Updated for 2025: Great Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is one of our favorite places to visit in the world. It is in the heart of Mexico, a colonial town, about 3 1/2 hours north of Mexico City. The temperature averages 72 degrees year round, rarely getting too hot or too cold. The town is filled with a mixture of retirees from the US and Canada and long time Mexican residents. It is a haven for artists, with beautiful scenery to paint and sculpt. It also has become quite the foodie town, with dozens of terrific top notch restaurants, serving every kind of cuisine imaginable.
Since we’ve now been here a couple dozen times, gratefully spending weeks not days, we thought we’d compile some of our favorite restaurants in San Miguel de Allende.
Favorite Restaurant for the first night in San Miguel de Allende: Los Milagros Terraza.
Los Milagros
Everyone wants to run to Centro for the first night. On the recommendation of our friends, who live in San Miguel, we start at Los Milagros. The food is terrific, in an authentic experience with fabulous views.
And the margaritas! We visited Los Milagros twice in our recent visit, both for lunch and dinner. We requested Grande Margaritas and they did not disappoint. Hint: when ordering a house margarita, just go with house tequila. Premium tequila is not needed in our opinion.
The view of San Miguel from Los Milagros in the daytime.
Chicken enchiladas in a traditional Verde sauce. They were so delicious, homemade and authentic. Los Milagros is celebrating their 16th anniversary and these delicious enchiladas are part of the reason why.
But in our opinion, the star entrée is Los Milagros’s specialty, The Molcajete bowl. It is a traditional Mexican dish made with either meat or shrimp (or both) served in a volcanic rock bowl that is fired in the oven. It comes out sizzling and stays hot throughout your entire meal. There is cheese on the side that eventually melts into the bowl into the protein, sauce and vegetables. It is sooooo good. Should you go here, we highly recommend giving the Molcajete a try!
In the evenings a live band plays. The whole side of the restaurant is open air, with the most fabulous view of San Miguel. Great restaurant to kick off a San Miguel de Allende visit.
Favorite Italian With A View: Casa Nostra (new addition!)
Casa Nostra
On our most recent visit we went to three Italian restaurants. All three had Italian born chefs now serving their wonderful dishes in Mexico. If we had to give a nod to one in particular, it would be, Casa Nostra.
As native Californian’s we opted for the grilled artichokes as an appetizer, it was perfectly cooked to a tender consistency then grilled with a delicious aioli. It’s absolutely worth a try.
Next try the table side Caesar Salad, you won’t be disappointed.
We spilt 2 portions of salad for 4 people and it was plenty. For the main course we had the Pasta Cinghiale and the Veal Loin. Everything was delicious. The chef and owner was there during our meal, and clearly knows his regulars. We loved chatting with him hearing how he made his way from Italy, all the way to San Miguel de Allende.
What sets this restaurant apart is the setting, looking out on San Miguel. Every bite was delicious and the service fantastic. We will definitely be back to Casa Nostra on another visit!
Favorite Restaurant That We Want to Keep a Secret: Tostevere (new addition!)
Tostevere
With just a handful of tables in a restaurant tucked away on Coda, you’d better make a reservation or get there early if you want a table.
The word is getting out that Tostevere is a restaurant not to be missed in Centro. The menu is as eclectic as the space, but every bite of everything is delicious.
We started with the Roasted Beet Salad which was served with figs on the side and a wonderful dressing. Two of their most popular dishes are the Peruvian Ceviche and the Soft Shell Crab Wrap. We understand why they are popular as they were so delicious!
On a weekday at 1 PM, the only seats available without a reservation were at the bar. We were happy with that because the bartender was great, and we enjoyed watching everything happening in the restaurant.
The Tostevere lives up to the hype we heard. Go now before everyone discovers this hidden gem!
Favorite Countryside Restaurant: Casa Giovanni & Marina (new addition!)
Born in Italy, Running a Restaurant in the Mexican Countryside
In the countryside outside of San Miguel de Allende sits a small farmhouse restaurant. You have to have a reservation and when you arrive you are buzzed in through the gate. Inside sits a home, a pretty garden and a tiny restaurant with just a handful of tables.
Once you are seated, the magic begins to happen. Right in front of you, that pasta you will soon be eating is being created.
Once you are seated, the magic begins to happen. Right in front of you, that pasta you will soon be eating is being created.
