10 Best Local Restaurants in Monterrey

Taquerias, or taco restaurants, have a long tradition in Mexico, but this one is modern and stylish. The white tiles and graphic red lettering feel fun and a bit retro, and the counter service is brisk and efficient. Start by picking your meat options, be it spicy marinated pork, thin-sliced beef, or northern-style pork cheek.

The tortillas can be corn or flour, and topping options include cheese, avocado, onion, and several spicy salsas. Wash it all down with the restaurant's own agua fresca, made with fresh fruit and lime juice. They're open until the early hours, which makes it popular with people craving a taco on the way back from the bar.

Señor Latino Centro is the central branch of a much-loved chain of cafes where locals like to have breakfast at the weekends. They're known for their hearty Mexican breakfasts of scrambled eggs with chorizo, fried eggs and prickly pear, fried corn tortillas with refried beans, and migas, a dish made with leftover tortillas, ham, and fried eggs.

Drop by for a quick lunch and try their barbeque pork tacos with fried beans, or vegan enchiladas with prickly pear. The focus is on simple, home-style food to satisfy hearty appetites. Diners with a sweet tooth might enjoy Señor Latino Centro’s pancakes with syrup or breakfast biscuits.

Hotsie is a prominent name to Monterrey's food scene, with a stellar reputation for its Nashville-style spicy fried chicken and 'hot daddy' fries. Burgers and sandwiches are the backbone of the menu, served with pickles and napa coleslaw. Round out your meal with messy fries dressed in mayo and salsa, or a side of tempura cauliflower.

The atmosphere is bright, clean, and fun, with colourful plastic chairs and an eye-catching mural on the back wall. The retro atmosphere goes perfectly with the kitsch milkshake menu, which includes flavours like Oreo, Kit Kat, and Ferrero Rocher. Indulge in a scoop of soft serve for dessert.

Trece Lunas is a cosmopolitan eatery that combines international flavours with a vegetarian-friendly menu. Order a chunky sandwich stuffed with meat and veggies, a cheesy enchilada made with fresh tortillas, or a fresh salad with beans. The omelettes and chilaquiles (fried tortilla pieces) are popular breakfast options.

You can't go wrong with the botanas or sharing plates which come heaped with food for the whole table to try. There's a long coffee menu of cappuccinos, mochas, and lattes, but it's also worth trying the infusions and delicious chai teas. If the weather is nice, grab a seat on the outdoor deck surrounded by flowering shrubs.

Fonda El Limoncito is a cosy restaurant occupying a 100-year-old house in Monterrey. Here, you might feel like you're eating in a family home – it has scrubbed wooden tables arranged around a snug, stone-walled dining room with a bookcase at one end.

One of the best things about eating at Fonda El Limoncito is the fresh ingredients, which come every morning from nearby markets. Authentic, unpretentious food is served in generous portions. There are options available for vegetarians and vegans – just have a chat with the friendly wait staff. There are regular evenings of live music by local bands.

El Rey del Cabrito specialises in Monterrey’s signature dish, called cabrito (goat kid meat). The meat is lightly seasoned with salt and slow-cooked over a charcoal grill for several hours to give it a deep and complex flavour. Dishes are served with charros beans, tomato and onion salad, grilled peppers, and freshly made tortillas.

The menu also features sirloin and T-bone steaks, kebabs, pork-fried beans and flambé cheese with chorizo. Order a cool bottle of Carta Blanca lager to wash it all down. The exposed-brick dining room is adorned with stuffed deer heads, old hunting equipment, sparkling chandeliers, and photographs of the restaurant's founder on the walls.

Equipales Artisan Mexican Restaurant is a time-honoured restaurant that serves Mexican classics in a historical atmosphere. The interior has exposed stone walls, with hanging lamps, antique clocks, sideboards full of porcelain and all kinds of other knick-knacks. Food is beautifully presented in traditionally decorated terracotta bowls and wooden boards.

Dig into regional dishes from around Mexico, an array of artisanal cheeses, or a slice of the restaurant's famous bananas Foster. The owners make their own beer and pulque, a traditional Mexican alcoholic drink made from agave sap. Equipales doesn't take walk-ins, so you’ll need to call ahead and reserve a table.

La Constancia is a classic Mexican bar and grill that serves hearty bar food in generous portions. The menu is based around satisfying, meaty dishes like carne asada (grilled and sliced beef) and smoked pork ribs, served with typical Mexican sides of rice and beans. Order a cheesy casserole for a warm and filling meal, or try the sun-cured meat dishes.

There's a good choice of Mexican beers on offer, including malty Indio beer and refreshing bottles of Tecate. The vibe here is very casual, with friendly staff and groups of locals chatting over a beer. The cosy interior adds to the atmosphere, featuring rough stone walls and cheerful yellow paint around the doors.

Restaurant Bar Zacatecas is an old-school bar and eatery in the tradition of old Mexican cantinas. You'll have a range of great Mexican pub grub to choose from, including barbecue skirt steak, beef sweetbread, and pork crackling. The most popular dish is the pork ribs, which are seasoned and slow-cooked until they're tender and juicy.

If you don't want a full meal, Restaurant Bar Zacatecas is a great place to come for a snack. Standouts include beans in pork fat and grilled panela cheese. Follow the locals' lead and order a glass of mezcal or tequila with your meal. The surroundings are cosy and unpretentious, with lots of dark wood panelling and deer heads looking down from the walls.

Fonda San Francisco is an artistic, offbeat restaurant that serves creative and unpretentious food. Locals come for the unusual and interesting taco fillings, which include spaghetti tacos with chipotle peppers and pork belly tacos with roasted pepper sauce. The aptly named satanic empalme is a local dish, consisting of chorizo and spicy beans served in corn tortillas.

Try Mexican craft ale Ocho, which has a pleasantly sweet, malty flavour, or have an IPA from Propaganda Brewing, a local brewery. The colourfully decorated rooms have a fun and bohemian vibe with lots of interesting knick-knacks. If you're visiting with a group, go for the tasting menu or smorgasbord of small plates to share.