10 Best Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico | Where to Eat in San Miguel de Allende

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On my recent visit, it was not only the top restaurants in San Miguel de Allende that surprised me but the town itself.

I had heard from many people that it was not very authentic. That it’s only full of foreigners and that it was overly expensive.

I had heard a lot of this from my local friend that I was traveling with, to be honest. He had visited in the past and returned grudgingly for just two nights so I could see the city. 

What we found instead is one of, if not the most, gorgeous cities in all of Mexico. 

Located about four hours by car from Mexico City, the town center (or centro) of San Miguel has been designated as a World Heritage site. This means that nearly all of the buildings in this area retain their original, historic appearance. A lot of attention to detail has gone into the restoration of the buildings and the results are seriously impressive. 

San Miguel is full of designer hotels, rooftop bars, trendy restaurants, dining options, interesting shops and is home to La Parroquia, the stunning church in the town center. 

Is it more expensive than in other parts of Mexico? Yes, some things such as the high-end restaurants can be. However, the standard is extremely high and still likely less than what you’re used to paying back home. 

Is it only full of foreigners? No, but foreigners do makeup about 10% of the population and many of them live or hang out in Centro, so there it can feel like Gringolandia. 

And that friend of mine that was hating on San Miguel before we went? In the end, he decided San Miguel is one of his favorite cities in all of Mexico. On his encouragement, we extended our time at Casa Angelitos, the gorgeous property we were staying at. I’ll tell you more about that property and how you can book it yourself at the end of this post. 

Before your trip: check out my packing list for Mexico and read this post about whether or not you need travel insurance for Mexico.

While in San Miguel de Allende don’t miss out on activities that will help immerse yourself with the city (hurry 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

Exploring Guatemala after Mexico? Read these guides here:

• 11 Traditional Guatemalan Foods You Must Try

 

Visiting another Mexico destination? Check out these guides:

• 9 Amazing Things To Do In Cozumel
• 12 Best Cabo San Lucas Restaurants!
• 12 Must-Try La Paz Restaurants & Bars
• 13 Must-Try Restaurants in Cancun
• 17 Best Restaurants in Playa Del Carmen
• 15 Best Restaurants in Tulum

10 Must-Try Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende

Tacos San Francisco

Mesones 48, Centro

If you are wondering where to eat in San Miguel de Allende that serves the best street tacos, then Tacos San Francisco is the best spot for that.

Tacos San Francisco is a street food truck that only operates in the evenings. Before they are even open, as they are setting up for the night, a line will start forming. The smell of grilled and roasting meat brings people out of their homes and from around corners to form a line, patiently waiting for delicious tacos al pastor or barbacoa, among others. 

There’s nothing fancy about this place, you eat standing up on a plastic plate, adding salsas and squeezes of lime to your tacos. Tacos San Franciso also sells bottles of water and soda out of a cooler on the sidewalk. 

So why when I just told you about trendy restaurants and rooftop hotels am I leading with a taco truck? Because this was one of the best places to eat serving some of the best food we had during our visit. This simple taco truck rivaled any restaurant in San Miguel. 

Our personal favorite tacos were the barbacoa also their cochinita pibil tacos are delicious as well but really you can’t go wrong with any of them. In fact, this is the only place we ate at more than once- actually visiting twice in one day!

La Azotea 

Umaran 6, Zona Centro // +52 415 152 4977

La Azotea has a gorgeous terrace located above another restaurant (Pueblo Viejo) which can make it a bit tricky to find but well worth the effort. You’ll be rewarded with views of the main church with some dramatic sunsets taking place. 

Be sure to order their famous jicama tacos- the shells are made of jicama and you can choose the fillings. Shrimp seems to be one of the most popular. You’ll want to order a spicy jalapeno margarita to go with your tacos! 

The Restaurant

Diez de Sollano y Dávalos 16 // +52 415 154 7862

Set inside what is easily one of the most stunning renovations of any San Miguel restaurant, The Restaurant serves up what they refer to as global comfort food, but done in a fine dining setting. 

