The mountain town of Guanajuato in central Mexico is home to some amazing restaurants just waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re looking for typical Mexican cuisine or dishes from further afield, here are 10 of the best restaurants in the area.
Casa Valadez
Restaurant, Mexican, $$$
Situated just in front of Teatro Juarez in the centre of town, this restaurant is great for people watching. On colder evenings take a table inside, but in summer the terrace is the place to be. Portions are big and the menu is varied, so it’s a great place to go after a day of sightseeing.
For unpretentious Mexican fare that will leave you enough change for a night out, La Carreta is hard to beat. If you’re really counting the pennies the portions are big enough to share.
This place used to be a combined art gallery and restaurant, but these days it only offers food. The steak dishes are the best on the menu, but all of the ingredients are high quality.
On the outskirts of town is this traditional Mexican restaurant, with tables looking down over the city. It’s pricier than most places in Guanajuato, but it’s worth both the expense and the taxi ride. It’s like going to a Mexican grandma’s house for lovingly-prepared dishes that haven’t changed in years.
If you’ve had enough of street tacos but you’re on a tight budget, this falafel joint is a great place to go. It’s super-cheap, and there are only a few tables so you might have to take it away, but the wraps are great.
Run by a Canadian-Mexican husband and wife team, this little place prides itself on offering Mexican food with a twist. The innovative menu has earned Los Campos a stellar reputation, and it’s recommended that you make a reservation if you want to eat in the evening.
While it’s not strictly a restaurant, there are plenty of food stalls inside the Mercado Hidalgo in the centre of the city. It’s a great place to wander around for a while before sitting down to order at one of the small restaurants. Always pick a busy one even if it means waiting a while for your food.
Another good option if you fancy a break from Mexican food is this small Japanese deli. There aren’t many tables, but it’s worth waiting to get your hands on the best Japanese food in Guanajuato.
Another option that’s slightly outside town, this place is set in the gardens of an old hacienda. The food is innovative Mexican mixed with international cuisine, and the service is exemplary.
With an international menu, Escarola is great for groups that can’t decide quite what they want to eat. Everyone is bound to find something they fancy from the selection of burgers, salads, sandwiches and soups, and there is a great terrace to enjoy. Be prepared to wait a while for your food; everything is prepared from scratch after you order.
