There are several reasons to visit San Miguel de Allende, Mexico’s most popular tourist destination. San Miguel, located in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, has been named the finest city in the world not once, but twice! It outperformed some of my other favorite Mexican towns, such as Guadalajara, Mexico City, and my present home base of Merida.
Since it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, beautiful architecture coexists with contemporary attractions and conveniences.
You’ll understand why once you get there. It mixes the beauty and history of ancient Mexico with the excitement and creativity brought to the table by its current residents.
All of the restored stores, restaurants, and buildings have been done so with a great eye for detail.
Whatever your interests are, whether sightseeing, cultural festivities, or shopping, San Miguel de Allende will surpass your expectations.
Most notably, it is a city famed for its romantic settings, particularly its restaurants and pubs. San Miguel’s cuisine culture and nightlife play a significant part in making it the outstanding resort that it is.
Of course, you may be apprehensive to travel during the coronavirus epidemic. Restaurants and bars are notorious for being unsuitable for social separation and other confinement methods.
Not to fear, the city has implemented health and safety precautions that go above and above to ensure the safety of tourists. The International Tourism and Travel Council awarded them the coveted Safe Travels mark, recognizing San Miguel as a secure tourist destination. (You may discover more about San Miguel’s many steps to ensure tourist safety by visiting their tourism website.)
Outside eating will be even safer, and predictably, San Miguel de Allende rooftop restaurants thrive in this category as well, with some of the greatest rooftop dining experiences in the world.
With no skyscrapers or other contemporary structures to obstruct the vista, practically every rooftop restaurant enjoys an unobstructed view of what many believe to be Mexico’s most beautiful church.
In my last piece, I discussed some of the top restaurants in San Miguel de Allende. This time, I’ll take you to the greatest rooftop restaurants in San Miguel!
Will you also visit Guanajuato, the neighbouring capital city? Check out my guide to the greatest restaurants in Guanajuato!
When in San Miguel de Allende, don’t miss out on the following activities that will let you immerse yourself in the city (get them while they’re hot!):
- San Miguel de Allende Day Trip from Mexico City
- San Miguel: Cañada de la Virgen Archaeological Site Tour
- San Miguel de Allende: Tacos and Tequilas Tour
- San Miguel Allende: Half-Day Horseback Riding Adventure
- San Miguel: Landmarks and Lunch Walking Tour
Contents
San Miguel de Allende’s Top 13 Rooftop Restaurants
Quince
15 Cuna de Allende Centro
Quince has risen to not just local but also worldwide fame since its inception in 2016. They have achieved the coveted (and highly unreachable) title of greatest rooftop restaurant in the world not once, but twice, in 2018 and 2020. The restaurant’s crew is likewise well-known, including award-winning chefs and mixologists.
They provide a variety of cuisine, including both local classics and worldwide favorites such as steak, seafood, ceviche, pasta dishes, and a variety of soups and salads.
If the world-class cuisine isn’t enough, it also has an in-house French bakery and a rooftop sushi bar (the only one in San Miguel).
In addition to cuisine, they have a great nightlife. Quince boasts an excellent drink menu, which includes numerous creative drinks created just for the venue. They often host foreign DJs and hold ticketed yet open-to-the-public parties and events.
Quince also provides a spectacular perspective of the city, including an up-close and personal picture of the city’s famed gothic cathedral, the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcngel. It’s a must-see and one of just a few places that may be dubbed the quintessential San Miguel de Allende experience.
Reservations are strongly advised and may be requested by contacting the restaurant at reserve@quincerooftop.com.
Antonia Restaurant
+52 415 152 7295 Centro San Francisco 57
Antonia Bistro, Chef Alejandro Cuatepotzo’s passion endeavor, is located above San Miguel de Allendes’ famed El Palomar hotel. The competition for San Miguel’s greatest restaurant is tough, but Antonia Bistro is definitely in the race. It serves both local and foreign food, as well as vegan and gluten-free alternatives obtained from local vendors.
Its menu has delicacies like polenta and grilled octopus, as well as more classic items like tuna, beef, and hog, as well as more casual dishes like tacos and hamburgers.
Whether you’re searching for something fresh and adventurous or a traditional Chef Cuatepotzo delivery. They also provide traditional drinks as well as various house specialities. The dessert menu features a few well-executed favorites.
The 360-degree perspective provided by Antonio Bistro provides an unobstructed view of the whole city. It’s a fantastic experience whether you’re searching for a nice date with drinks and dessert or an incredible lunch. It is definitely a must-see on your visit to San Miguel de Allende.
The nica
+52 415 688 1393 Center Diez de Sollano y Dvalos 14,
La Unica is a high-end bar and grill that serves locally sourced and inspired food. This makes it a popular among both residents and tourists seeking an authentic, but elegant, experience.
The whole restaurant, but notably the patio, is covered with flowers and ivy, making it charming and picturesque even without considering the view.
Another location with a close view of the famous Parroquia de San Miguel Arcngel, as well as many other historic structures, is La Unica.
