Guidebook for San Miguel de Allende
Food Scene
Excellent, classic Mexican restaurant. Our favorite regular place for breakfast. Huevos Tirados or Huevos al Correo. Very good for lunch or dinner, too.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El correo
21-23 CorreoExcellent, classic Mexican restaurant. Our favorite regular place for breakfast. Huevos Tirados or Huevos al Correo. Very good for lunch or dinner, too.
Hands down, the best bakery in town. It’s Italian/French in focus. Almond croissants are out of this world. And it has a little coffee shop in a great painter's workshop and gallery.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Buonforno
33 Stirling DickinsonHands down, the best bakery in town. It’s Italian/French in focus. Almond croissants are out of this world. And it has a little coffee shop in a great painter's workshop and gallery.
Best Mexican bakery in San Miguel de Allende. Bread comes out of ovens around 10:30 am.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Colmena Panaderia
21 ReloxBest Mexican bakery in San Miguel de Allende. Bread comes out of ovens around 10:30 am.
Our favorite ice cream stand. Classic Mexican flavors. Ice cream and ices (like sorbet). Try Carlota (like key lime pie), Nutela, Zanahoria con Nuez (carrot pecan) and Sandia con Chile (watermelon with chile). On special days, they have Desayuno Secreto, their take on classic vanilla, bourbon and corn flakes. And new flavors rotate.
Nieves La Plazuela de San Felipe
106 InsurgentesOur favorite ice cream stand. Classic Mexican flavors. Ice cream and ices (like sorbet). Try Carlota (like key lime pie), Nutela, Zanahoria con Nuez (carrot pecan) and Sandia con Chile (watermelon with chile). On special days, they have Desayuno Secreto, their take on classic vanilla, bourbon and corn flakes. And new flavors rotate.
Sunday Brunch is a feast of Mexican favorites in a posh, colonial indoor and outdoor setting. Excellent service. Very reasonably priced for the cuisine and atmosphere. Great people-watching (movie and soap stars, singers).
133 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rosewood San Miguel de Allende
11 Nemesio DiezSunday Brunch is a feast of Mexican favorites in a posh, colonial indoor and outdoor setting. Excellent service. Very reasonably priced for the cuisine and atmosphere. Great people-watching (movie and soap stars, singers).
Quintessential Mexican street taco stand. Great tacos de bistec (steak) or al pastor and gringas de bistec, which are basically small quesadillas with steak using queso Oaxaca, which is like Mozzarella. Open around 8PM to around 6AM (night time). Andy and his crew treat everyone like royalty.
Andy's Taco Cart
85 InsurgentesQuintessential Mexican street taco stand. Great tacos de bistec (steak) or al pastor and gringas de bistec, which are basically small quesadillas with steak using queso Oaxaca, which is like Mozzarella. Open around 8PM to around 6AM (night time). Andy and his crew treat everyone like royalty.
Fusion Mexican cuisine with great drinks on a rooftop terrace that affords incredible views of San Miguel de Allende and the mountains in the distance. Reserve a table on the rooftop edge.
39 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Antonia Bistro SMA
57 San FranciscoFusion Mexican cuisine with great drinks on a rooftop terrace that affords incredible views of San Miguel de Allende and the mountains in the distance. Reserve a table on the rooftop edge.
Tacos. De. Barbacoa! Excellent tacos made of stewed, spice-infused shredded beef. Very, very good. Served in soft, homemade tortillas. We prefer tacos “bien dorados” (grilled so tortillas are crunchy).
Birria Xalisco
Tacos. De. Barbacoa! Excellent tacos made of stewed, spice-infused shredded beef. Very, very good. Served in soft, homemade tortillas. We prefer tacos “bien dorados” (grilled so tortillas are crunchy).
Fantastic Italian food and steaks, and nice, cozy, romantic, well-done atmosphere. Great drinks, too.
BUENOS AIRES BISTRO
62 MesonesFantastic Italian food and steaks, and nice, cozy, romantic, well-done atmosphere. Great drinks, too.
Superb seafood, especially the fish ceviche tostada. Good beer selection. Beach town atmosphere. Out on the highway, so you need a cab ($50 pesos).
Don Camarón
117 C. San JavierSuperb seafood, especially the fish ceviche tostada. Good beer selection. Beach town atmosphere. Out on the highway, so you need a cab ($50 pesos).
