Best Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende | Rooftops, Coffee, Brunch & More!
Discover the TOP San Miguel de Allende restaurants! This colorful city doesn't lack options when it comes to dining. In fact, the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming. I've narrowed down the list to the very best restaurants in San Miguel de Allende! Stick to these spots and you won't be disappointed.
San Miguel de Allende really shines when it comes to the restaurant scene. I wasn't expecting such an extensive selection of places to dine. The choices really are endless and more than enough reason to extend your trip.
Rooftops with stunning views, cozy Moroccan courtyards, tiny coffee shops, and taco carts with a constant line of locals...there's something for every taste and vibe.
This post will focus on the absolute best restaurants in San Miguel de Allende. These were my favorite places and the spots I'll be returning to every time I'm in the city.
This map shows the best restaurants in San Miguel de Allende listed in this post. Click the icon in the very top left to see a list view of each pinned location. Click the top right button to enlarge the map. Click the star to save to your own Google Maps account. To access this map once saved (after clicking the star), open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), click the menu button, go to "your places", select "maps", and you will see this map listed.
- Blue - rooftop restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
- Purple - restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
- Black - casual restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
- Yellow - cafes and coffee shops in San Miguel de Allende
Atrio - Best Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
Atrio - Best Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
Best rooftops in San Miguel de Allende
The rooftop scene in San Miguel is where it's at. Once Jake and I arrived in San Miguel de Allende and had our first rooftop dinner, we canceled all dinner reservations that were not on a rooftop.
Perfect evening weather combined with spectacular sunsets and views, it just didn't make sense to dine inside.
The below places were my favorite by far. These are the absolute best rooftops in San Miguel de Allende for dinner and drinks.
Quince - voted the #1 rooftop in the world, this is a great place to share an assortment of appetizers and sushi rolls. The drinks are delicious, most notably the Black Forest made with activated charcoal, mezcal, lime, and rosemary syrup.
Ask to sit on the side facing the mountains to watch the sunset. The other side overlooks the cathedral and is a good option if it's cloudy or it's already dark and you want to see the cathedral lit up.
Atrio - this ended up being our favorite rooftop as it's the highest (i.e. incredible views) and a bit more relaxed. Quince is lively with a "party scene" vibe later in the evening.
The food and drinks really stood out at Atrio.
Order the Aloha drink and several appetizers including the guacamole, polpo tacos (octopus), and charred cauliflower. Skip the dessert. It wasn't that great and I would have rather enjoyed another appetizer or drink.
Consider joining a food tour like this Tacos and Tequila tour or this Downtown Food tour.
Views from La Posadita - Best Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
La Posadita - located right next to Quince and known for their frozen pina coladas. La Posadito is perfect if you want a casual vibe. The guacamole was one of my favorites from our trip.
La Unica - beautiful views overlooking the city center and cathedral paired with an extensive drink menu, eight different types of tacos to choose from, among other classic Mexican dishes. The chocolate bomb dessert was pretty darn good.
La Unica has a party atmosphere to it without being too over the top.
SEE ALSO
A COMPLETE GUIDE TO SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE + THINGS TO DO
IS SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE SAFE FOR TOURISTS AND VISITORS?
Views from Luna Rooftop - Best Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
Luna Rooftop (Rosewood San Miguel de Allende)- instead of being in the center of the city and nestled right next to the cathedral...Luna rooftop is just outside Centro and offers views of the city center and cathedral from afar.
I will say, this is the most expensive place for drinks and appetizers (think $10 to $14 vs. $6 to $8), but I still think it's worth at least one visit for a different view and perspective.
La Azotea - a great rooftop spot for lunch. The jicama tacos, stuffed with fried leeks, crispy shrimp, and spicy mayo, are incredible. One of the best things I ate on the trip.
Bovine - Best Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
Best restaurants in San Miguel de Allende that aren't rooftops
The Restaurant - if you're not feeling a rooftop, The Restaurant is a lovely spot with a gorgeous Moroccan courtyard. The menu is an assortment of "global comfort" food. Several locals/ex-pats raved about their Thursday burger night.
Bovine - this restaurant is gorgeous! The design is eclectic and sophisticated. Rich green velvets, mirrored ceilings, gold tables, black and white tiled floors...interior designers would be in heaven here.
Prices are on the higher end (for San Miguel). $25 steak au poivre, $10 desserts, $10 cocktails. While this wasn't my favorite restaurant food-wise, I still recommend it for those who love design and a stunning atmosphere.
