10 Great Restaurants in Monterrey

Great restaurants in Monterrey showcase all that’s best about modern Mexican cuisine. This buzzing, energetic city has a vibrant culinary scene, lively nightlife and a huge appreciation for great food and drink. A cosmopolitan reputation has brought international influences to the city, mixing with local traditions to create exciting and innovative dishes.

Year-round warm weather makes Monterrey a great place to dine alfresco, whether you’re enjoying lunch in the sunshine or adding a romantic view to your evening meal. You can dine with flair at the city’s stylish restaurants or enjoy a historic atmosphere in its colonial buildings. Find your ideal dining experience with our top choices of truly great restaurants in Monterrey.

1. La Nacional

Enjoy outstanding steaks and meat dishes

Categoría: Gastronomía en

La Nacional is a prestigious steakhouse known for its prime cuts of meat and elegant interiors. The restaurant offers superb ribeye steaks, salted beef fillet, grilled octopus and tuna ceviche, plus the delicious queso fundido (melted cheese and spicy chorizo). Try its banana cream pie for dessert, or sample some of the many gelato flavours on offer.

Vegetarians have some great options, such as grilled artichoke, roasted cauliflower, and truffled French fries. The drinks list includes wines from award-winning Mexican vineyards and several excellent tequila-based cocktails. The stylish dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows so you can watch the world go by.

Ubicación: Av. Francisco I. Madero #1160, Centro, 64000 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico

Teléfono: +52 81 8375 3890

2. El Lingote

Fine dining in the middle of Fundidora Park

Categoría: Parejas, Gastronomía en , De lujo

El Lingote is a light, airy restaurant with incredible views of the peaks of Cerro de la Silla. Occupying the top floor of Monterrey’s Museum of Steel, the restaurant is surrounded by huge wrap-around terraces overlooking treetops. The minimalist modern dining room has a bar along 1 wall, with a carefully curated selection of wines.

The dishes here are a work of art, presented with flair and combining the flavours of northeast Mexico with influences from around the world. Try a tender fillet steak, beef carpaccio, or tacos stuffed with goat meat. The seafood is all top quality, from fresh octopus to tuna tartare. Finish your meal with a melting brownie or rich crème brulée.

Ubicación: Av. Fundidora s/n Museo del Acero A.C, Obrera, 64010 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico

Horarios: Tuesday–Sunday from 1 pm to midnight (closed on Mondays)

Teléfono: +52 81 8191 7717

3. Mar del Zur

A fresh combination of local and Asian influences

Categoría: Gastronomía en

Mar del Zur is an innovative fusion restaurant that mixes classic Mexican cuisine with the flavours of Thailand. Chef Eduardo Palazuelos has travelled extensively through Southeast Asia and brought back the best ingredients and techniques to add zing to his native cuisine. Oysters from the raw bar are a popular choice, as is the Japanese hamachi (amberjack) with Peruvian influences.

Try Thai red curry made with Canadian salmon, crab tacos with oriental chilli sauce, or short rib beef with sweet potato purée. Vegetarians and vegans can get in on the action with soya-based ceviche and spicy vegan tacos. The fusion theme extends to the drinks list, with cocktails incorporating Thai flavours like ginger and lime.

Ubicación: Av. José Vasconcelos 150 PB, Del Valle, 66220 San Pedro Garza García, N.L., Mexico

Horarios: Monday–Saturday from 1 pm to 1 am, Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm

Teléfono: +52 81 2318 0980

4. Cara de Vaca

A fun restaurant whose name means ‘cow face’

Categoría: Familias, Gastronomía en

Cara de Vaca is a light-hearted, playful restaurant that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Much of the cooking is done on the open fire in the kitchen, leading to deliciously grilled ribeye steaks, sucking pig, and organic roast chicken. Locals swear by the roast Yukon potatoes, spicy charro beans, and arugula salad.

The charming interior feels like a luxurious greenhouse, with plants and greenery everywhere and lots of natural light. The drinks list comes from around Mexico and includes several natural and organic wines and a couple of excellent ciders. For dessert, give the guava pie a try– you won’t be disappointed.

Ubicación: R. de la Plata 448, Del Valle, 66220 San Pedro Garza García, N.L., Mexico

Horarios: Monday–Thursday from 1 pm to 1 am, Friday–Saturday from 1 pm to 2 am, Sunday from noon to 11 pm

Teléfono: +52 81 2676 9800

5. Sibau

Audacious cooking inspired by local foods

Categoría: Gastronomía en

Sibau specialises in local and northern Mexican cuisine, with a focus on modernising lesser-known local dishes. Among the restaurant’s more adventurous dishes, you can try dried apricot wrapped in bacon, Yucatán-style pulled pork, and foie gras ravioli with caramelised mango. There are also steak tacos, tuna with ponzu sauce, and popcorn ice cream. You can taste a wider range of dishes by opting for several of the delicious sharing plates.

The sumptuous dining room has plush armchairs and a distinctive zigzag design on the floor. Relax with a cocktail on the outdoor terrace, whether that’s a refreshing kiwi and passionfruit drink or the aptly named ‘dirty devil’, which lights on fire.