The Restaurant boasts a stunning Moroccan courtyard as well as their impressive menu. 

Some of our favorite dishes were the pork and vegetable filled gyoza

or the pan roasted chicken breast over polenta with preserved lemon, tomato, and olives. Also, their short rib is amazing!

Quince 

Cuna de Allende 15, Centro // +52 415 113 0997

Quince has been voted #1 best places to eat for rooftop dining in the world and after one look at the view, you’ll know why. 

Not only does the restaurant boast stunning views of San Miguel but their food and drinks menu seriously impresses as well. Here you’ll find upscale authentic Mexican food in the most stunning of settings. Their drinks are prepared by award-winning mixologists so you can be assured you’re going to love them! It’s the perfect spot to spend with your loved one.

Quince is also known as the best San Miguel de Allende restaurant for sushi. 

Be sure to save room for dessert as the restaurant features an in-house French bakery preparing desserts that are as gorgeous as they are delicious. 

Quince also has a Sunday brunch menu where you can find your favorite Mexican dishes such as chilaquiles and huevos rancheros but also French toast. 

You will definitely want to make a reservation well in advance for Quince, especially if you would like to dine on the rooftop for dinner. Reservations can be made by clicking here. 

Inside Cafe 

Insurgentes 66, Centro // 

Inside Cafe is a great restaurant that was founded as an initiative that seeks to promote creative collaborations between art, music, culture & hospitality. Inside Cafe is used as a meeting point for entrepreneurs, digital nomads & like-minded people. The cafe is known as one of the best restaurants in San Miguel de Allende for coffee. Caffeine lovers rave about their flat whites. 

Other than their coffee, they are famous for their grilled cheeses as well. Many people even go so far as to say that they are the best-grilled cheeses they’ve ever tasted! 

Be sure to check out their breakfast/brunch menu and look for their themed nights as well. Recently they featured Asian dishes on Friday nights.

Lavanda Café

Calle del Dr. Ignacio Hernandez Macias 78 Lavanda Café is such a great restaurant for breakfast in San Miguel that we had a wait, even though we were visiting on a weekday! Once you try the menu, you’ll understand why the restaurant is so popular. 

The restaurant features a complete coffee menu including cold brews, espressos, Americanos, and their signature lavender coffees

The breakfast menu features French toast, waffles, omelets and poached egg dishes including their version of eggs Benedict with crispy bacon. 

Also, look for their molletes and next time I’m in I want to try their cazuela- a baked vegetable casserole dish topped with a fried egg, bacon and roasted tomatoes. 

Pro-tip: The restaurant only accepts cash so make sure to have pesos before you. They also do not accept reservations.

Bovine

Canal 16, Centro // +52 415 121 6787

In a city full of gorgeous restaurants, Bovine just may be the most gorgeous restaurant I saw in all of San Miguel de Allende. They describe their style as eclectic and sophisticated, which I completely agree with. Think dark leather banquettes next to gold-topped tables with crystal stemware and art deco pieces and you’ll be on the right track. Elegant and upscale without being stuffy at all. I also loved their dark wood wrap-around bar that was the perfect blend of functional and sophisticated. 

Of course, a place like Bovine should be expected to have seriously impressive steaks, which they do. You can find beef dishes for one person such as their grilled ribeyes 

or larger dishes meant for sharing such as their Côte beouf, which has been aged for 45 days. 

If your group has members that are not fans of red meat can find fish dishes including grilled octopus and pan-roasted fish with charred lemon. 

Bovine also boasts an impressive wine list and their craft cocktail menu was seriously impressive. Our bartender was highly knowledgeable about wine pairings and was able to suggest craft cocktails based on likes and dislikes. 

Zumo

Quebrada 93, Centro // +52 415 152 0489 

Zumo quickly became our favorite lunch option as they have not only good food and friendly service with reasonable prices, but they also boast another impressive view of San Miguel.