The cuisine incorporates products and recipes from the surrounding region. The tacos are among of the finest in town and come in flavors you may not have had before, such as marrow or suckling pig.
Its menu includes steak, seafood, traditional barbacoa, and a variety of other grilled and smoked selections.
La Unica also serves as a full-service bar. They provide a fantastic assortment of wines, spirits, and cocktails.
La Unica is a wonderful, small place that does not lose anything in terms of eating and is therefore one of the greatest restaurants in San Miguel de Allende, thanks to the mix of local fair, natural décor, and breathtaking views.
The Azotea
Centro Umarn No. 6
The expression “hidden gem” may be overused, but there are times when there is no other way to describe a restaurant like La Azotea. It’s undoubtedly hidden: the restaurant has no signage and is really placed on the roof of another restaurant (the far less celebrated Pueblo Viejo). And it’s as beautiful as it is concealed.
La Azotea is a tapas bar and restaurant. They mostly serve Spanish and Mexican-style sharing meals, with a few internationally-inspired alternatives like as spring rolls and croquettes.
They also provide the most authentic jicama taco. If you see this on the menu anywhere else, please notify me and maybe the locals: La Azotea is the only name that comes to mind. It replaces the tortilla with a thinly sliced grilled strip of jicama and provides a choice of fillings, with shrimp being the house suggestion.
Throughout the week, the bar has a fantastic variety and provides drink promotions such as 2 for 1 margaritas for 90 pesos. Although it’s not uncommon for a bar to serve mixed nuts, the house-roasted spiced nuts at La Azotea are worth a notice.
La Azotea also provides views of three churches, notably the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcngel, but also the Iglesia de San Francisco and the Templo de la Purisima Concepcin. The combination of the view and the food and beverage choices make this a location well worth the effort to locate.
Trazo 1810
+52 415 121 3506 Centro Hidalgo 8,
Trazo 1810 is a casual cafe perched above the famous colonial-era Casa 1810 hotel boutique.
The restaurant, led by chef Jos Francisco Gonzlez, focuses on cuisine done simply and skillfully, with an emphasis on foods that may be presented as complete and pure as possible. It serves dishes produced with and frequently influenced by local products to create contemporary Mexican cuisine with European and even Asian touches.
The menu varies often according to the availability of ingredients and the chef’s innovative attitude, but it generally contains mainstays such as pig, lamb, and seafood such as grilled octopus (my fave!) and shrimp. There are also vegetarian and gluten-free choices available.
They provide a superb range of wines and various house drinks, as would any good rooftop restaurant. Their dessert selection is both unexpected and appealing.
The view over the city is beautiful, with views of two churches and countless other ancient structures, and its proximity to the main center makes it an ideal position to see fireworks displays for New Year’s Eve and similar festivities. It is also one of the most romantic items on our list due to the ambience. It’s not as well-known as it should be, so getting in and having a relaxing, romantic evening is simple.
Zumo
+52 415 152 0489 Centro, Quebrada 93
Zumo is a rooftop dining experience situated on the roof of the Villa Limon hotel boutique and provides both indoor and outdoor seating. If you prefer indoor seats, you will not be disappointed since Zumo boasts windows that provide a complete 360-degree view of the city.
Unlike many other alternatives, Zumo is located on the outside of downtown San Miguel de Allende, providing you a view of the ancient city’s rolling hills and attractive residences, as well as two of the city’s prominent churches.
Zumo has separate menus for breakfast, lunch, and supper. All three of these alternatives place a strong emphasis on small plates eating and tasting menus.
Local favorites including suckling pig tacos, grilled octopus, and fresh seafood are on the menu.
International specialities include duck confit, cauliflower tempura, and pappardelle. Its morning menu is similarly diverse, including everything from eggs benedict and french toast to chilaquiles.
Menu for brunch. Its drink menu includes traditional and house cocktails, as well as an extensive wine selection. They often provide weekday discounts and bottomless mimosas as part of their morning menu.
Zumo’s vista and meals give a unique perspective on San Miguel de Allende during your San Miguel de Allende visit. It’s a terrific option that may warrant several visits.
Restaurante MX Bar
+52 415 110 2100 Centro San Francisco 8
MX Restaurante has a bright and contemporary atmosphere, and the view from the top offers a unique perspective of the cathedral spires. Just the bar is technically on the rooftop, but their whole menu is accessible if you opt to sit at the bar upstairs, so you can enjoy the meal and the view (and the cocktails) all at once if you like.
Its menu, like many others, is a mash-up of local and foreign food, with an emphasis on Asian fusion. It is one of the few sushi restaurants in San Miguel. It also serves a variety of delectable appetizers.
MX Restaurante’s rooftop bar is where they truly excel. Their cocktail menu is one of the greatest in town, and they have a fantastic view. Its wine list is extremely impressive.
MX Restaurante conducts dance and other similar activities on a regular basis, which are all accessible to the public. It’s a terrific area to meet people and enjoy the culture and nightlife.
