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The Best Restaurants in Chiapas, Mexico

Mexican dips
Mexican dips | Photo by Frankie Lopez on Unsplash

The food of the Mexican south is distinct from the rest of the country and yet, San Cristóbal de la Casas, Chiapas’ cultural center, is extremely international in vibe. Whether you are looking for excellent Chiapaneco cuisine or something a little more international, there is a restaurant for every taste and budget. Here are a few of our favorites. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Cocoliche

Shrimp quesadillas with guacamole and pico de gallo

Cocoliche’s concept a is “a little from each country, a little from each town,” and their menu reflects that international thinking. They have pita wraps, Mexican snacks like guacamole and quesadillas, soups, salads, Asian curries, rice bowls, and a long list of pastas. The vibe is relaxed and homey, with colorful artwork on the walls and mismatched chairs and tables. They host live music in the evenings and have a comfortable atmosphere for dining with friends or family.

Belil

Chilaquiles with fried eggs

Belil is both a social and gastronomic experience. They support local sustainability through social, cultural, and artistic projects. More than just a restaurant, they are also a gallery and meeting place. They serve a variety of Chiapas-inspired dishes, and their menu includes mole, chiles rellenos, eggs with machacado, homemade tortillas, chilaquiles, and more. They use local and organic ingredients, as they strive to support the local economy and its farmers.

Peruano Cevicheria

An upscale spot in San Cristóbal to enjoy some delicious Peruvian specialities like ceviche, toasted corn, pisco sours, tirados, and more. The ceviche tasting menu is the highest on the recommendation list, and the Peruvian rice dish is a close second. Try out one of their various pisco cocktails and enjoy a little taste of South America in the Mexican south.

Bangcook

Thai food

Bangcook is well known through San Cristóbal for its high-quality Thai food. They offer various curries and traditional Thai fish dishes, as well as fried rice, pad Thai, and traditional Thai desserts. Try the Sikhomg Hmu – pork ribs in a delicious Thai sauce – and a passionfruit truffle for dessert. As an international city, it makes sense that San Cristóbal has good international eating, so take advantage!

Santo Nahual

A fusion of the flavors of Mexico and cuisines from around the world, you will find Italian, French, and Mexican inspired dishes – everything from shrimp tacos to eggplant lasagna to tuna burgers. Santo Nahual, set in one of the oldest houses in the Americas, in the heart of San Cristóbal, is chef-driven, and has a rustic chic décor that all make the meal that much more enjoyable.

Restaurante LUM

Octopus on a wooden plate

Located inside the Hotel Bo, Restaurante LUM has a mix of Mexican and international dishes on the menu, all made with care and presented with style. Mole verde with octopus, fettuccini with smoked cheese from Tabasco, and tamales with the Mexican herb chipilín will each delight in their own way. With an upscale and romantic ambiance, Restaurante Lum’s menu is seasonal, incorporating ingredients at the peak of their freshness.

Las Pichanchas

If you are looking for some traditional Chiapaneco food, try this well-known spot in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the state’s capital. They have things on the menu you most likely have never tried before, like butifarra (a local type of pork sausage), cheese made in Chiapas, and Jacuané tamales – there’s even a tamale tasting menu! They have over 40 years of tradition in the capital, and after 9pm every evening there are traditional folk dances to enjoy while you dine.

About the author

Lydia Carey is a freelance writer and translator based out of Mexico City. She has worked as an editor and writer for various publications including Mexico's English–language newspaper The News, Afar, The New Worlder, International Living and The Latin Kitchen among others. Lydia has been blogging and writing in Mexico for over a decade and lives a double life as a local tour guide in her adoptive hometown. You can find her on the street eating tacos or at her blog www.mexicocitystreets.com.

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