 Be sure to start your meal with their guacamole with charred corn and poblanos– we were practically scraping the bowl it was so good! 

Follow that up with one of their fish dishes such as a grilled salmon with guava curry BBQ sauce or grilled snapper with an orange banana coulis. 

If you’re not in the mood for fish Zumo’s menu also includes options such as duck carnitas, grilled three chili crusted hangar steaks, Jamaican jerk pork ribs or this pork belly black pepper pasta.

We only made it in for lunch during our time in San Miguel but next time I want to try both their breakfast and dinner menus. They also have a happy hour that takes place Monday thru Friday from 3-7 that I plan to take full advantage of on my next visit! 

La Parada

Recreo 94, Centro // +52 415 152 0473

If you’re craving Peruvian food, La Parada is the best place! The owners are Peruvian, cooking authentic Peruvian dishes for you to enjoy. 

You should start your meal with a pisco sour while you peruse the rest of the menu. If you’ve never had Peruvian ceviche (which differs from the Mexican variety) go ahead and order that as well! They have at least four on the menu for you to choose from. 

One of my favorite Peruvian dishes is Causa, which is a layered potato dish usually served cold. La Parada does theirs with octopus and avocado, which sounds amazing! 

Some classic Peruvian dishes that I was familiar with (arroz con pollo) make up the entrees. La Parada also serves a version of Peruvian seafood rice called aphrodisiac rice that I want to try on my next visit. 

La Única

Diez de Sollano y Dávalos 14 // +52 415 688 1393

When local residents found out I was a food blogger La Única was one of the first restaurants in San Miguel de Allende that they would suggest to me. 

Menu items include several types of taco varieties including steak with bone marrow or suckling pig. You can also find chili crusted tuna steaks, BBQ’d ribs, an impressive steak menu with several cuts and varieties and even this barbacoa flambéed in mezcal:

Make sure to save room for their chocolate bomb which is locally famous and was suggested to us multiple times!

Be sure to ask for a seat on the terrace during your dinner as this is another San Miguel de Allende top restaurant with seriously impressive views!  

Must Visit Bars in San Miguel de Allende 

 Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar

Nemesio Diez 11, Centro // +52 415 152 9700

Located atop the Rosewood Hotel Luna is considered by most everyone to have the best sunset views in San Miguel and it’s one of my favorite places in San Miguel. For this reason, you will definitely want to have a reservation. 

Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar is an intimate and magical location that is a great spot to enjoy lunch or dinner with friends and family.

Their menu selection consists of authentic Mexican cuisine and its deliciousness. I really enjoyed their Pork Belly with Sweet and Sour Tomato. They really have great customer service and I strongly recommend spending a few hours there while enjoying the view!

Silverio

San Francisco #12 // +52 442 356 2457

Silverio is the best place to get your caffeine fix throughout the day but by night it becomes an upscale cocktail bar. Silverio is yet another rooftop terrace with impressive views (are you getting tired of me mentioning the rooftop views here yet? I told you they were one of the best things about San Miguel!). The friendly staff will walk you through their menu if you have any questions. 

I also heard they’re one of the best places to eat in San Miguel de Allende for breakfast and they have many vegan options. 

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Where to Stay in San Miguel de Allende

You’re going to need a base to explore the best restaurants in San Miguel de Allende. We were fortunate enough to be hosted by Casa Angelitos. Casa Angelitos is set a bit outside of Centro and makes for a gorgeous walk or a $2 Uber ride into town. 

The property itself has a castle-like exterior appearance and sits atop a hill overlooking San Miguel de Allende, affording it a panoramic view.

The inside feels very homey and comfortable with plenty of spaces for relaxing with a book. 

There are several different room types to choose from with something sure to meet your needs and budget. We were fortunate enough to stay in the Estrellas suite, which was like having our own private apartment! 

Not only is the property itself impressive but keeping to our foodie theme, they’re also serving up an incredible homemade breakfast.

There is a real emphasis on using local, sustainable, 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. 

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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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