and the end results are genuinely stunning.
San Miguel is brimming with stylish hotels, rooftop bars, hip restaurants, a variety of dining options, interesting shops, and it is also the location of the breathtaking La Parroquia, which is located in the town center.
Is the cost higher than what you would find in other regions of Mexico? Yes, this is true for some things, such as the upscale dining establishments. Despite this, the quality is really high, and the price is almost certainly going to be lower than what you are used to spending at home.
Is it solely populated by people from other countries? No, however there are roughly 10% of the population that are foreigners, and many of them reside or hang out in Centro, so there are times when it has the sensation of being in Gringolandia in that area.
And what about that one of my close friends who was making negative comments about San Miguel before we went there? In the end, he came to the conclusion that San Miguel is one of his preferred cities throughout the entirety of Mexico. As a result of his encouragement, we decided to extend our stay at the breathtaking property that we were currently residing in, Casa Angelitos. At the end of this post, I will provide you with additional information regarding that accommodation, as well as instructions on how you can book it on your own.
Before you go for your vacation, I recommend reading this article regarding whether or not you need to get travel insurance for Mexico as well as checking out my packing list for Mexico.
While you are in San Miguel de Allende, you shouldn’t skip out on the following activities because they will help you become more familiar with the city (but you should move quickly because they are popular):
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10 Must-Try Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
Tacos San Francisco
Mesones 48, Centro
Tacos San Francisco is the best restaurant in San Miguel de Allende for street tacos, so if you are looking for somewhere to eat in San Miguel de Allende that serves the best tacos, you should go there.
Only in the evenings is the mobile taco restaurant known as Tacos San Francisco open for business. A line will begin to form in front of the establishment while it is still in the process of preparing for the evening. People come out of their homes and from around corners to form a line as they patiently wait for delicious tacos al pastor or barbacoa, among other options, because the aroma of meat being grilled or roasted draws them in.
There is nothing fancy about this establishment; you eat your tacos while standing up on a plastic plate and add salsas and squeezes of lime to them. In addition, Tacos San Francisco has a cooler set up on the sidewalk where they sell bottles of water and soda.
Why then am I going to start with a taco truck when I just went on and on about hip restaurants and cool hotels with rooftop bars? Because it was one of the best restaurants we went to during our trip and served some of the best food we had while we were there. This humble taco truck could hold its own against any establishment in San Miguel.
The barbacoa tacos were our family’s absolute favorite, but the cochinita pibil tacos are also very tasty. However, you really can’t go wrong with any of the tacos on the menu. In point of fact, this was the only restaurant that we ate at more than once, even returning here twice in a single day!
La Azotea
Umaran 6, Zona Centro // +52 415 152 4977
The magnificent patio of La Azotea is perched over another restaurant called Pueblo Viejo, which may make it a little bit difficult to locate but is very well worth the effort. You will be rewarded with views of the major church as well as some breathtaking sunsets along your climb.
It is imperative that you place an order for their world-famous jicama tacos, which feature shells made of jicama and allow you to customize the fillings. It would seem that shrimp is one of the most popular choices. You won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wash down those tacos with a margarita made with jalapenos!
The Restaurant
Diez de Sollano y Dávalos 16 // +52 415 154 7862
The Restaurant, which is located inside of what is easily one of the most stunning renovations of any San Miguel restaurant, serves what they refer to as “global comfort food,” but it is prepared and served in a setting more appropriate for fine dining.
Along with an impressive menu, the restaurant is known for its beautiful courtyard that was inspired by Moroccan design.
The gyoza with their filling of pork and vegetables were among our most beloved dishes.
alternatively, the chicken breast roasted in a pan and served atop polenta with preserved lemon, tomato, and olives.
Additionally, their short rib is to die for!
Quince
Cuna de Allende 15, Centro // +52 415 113 0997
You’ll understand why Quince was voted the number one best place to eat for rooftop dining anywhere in the world after just one look at the view from the restaurant.
Not only does the restaurant offer breathtaking panoramas of San Miguel, but both the food and the drink options on the menu are of the highest caliber as well. In the most beautiful of settings, you will find authentic Mexican cuisine of the highest caliber here. Mixologists who have won awards are responsible for creating their libations, so you can feel confident that you will enjoy drinking them. It’s the ideal place to spend some quality time with the person you care about.
Additionally, Quince is widely considered to be the best restaurant in San Miguel de Allende for sushi.
Make sure you save room for dessert because the restaurant has an in-house French bakery where they prepare desserts that are just as visually appealing as they are mouthwatering.