Ubicación: Av. del Roble 660, Valle del Campestre, 66265 San Pedro Garza García, N.L., Mexico

Horarios: Monday–Thursday from 1 pm to 1 am, Friday–Saturday from 1 pm to 2.30 am, Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm

Teléfono: +52 81 2719 9595

6. Colmillo

A fusion of Mexican and American street food

Categoría: Gastronomía en

Colmillo is a modern steakhouse with dishes inspired by street food from northern Mexico, Los Angeles, and New York. The restaurant uses fine cuts of meat and seafood to elevate street food flavours into a luxury gastronomic experience.

Oysters flavoured with Pequin peppers are must-haves at Colmillo, but the roasted cabbage deserves a try too. No little detail is neglected, including beers brought to the table buried in ice buckets. A playlist of experimental rock, 1970s funk, and old-school hip-hop merges nicely with the street food vibe.

Ubicación: Parque Arboleda, Av. del Roble 660-Local 303, Valle del Campestre, 66265 San Pedro Garza García, N.L., Mexico

Horarios: Monday–Wednesday from 1 pm to 1 am, Thursday–Saturday from 1 pm to 2 am, Sunday from 1 pm to midnight

Teléfono: +52 81 1988 8229

7. Bistro Bardot

Experience sophisticated French dining

Categoría: Parejas, Gastronomía en

Bistro Bardot is a French bistro that’s so authentic you’ll forget you’re not in Paris. Tuck into quintessentially French dishes like escargots in garlic sauce, truffle and foie gras burgers, pan-fried salmon and fillet of beef au Poivre (pepper). The profiteroles and crème brûlée are classics, but for something a bit different go for a slice of matcha cake with vanilla ice cream.

Brunch is a popular meal at Bistro Bardot. On weekends, the restaurant is crammed with locals enjoying eggs Benedict, croissants, and pain au chocolat. French pastries go great with a glass of sparkling prosecco or a watermelon ginger cocktail. The chic black-and-white dining room is decorated with photographs of famous French actors and street scenes.

Ubicación: Av. del Roble 660 I-W301, Valle del Campestre, 66265 San Pedro Garza García, N.L., Mexico

Horarios: Monday–Saturday from 1 pm to 11 pm, Sunday from 1 pm to 10 pm

Teléfono: +52 81 1366 3875

8. Koli Cocina de Origen

Staple regional dishes turned into gourmet greats

Categoría: Gastronomía en

Koli Cocina de Origen is a family-owned and operated restaurant that focuses on the culinary culture of northeast Mexico. The star of the menu is cabrito (goat meat) served with beans and flavoured with apple and plums. The tasting menu also features carne asada (grilled and sliced beef) and suckling pig with Mexican pepper leaf.

A bold and surprising dessert is made with edible bougainvillaea flowers, chocolate with prickly pears, and plum ice cream. The magnificent dining room is decorated with lush green velvet and has a neat view of the kitchens, so you can watch your food being prepared.

Ubicación: Río Amazonas 225, Del Valle, 66220 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico

Horarios: Tuesday–Saturday from 1 pm to 11.30 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)

Teléfono: +52 81 9688 7333

9. Gallo 71

Hip bar and grill with an eye for detail

Categoría: Gastronomía en , Vida nocturna

Gallo 71 is decorated like a traditional Mexican grocery store, but don’t let the simple surroundings fool you. You’ll find tender cuts of ribeye steak, tacos stuffed with beef and bone marrow, deep-fried pork belly, and grilled octopus. The truffled fries are always a popular choice, and vegetarians and vegans will enjoy the cauliflower steak.

If you don’t have room for a slice of carrot cake or blueberry cheesecake, finish your meal with a citrusy tequila cocktail and enjoy the mountain views from the covered terrace. Gallo 71 has regular music with different DJs playing all kinds of hits from Wednesdays to Saturdays.

Ubicación: Av. José Vasconcelos 71, Del Valle, 66220 San Pedro Garza García, N.L., Mexico

Horarios: Tuesday–Saturday from 1 pm to 2 am, Sunday from 1 pm to 11 pm (closed on Mondays)

Teléfono: +52 81 8335 6200

10. Grand Cru

Creative dishes and spectacular French wines

Categoría: Parejas, Gastronomía en , De lujo

Grand Cru is a fine French restaurant run by Paris-born sommelier Ludovic Anacleto. The restaurant has earned a reputation for sensational wines, with a wine list that covers more than 700 different vintages. Pair your meal with a luscious Provençal rosé, fruity Anjou red or a crisp white from the Rhône.

The menu ranges from typically French dishes like foie gras terrine to tuna with wasabi guacamole. You can also enjoy Angus burgers served on homemade brioche, pork belly cooked in beer, and braised lamb pot pie. The rich, wood-panelled dining room and comfy armchairs tempt you to stay and have another glass after dinner.

Ubicación: Av. de la Industria 300-Local 9, Veredalta, 66279 San Pedro Garza García, N.L., Mexico

Horarios: Monday–Saturday from 1 pm to 11 pm (closed on Sundays)

Teléfono: +52 81 1937 9002

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