5 places to rediscover the flavors of San Miguel de Allende

Published October 11th, 2021

“There is no love more sincere than the love of food”… the immortal words of George Bernard Shaw echo in my mind as I walk through the winding streets of San Miguel de Allende. This love, this passion for creating unique culinary experiences has made this picturesque city the ideal destination for foodies. Gastronomic gems from many places attract and seduce us, their aromas and flavors adding spice to the hedonistic soul of this Pueblo Mágico.

A compendium of cultural and architectural elegance, San Miguel de Allende is a destination full of art, culture, history, and unmissable odes to the gastronomy of our country.

The flavors of the sea in the city: Zibu

Chef Daniel Hilario’s culinary talent is the common thread in the unique gastronomic experience at Zibu restaurant, inside the Live Aqua Resort San Miguel de Allende hotel. Creativity, good taste, and excellence join forces here, first, to seduce the most demanding palates and second, to surprise the most experienced travelers.

My evening at this upscale restaurant took me by the hand to discover the perfect blend of Mexican beach flavors, Guanajuato ingredients, and international touches. From the short rib taco with three chili sauce and truffle to the grilled octopus cooked in a charcoal oven, garlic chili sauce, and miso; each dish played with my senses.

The vibrant colors of the octopus carpaccio with soy vinaigrette and green apple with cilantro, the delicacy of the smooth cream of organic tomatoes with coconut milk and cashews, and the seductive aromas of the red snapper fillet marinated in curry wrapped in banana leaf, Thai chili sauce, cilantro, and mushrooms, are some of the elements that have positioned Zibu as an icon of culinary excellence in San Miguel de Allende.

Among vineyards: San Lucas

With a panoramic view of lavender fields, olive trees, and a set among vineyards, San Lucas is the second hotel opened by La Santísima Trinidad. Its Tuscan-style architecture brought me back to the small villages lost among the vineyards of Italy and its culinary excellence made me travel through the senses.

Mediterranean-style food, San Lucas’s cuisine uses local ingredients, the vast majority of which are handcrafted in-house. The magic here is in the pairing; the vineyards at our feet produce wines with Mexican soul and unique personality. Made with passion for the essence of Mexico’s terroir and under the expert hand of winemaker Mailén Obon, these wines are bottled poems that speak to us of the climate, flavor, and soul of our country and its rich soil.

I paired La Santísima Trinidad’s merlot with dishes that combine Mexican ingredients with the flavors of Italy, such as the delicate beef carpaccio and the tasty pizzas created in San Lucas’ wood-fired oven. These pizzas are made with local and artisanal herbs and ingredients that represent the heart of San Miguel de Allende’s culinary art.

At the chef’s table: Aperi

Located in the Dos Casas hotel in the heart of San Miguel de Allende, Aperi was the setting for a unique culinary experience, where the intriguing and original dishes of chef Omar Henriquez paired perfectly with the elixirs of Casa Dragones. At the chef’s table, with the sweet sound of a waterfall and the music of glasses toasting, I let myself be carried away by the most exquisite, refined, and authentic of this restaurant.

Chef Omar Henríquez was born in Tepic, Nayarit and throughout his career has been steeped in the culinary culture of various areas of the country. His cuisine at Aperi rocks with the seasons, with Mexican products and various French cooking techniques.

The evening began first with an exquisite foie gras on brioche bread with pistachios, pickled mustard, and fruit compote, which we paired with Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila. Secondly, we continued with roasted cauliflower with hazelnut puree, arugula, and turmeric, whose complex flavor fascinated us all. Then we tasted a seasonal fish with white turnip and carrots and an exquisite flat iron wagyu cross with celeriac and mushrooms – a delicacy that played with our senses. Finally, dinner concluded with a kale mousse with fennel granita and green grapes.

From the Heights: Rooftop at Selina

Located on the picturesque Cuna de Allende street, the Selina hotel has on its roof one of the most sought-after and seductive restaurants in San Miguel de Allende: The Rooftop at Selina. A stairway to heaven, with a panoramic terrace and full of a chic style that makes us all fall in love, the restaurant is the combination of the cuisine of chef Abel Hernandez, the palpable history of the destination, and a majestic setting at the foot of the cathedral.

With a perfectly harmonized and chef-selected gastronomic offer and a seductive ambiance, this rooftop is the meeting place between culinary art and the authentic culture of San Miguel de Allende – paired with a famous and extravagant selection of signature cocktails.

During the hours of pleasure, hedonism, and contemplation I spent at The Rooftop at Selina, I indulged in some unique delicacies, such as guacamole with pork belly and shrimp tacos. My favorite dish was the risotto with octopus and plantain, whose silky texture and flavor captivated my palate.

On the beach in San Miguel de Allende: Sal y Canto

Making the impossible possible, Valle de Los Senderos has brought the beach to San Miguel de Allende. An elemental link to nature and a reconnection with the beauty of the land, the Valley presents us with an opportunity to realign body, mind, and spirit. In this development, among winding paths, gardens, and bodies of water, lies a culinary gem: Sal y Canto.

The artistic expression of chef Atzin Santos and Juan Pablo Ballesteros in this place is an ode to creativity and the magic that results from mixing with great culinary talent local products such as legumes with artisanal cheeses, and innovative and daring flavors and textures. The menu has its own identity and is framed in a concept of mixing modernity with the classic.

Likewise, the chef takes inspiration from the local, from fresh produce from Mexican producers to its name, whose origin comes from the architectural style ‘cal y canto’ of the area. One of my favorite dishes was the endives with peanut praline, grana padano, jocoque, and anchovy; a jewel of surprising and original flavors.