Destination Guidebook for Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
|
|
| |
| Dining Overview | Top  |
Tapatios, as the natives of Guadalajara are called, like to eat, drink and party, and Guadalajara offers some superb dining experiences. Restaurants are scattered all over the city, and everyone has a neighborhood favorite. Regional specialties include birria de chivo (goat stew), chicharones (pork skins), caldos (soups), roasted chicken, tortas ahogadas (sandwiches of pork covered with chili sauce), tacos and enchiladas (often served with distinctive Jalisco sauces).
If you would like a touristy but fun dining experience, try one of the restaurants in the Plaza de los Mariachis. Mariachi bands roam the tables, playing their music for a nominal fee. Use caution if you visit that area at night, however: The plaza becomes exponentially seedier as night falls, and pickpockets can be a problem. Expect to pay within these general guidelines, based on the cost of a dinner for one, not including drinks or tip: $ = less than M$70; $$ = M$70-$150; $$$ = M$151-$250; and $$$$ = more than M$250. | Local & Regional | Top |
A traditional purveyor of birria de chivo (goat stew), Las 9 Esquinas stands out for its superior local fare. The restaurant opens onto one of the small colonial plazas in the very European-looking neighborhood for which the restaurant is named. Also try the lamb barbecue and chicken with mole, which is one of the best in town: not too sweet, not too salty. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you're going on a Sunday afternoon you might have to wait. Reservations not accepted. $-$$. No credit cards. Colon 384, Nueve Esquinas, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3613-6260. This polished yet cozy restaurant in Tlaquepaque offers a memorable end to a day of shopping and sightseeing. Treat your palate to shrimp in tamarind sauce or cheese-and-cilantro fondue ( queso fundido). The shrimp torta tamale in poblano sauce is excellent. Daily noon-8 pm. Reservations recommended on weekends. $$$. Accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Independencia 224-A, Tlaquepaque. Phone 33-3639-6481. The warm decor and soft music of El Sacromonte match the excellence of its food. Among the delicacies on the menu are rose-petal quesadillas and the traditional stuffed peppers ( chile en nogada) stuffed with beef and topped with cream and walnuts. The comfortable, romantic atmosphere is ideal for a special evening. Monday-Saturday 1 pm-midnight, Sunday 1-6 pm. Reservations are recommended Friday and Saturday evenings. $$$. Accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Pedro Moreno 1398 (on the corner of Colonias), Guadalajara. Phone 33-3825-5447. This casual family restaurant owes its fame to a single dish and its lightning-fast service—fast enough, in fact, to earn Karne Garibaldi an entry in Guinness World Records. The carne Garibaldi (or carne en su jugo) takes its name from the restaurant's location on Calle Garibaldi. It's a kind of stew prepared with thin slices of beef, beans and bacon that's garnished with generous servings of diced onion, cilantro and, of course, tortillas. A flavorful, satisfying choice. Two other locations: across from Plaza del Sol and at Plaza Galer. Open daily noon-midnight. $. Most major credit cards. Ave. Garibaldi 1306 at Clemente Orozco, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3826-1286. A casual but charming and romantic restaurant, La Fonda de la Noche serves home-style cooking typical of the state of Durango. Sit in any of a number of dining rooms on various floors of this old house while enjoying the traditional dishes. Try the posole, a hearty soup with pork, chili and hominy, or opt for the combination plate and try a variety of the house specialties. The atole there makes a great dessert—the thick, corn-based beverage is served hot, in chocolate and vanilla varieties. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 pm-midnight. $$. Cash only. Calle Jesus 251 at Reforma, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3827-0917. There's nothing fancy about this immaculate eatery, but the pictures on the walls show its owner Josefina Garcia de Rodriguez with important Mexican public figures—a testament to the excellent traditional Mexican food served there. The specialty of the house is posole, a pork soup made with chili and hominy, served with radish, lime juice, diced onion and plain tostadas. The tostadas on their own are excellent, as is the flauta—a long fried taco filled with chicken, beans, beef or potato garnished with sliced lettuce, green or red sauce, sour cream and fresh cheese. In addition to the main restaurant, there are three others at Ave. Ninos Heroes 2810, Pedro Simon Laplace 5645 and Ave. Guadalupe 1569. