Jackie’s San Antonio
Trendy setting with good service and a changing continental menu, including seafood soup, vegetable terrine, linguini with clams, braised duck breast with figs, roasted pork loin, escolar fish and citrus crepes for dessert.
Located at Plaza de San Antonio #4 (across from the San Antonio church in Col. San Antonio), up on the 2nd floor with a lovely view back toward the Parroquia and Centro, hip all-white roof terrace bar, plus valet parking and an elevator. Reservations necessary: 110-2223
Café Iberico
Cozy neighborhood café featuring an array of tasty tapas – grilled shrimp, goat cheese and honey, fried avocado, chorizo, marinated mushrooms, stuffed Spanish peppers, calamari – and if you still have room, you can also order two types of paella: seafood or Valencian-style with rabbit.
Located at Calle 20 de Enero #30, in Col. San Antonio; 101-8483. You can check menus online: www.cafeiberico.com.mx
Sicilia in Bocca
With possibly the best view of San Miguel and the surrounding countryside from its dining terrace, this Sicilian specialty restaurant is under the guidance of Chef Flaviano, who cooks up such dishes as fettuccine alla bottarga (with tuna roe) and a penne alla giardinera, with grilled eggplant and sun-dried tomatoes. His almond semifreddo covered with bittersweet chocolate sauce is a favorite Sicilian dessert.
Located at Salida a Queretaro #91, in southeastern Centro up the hill, right across from the Mirador lookout and at the corner with Calle Piedras Chinas; 152-0406
Carcassonne
A southwestern French/Basque restaurant, run by the talented Guillermo and Hannah, Carcassonne has taken over the building formerly occupied by the Mosqueta appliance store two blocks east of the Jardin. The newly transformed dining room is an inviting space, creating a special ambience for such dishes as scallop ceviche, a salad of sliced brie/citrus fruits/mangos in a reduced balsamic vinaigrette, a light fish filet sauteed in a delicate pesto sauce with chile specs or a scrumptious trout almondine. For dessert, try the pistachio souffle. The wait staff is attentive and well-informed.
Located at Calle Correo # 34; 152-0053 (reservations recommended for Thurs – Sat nights)
George Samuel Restaurant
Fine international cuisine in the intimate rooftop setting of the very trendy Casa Misha B&B. Some now consider this the best elegant restaurant (with food, service and prices to match) in San Miguel. Check out the B&B website at http://www.casamisha.com
Located at Chiquitos #15 in Centro, just three blocks east from the Jardin. Reservations a must: 152-2021. Open Thursday to Monday, 6-10 pm, and on Sunday for all-day brunch, 12 – 7 pm.
Café Rama (part of the Natura organic food store)
Run by chef/owner Jason Malloff, Café Rama is a welcome addition to the increasing number of organic restaurants in town. This simple, moderately priced café offers two kinds of breakfast quiche, pulled pork sandwiches, a lamb shepherd’s pie, as well as the baked chocolate mousse dessert and a variety of unusual truffles (bacon, tobacco with sea salt,chili).
Located at Calle Nueva #4 (on some maps, the street is also called Paseo del Parque), inside and through to the back patio of the Natura store.
Via Organica (café inside another organic food store)
Stop at the simple patio café for healthful snacks and more, then shop in the multi-room store for some of the best fresh organic produce, cheeses, preserved goods and frozen items, plus wood-oven baked goods from the organic bakery (Panaderia Casanova) across the street. Gluten-free breads are also available. Via Organica not only supports local organic growers, it also runs an organic farming workshop and sponsors efforts for regional fair trade groups.
Located at Calle Margarito Ledesma # 2 in Colonia Guadalupe, 185-2195
Dragon Chino
A small Chinese restaurant on the southside of town with take-out and free home delivery service, Dragon Chino has become so popular in its first few months that the location moved across the street to a larger space. Specialities include Peking duck (by special order), orange beef, General Tso chicken, crispy walnut shrimp, moo shu pork/vegetables/chicken/beef or shrimp and a variety of soups and appetizers.
Located at Salida a Celaya #71, across from the main Telmex office. Open 12-9 pm every day but Tuesday, 185-8686.
La Jarochita
A Vera Cruz-style casual seafood café, this restaurant has two locations, both receiving good reviews for their extremely fresh seafood and their scrumptious fish tacos “de Nayarit.” The fish ceviche cocktails are fresh, sweet and generous. A small such cocktail Campeche-style (with shrimp, oysters and octopus) is only $28 MXN pesos and is large enough for a filling meal when combined with a fish taco or two. Open for lunch, snacks and dinner up to 9 pm, but closed on Tuesdays.
Location #1: In the partially constructed mall next to Hospital de la Fe (west side) off the Libramiento
Location #2: In the Primavera mall, which is right behind the small Pollo Feliz outlet at the top of the Salida a Queretaro, just before the glorieta on the right-hand side going up the hill
PLUS: Upscale favorite, The Restaurant, Calle Sollano #16, now features a more casual “Hamburger Night” every Thursday. Homemade buns, fresh-ground beef, a tasty stack of potato slices of many colors and an array of toppings make for a satisfying, gourmet burger meal. Options for vegetarians, too, including salmon and Portobello mushroom burgers.
ALSO: The Longhorn Smokehouse, formerly in a tent behind Espinos grocery, has moved to the southside of town on the Ancha de San Antonio in the space formerly occupied by BBQ Bob’s, which is just north of the Pemex station and south of Prolongacion 5 de Mayo. Great barbecue ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and a very reasonably priced steak special on Thursday nights. The bar is a popular neighborhood hangout.