It seemed like new flavors popped up everywhere last year when we finally arrived at the best part of the 2024 season: selecting new dishes to add to the ongoing list of our 150 favorites that were published last February.
The list would be longer with our on-again-off-again culinary tour because for nearly four months, we were evaluating a steady stream of Birrias, Moles, Tlayudas, Tamales, Chapulines,Torta Ahogadas, Pozoles, Barbacoas, Quesadillas, Sopa de Lima, Lechon, Cochinita Piibil and other regional specialties in Guadalajara, Merida and Oaxaca. We were a bit surprised when we finally totaled up the list of favorites for SMA but we did a lot of research and poured over menus most of the year, allowing us to narrow down the SMA restaurants to the ones that had the best profiles for the most reliable eating in the eight months we were here. In other words, we went straight to the good stuff and had plenty to choose from.
SMA has the best variety of food in Mexico of any city we’ve traveled to last year and that gives our chefs plenty of inspiration to introduce more. So eat with your eyes and enjoy the feast. In no particular order, take a trip through what we loved about eating out in SMA last year.
Buen Apetito!
APPETIZERS AND SIDES
Bao Buns (a.k.a. Bacon Bath) by La Azotea; the best appetizer in SMA
Seasonal Vegetables with Pistachios Sauce by Hacintto
Green Fava Bean Hummus by Altar
Esquites by La Azotea
Smoked Beet Rolls at Atrio
Foie gras with wine bread, butter and red wine reduction by Cumpanio; an anniversary special
Queso Fundido by Pirules Garden Kitchen at the Rosewood
Provoleta Cheese and sun-dried Tomatoes by Serrano 82
BREADS
Gugers by Cumpanio
Danish Bread at Artio
Pulque bread by Altar at Doce 18 Concept House
Fried Pizza Bread by Hacintto
Brioche Balls with Butter and Rosemary Honey at Atrio
Pink Peppercorn Bread at Salvajes Brasserie
Split Top French Roll by Panio; for dipping
BREAKFAST
Avocado Toast and Lechon by Café Aldama 57
Choripan by Cumpanio
Barbacoa by Barbacoa Hnos. Rodriquez ; the original!
Birria by Café Aldama 57
Torta Ahogada by Café Aldama 57
Pancakes by Café 1910
BURGERS
Burger Steak au Poivre by San Mezcal
Juicy Lucy platter at the NEW Bastardo
COFFEE AND DRINKS
Coco, Coffee and Milk by Cumpanio
Fresh Squeezed Juices and Smoothies at El Compita
Caramel Latte by 20 Trece
Expresso with Milk by Cumpanio
Latte by Dulce 1810
Affogato by Lukrezia SMA - try this for a special surprise!
DESSERTS AND SWEETS
Santiago Lava Cake with Caramel by Serrano 82
Basque Spanish Cheesecake by Atrio
Wedding Cookies by Alfredo García-Lucio at Nectar
Easter Cookies by Chef Patsy Dubois
Churros by Churro Bonfi at Tuesday Market
Pastries by Dulce 1810
Flan with 70% Tabasco Chocolate Ganache by Altar at Doce 18
Dulce de Leche Gelato by Amorino
New York Style Cookies by Joleisa Bakery
Cannoli, Profiterole - really any dessert by Chef Laura Buccheri at Sikelía by La Cucina di Afrodita
ENTREES
Sea Bass Collar by Hacintto
Pasta with Guanciale at Sikelía by La Cucina di Afrodita
Shrimps in salmorejos and yellow lemon marinade by Hacintto
Oxtail with Mole by Hacintto
Roasted Cauliflower with Mole Coloradito by Altar at Doce 18
Swedish Meatballs by the NEW Bastardo
HANDHELDS
Pizza Fritta by Fari
CarnitaTorta by El Moto Bautista - Independencia
Hojaldra de Mole Sandwich by Lolita
Oaxaca Cheese Flautas by Altar at Doce 18
Pastrami Sandwich at the NEW Mesa Marrakesh
Bacon, Caramelized Onion and Arugula Pizza by Cumpanio
Chicken Sandwich by Trakaloso Pepitos Prime
Rib Eye Beef Sandwich by Trakaloso Pepitos Prime
SALADS
Ensalada King Crab by Atrio
Tomato Salad by Atrio
Salmon Salad with Trout Caviar by Pirules Garden Kitchen at the Rosewood
Clementine Heirloom Tomato Salad with Blue Sheep Cheese by Altar
SOUPS
French Onion Soup by Salvajes Brasserie
Gazpacho by Cumpanio
Roasted Tomato Soup at the NEW Bastardo
SPIRITS
Affogato by Ziracco
Marshmallow Espresso Martini by Mike Esponosa of Tobala Mixology
Margaritto at Hacintto by Garnish Chef and Mixologist, Yuranzi Silva
Martha Esperanza by Atrio
Wine at El Estoril; as recommended by owner, Guiillaume Martin
Blue Cheese Negroni by Mike Espinosa at Salvajes Brasserie
Codigo 1530 Rosa-Blanco Tequila
Heineken 00
Código 1530 Anejo Sherry Finish Barrel Select Tequila
Virgin Cocktails by Serrano 82
Tito Martini at Atrio
Corona 00
TACOS
Don Santos Tacos at Tuesday Market
Matador Tacos at Lolita
EXPERIENCES
Codigo 1530 Tasting Room at Hotel Casa Blanca 7
While most tequila is aged in American whiskey barrels, Codigo 1530 tequilas are aged in French White Oak barrels from the Napa Valley resulting in a uniquely, delicate finish. This eye-catching tasting room is located in the Casa Blanca 7 Hotel in Centro, San Miguel de Allende.
HALL OF FAME
Tito Martini + Rib Rice by Chef Arturo Sandoval at Atrio
Since they opened in 2017, Atrio’s chef, Arturo Sandoval, has been on top of his game and Atrio has been a #1 restaurant in SMA; whether it’s Tito’s Martini made tableside by Abraham or a piping hot plate of Rib Rice that’s always cooked to perfection.
Hamburger Night every Thursday by Chef Donnie Masterton at The Restaurant
Still going strong after 16 years, there’s no argument with this choice; it’s a given. Chef Donnie Masterton won the burger race a long time ago.
Chocolate Truffles with Whiskey and Tequila by Panio
The first sweet treat we ate four days after we arrived 13 years ago also happens to still be the best bite of chocolate in SMA.
Vegetarian Food by Nectar at Camino Silvestre
NECTAR went straight to the Hall of Fame because it taught me to love vegetables again; something that only can be achieved by owners who really understand and love vegetarian food.
NEW OPENING
LOCAL
This new hot spot by Chef Paulina Carreno of Panina will open soon. It promises to be one of the best restaurants in SMA and you’ll be amazed by the prices; we did tastings back in January. Much to our surprise and delight, there’s a chef’s table - the first by a female chef in SMA. Stay tuned!
