12 Must-Try Breakfast and Lunch Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende

I just returned to San Miguel de Allende after being gone for seven years, and I’m amazed at the food scene that has popped up here while I’ve been gone. I’ve especially seen an increase in breakfast and lunch restaurants in San Miguel de Allende. Many spots are now serving breakfast all day, brunch, or healthy lunches. There’s also an increase in wonderful coffee shops and cafes, an article I’ll have to write later. For now, here are my top 12 places for lunch and breakfast in San Miguel de Allende that you must try.

12 Must-Try Breakfast and Lunch Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende

1. Rustica

This is my favorite restaurant in San Miguel de Allende so far! I have a deep longing for beauty in my life that’s not often met. Here, I was led to a gorgeous courtyard and given the prime spot next to a tree. As the fountain next to me trickled water, birds came and drank from the source as an almost reverent hush settled over the restaurant, tree guardians saying hello from overhead.

While they offer an all day breakfast menu (dishes average $6-8 USD), the first time I went, I jumped at the chance to have red snapper. ($12) It was perfectly prepared with an almost earthy taste. Swimming in an unctuous umami broth with whole grain rice, it’s something you will slurp by the spoonful. The second time I visited, I had the breakfast pita and added bacon, and it was also insanely good!

There will probably be a wait here, but it will be worth every minute. It’s a place you will want to linger, to watch birds flitter by, and to remember all the things that are good in your life.

2. Derek (Breakfast Soon To Be Called Sonar Sonar)

Rarely do I have a dish so good that it brings tears to my eyes, but at Derek Restaurant, I did. At Derek (named for Chef Daniels son), everything is a creative delight. I had the French toast topped with whisper soft scrambled eggs with miso and provolone cheese. Topped with smoked camarones and truffle oil. The cafe de olla is also the best I’ve had. Strong coffee with cinnamon and star anise. Daniel also made a green juice just for me with orange, cucumber, and spinach.

Google says reservations only but I didn’t have them because there’s no phone number. Daniel said, yeah I know and he plans on adding one. You can also just show up. He also serves dinner and is about to call the morning time restaurant Sonar, Sonar which means dreams, dreams.

3. Lavanda

Lavanda has been around for a while, and has long been known as the best poached egg breakfast restaurant in San Miguel de Allende.

I absolutely love the lavender latte!! And that pistachio cinnamon roll is to die for. I’m not as much of a fan of the new location. It doesn’t have the same charm of the old one, and I miss the jugo verde they used to have. Also there was a 30 minute wait.

They still serve the same delicious dishes, and if you’re just wanting to have some of their great coffee, they have a to go window for that.

4. Panina

If you are the type of person who loves pastries, than Panina is the San Miguel de Allende breakfast restaurant for you. They have beautiful pastries. I had the orange bomb! They also make a great flat white, and they have a full breakfast menu. I had one of my favorites, the Turkish eggs. This spot is a favorite of expats, and it’s an easy place to make new friends.

5. Inside Cafe

Inside Cafe has a great menu with beautifully presented and creative food. The options are fresh and healthy. I had lunch there, the tandoori chicken salad with Thai salad dressing. I wouldn’t say it had traditional Indian or Asian flavors, but it was still delicious. They have traditional Mexican dishes like chilaquiles, avocado and other specialty toasts, varieties of grilled cheese sandwiches, and vegan options. They also serve dinner and are known for their Ramen soup, Korean chicken sandwich, and other Asian specialties.

6. Raices

Raices had innovative food options, and it will be a place I go back to often to try everything on the menu. I had the poached eggs in a guajillo chile sauce that included potatoes and nopales. I’ve never had anything like it, and it was delicious. Their tortillas are some of the best homemade tortillas around. I also had a green juice and coffee and all of this came to about $14 USD total.

7. Cha Cha Cha Restaurant

I always say there’s nothing like being greeted with a whoosh of pink, and Cha Cha Cha Restaurant does just that. You can’t help but feel happy when you walk inside, and I’m sure the owner, CC and Mario, had that in mind when they created this place. Cha Cha Cha is a lunch or early dinner spot serving homestyle Mexican food. I had the enchiladas suiza which are absolute perfection and a good value for $8 USD. Other options include chiles rellenos, flautas, and enmoladas (enchiladas with mole sauce). I also love the paletas they offer, made by La Gardenia, and had the coconut one which was so refreshing!! They are open Wed-Saturday 1-7. This is a favorite of the lunch restaurants in San Miguel de Allende, and I promise you will leave happier than when you arrived.

8. Cumpanio

Cumpanio has been a long term favorite of mine. It’s great if you can get one of the window seats, but even if you don’t, you will love it. It’s the place to go on cold mornings, as they have inside seating. They make great coffee and green juice, and have an extensive breakfast menu. On my last visit, I got the nopales (cactus) with panela cheese and a basil sauce. Whatever you do, don’t miss the pastries, even if you just get a few on your way out to take with you for a second breakfast!

9. Ancestro

Ancestro has beautiful traditional Mexican dishes that you won’t find anywhere else. I had the tacos de pastor with pork and roasted pineapple, the taco norteno made with a home made flour tortilla, rib eye, pork beans, and avocado purdee, and the milpa which was a quesadilla wrapped in hoja santa with squash blossoms. Everything was absolutely delicious. I want to go back for the roast corn and the suadero taco. Ancestro also serves breakfast which I can’t wait to go back and try.

10. Cien 24

Cien 24 is a delightful, light-filled space that serves innovative breakfasts and lunches. I had the zucchini frittata that was topped with Camembert cheese and prosciutto.  I also loved the passionfruit jam they served with the bread. Everything was fresh, and I can’t wait to go back to try more things on the menu.

11. El Pato Barbacoa y Mixiotes

The first time I had the mixiotes at El Pato Barbacoa y Mixiotes was ten years ago! I proclaimed them the best meal in San Miguel de Allende, and I still agree with myself. Mixiotes are packets of spiced lamb steamed overnight in a broth in the ground in the leaves of the maguey plant or banana trees. They are out of this world. So is Pilar and her husband who owns it. Pilar will have you feeling like family in no time, and I’ve definitely missed her when I was gone.

El Pato also serves delicious barbacoa and consome. Pilar’s tortillas are the best, so make sure you try them! We also had the flan for dessert, and it was absolutely delicious. I’m not usually a fan of flan, but this was the real thing, and I’m so glad we tried it. I live a 15-minute walk away from here, so I’ll be back often.

12. Posada Corazon

Posada Corazon is a magical world of a bed and breakfast where anyone can have breakfast. It’s best to make a reservation, and you have to get buzzed in, but what a fantasy this place is. It’s 250 pesos for everything during the week or 300 pesos on the weekend. The weekend includes a buffet of different cheeses, yogurt, and bread. We went on a Sunday, and there was a harpist there.

There are beautiful gardens here which I recommend strolling through after your brunch, and much of the food comes from these gardens. I had the hoja santa baked eggs that came with chilaquiles, and they were delightful. The meal also started with steaming tamales and cookies. You also got your choice of green juice or fruit and coffee or tea. I will return to this place often, and I recommend anyone that’s looking for a place to stay in San Miguel de Allende to stay here!

What are your favorite breakfast or lunch restaurants in San Miguel de Allende? Let me know in the comments below!