Must-see restaurants in East of Mexico City

  • La Zanahoria

    Puebla

    This blessing for vegetarians is an excellent place for lunch, just moments from the zócalo. The draw is the popular daily buffet from 1pm to 6pm in the…

  • El Mural de los Poblanos

    Puebla

    Set back from the street in a gorgeous, plant-filled colonial courtyard, El Mural de los Poblanos serves excellent, traditional poblano dishes in an…

  • Nelhua

    Puebla

    Talk about hitting all the right notes. The contemporary Mexican dishes at Nelhua highlight the complex flavors of mole – from smoked poblano on turkey to…

  • Las Ranas

    Puebla

    This local institution is the place to try one of Puebla’s great dishes: the taco árabe. Unbelievably moist al pastor (shepherd-style) pork is marinated…

  • La Norberta

    Cholula

    A cantina is a traditional Mexican bar with food, but Norberta forgoes saloon doors to welcome in families and young, discerning diners to eat mole…

  • Desayunos Lupita

    East of Mexico City

    This ultra-popular breakfast and lunch spot serves quintessential tlaxcalteca food, like huaraches (an oblong, fried corn base with a variety of toppings)…

  • La Casa de Frida

    Cholula

    This cavernous gem gives a nod to Frida Kahlo's home in Mexico City. Mexican handicrafts (plus the artist-owner's murals) are splashed throughout the…

  • Restaurante Sacristía

    Puebla

    Set in the delightful colonial patio of the Mesón Sacristía de la Compañía hotel, this is an elegant place for a meal of authentic mole and creative…

  • Restaurante Yoloxóchitl

    East of Mexico City

    Beautifully decorated with plants, antiques and ancient jukeboxes, Yoloxóchitl has views over the cathedral and a selection of salads, antojitos (tortilla…

  • La Purificadora

    Puebla

    The restaurant at La Purificadora, one of Puebla’s chicest boutique hotels, is set in a spare, loft-like space with unfinished walls and long, narrow wood…

  • Comal

    Puebla

    Comal is your old dependable in Puebla. Come for flavorful, good-value poblano dishes like mole (spiced chocolatey sauce on chicken), cemitas (overloaded…

  • Augurio

    Puebla

    Chef Angel Vázquez has brought international flavors to Puebla in other ventures, but with Augurio he creates gourmet experiences in an intimate space out…

  • Recaudo

    Cholula

    Healthy-eating delights in dishes made from organic, locally sourced ingredients. The seasonal vegetarian menu includes elaborate salads (mango, fig and…

  • La Terraza

    East of Mexico City

    This family-run restaurant west of the zócalo, decorated with photos of the town’s annual festivities, is extremely popular with locals for its large…

  • Xuni

    East of Mexico City

    Near Huamantla's sights, Xuni is set around a colorful courtyard and serves Mexican dishes such as tacos gobernador (shrimp and avocado tacos) and…

  • Jaque's

    East of Mexico City

    Jaque's is just a few steps from the zócalo, but the Mexican fare is much better here than elsewhere in the area. Plus you still have the white…

  • Amalfi Pizzeria

    Puebla

    It’s easy to see why this excellent wood-oven pizzeria – with dim lighting, terracotta walls and beamed ceilings – is a popular date spot. In addition to…

  • Fonda del Convento

    East of Mexico City

    This unassuming home-style restaurant has been a local favorite for four decades. The menu focuses on traditional Tlaxcalteca cuisine, including gusanos …

  • La Granada

    East of Mexico City

    Seafood paella, potato tortilla and tapas are some of the Spanish favorites at this tidy little bistro-style restaurant. Drinks have a Mexican twist…

  • Mercado de Sabores Poblanos

    Puebla

    The 6570-sq-meter Mercado de Sabores Poblanos is a budget-friendly complement to Puebla’s food scene with everything from snacks to full meals. A…

  • Güero’s

    Cholula

    Decorated with antique photos of Cholula, this lively, family-friendly hangout has been a Cholula institution since 1955. Besides pizza, pasta and burgers…

  • El Patio de las Ranas

    Puebla

    If the main Ranas restaurant across the road is too fancy, this small sister diner does the trick for top-notch tacos al pastor, a kebab-like dish of…

  • Puebla La Churrería

    Puebla

    There's always a hungry queue for the delicious, crispy churros (doughnut-like fritters) here. Half the fun is the spectacle of watching them being made…

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