Very good home-cooked Mexican food. Guisados, green enchiladas, agua fresca, flan. Reasonable prices. Long walk or take a taxi from el centro.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
el Rinconcito
7 Refugio Nte.Very good home-cooked Mexican food. Guisados, green enchiladas, agua fresca, flan. Reasonable prices. Long walk or take a taxi from el centro.
In Mercado Ignacio Ramírez. Our friends, Angélica and Raúl, make the best food with carnitas (shredded pork) that they cook fresh daily. Carnitas quesadillas, carnitas tacos, carnitas tostadas. And torta ahogadas. Everything very flavorful. Only open Saturday and Sunday (and some Fridays).
La Torta Ahogada
3 ColegioIn Mercado Ignacio Ramírez. Our friends, Angélica and Raúl, make the best food with carnitas (shredded pork) that they cook fresh daily. Carnitas quesadillas, carnitas tacos, carnitas tostadas. And torta ahogadas. Everything very flavorful. Only open Saturday and Sunday (and some Fridays).
Tasty food, good cocktails, easy covered-patio atmosphere about a block from Loft Quebradita. The ribeye hamburger and the margarita maracuyá (passion fruit) are great.
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mi Bistro 300
18E QuebradaTasty food, good cocktails, easy covered-patio atmosphere about a block from Loft Quebradita. The ribeye hamburger and the margarita maracuyá (passion fruit) are great.
Short menu, fantastic food, bullfight tavern setting. Margaritas, queso fundido con champiñones, champiñones al ajo, chicken or steak fajitas, and lavender panna cotta.
Olé Olé
66-A Cjon. de LoretoShort menu, fantastic food, bullfight tavern setting. Margaritas, queso fundido con champiñones, champiñones al ajo, chicken or steak fajitas, and lavender panna cotta.
Casual, small restaurant with great margaritas, guacamole and classic Mexican fare. Has patio seating behind la Parroquia. At dinner on the weekends, you can often see wedding marches through the San Miguel de Allende streets. Very cool. Team is super-attentive and friendly.
Ten Ten Pie
21 Cuna de AllendeCasual, small restaurant with great margaritas, guacamole and classic Mexican fare. Has patio seating behind la Parroquia. At dinner on the weekends, you can often see wedding marches through the San Miguel de Allende streets. Very cool. Team is super-attentive and friendly.
Classic Mexican fare with a grill for great steaks (the ribeye!). Outdoor, garden seating. In a local neighborhood. Totally casual. Team is super-attentive and friendly.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ten ten pie al carbon
5 Stirling DickinsonClassic Mexican fare with a grill for great steaks (the ribeye!). Outdoor, garden seating. In a local neighborhood. Totally casual. Team is super-attentive and friendly.
Hipster cocktails, food and ambience. Very good flavors. Have the bartender surprise you with something that he creates.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ocre
7 HidalgoHipster cocktails, food and ambience. Very good flavors. Have the bartender surprise you with something that he creates.
A foodie food truck in a sit-down, open-air dining space with table service shaded by old trees. Very good flavors and innovative food. Off the beaten path.
Mio Bistrock
A foodie food truck in a sit-down, open-air dining space with table service shaded by old trees. Very good flavors and innovative food. Off the beaten path.
Eat very good food in a patio courtyard underneath twinkly light citrus trees.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Marsala, cocina con acentos
48 Calle del Dr Ignacio Hernandez MaciasEat very good food in a patio courtyard underneath twinkly light citrus trees.
Drinks & Nightlife
On the 4th Floor of the Rosewood Hotel. Incredible view of San Miguel de Allende. Innovative drinks. Pricey, but worth it. Go at sunset to see the city change from daytime to nightime. This place gets crowded.
59 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Luna Tapas Bar
11 Nemesio DiezOn the 4th Floor of the Rosewood Hotel. Incredible view of San Miguel de Allende. Innovative drinks. Pricey, but worth it. Go at sunset to see the city change from daytime to nightime. This place gets crowded.
Parks & Nature
San Miguel de Allende’s main city park is near the Rosewood Hotel. It’s fantastic for getting away from buildings, cars and streets, and getting into a lot of greenery. There are many walking paths, little fountains, a kids' playground, basketball courts and Zumba on Saturday mornings. While many regulars walk there daily, it’s never super-crowded.
