Fine Dining

Fine Dining Lakeside

Sometimes you just feel like going some place special to eat. You may have guests visiting from out

of town, or just want to meet friends for a long, leisurely dinner. The following list and linked reviews offer suggestions of fine restaurants where you will not be disappointed with the atmosphere, the service or the food. Almost all have a full bar and some have music or entertainment in the evenings, especially on weekends. Buen provecho!

 

Chapala

Isla Cozumel 
Located on the malecon in Chapala, the quality of the food is consistent and the
pitchers of wine and margaritas are abundant. This is where we take our guests when we are in Chapala. 

Ajijic

Tabarka The place to go for tapas and authentic paella. Dine on a large porch open to a pleasant, organic garden. Plenty of off street parking and excellent service

Ajijic Tango This is the go-to place when in the heart of Ajijic. The dining room is dark and exotic, the food good with specials during the lunch hour and excellent wine. Beware, the service is often hurried, however, the food and atmosphere are top notch.

Peacock Garden
This is such as fun place to eat, under the palapa or in the open garden, surrounded by peacocks and hens. Service is unhurried and relaxed and the food well prepared.

Monte Cristo
Located on the western outskirts of Ajijic, Monte Cristo is a wonderful place to dine, and to take guests. This is where we take our nervous-about-eating-in-Mexico family when they are in town because we can rely on the food to be delicious, the environment clean and inviting.

Roberto's  This restaurant and its owner have been around a long time. When the owner is present, the food and the service is excellent. Robert's has live entertainment most weekends, the atmosphere is pleasant and the food is abundant - baskets of bread, fried shredded carrots, salad, main dish, dessert. If you are really hungry, eat at Roberto's.

La Mesa  A relative newcomer to the area, La Mesa is a little hard to find, in a small house on the hill heading out of Ajijic, but worth the search. They offer a small selection of main dishes and a daily special, 2 for 1 wine on Wednesdays and interesting desserts. There is also a fire pit with seating in front of the restaurant and are open late - one of the few restaurants in Ajijic open past 9pm.

San Antonio, Tlayacapan

Adelita Bar and Grill  This is the best restaurant in San Antonio, Tlay. It is located in the center of town, and there is plenty of parking, as well as valet service. Adelitas has daily specials and is known for their barbecue ribs. There is live entertainment on most weekends.

San Juan Cosala

Mariscos el Carnal This is the restaurant with the shark hanging in front in the row of seafood restaurants along the lake in San Juan Cosala and is one of our favorites. The food is always good and I especially like the flautas. Few gringos eat at these restaurants, so you get an "authentic Mexican" experience, with mariachis playing and menus written in Spanish.  

La Iguana de Piedra

Elegant dining under a palapa, La Iguana de Piedra is one of the last restaurants on the left before leaving restaurant row. Park across the street. The seafood here is some of the best lakeside, the service excellent and the ambience enchanting. This is another impressive place to take guests.

Vive Mexico! Tia Lupita's
Located in the center of town in San Juan Cosala, Vive Mexico! Tia Lupita's looks like a dive on the outside, but is pleasant and clean inside. The food is some of the best to be had in the area. This is where I fell in love with chiles en nogada and though I have eaten it in many other restaurants since then, Vive Mexico still makes the best ever. Fresh salsa is made at the table while you watch.

America's Value Inn Mexico Situated in Mexico, this motel is close to Lakeview Park, Presser Performing Arts Center, and Audrain County Historical Society. Local attractions also include Hillside Mini Golf.