In addition, Quince offers a Sunday brunch menu, on which you can find not only traditional Mexican dishes like chilaquiles and huevos rancheros, but also French toast and other breakfast classics.
It is highly recommended that you make a reservation for Quince well in advance, particularly if you would like to have dinner on the rooftop terrace. Simply clicking on this link will take you to the reservation page.
Inside Cafe
Insurgentes 66, Centro //
Inside Cafe is a fantastic restaurant that was established as part of an effort that aims to encourage innovative partnerships between the hospitality industry, art, music, and other cultural spheres. The Inside Cafe serves as a gathering place for those with similar goals and aspirations, including entrepreneurs and digital nomads. Coffee connoisseurs rank the café high on their list of recommended dining establishments in San Miguel de Allende. Flat whites are all the rage among those who like caffeine.
In addition to their coffee, they are well-known for the grilled cheese sandwiches that they provide. They are, according to the opinions of a great number of customers, the greatest grilled cheese sandwiches they have ever had.
Make it a point to peruse their menu for breakfast and brunch, and also keep an eye out for the themed evenings they have. Recently, on Friday evenings they presented meals from several Asian cuisines.
Lavanda Café
Lavanda Café, located at Calle del Dr. Ignacio Hernandez Macias 78, is such an excellent restaurant for breakfast in San Miguel that there was a wait when we went there on a weekday. You won’t really get why the restaurant is so popular until you’ve sampled the food there.
The eatery provides a comprehensive coffee menu with a variety of options, such as cold brew, espresso, Americano, and the proprietor’s signature lavender coffee.
On the breakfast menu, you’ll find items such as French toast, waffles, omelets, and dishes that feature poached eggs, such as the restaurant’s take on eggs Benedict with crispy bacon.
Additionally, make sure to try their molletes, and the next time I go there, I want to order their cazuela, which is a baked vegetable casserole dish topped with a fried egg, bacon, and roasted tomatoes.
A word of advice: the restaurant will only take cash payments, so make sure you have pesos with you. In addition to this, they do not take bookings.
Bovine
Canal 16, Centro // +52 415 121 6787
In a city that is filled with beautiful restaurants, Bovine is quite possibly the most beautiful restaurant that I came across during my time in San Miguel de Allende. They say that their style is sophisticated and eclectic, and I couldn’t agree more with both of those descriptors. Imagine banquettes upholstered in dark leather placed next to gold-topped tables that are set with crystal stemware and art deco furniture, and you’ll have the right idea. Classy and refined without being in the least bit prim or stuffy. In addition to that, I cherished their dark wood wrap-around bar because it exemplified the ideal combination of practicality and elegance.
It is reasonable to anticipate that a restaurant with a name like Bovine will serve seriously impressive steaks, which they do. There are beef dishes that are suitable for one person, such as their ribeyes that are grilled.
or more substantial dishes that are designed to be shared, such as their Côte de Boeuf, which is aged for a total of 45 days.
Fish dishes, such as pan-roasted fish with charred lemon and grilled octopus, are available for your group to choose from in the event that some of its members do not enjoy red meat.
Both the wine list and the craft cocktail menu at Bovine were seriously impressive. Bovine also has an impressive wine list. Our bartender had a wealth of knowledge regarding food and wine combinations and was able to make craft cocktail recommendations based on customer preferences.
Zumo
Quebrada 93, Centro // +52 415 152 0489
Zumo swiftly became our top choice for lunch because, in addition to having delicious food, welcoming service, and reasonable prices, they also boast another impressive view of San Miguel.
It is highly recommended that you begin your meal with their guacamole that features charred corn and poblanos; it was so delicious that we almost scraped the bowl clean.
After that, move on to one of their fish dishes like grilled salmon with guava curry BBQ sauce or grilled snapper with orange banana coulis. Both of these dishes are grilled.
If fish isn’t your thing, Zumo’s menu also features duck carnitas, grilled three chili crusted hangar steaks, Jamaican jerk pork ribs, and this pork belly black pepper pasta, among other options.
During our time in San Miguel, we were only able to stop in for lunch, but when I return, I hope to be able to sample both their breakfast and dinner offerings. In addition to that, they have a happy hour that is held Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m., which I intend to make the most of on my subsequent visit there.
La Parada
Recreo 94, Centro // +52 415 152 0473
La Parada is the best place to go to satisfy your cravings for Peruvian cuisine. The proprietors are natives of Peru, and they will delight you with their traditional culinary creations.