On weekends, local artists sell their pieces. Stroll through on Saturday and Sunday mid-morning to see local artists. Esteban from Alabama has great architectural prints based on San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato that he creates with wood blocks and stamps. Very San Miguel, but modern.
208 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Juárez
75 Cañadita de los AguacatesSan Miguel de Allende’s main city park is near the Rosewood Hotel. It’s fantastic for getting away from buildings, cars and streets, and getting into a lot of greenery. There are many walking paths, little fountains, a kids' playground, basketball courts and Zumba on Saturday mornings. While many regulars walk there daily, it’s never super-crowded.
On weekends, local artists sell their pieces. Stroll through on Saturday and Sunday mid-morning to see local artists. Esteban from Alabama has great architectural prints based on San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato that he creates with wood blocks and stamps. Very San Miguel, but modern.
A lot of people like this as it is off the beaten path and in nature. Pretty cool hiking trails within a botanical garden. Since San Miguel de Allende is arid, so is the setting. Lots of cactus and drought resistant plants.
289 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Charco Del Ingenio
S/N PalomaA lot of people like this as it is off the beaten path and in nature. Pretty cool hiking trails within a botanical garden. Since San Miguel de Allende is arid, so is the setting. Lots of cactus and drought resistant plants.
This is the city’s hub. On a Friday or Saturday evening (between 6p-9p), as the sun is setting, go to the Jardin to people-watch, see the buildings lit up all around, listen to the mariachis, watch the break-dancers, hear the Rondalla (a choral group), see the mojigangas (tall, colorful, walking figures made of paper mâché). This is quintessential San Miguel. A must! And, there are frequent celebrations, like indigenous dances (daytime), weddings (evenings), fireworks (nighttime) and church bells (any hour of the day).
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jardín Allende
18 PrincipalThis is the city’s hub. On a Friday or Saturday evening (between 6p-9p), as the sun is setting, go to the Jardin to people-watch, see the buildings lit up all around, listen to the mariachis, watch the break-dancers, hear the Rondalla (a choral group), see the mojigangas (tall, colorful, walking figures made of paper mâché). This is quintessential San Miguel. A must! And, there are frequent celebrations, like indigenous dances (daytime), weddings (evenings), fireworks (nighttime) and church bells (any hour of the day).
Shopping
Restoration Hardware meets San Miguel de Allende. Very nice home décor, furniture and lighting store. Even if not buying anything, it’s worth visiting just to see the handcrafted works inside and to get lost in the beautiful maze of rooms and stairways.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Armida Decoraciones
26 Ancha de San AntonioRestoration Hardware meets San Miguel de Allende. Very nice home décor, furniture and lighting store. Even if not buying anything, it’s worth visiting just to see the handcrafted works inside and to get lost in the beautiful maze of rooms and stairways.
Outlet for glass blowing factory right here in San Miguel de Allende that makes classic Mexican drinkware--Crate and Barrel and Pier 1 carry their stuff.
La Casa del Vidrio
11 CorreoOutlet for glass blowing factory right here in San Miguel de Allende that makes classic Mexican drinkware--Crate and Barrel and Pier 1 carry their stuff.
Local t-shirt and ball cap shop. Innovative designs. Great gifts for self or for folks back home.
Los Muertos Clothing
17 Ancha de San AntonioLocal t-shirt and ball cap shop. Innovative designs. Great gifts for self or for folks back home.
This is a market several blocks long that has lots of local arts and crafts and great souvenirs. You can start near the corner of Hidalgo and Calzada de la Luz and walk up through the market all the way up to the final point, which is the main market in town, called Mercado Ignacio Ramirez. A must. Bargain at least 15% off asking price.
191 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mercado de Artesanías
S/N Lucas BalderasThis is a market several blocks long that has lots of local arts and crafts and great souvenirs. You can start near the corner of Hidalgo and Calzada de la Luz and walk up through the market all the way up to the final point, which is the main market in town, called Mercado Ignacio Ramirez. A must. Bargain at least 15% off asking price.
High-end, high-quality ceramics, dishes and pottery for patio and garden. All made in Leon, about 2 hours from San Miguel del Allende. Great for unique take-home items. They like to make special ceramic versions of items used daily throughout Mexico. While many pieces are large, there are lots of items that fit in a suitcase.