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$. Accepts Visa and MasterCard. At the corner of avenidas Juan Alvarez and General Coronado, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3825-2239. The restaurant's name leaves no doubt as to at least one of its specialties. Choose from more than 120 different tequila selections to experience the effects of the local liquor, which range from loosening the tongue to killing parasites. The roving tequila expert isn't there simply to make sure you're drinking the stuff; he'll explain the distillation process as well as the characteristics of different production regions. La Tequila's atmosphere may be that of a high-end brewery, but the food is nouvelle Mexican delicious. Try the cream of poblano and the grilled arrachera (tender marinated steak). Open Monday-Saturday 1 pm-midnight, Sunday 1-6 pm. Accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express. $$$-$$$$. Ave. Mexico 2916 on the corner of Nelson, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3640-3440. http://www.latequila.com. This restaurant combines Mexican and southwestern U.S. motifs with fountains, romantic lighting and a breathtaking garden that is enchanting at night. The nouvelle Mexican cuisine includes pork ribs in tamarind sauce, black bean soup served in a bread bowl, and tenderloin in tequila sauce. Dessert options are equally delightful. Mariachi musicians entertain nightly. Daily 9 am-9 pm. Reservations are recommended 2-4 pm and Friday and Saturday evenings. $$$$. Most major credit cards. Lerdo de Tejada 2379 at Francisco Javier Gamboa, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3616-6978. This trendy restaurant shoots for hip, both in cuisine and decor. The food, described as a Thai-Mediterranean fusion, is tasty. Asian-influenced tuna and salmon entrees are recommended. The pig/feather-duster/warehouse motif wouldn't be out of place in the hip enclaves of San Francisco or Brooklyn—and neither would many of the patrons. Open Wednesday-Saturday 7:30 pm-1 am, Sunday 1:30-6 pm. Reservations recommended. $$$. Accepts Visa and MasterCard. Ave. Inglaterra 3128, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3647-7774. Sushi is showing up all over Guadalajara, but this established Japanese restaurant still has no equal in quality—those who want good sushi go to Suehiro. The enormous dining room can accommodate banquet-sized parties, and many of the tables have gas hook-ups for Benihana-style, at-your-table preparations. Suehiro attracts a conservative business crowd, but the atmosphere isn't formal. Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, Sunday for lunch only. Reservations recommended. $$$$. Most major credit cards. Ave. La Paz 1701, Colonia Americana, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3826-0094. Spun off of the original Alfredo's in Rome, this international, upscale restaurant is overseen by the grandson of the very Alfredo who invented the eponymous fettuccine dish. That pedigree is complemented by traditional Italian dishes prepared with freshly imported ingredients, and a well-rounded wine list. The celebrity-photo-lined walls and live accordion and violin duo that accompany dinner are entertaining. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$$-$$$$. Accepts Visa MasterCard and American Express. Hotel Presidente InterContinental, Avenida Lopez Mateos, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3678-1234. This Italian bistro has a pleasant atmosphere suited for both casual family get-togethers and romantic dates. The reasonably priced homemade pasta is good, but what stands out there is one of the most extensive salad bars in town, replete with marinated garlic, eggplant and several varieties of focaccia, in addition to the basics. Open Monday-Saturday 1 pm-midnight, Sunday 1-6:30 pm. Reservations recommended on weekends. $$. Accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Ave. La Paz 2308 (at Miguel de Cervantes), Guadalajara. Phone 33-3616-8710. The authentic Italian thin-crust pies draw crowds to this small restaurant. The pure simplicity of the Margarita pizza (fresh basil, tomato and cheese) is highly recommended, or try more unusual, Mexican-influenced varieties with corn or cream. Open Monday-Saturday for dinner. Reservations not accepted. $-$$. No credit cards. Ave. Lopez Cotilla 1906, Colonia Americana, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3615-1237. Sicilian proprietor Piero Giangrande has plenty of stories about his previous superstar restaurant in the state of Puebla. Note, for instance, the framed photo of him with Catherine Zeta-Jones, or the signed letter of thanks from the U.S. Secret Service, which cleared the way for former U.S. President Bill Clinton to dine there. Though the spacious, comfortable Guadalajara establishment has yet to garner that kind of following, the quality of the food indicates it's just a matter of time. Appetizers big enough for two or three (try the eggplant) and fantastic homemade pasta lead the way. Daily 1-11 pm. $$. Visa and MasterCard usually accepted, but ask ahead of time. Pedro Moreno 1595 near Chapultepec, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3630-0579. | Latin American | Top  |