While you are perusing the rest of the menu, you should begin your meal with a pisco sour. This will set the tone for the rest of your meal. If you’ve never had Peruvian ceviche before, which is very different from the ceviche served in Mexico, you should definitely get some of that too. They offer at least four different options for you to pick from on the menu.
The Peruvian dish causa, which consists of layered potatoes and is typically served chilled, is one of my absolute favorites. This dish is prepared at La Parada with octopus and avocado, which I think sounds incredible!
The entrees consist of some traditional Peruvian dishes, such as arroz con pollo, which I was already familiar with. Aphrodisiac rice is a version of Peruvian seafood rice that is served at La Parada. It is one of the dishes that I want to try on my next visit to the restaurant.
La Única
Diez de Sollano y Dávalos 14 // +52 415 688 1393
After word got out that I was writing a food blog, locals in San Miguel de Allende were quick to recommend La Nica as one of the best restaurants in the city to me.
On the menu are various different kinds of tacos, some of which contain steak with bone marrow or suckling pig as the filling. You may also order tuna steaks with a chili crust, ribs cooked on the barbecue, an excellent selection of steaks available in a variety of cuts, and even barbacoa that has been flambéed with mezcal:
Be sure to reserve space for their chocolate bomb, which has a stellar reputation in the neighborhood and was highly recommended to us more than once.
Because this is another one of San Miguel de Allende’s best restaurants, the views from the terrace are quite breathtaking; thus, you shouldn’t forget to ask for a table there while you’re there for dinner.
Must Visit Bars in San Miguel de Allende
Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar
Nemesio Diez 11, Centro // +52 415 152 9700
On top of the Rosewood Hotel Luna, which is considered by almost everyone to have the best sunset views in San Miguel, is also one of my favorite places to go in San Miguel. I highly recommend going there. Because of this, it is highly recommended that you make a reservation in advance.
The Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar is a cozy and enchanted setting that makes for a wonderful place to have lunch or dinner with close friends or family members.
The authentic and mouthwatering flavors of Mexican cuisine are featured throughout their menu options. Their Pork Belly with Sweet and Sour Tomato was delicious, and I could not get enough of it. They really do provide excellent service to their customers, and if you want to relax and take in the scenery for a while, I highly recommend going there.
Silverio
San Francisco #12 // +52 442 356 2457
During the day, Silverio is the place to go to satisfy your need for caffeine, but in the evening, it transforms into an upscale cocktail bar. Silverio is yet another rooftop terrace in San Miguel de Allende that offers breathtaking panoramas (are you getting sick of me talking about the rooftop views yet? I told you they were one of the best things about San Miguel!). If you have any questions about the items on their menu, the helpful staff will explain everything to you.
In addition to that, I’ve heard that they’re one of the best places to eat in San Miguel de Allende for breakfast, and that in addition, they offer a variety of vegan options.
Where to Stay in San Miguel de Allende
If you want to try out some of San Miguel de Allende’s most popular eateries, you’re going to need a good home base. We count Casa Angelitos among our many blessings for providing us with hospitality. The location of Casa Angelitos, which is a little ways out from Centro, provides for a lovely stroll into town, or you can take an Uber for $2.
The actual building has the appearance of a castle from the outside and is situated on top of a hill overlooking San Miguel de Allende, which provides it with a breathtaking perspective of the city.
The inside has a really cozy and welcoming atmosphere, with lots of areas where one can stretch out and read a good book.
There is a wide variety of room kinds from which to choose, guaranteeing that something will be available that is suitable for your requirements and price range. We had the good fortune to be able to stay in the Estrellas suite, which was comparable to having our own own apartment to ourselves.
In line with the topic of this article, they not only have a magnificent property, but they also provide an outstanding breakfast that is entirely prepared.
There is a strong focus placed on making use of locally sourced, environmentally friendly, and organically grown food. Even if it were only for the breakfast, it would be worth it to get a room at the hotel. I can honestly say that the bacon I had there was among the very finest I have anywhere in Mexico.
Click here to get more information about the accommodation and to book it for yourself.
Which one of these fantastic restaurants in San Miguel de Allende do you think you’d enjoy dining at the most? I was wondering what you thought of Casa Angelitos. Please share your thoughts with me in the section provided below!
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le, organic produce ingredients. It’s worth booking a stay at the hotel just for the breakfast alone. I believe the bacon may have been the best I had in all of Mexico!
To learn more about the property and book it for yourself click here.
Which of these restaurants in San Miguel de Allende would you most like to try? What did you think of Casa Angelitos? Let me know in the comments section below!
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