Trinitate San Miguel de Allende
10 Cuna de AllendeHigh-end, high-quality ceramics, dishes and pottery for patio and garden. All made in Leon, about 2 hours from San Miguel del Allende. Great for unique take-home items. They like to make special ceramic versions of items used daily throughout Mexico. While many pieces are large, there are lots of items that fit in a suitcase.
The Macy's of San Miguel de Allende, with a touch of USA Sears thrown in (appliances, mopeds, lawnmowers).
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Liverpool
165 Lib. José Manuel ZavalaThe Macy's of San Miguel de Allende, with a touch of USA Sears thrown in (appliances, mopeds, lawnmowers).
Anchored by Liverpool (think Macy's), Soriana (grocery store) and Office Depot, there are boutiques, a French bakery, McDonald's, Dominos and Nutrisa (frozen yogurt), and a Petco at this outdoor mall.
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Luciérnaga
Anchored by Liverpool (think Macy's), Soriana (grocery store) and Office Depot, there are boutiques, a French bakery, McDonald's, Dominos and Nutrisa (frozen yogurt), and a Petco at this outdoor mall.
Arts & Culture
This old textile factory was converted a while ago into a collection of art galleries, home décor stores and restaurants. Well worth the visit. You can find works by local artists all the way to Matisse and Picasso. And check out other stores and studios (like that of Juan Zaragoza) along the walk there.
317 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fabrica La Aurora
S/N Calz de La AuroraThis old textile factory was converted a while ago into a collection of art galleries, home décor stores and restaurants. Well worth the visit. You can find works by local artists all the way to Matisse and Picasso. And check out other stores and studios (like that of Juan Zaragoza) along the walk there.
This is San Miguel de Allende's main theater. A few blocks from Loft Quebradita. If there is an event happening (opera, classical music, jazz, ballet folklórico, plays), this is a small, very reasonably priced venue to see someone. Well worth it.
90 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Teatro Angela Peralta
82 MesonesThis is San Miguel de Allende's main theater. A few blocks from Loft Quebradita. If there is an event happening (opera, classical music, jazz, ballet folklórico, plays), this is a small, very reasonably priced venue to see someone. Well worth it.
Fine arts school and museum with a very relaxing, huge courtyard full of Acapulco chairs. Lots of wall murals, too. It’s the yellow building with a large iron sculpture of a bull in front.
52 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bellas Artes
75 Calle del Dr Ignacio Hernandez MaciasFine arts school and museum with a very relaxing, huge courtyard full of Acapulco chairs. Lots of wall murals, too. It’s the yellow building with a large iron sculpture of a bull in front.
A convent turned tanning factory turned library with the second largest collection of English language books in Mexico. Check it out just to explore the stacks and hidden rooms. Definitely see the big meeting room that is covered nearly head to toe in murals. There’s a little theater on site, and a café, and a gift shop.
51 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Public Library of San Miguel de Allende, A.C.
#25 InsurgentesA convent turned tanning factory turned library with the second largest collection of English language books in Mexico. Check it out just to explore the stacks and hidden rooms. Definitely see the big meeting room that is covered nearly head to toe in murals. There’s a little theater on site, and a café, and a gift shop.
Entertainment & Activities
When you need to catch a movie, head to “el cine.” Cinemex is a stadium seating movie theater in the local mall called La Luciernaga. By American and Canadian standards, the ticket prices and concession stand are very economical. You can see a first run movie on a Friday night in a great theater for about $40 pesos, which is about $2.25 USD. That is per person! And they often have both Spanish and English language movies.
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cinemex San Miguel
S/N Blvrd de la ConspiraciónWhen you need to catch a movie, head to “el cine.” Cinemex is a stadium seating movie theater in the local mall called La Luciernaga. By American and Canadian standards, the ticket prices and concession stand are very economical. You can see a first run movie on a Friday night in a great theater for about $40 pesos, which is about $2.25 USD. That is per person! And they often have both Spanish and English language movies.
Horseback riding tours. Winery tours. Tours. Tours. Tours.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Coyote Canyon Adventures
54 ZacaterosHorseback riding tours. Winery tours. Tours. Tours. Tours.
Essentials
Biggest grocery and liquor store in town. Also serves as a department store (like Target or Walmart). Without a car, it's best to take a taxi.
76 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Comer
2 Libramiento José Manuel ZavalaBiggest grocery and liquor store in town. Also serves as a department store (like Target or Walmart). Without a car, it's best to take a taxi.
Lavandería Limpiecito
63 Quebrada