Mexico is well regarded among foodies as a culinary destination. With world-class restaurants in Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende and Oaxaca, foodies flock to these destinations to sample the regional cuisine. The culinary scene in San Cristobal de las Casas, however, is slowly making a name for itself.
We took the opportunity to eat our way through San Cristobal de las Casas. Here is a list of the best restaurants in San Cristobal de las Casas. Hopefully this list will help you decide where to eat in San Cristobal de las Casas.
READ MORE: What to Do in San Cristobal de las Casas
Achiote Cochinita Pibil
If you aren’t big on the pig, then this restaurant mightn’t be the place for you as Achiote Cochinita Pibil specializes in only one thing…pork. Cochinita pibil is a traditional Mexican slow-roasted pork dish from the Yucatán Peninsula. The pork is marinated with citrus juice and annatto (a spice) and slow cooked for hours in a banana leaf. Think of the Mexican version of southern barbeque.
Despite only offering pork at Achiote Cochinita Pibil, the pork is served in many different ways each with a unique flavor. Take your pick of tacos, torditas (small sandwiches), tostadas, panucho, tamales, gorditas and gringas. Our favorite? The torditas. A mini barbeque sandwich with soft bread, pickled onions and your choice of salsa. Simply mouth-watering.
Don’t be detered if there is a line, the service is quick and the food is worth any small wait.
Useful Information
- Address: Corner of Calle Ninos Heroes and Miguel Hidalgo
- Hours of Operation: Every day from 8:30 am – 11:00 pm
La Vina de Bacco
San Cristobal de las Casas is littered with international flavors and cuisines. If you have had your fill of Mexican dishes then you are in luck in San Cristobal de las Casas. One of our favorites is La Vina de Bacco which is a Spanish tapas and wine bar.
The main reason to visit La Vina de Bacco is the wine. Wine prices range from $20 – $60 pesos per glass and include one free tapa making it quite a deal. If the small morsel provided with each drink isn’t enough, you can order extra plates with prices ranging from $10 – $125 pesos. If you do plan on eating here, we recommend sticking to the Spanish style tapas over the Mexican style tapas. We ventured from the traditional tapas one time and wished were a bit disappointed.
Make sure you book a table here as things fill up fast and you definitely do not want to miss drinks at La Vina de Bacco.
Useful Information
- Address: Real de Guadalupe 7, Zona Centro, 29200 San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chis., Mexico
- Hours of Operation:
- Saturday to Thursday: 1:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Friday: 1:30 pm – 12:00 am
Cardamomo Cocina Hindu
Cardamomo Cocina Hindu was perhaps my favorite restaurant in San Cristobal de las Casas. Located in Barrio Guadalupe, this restaurant is serving delicious Indian food in the middle of Mexico. We always have a misconception that in Mexico you cannot find good food other than Mexican food. Well, Cardamomo Cocina Hindu will prove you wrong. These ladies were serving up Indian food just as good as places I have been in the US, Amsterdam, and Australia. If you are keen on Indian, get around Cardamomo Cocina Hindu.
Useful Information
- Address: Real de Guadalupe 170, Barrio de Guadalupe, 29230 San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chis., Mexico
- Hours of Operation: Every day 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Dely Quesadilla
Dely Quesadilla is a no-frills or fancy restaurant, but we still think it is one of the best restaurants in San Cristobal. The unassuming restaurant only has a handful of tables and chairs and only one grill on which to prepare the quesadillas. One grill means the service can be a bit slow, but trust us, it is worth it. These quesadillas were some of the best we had in Mexico. It is evident, the ladies here know how to prepare a quesadilla! The quesadilla menu varies each day, but there are usually 4-5 options available including vegetarian options.
Don’t miss a chance to stop in at Dely Quesadilla. You won’t be disappointed.
Useful Information
- Address: Cuauhtémoc 11, Zona Centro, 29200 San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chis., Mexico
- Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday 3:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Asiarico7
Asiarico7, not to be confused with Asiarico14 its fancier sister restaurant, is one of the best San Cristobal restaurants and a must if you are craving Asian. Taking a bit of Asian flare from Vietnam and Korea and throwing in a little Mexican flavor, these guys are serving up some of the best meals in town. The Korean-inspired tacos were a particular favorite. We recommend getting there early or booking in advance as seating is limited.
Useful Information
- Address: Belisario Domínguez 3a, Zona Centro, 29200 San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chis., Mexico
- Hours of Operation:
- Thursday to Tuesday: 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Wednesday: Closed
El Cau Vinos y Tapas
Surprisingly, in a town as small as San Cristobal, there is a wine and tapas bar. But it is almost unheard of to find two! Somehow San Cristobal manages to pull it off (again) with two amazing wine and tapas bars to visit each being one of the best restaurants in San Cristobal de las Casas.
