Deep culinary roots is a mainstay of Mexican culture, making Mexico a global paradise for foodie travelers. Offering a cornucopia of local ingredients, I think Mexico is my favorite country to travel for food because of the sheer diversity of flavor you can experience.

There is a seemingly endless assortment of regional styles of cooking to discover in Mexico, and San Miguel is a great place to sample some of the best cuisine in the country. There is fine dining and street food alike, making San Miguel a culinary destination for any budget.

These are my 10 favorite places for foodies to eat in San Miguel de Allende.

Lavanda Cafe — Calle Hernández Macías 87

An artistic and delicious option for breakfast, Lavanda Cafe is the best place I tried for breakfast while in San Miguel de Allende. Meaning Lavender in Spanish, their espresso drinks come with an adorable sprig of lavender to add a light fragrance to their drinks. For food options, their specialty is poached eggs in green or red chile sauce. You will be full but quite happy after a visit here!

Panio — Relox 18

Perfectly paired with La Ventana listed below, Panio is a simple bread and pastry shop that offers a light and delicious breakfast to pair with your coffee. I personally loved the croissants while my hubby prefered some of their sweeter baked treats. Take your to-go goodies to the nearby Jardin to find a bench and people watch as you snack on your breakfast! 

La Ventana Coffee Shop — Diez de Sollano y Dávalos 11

My favorite coffee shop in San Miguel is La Ventana, which isn’t quite a cafe but a walk up window. You’ll see the painted window on the street where you can order a coffee to go. There is occasionally a line, but it moves quickly. Everything is ordered to go. 

La Azotea — Umaran 6

Recommended to me by a friend who has visited San Miguel several times, the jicama taco at La Azotea is truly a must-try dish. It is unique, bright, flavorful and memorable! You can choose shrimp or tuna for the inside, and the shell is made of thinly sliced jicama offering a refreshing natural crunch. They also have a really nice roof-top patio!

Need more tips for traveling in San Miguel de Allende? I’ve got 14 of them for you!

Luna Tapas Bar — Nemesio Diez 11

Offering the best view in the city, Luna sits at the top of the luxury Rosewood hotel and will cost you a pretty penny. Come here for happy hour drinks and apps to save yourself a few pesos. The food is beautifully prepared and the cocktails are delightfully refreshing. The nearly 360 view really is spectacular, and there is hardly ever a crowd during the day time. It gets busy at sunset.   

Aperi — Quebrada 101

Fine dining is pretty abundant in San Miguel, and one of the most talented Mexican chefs of the moment is Olivier Deboise. He was a finalist on Top Chef Mexico and Aperi is his only restaurant outside of Mexico City, so it is worth the splurge. Typically served as a tasting menu, the menu focuses on seasonal, heritage ingredients prepared with the precision of a classically trained French chef. A friend and I broke off from our group to eat here, and we were not disappointed by the avant garde, modern Mexican fare that we enjoyed at Aperi. Pay extra attention to the building, which dates back to the 18th century. 

Hecho en Mexico — Ancha de San Antonio 8

If you’re looking for a classier dinner without a super high price tag, Hecho en Mexico is a great option. Don’t miss the huitlacoche queso dip. Huitlacoche is a Mexican mushroom that grows on corn cobs, offering a funky umami flavor. It is a unique Mexican ingredient and mixed with queso and tortilla chips is the perfect way to try it for the first time. The interior patio of this restaurant is full of interesting art, so take a few minutes to poke around and discover your favorite piece! 

You can’t come to San Miguel de Allende without having some tacos. There are plenty of upscale spots to enjoy a taco in SMA, but I think the best ones are found on the street or in tucked away corners of the city. Here are my three favorite taco spots in San Miguel de Allende. 

Andy’s Taco Stand (as it’s known only to foreigners) 

This stand is always packed, because it offers the best al pastor tacos in town. You can find it at the corner of Hidalgo and Insurgentes from around 7PM until 6AM on the weekends. It is the best drunk food after a few mezcal cocktails 🙂

Unknown Name (near Nemesio Diez 4)

If you blew your whole budget on drinks at Luna, don’t worry because the 50 cent tacos at this stand just down the street are something special. Get the campechano tacos, which is a mix of chorizo and short rib. They are seriously one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. 

Baja Fish Taquito — Mesones 11-B

Don’t let the silly cartoon logo of this taqueria stop you from enjoying some of the best fish tacos in San Miguel. Their shaded rooftop patio is a lovely oasis from the midday heat, and this is a favorite spot for a long lunch. The colorful tablecloths and box full of sauces will keep you ordering tacos all afternoon! The ceviche tostada and fish tacos are my two favorite dishes.

This post was originally published in April 2016 and then updated in May 2018 and March 2020.

Did I miss any of your favorite eateries in San Miguel de Allende? Comment below with your suggestions!