One of the primary reasons we wanted to visit Mexico was the food. Mexican cuisine is known for its robust flavors, fresh ingredients, and distinctive recipes. There is so much more to Mexican cuisine and than tacos and burritos! From elote (street corn) to chilaquiles (fried tortilla chips smothered in sauce), we were eager to try everything. In this post, we’ll share our 12 best restaurants in Mexico that you shouldn’t miss. Save these for your next visit to Mexico!
1. El Caimancito Condesa (Mexico City)
El Caimancito Condesa in Mexico City holds a particular place in our hearts because it was the first restaurant in Mexico where we experienced tacos, which was an excellent introduction! We sampled rib-eye tacos, shrimp tacos, and a tostada with cauliflower ceviche. While we weren’t really fond of the tostada (the cauliflower was still frozen and the dish was extremely acidic), we enjoyed both tacos! The portions were generous, the price was reasonable, and the food was delicious. We still regret having only one shrimp taco since it was so wonderful!
2. Exquisita Cochinita (Mexico City)
Exquisita Cochinita is another excellent taco place in Mexico City. This tiny restaurant serves traditional Mexican meals such as tacos, burritos, tostadas, and tortas.
3. Burrito Amor (Valladolid and Tulum)
If you’ve read our guide to the greatest things to do in Valladolid, you’ll know that Burrito Amor is our favorite burrito location in Mexico. We loved it so much that we returned four times to their restaurant in Valladolid and twice to their restaurant in Tulum. Undoubtedly, it is one of the Mexico’s top restaurants! We have tried practically everything on the menu, and we can honestly say that anything you order will be great and good for you just the way you love it. If you’re looking for recommendations, the rib-eye burrito filled with marinated rib-eye, beans, onion, pico de gallo, and avocado is Kelvin’s favorite. Probably the best burrito you can get, ever! For vegetarians, we recommend the one with bell peppers, onion, beans, cheese, and avocado – simple but delicious. What made the experience even better were the sauces that come with each meal: the chipotle sauce (pink, our favorite), the avocado sauce (green), and the habanero sauce (white, a bit spicy but so good).
They have two locations: one in Valladolid and one in Tulum. Of course, we tried both, and they’re equally amazing! The only difference is that the Tulum location only has one size, while the Valladolid one offers both regular and large options. If we must choose a favorite, we preferred the Valladolid spot just a bit more, because we liked the setting more and it was less crowded. But that’s just our personal opinion, don’t let it stop you from visiting the location in Tulum!
4. La Conquista Empanadas (Isla Holbox)
If you’re looking for a cheap lunch on Isla Holbox, La Conquista Empanadas is a must-visit. They specialize in over ten different empanada flavors, and everything is made fresh to request. You can also add cheese to any empanada for a modest additional fee! We definitely made use of that.
We tasted a variety of their dishes and definitely recommend the lobster, potato and chorizo, and chicken empanada. With empanada costs ranging from 20 to 40 MXN (€ 1 to € 2), it’s a low-cost, high-value option. You’ll also receive two sauces and onions to go with your dish, which we greatly liked. Remember, they only accept cash and are open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
5. Sant Drito Cocina Mexicana (Valladolid)
Sant Drito Cocina Mexicana is by far our favorite supper location in Valladolid. We went twice and enjoyed every item we tasted. The shrimp tempura tacos were delicious, but the big standout was the shrimp with garlic and white wine. Trust us, you have to try it to understand why it’s so unique. Every meal at Sant Drito is made with a lot of love and work, and it shows. The restaurant’s location is particularly nice, with a small garden where you may sit and eat. Plus, the staff is really polite and helpful, walking you through the wide menu to assist you make the best decision!
6. Pinshis Tacos (Isla Holbox)
If you’re seeking for the tastiest tacos on Isla Holbox, make sure to visit Pinshis Tacos. They provide some of the most delicious tacos on the island! We like their vegetarian tacos, but make sure to add cheese to yours. The cheese is shredded and grilled, which adds more taste and crunch to the meal. The chicken tacos were also delicious. If you don’t feel like eating tacos, try their shrimp cheese quesadilla. It’s very cheesy and delicious! We normally paid around €20 for two courses and beverages here. And, yes, they do serve authentic Mexican coke in a gorgeous glass, vintage bottle!
7. Tuch (Isla Holbox)
Tuch on Isla Holbox is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner with cocktails and the sea as a backdrop. It is located just a few steps from Playa Holbox, the best sunset spot on the island. This restaurant offers a cute open-air setting and delicious food made with fresh ingredients. Their menu includes everything from tacos and quesadillas to fresh seafood, and the cocktails are amazing too!
We highly recommend the shrimp quesadilla and guacamole with octopus. When we visited, the guacamole with octopus wasn’t on the menu. But, after hearing so many great things about it, we asked if they could make it… and they did! It was definitely worth the hype and us gathering our courage to ask for something that wasn’t on the menu. While the prices are a bit higher, the quality of the food and the atmosphere make it totally worth it. We spent € 50 for 3 amazing dishes and 2 very good cocktails.
8. Mi Burrito (Bacalar)
Mi Burrito, a little food truck serving wonderful burritos, is a great place to get a tasty and reasonable meal in Bacalar. There are nine distinct selections to choose from, including beef, fish, and vegetarian. We had the grilled chicken and guadalupano, which was loaded with carrots, broccoli, and zucchini. Both were excellent! You can also include eggs, peanuts, chorizo, avocado, or cheese. Burritos cost between €7 and €10 and come with five sauces ranging from mild to spicy. Don’t miss their cocktails, particularly the Mezcalita Mango. It was the finest cocktail we tried in Mexico! They only accept cash.