While locals and tourists alike flock to La Vina de Bocca for the cheap ($20 peso) wine, the crowd at El Cau Vinos y Tapas is a bit more upscale. While they serve quality wines, their selection is not quite as extensive as their neighbor, but their food is a step above. Selections range from tapas to full plates to meat and cheese boards. Grab a few tapas and sit outside on the terrace watching people pass by. We ended up observing a processional which was quite the interesting dinner experience!
Useful Information
- Address: Real de Guadalupe 57, Barrio de Guadalupe, 29230 San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chis., Mexico
- Hours of Operation
- Monday to Saturday: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Sunday: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Casa de Ahn
It seems odd that San Cristobal de las Casas would have more than one Korean restaurant, or really any at all. But two who are doing it and doing it well is incredible, well it almost seems like a lie!
Casa de Ahn was our first venture into the Asian cuisine in San Cristobal de las Casas. It took just one bite of the Korean Fried Chicken for me to know that eating out at all of the international restaurants in San Cristobal de las Casas was a must. Korean food with a Mexican twist are what to expect at Casa de Ahn. As you can tell, we particularly loved the Korean fried chicken, but the ramen was also equally as delicious!
Useful Information
- Address: Calle 5 de Febrero 8, Zona Centro, 29200 San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chis., Mexico
- Hours of Operation:
- Monday and Tuesday: 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday – Saturday: 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Sunday: 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Trattoria Catanzaro
We don’t normally eat out Italian food. It is one of the “go-to” meals in the van, so it is not something we crave or like to spend lots of money on. But, we heard Trattoria Catanzaro was something special, so we set our hearts on having a meal here. And, it did not disappoint.
This lovely family restaurant serves up the best Italian in the city hands down making it one of the best restaurants in San Cristobal de las Casas. The home-made pasta steals the show here, but you cannot order wrong! Make sure you come hungry as you will want to order one of everything on the menu!
Useful Information
- Address: Profa. María Adelina Flores 16
- Hours of Operation:
- Sunday – Monday: 2:00 pm – 9:30 pm
- Tuesday, Thursday – Saturday: 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Wednesday: Closed
El Caldero
As San Cristobal de las Casas is located 2,200 meters above sea level, it is a bit more chilly than other parts of Mexico. Stop in at El Caldero, or soup in Spanish, to warm up after an afternoon of sightseeing. As the name suggests, the piping hot soup is the star of the show at this San Cristobal restaurant.
With over a dozen different types of the caldero ranging from chicken to pork and even vegetarian options, you can find something for everyone. Prices are reasonable ranging between $90 – $110 pesos per soup but make sure you bring your appetite as the soup is more than sufficient to fill you up. We also filled up on the delicious bean dip provided as an appetizer while you wait on your meals. If you finish before your meal, they will replenish, so don’t spoil your meal!
Useful Information
- Address: Av Insurgentes 5-A, Centro, Zona Centro, 29200 San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chis., Mexico
- Hours of Operation: Every day 7:30 am – 10:00 pm
Comida Thai
On the recommendation of a few locals, we visited Comida Thai to try more of the Asian cuisine that is slowly taking over the culinary scene in San Cristobal. With only five tables, locals and tourists alike pack this tiny restaurant each day.
The menu, which consists generally of well known Thai food such as pad thai and red curry, changes regularly. If you are keen on something particular on the menu that day, make sure to arrive early as only a limited supply is available each day. While the taste isn’t as good as the food you would find in Thailand, if you have the craving or are over tacos, Comida Thai is a great option. Make sure you go with plenty of time, however, as they are not known for their quick service.
Useful Information
- Address: Calle Dr. José Felipe Flores # 52, entre Diego Dugelay, Av. la Almolonga y, Centro, 29230 San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico
- Hours of Operation
Frontera Artisan Food and Coffee
We couldn’t end the list without including at least one breakfast or brunch spot on the list. Frontera Artisan Food and Coffee is hands down the best breakfast spot in San Cristobal de las Casas. These guys serve up Mexican classics such as delicious chilaquiles, or western staples like their yummy breakfast bagel. Grab a coffee and sit outside on the terrace or in the sun-drenched garden. Trust us, this place is definitely worth the slight walk out of town.
Frontera also does great coffee! For more on where to find the best coffee in San Cristobal de las Casas check out our article The 6 Best Cafes in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Useful Information
- Address: Belisario Domínguez 35, Barrio del Cerrillo, 29220 San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chis.
- Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
We hope this list of the San Cristobal restaurants helps you plan our your meals! Let us know what you think and start planning your trip today!
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