The menu is preset, changing weekly. During our visit, we were treated to a shrimp appetizer, followed by the best tortellini we’ve ever had. The main course was a very generous portion of carpaccio. Dessert was homemade fig ice cream. The wine list is well curated with nicely priced Italian wines. You’d swear you were at a favorite aunt’s home in Italy.
Oh, and the best part, is the focaccia bread, again made right in front of your eyes.
It’s worth the drive, with fabulous food and the most gracious hosts. With the beautiful setting Casa Giovanni Y Marina, would be lovely for a mid-day comida too. Be sure to make a reservation as they do not take walk ins. You can find them on social media but they do not have a website.
Photo: Casa Giovanni Y Marina
Favorite Mediterranean Restaurant: Bocaciega.
Bocaciega
Hostería mediterránea or Mediterranean Inn
This is a relatively new restaurant located in Hotel Casa Quebrada. It was recommended to us by friends who live in town, so we decided to try it out. We were so glad we did!
The setting is absolutely beautiful in this new location. Fortunately, the food lived up to the atmosphere. Everything was delicious! The food is Greek, Mediterranean with a touch of Moroccan flavor.
We started with “bread service” as they called it. It was the most delicious Naan bread we have ever had, served warm. Alongside there was a dish of topping for the bread that included, Greek yogurt, honey, nuts and a sweet jelly of sorts. It was a fabulous start to our delicious meal.
We drank a glass of Casa Madero 2V Chardonnay. This is one of our favorite Mexican white wines. It was served perfectly cold and oh so good.
We ordered the calamari, Greek salad and the foie gras croquet. The flavors we all so amazingly delicious in everything. The standout was the foie gras croquet. It was like a traditional tapas type croquet on the outside with the foie gras warm on the inside. A definite must try!
Such a beautiful restaurant with excellent food, unique for San Miguel de Allende. We loved it and will be back on our next visit.
Favorite Date Night Restaurant: Zibu Allende at Live Aqua.
Zibu Allende
Live Aqua opened in San Miguel in 2018. It is a beautiful, stylish hotel that sits at the base of Ignacio Allende dam. We’ve stayed at this hotel previously and found it very beautiful throughout. On this night we just went for dinner.
We started with a field greens salad with brie wrapped in prosciutto. It had a mixture of berries and nuts with a Rasberry dressing. It was delicious and definitely shareable for two.
For dinner, try the salmon. It sits on a cedar plank served with a truffle butter sauce. It’s fabulous! The rice comes with a banana leaf shaped as a pyramid over the top when it’s served. The waiter removes it to reveal delicious steaming rice.
Texans get hungry for their steak and this steak did not disappoint. It came out on a sizzling cast iron plate. The sauce was a lemon citrus. Overall, this restaurant remains consistent in serving great food in a beautiful atmosphere.
If you want a romantic place to finish the night step upstairs to the Spice Market. On this night we sat outside under the stars with a glass of wine. We loved the food and the experience, once again and will be back!
Favorite Restaurant Where All the Locals Go: Tacos Don Felix
Tacos Don Felix
This is not a restaurant where first time tourists go. It’s off the beaten path, not near the Jardin, actually in a neighborhood. But it is some of the best food we’ve had in San Miguel and maybe in all of Mexico.
Here’s the interesting part; they are only open Friday and Saturday 1-9PM. And more recently, they are open Sunday for breakfast. That’s it! During the week they run the food service for a couple of public schools in town. Those lucky kids get some good food!
It’s a very nice, traditional restaurant from the moment you enter. It’s always very lively and if you hang around long enough in San Miguel, you are sure to see a local you know.
The margaritas are plentiful and delicious! On this night we sat outside on the patio. It was a beautiful night.
My favorite is the Chicken Enchiladas Verde. And oh those beans, they’ve been cooking all day. So, so good!
And then if you are lucky, you’ll get a hug from owners Felix and Dona Guera on the way out! A must try, if you spend any time in San Miguel de Allende.
Favorite Traditional Mexican Restaurant In Centro: La Posadita
La Posadita
When you’re in Centro, walking around the Jardin, staring up at the beautiful Parroquia San Miguel, it would be easy to miss this small doorway. But if you find it, and walk up the stairs, you will find a great restaurant with some of the best views in all of San Miguel de Allende.