Argentinean cuisine is big on meat, and Bariloche is far from an exception. The menu is long and varied, but you can't go wrong following your carnivorous instincts there. Try the mixed grill for two, in all-beef or mixed-meat versions. Dine there on a Friday or Saturday night and catch the 10:30 tango show, in which the dancing is passionate and gauchos set things aflame. Monday-Saturday 1 pm-1 am, Sunday 1-8 pm. Reservations recommended for Friday and Saturday nights. $$$. Most major credit cards. Ave. Guadalupe 721, Colonia Chapalita, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3122-3270. This tasty, tucked-away cocina economica is one of only a few Salvadorean restaurants in Guadalajara. El Tazumal serves the basics and does them well. Pupusas are small, soft tortillalike treats stuffed with chicharron (pork rind), beans, cheese, or a combination of the three. The proprietress also makes a mean turkey sandwich, tender and dressed with gravy and greens. On Friday and Saturday try the Salvadorean-style tamales, wrapped in banana leaves. Open Monday-Saturday 2-9:30 pm. $. Cash only. Ghilardi 252, between Garibaldi and Reforma, Guadalajara. If you prefer your Argentinean steaks unfettered by the threat of tango, this cosmopolitan restaurant may be just the thing. One of Guadalajara's finest eateries, La Matera serves a variety of wonderful T-bones, rib eyes and Argentinean-style grilled steaks. Enticing appetizers (try the asparagus Parmesan), creamy soups, an extensive wine list, full bar and savvy patrons all contribute to a memorable evening. Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, Sunday for lunch only. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. Ave. Mexico 2891, Colonia Vallarta Norte, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3616-1626. | Cafes & Tearooms | Top |
This local chain was one of the first to bring gourmet Mexican coffee to Guadalajara, and the original restaurant has a loyal following. It's a popular destination, as the long menu attracts tourists and locals alike. U.S.-style breakfasts, burgers and deli sandwiches meet Mexican standbys such as chilaquiles and enchiladas, with a smattering of Asian treats thrown in. The coffee, sold by the kilogram, is top-notch and representative of the country's four primary coffee-growing regions. Eat and drink leisurely throughout the morning and afternoon at this Wi-Fi hot spot. The place fills up with a younger crowd after 6 pm. 7:30 am–11:30 pm. $. Accepts Visa and MasterCard. Chapultepec 48, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3630-0783. This charming, tranquil restaurant, owned by a British chef, is located in an attractive old home on a pleasant side street near downtown Guadalajara. The chalkboard menu is updated regularly, and it includes such dishes as salmon Parmesan and lndian curries. Tasty appetizers such as a crab and mushroom gratinado are regularly featured, and the homemade, gelatolike coffee ice cream is delicious. Open Wednesday-Friday 1-5 pm and 8 pm-midnight. $$. No credit cards. Prisciliano Sanchez 1171 (between Moscu and Atenas), Guadalajara. Phone 33-3825-2182. Belgian simplicity: This hole-in-the-wall cafe near the University of Guadalajara packs in an international, bohemian crowd with its no-frills decor and a menu consisting of only crepes and waffles. Belgian expat (and published poet) Antoine Ronveaux delivers his savory or sweet creations for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, often while attending to an ongoing game of chess at the counter. Try the parisina, a rich crepe filled with mushrooms, nuts, cream and a combination of cheeses, or the more Mexican poblano, filled with chicken in a delightful sauce. For dessert, try the three-chocolates waffle. Open Monday-Saturday 10 am-11 pm, Sunday 10 am-4 pm. $. No credit cards. Escorza 46 (between Morelos and Pedro Moreno), Guadalajara. | Other Options | Top |
One of the few sit-down churrerias in Guadalajara, La Bombilla lets you wallow in the Spanish tradition of churros (sweet sticks of deep-fried dough) and hot chocolate. Churros are served with or without cajeta (caramel). The hot chocolate is prepared according to your specifications: Spanish (very thick and rich), French (medium) or Mexican (more milk). Open daily except Tuesday 5:30-11 pm. $. No credit cards. Corner of Lopez Cotilla and Penitenciaria (across from Parque Revolucion), Guadalajara. If you're in the mood for a hamburger with a twist, order the mesquite-grilled Sonora burger or the shrimp burger. Fruit is big there: Try the mango-jalapeno salsa or a sweet pineapple-strawberry agua. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$. Accepts Visa and MasterCard. Ave. Golfo de Cortes 4182-8, Guadalajara. Phone 33-3813-0513. Additional location at Ave. Aztlan 3787. Phone 33-3122-3526.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Editor's Choice of Luxury, Deluxe, and Value priced hotels in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico:
|