Photos: Bastardo - San Miguel de Allende Restaurants
Bastardo - Best Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
Bastardo - a must for foodies. Enjoy sublime farm-to-table dishes served in a casual, beer garden atmosphere. The restaurant is actually made out of two shipping containers.
Chef Jorge Arendano worked at Noma in Denmark, which has made the list of "best restaurants in the world" more times than I can count.
The menu changes with the seasons. Order the burger if it's on the menu and be sure to save room for dessert.
Bastardo will require an Uber ride as it's a little bit out of town (about 15 minutes). This is a great place if you want something unique and a change from the city center restaurants.
Zibu (Live Aqua hotel) - offers a fusion of Mexican and Thai flavors and is located on the ground floor. Try the bone marrow and octopus tacos, soft shell crab tacos, oriental seafood rice, and coconut ice cream.
Casual restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
Hecho en Mexico - a great option for a casual meal with an extensive menu including plenty of vegan options and salads. If you're feeling adventurous, try the fondue de huitlacoche (think queso).
Huitlacoche is considered a delicacy in Mexico. It's basically a mushroom that grows on corn cobs.
Inside Cafe - touts itself as a meeting point for entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and open, like-minded people in a space that promotes art, music, culture, and hospitality.
Visit Inside Cafe for brunch/lunch. There are several filling breakfast bowls to choose from with both vegan and gluten-free options. Or go all out and order one of their insane grilled cheese combinations.
The coffee is also great and the prices are cheap. $7 for a breakfast bowl, $2 for a flat white, and $8.50 for a pulled pork grilled cheese sandwich.
La Parada - seafood is king at this affordable Peruvian restaurant. The ceviche and octopus dishes are by far the most popular.
Best brunch in San Miguel de Allende
1826 (Rosewood San Miguel de Allende) - Sunday brunch is a must at 1826. For about $30 you get access to all the live food stations with Mexican classics, unlimited coffee, tea, juice, and an a la carte item of your choice.
This was one of the best meals of the trip. The courtyard is gorgeous and the service is outstanding. I almost wished I had skipped dinner the night before so I could have enjoyed more of the stations!
Lavanda Cafe - Best Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
Lavender latte - Best Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
Cafes and coffee shops
Lavanda Cafe - the best coffee shop in San Miguel de Allende (don't worry I tried them all and will be publishing a San Miguel coffee shop post soon). I visited Lavanda at least once a day.
Try the lavender latte, or my personal favorite, the mareado lavanda. This drink took me back to my espresso freddo days in Greece. Frothed espresso, poured over ice, with lavender and a touch of brown sugar.
Panio Relox - located in the heart of the historic center, Panio is a great choice for coffee and pastries. The coconut eclairs are scrumptious and the breakfast migas were also wonderful.
Ki'bok - Best Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
Ki'bok Coffee SMA - after gaining quite the following in Tulum (Ki'bok's first location), a second cafe was soon opened in San Miguel de Allende. The cold brew is especially good and this is one of the best spots to hang for a while as there's plenty of seating and a sunny rooftop patio.
Zenteno - solid iced Americanos, insanely good mini-pies and tarts, and a charming little atmosphere.
Andy's Taco Cart - San Miguel de Allende Restaurants
Andy's Taco Cart - San Miguel de Allende Restaurants
Street food/taco carts
Andy's Taco Cart - I can't not include Andy's taco cart when discussing San Miguel de Allende restaurants...even if it's not technically a restaurant. Andy's by far was Jake's favorite. I say Jake because it was Jake's mission on this trip to try all the top taco carts.
Not only is Andy beyond friendly, but his el pastor tacos truly were the best. The cart opens up at 7:00 pm and can be found on the corner of Hidalgo and Insurgentes.
These tacos were so delicious that Jake would often get an "after-dinner" snack on our way back to the hotel.
In summary
I hope this helps plan your dining excursions around the city. These are without a doubt the best restaurants in San Miguel de Allende.
You'll be spoiled for choices when it comes to rooftops, trendy restaurants, and tiny cafes. My goal with this post was to narrow down your options and list the best of the best so you can focus your time on enjoying the city!
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Best Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende
Lavanda’s centro location has closed but the other has expanded.
Marsala has closed.
The best informal options are out of centro along the Salida de Celaya (extension of the Ancha). Rustica, Raices, Ancestro are all storefront places with exceptional ingredients crafted into traditional dishes at very affordable prices
I’m so sad Marsala closed! But happy to hear Lavanda’s expanded. Thank you for the recs outside of centro. I agree that Rustica is very good…I’ll be sure to visit the other two next time!