Rooftop Duke
+52 442 411 6053 Centro Mesones 99
Duke Rooftop, originally known as The Comrade, wasted little time in adapting to San Miguel de Allende’s culture and food. It should go without saying that the view of the city is spectacular.
In their own words, Duke Rooftop aspires to represent the revolutionary spirit’s togetherness. They do this by serving substantial fare, usually local fare, and grilled alternatives such as steak and shellfish. Tacos and tostadas are among their regional specialties. Its international menu includes burgers and numerous pasta dishes, including a pink truffle fusili that is very delicious.
Whether you’re missing home or want to feel at home, Duke Rooftop offers, all with the flare you’d expect from one of San Miguel de Allende’s greatest restaurants.
7 Fatima
+52 415 688 1438 Center Jurez 7, Centro
So far, we’ve had numerous restaurants built on top of hotels, as well as one built on top of another restaurant. Fatima 7 ups the ante by perched atop a hotel and a restaurant. It is located on the rooftop of the historic Casa Blanca 7 hotel, which also houses the Casa Blanca 7 Café. Both restaurants are the creations of local celebrity chef Donnie Masterson, but the eating experience at Fatima 7 is suited to the rooftop setting.
Masterson has worked with a number of well-known worldwide chefs, including Wolfgang Puck, David Bouley, and Patrick Clark.
Fatima 7 is not his only restaurant in the region, but it stands out as one of the top restaurants in San Miguel de Allende due to the way it integrates world-class cuisine with the ancient city.
It’s worth the journey to see the work of a chef who is at the forefront of the San Miguel de Allende gastronomic industry.
The Posadita
+52 415 154 8862 13 Cuna de Allende Centro
La Posadita, another superb option in the heart of San Miguel de Allende, returns us to the realm of completely local food. They provide grilled steak and seafood, as well as real tamales and barbacoa, as well as fresh salsa and guacamole. It’s a fantastic restaurant any time of day, but something about their ambience screams lunch.
Their view of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcngel, like Quince’s, is one of the nicest in the city, as it should be given that they are practically next door to one another. The view of the church from the freshly rebuilt terrace is breathtaking.
La Posadita also serves a variety of inventive cocktails, including their signature tamarind margarita. It’s packed high with frozen deliciousness and will undoubtedly be the highlight of your stay, particularly in the heat of the day.
Top San Miguel de Allende Rooftop Bars
I know this is a list of rooftop restaurants, but there are a few of rooftop bars in San Miguel de Allende that are too good to pass up. The mix of experience and scenery makes them a must-see component of any trip.
Luna
Nemesio Diez 11, Centro, +52 415 152 9700
Luna, located atop the Rosewood Hotel, is a tapas bar with small plate meals and a fantastic beverage menu.
If you can arrange it, go during the evening. Almost everyone, even locals, considers Luna to offer the greatest sunset views in San Miguel de Allende. Of course, this implies that the restaurant is frequently full, so you should make a reservation. You may reserve a room by clicking on this link.
Even if you don’t get in before sunset, the cuisine at Luna is amazing, and their drinks are some of the finest in town.
Casa Hoyos Rooftop BEKEP
+52 415 152 0002 Centro Mesones 14
Locals have deemed Casa Hoyos, which sits atop a colonial property that has been turned into a luxury boutique hotel, to be the place to be right now in terms of roofs.
BEKEP, named after a local term for seed, specializes in modern artisan cocktails that are all delivered in a beautiful manner—ideal for Instagram!
Another spectacular panoramic view of the major domes and cathedrals is from the rooftop, which makes for some stunning sunset shots.
If you want to spend a leisurely day lazing poolside and having beverages served to your sunbed, the rooftop also has a pool.
Silverio
+52 442 287 9008 Centro San Francisco #12
Silverio is a coffee shop during the day and a specialty cocktail bar at night. It’s the kind of restaurant that may seem a little forced if it were in your hometown, but that’s because whatever new institution starts up there is attempting to replicate what Silverio does so effectively. That, and something about San Miguel de Allende makes the shift from casual coffee shop to busy nightlife hub seem quite natural.
Have one of their wonderful frozen coffees if you go throughout the day.
For lunch, they even provide a few small dish choices. It is OK if you go at night. They provide regular promotions as well as creative drinks created by experienced mixologists. You can’t go wrong with whatever they suggest. But
Rooftop eating is one of the finest ways to see San Miguel de Allende, with or without the possibility of a worldwide epidemic. There are many of alternatives, whether you want to eat in elegance or try real local food. Moreover, I cannot emphasize this enough: the sight of a World Heritage city, full of intact buildings, churches, and stores, is unparalleled.
Accommodation in San Miguel del Allende, Mexico:
San Miguel offers it everything, whether you choose a modest hotel or a fancy boutique resort.
To locate today’s best rates on Booking.com, my recommended hotel booking site, use the search box below.
Booking.com
Timothy Scott from Luxury Latin America donated some images.