What to eat and Drink in Monterrey
Monterrey has a reputation for meat-heavy food, such as cabrito (roasted goat), carne asada and machacado. The city is also known to use soft and floury corn tortillas in contrast with the rest of Mexico.
Beers, cocktails and wine
Dive into the water drinking scene, check out Cervecería Fausto in El Centro—it’s a worthy rival to the Sierra Madre chain you’ll see across the city. Pinto Bar is a lively place where you can find a lot of people on the sidewalks, even during the weekdays. The crowd tends to be young. San Pedro’s Mavericks Bar or Reys Bar has a vinyl and disco selection, while the Mavericks Bar is a good choice for cocktails. Not to be outdone by swanky San Pedro, El Centro also has some more noteworthy watering holes—Vini the Bar and Zigzag, to name a few—while the spot for live music and cheap beer in Barrio Antiguo is undoubtedly Café Iguana.
Tacos
Northern taco joints are springing up left, center, and right in the Mexican capital The original Monterrey branches often remain in the city. If you need proof, look no further than local spots like Tacos Atarantados, Tacos del Valle, and Taquería Orinoco, all of which can be sampled in San Pedro. However, the tacos at Carnicería Estrella—an equally aesthetic spot that’s all white tiles and red details and can also be found in CDMX—are just as delicious, while Tacos Primo in El Centro is an absolute must. They claim to have the best tacos de bistec in Monterrey, and they’re not wrong (though you can definitely skip the bacon ones)—order at the counter, then head to the back to douse them in sauce. The line moves quickly, despite its length.
Casa de los Abuelos serves up a large number of quesadillas in Barrio Antiguo. They’re on the pricier side, but the fresh corn tortillas, abundant fillings, and—most importantly— Salsas spicy are well worth the effort. Or try a different take on corn at Elotes Los Fernández, where you can enjoy a bag of chips served with corn, cheese, sauces, and toppings. You can skip the chips.
Options for Upscale
You can also enjoy a great steak at a traditional regional restaurant in Monterrey. steakhouse: La Nacional is a firm favorite in the city, while the upscale Mochomos and La Torrada—all in San Pedro—are also on most foodies‘ radars. If you are all about dining experiences, then the tasting menu is well worth it at Pangea.
