Must-see restaurants in South of Mexico City

  • El Ciruelo

    Tepoztlán

    Set in a courtyard with impressive views of the cliffs and pyramid, this long-standing favorite serves an upscale menu of dishes from pechuga con plátano…

  • Restaurante Hacienda de Cortés

    Cuernavaca

    Situated within Hotel Hacienda de Cortés, a 15-minute drive southeast of central Cuernavaca, this elegant but unpretentious hotel restaurant serves an…

  • La Sibarita

    Tepoztlán

    High on a hill above town, the restaurant at Posada del Tepozteco has gorgeous views of the valley below. With surreal cliffs and a pyramid overhead, the…

  • La India Bonita

    Cuernavaca

    Set in a lush courtyard, Cuernavaca’s oldest restaurant also has some of its best traditional Mexican food – from brocheta al mezcal (skewered meats…

  • La Maga Café

    Cuernavaca

    The colorful buffet (till 5pm) at La Maga features multitudes of glazed pots filled with salads, pastas, fruit, vegetables, and daily specials such as…

  • Rosa Amaranto

    Taxco

    The roof terrace of Pueblo Lindo hotel is one of the most spectacular spots for panoramic views of Taxco over a lunch of enchiladas de jamaica (chicken-…

  • Los Colorines

    Tepoztlán

    Inside the pink exterior of this buzzing restaurant, the hearty traditional Mexican fare bubbles away in cazuelas (clay pots) – try the regional chiles…

  • Sotavento

    Taxco

    It's easy to be wooed by the cobblestone arches in the warm lighting of Sotavento's leafy, tranquil courtyard. Classic Mexican dishes such as enchiladas…

  • Taxco de Mil Sabores

    Taxco

    As you traipse through a jewelry store to this hidden spacious restaurant, the last thing you might expect are 180-degree views of the town from its…

  • Restaurant Las Mañanitas

    Cuernavaca

    The restaurant and bar of Cuernavaca’s most famous hotel, Las Mañanitas, is a luxurious splurge that's open to all. The expansive menu has a heavy French…

  • La Hacienda de Taxco

    Taxco

    Offering an extensive menu of traditional Mexican dishes (including house-made jam in the morning and a 20-ingredient, house-made mole in the afternoon),…

  • La Sushería

    Taxco

    This sushi restaurant in the lobby of Hotel Emilia reflects modern Taxco with its designer furniture but casual vibe. The sushi is fresh and finished…

  • Casa Hidalgo

    Cuernavaca

    Directly opposite the Palacio de Cortés, with a great terrace and upstairs balcony, this popular restaurant attracts a well-heeled crowd of local…

  • La Veladora

    Tepoztlán

    A splendid grassy garden makes a wonderful evening out of the already artful meals at this boutique-hotel restaurant in the quiet backstreets of Tepoztlán…

  • Hostería Bar El Adobe

    Taxco

    This place doesn’t have the zócalo views, but the interior is charmingly decorated with B&W photos of everyone from Pancho Villa to Elvis, and the cute…

  • El Tlecuil

    Tepoztlán

    The chaotic market hides a stall with mostly vegan pre-Hispanic food. Mainly this means tortita (croquette) taste bombs wrapped up as tacos or with rice…

  • La Luna Mextli

    Tepoztlán

    This spacious bar-restaurant has a long covered terrace to enjoy the excellent dishes, from the Mexican standards to an entire list of Argentine steaks…

  • El Brujo

    Tepoztlán

    This wonderful bakery-restaurant on the town’s main drag is the best bet for a full breakfast, with excellent omelettes and Mexican standards such as…

  • La Cueva

    Cuernavaca

    This sloped bar, which opens onto the bustling crowds on Galeana, serves up superb pozole (shredded meat and hominy in a pork-based broth) and other…

  • Iguana Greens

    Cuernavaca

    With authentic Mexican dishes this good and cheap, it would easy for Iguana to be another anonymous fonda (inn) and still draw crowds, but the friendly…

  • Tamuz

    Cuernavaca

    The Israeli chef here dishes up an eclectic menu that includes dishes like chicken marsala Tel Aviv–style, pita with smoked salmon dip, and polenta. The…

  • Emiliano's

    Cuernavaca

    Quiz any local on their favorite place to eat and you'll be directed to the thatched roof of homey Emiliano's. Complex mole and other Mexican sure things,…

  • Las Golondrinas

    South of Mexico City

    Set in a 17th-century building filled with plants and koi ponds, Golondrinas offers an attractive atmosphere and excellent service. House specialties…

  • Los Buenos Tiempos

    Tepoztlán

    Head here for the best pastries around – the smell drifting over the zócalo alone will probably bring you in on autopilot. There’s also good coffee and a…

  • Trattoria Marco Polo

    Cuernavaca

    Italian dishes, including a broad range of excellent, thin-crust pizzas, and an attractive setting just across from the cathedral make this a decent…

  • El Barco

    Cuernavaca

    This popular, no-nonsense joint specializes in Guerrero-style pozole verde, the all-curing Mexican soup but here made 'green' with pepitas and mild green…

  • Pozolería Tía Calla

    Taxco

    No fine vistas or breezy terrazas here – just authentic pozole, served up in Auntie Calla’s basement. Pick your poison: chicken or chicharrón (fried pork…

  • Restaurante Santa Fe

    Taxco

    In business for over 50 years, Santa Fe is a favorite among locals for its fairly priced traditional fare such as conejo en chile ajo (rabbit in garlic…

  • Axitla

    Tepoztlán

    This Swiss Family Robinson–style sprawling treehouse, just off the pathway to the archaeological site, is set amid thick forest. There’s a good selection…

  • La Caletilla

    Taxco

    Far from the sea, Taxco is perhaps the last place you’d expect to find a great marisquería. But La Caletilla’s small, fish-only menu is loved by locals…

  • La Concha Nostra

    Taxco

    On the 2nd floor of the Hotel Casa Grande, this popular pizza-and-pasta place serves food and drink until midnight. You can watch the action on Plazuela…

  • Restaurant Vegetariano El Sol

    South of Mexico City

    Whether you want a meat-free quinoa-topped tostada (crispy tortilla), pizza, soy burger, set lunch, avocado 'prawn' cocktail or simply good-value healthy…

  • La Hamburguesa

    Taxco

    For a quick, affordable meal try this popular diner on the west side of Plazuela San Juan. It serves five styles of set breakfasts in the morning and…

  • Tepoznieves

    Tepoztlán

    A homegrown ice-cream emporium, Tepoznieves serves some 100 flavors, including exotic scoops such as cactus and pineapple-chili. There are several…

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