La Posadita has been around for a long time. The reason is because it checks all the boxes; great food, friendly service and incredible views of San Miguel. We were there twice on a recent visit and both times started with a little “gift of the chef” or amuse bouche. On this day it was a little flauta, which was delicious.
This was the chili relleno stuffed with just cheese. The portion was big, and so delicious with a mild red sauce. It was served with just rice, great for a mid-day meal.
The second time we visited I tried one of my favorite dishes from the Yucatan Peninsula, Conchinita Pibil. This is a slow roasted pork marinated and cooked in citrus. It is then wrapped in banana leaves to cook, the citrus breaking down the pork to make it incredibly tender. Another important ingredient is usually annatto which gives the dish the dark orange-red color. It is then served with pickled onion, habaneros and fresh corn tortillas on the side. It was probably the best Conchinita Pibil I’ve ever had. A definite must try!
And then on top of great food, this is your view from this beautiful rooftop restaurant. Depending on the time of day, you are also treated to the church bells chiming from the Parroquia. It’s magnificent.
There are 360 views depending on which table you sit at. On this day we enjoyed lunch with our great friends that live in San Miguel and enjoyed what I think is the best table in the house.
Favorite Rooftop Restaurant with Lively Evening Entertainment: Quince
Qunice the Rooftop
If you have one night in San Miguel for a rooftop dinner, this would be our #1 recommendation. The food is very good, but it’s the atmosphere and incredible views that make Qunice a standout restaurant.
It was a little cloudy on this evening and we arrived right at sunset. We had a great table right along the edge with this view to our right.
Our Group Enjoying a Beautiful Evening
This rooftop restaurant is ready for outdoor dining all year round. It has heaters, fans and even patio covers.
We had a bottle of our favorite Mexican wine 3V by Casa Madero.
We started dinner with the Tuna Truffle Sashimi. It was over spring lettuce so it ate like a delicious sashimi salad for two. The truffle sauce, along with the garlic chips made this an outstanding dish. The sushi and sashimi menu is so large, you could just stay with that theme all night.
I got so caught up in the evening, I forgot to take a picture of any more of our food. But everything we had was delicious.
It was right at the end of dinner that THIS started. A tightrope walker going between the roofs of the restaurant with the Parroquioa in the back ground. There was also a violinist playing an electric violin. It was fabulous in an experience like no other.
Here’s a short clip of the fun that night. Listen to the electronic violin playing Have Nagila. Only in San Miguel de Allende!
If that was not enough, the evening ended with beautiful fireworks over the Parroquia.
Favorite Overall Restaurant: The Restaurant
The Restaurant
This is probably one of the most highly rated, well known restaurants in San Miguel. American Chef Donnie Masterton opened The Restaurant in 2008. Many credit him with putting San Miguel on the map as a foodie town and the food lives up any positive review written.
The restaurant is beautiful sitting an a historic building part Mexican colonial and part Moroccan flair. Every detail is well tended to.
On our recent visit we dined twice; once for lunch and once for “Mo’Better Burger Night.” Every Thursday night is burger night, where gourmet burgers are served. It is not to be missed. Unfortunately during this night I was so busy stuffing my face with a “La Suiza” mushroom and Emmental cheese burger I did not get any pictures.
When we went back for lunch we started with this beautiful Shaved Brussel Spouts and Kale Salad topped with pecorino cheese in a lemon vinaigrette dressing. It was absolutely delicious and very light for lunch.
Our friend had the Tandoori Chicken Tacos with cucumber, mint and jalapeno with a tahini-yogurt sauce. They were delicious!
“La Clasica” Burger
There is a burger on the menu every day and this one was fabulous. The chef has a specific blend of meats for the burgers that is ground in house. The Restaurant also prides itself on working local farmers and ranchers to bring the best ingredients to everything.
Our friend had this burger and said it was amazing.
Below is the Chicken Teriyaki rice bowl. Look at all the beautiful vegetables, along with the chicken topped with Nori.
But my favorite thing of the day was what I ordered, the Duck Confit Tacos with spicy flor de jamacia-onion jam. They were the perfect balance of spice and savory with the richness of the duck confit, all wrapped in a delicious little corn tortilla.
So there is a theme here that this is a serious foodie restaurant in a beautiful colonial building. It is not to be missed on a trip to San Miguel de Allende.
San Miguel de Allende, a great foodie town and a great place to meet and gather with good friends. The best of many worlds in this beautiful colonial town!
