Cuernavaca hosts some of best food in all of Mexico and at lower prices than other cities, according to visitors to the City of Eternal Spring. The photo above is Deli y Arte Restaurant in Cuernavaca. The owner and Le Cordon Bleu de Europe trained chef is Manuel Román Santovegna (center standing). Locals in the know dine at this restaurant’s warm and inviting decor and fine cuisine. Imagine your grandmother’s home with antique furniture, paintings, books and art objects. Step over to the library wall where you will find a large selection of everything from books on fine art or a novel by Proust.
Sit at one of the tables overlooking the back garden, where Román grows his own herbs and caters to weddings and large gatherings. And, perhaps over the strains of Beethoven softly playing in the background you can hear the leaves of the trees rustling in the breeze.
Order a surprisingly rich cup of coffee, espresso or a glass of wine and enjoy a bit of quietness. If you need a bit of nourishment past the coffee, don’t worry, there is a carefully prepared menu with everything from a light sandwich to a most wonderful roast beef with potatoes and a garden vegetable. Deli y Arte is just one of the restaurants on our Recommended List.
A few words about the list
The words “recommended and review,” as it turns out, can mean very different things to different people. We typically wait until the restaurant has been open for at least one year, as most restaurants come and go within the first year. We make multiple visits at varying times and days of the week. We are anonymous critics, we never announce that we are reviewing the restaurant. We receive no payment, complementary dishes, or discounts from the restaurants listed here, and they do not get on our list unless we have dined in them many times over the years. After we have assured ourselves that the restaurant meets our expectations, we return several times with friends in tow, and interview our friends about their experiences.
Online Reviews
Online reviews are less trustworthy than we think. Studies show that online ratings are one of the most trusted sources of consumer confidence in their decisions. But recent research suggests that they are systematically biased and easily manipulated. According to most surveys, 84% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. But by whom and why those reviews are given is most important. Every business knows that positive reviews can significantly boost a business’s sales and increase customer loyalty and many will beg their visitors for a positive review, with some even incentivizing the reviews by offering a discount or free dessert. Thus, the credibility of all reviews — even real ones — is questionable. Despite their policies and moderation tools, no review platform can catch 100% of false or biased reviews. These platforms can’t know for sure if a review was incentivized, whether the reviewer has a conflict of interest with the business, or if the review content is genuine. Sadly, there are more problems with trusting online reviews.
The average number of reviews for restaurants on platforms like Google My Business is close to 40, with restaurants often having more reviews due to their popularity. Restaurants are the most likely type of business to have Google reviews, with 99% having them and an average of 223 reviews. Consumers also expect businesses to have around 40 reviews before trusting their star rating. Often the reviews of a restaurant are saturated by friends and family.
A case in point, one restaurant in Cuernavaca, which is not on the list below, had over 1200 positive reviews posted in the first two weeks of opening the restaurant. As the restaurant was actually quite small they were serving an average of 40 clients a day. Even if they were extremely busy they might serve on 500 people during the first two weeks. Approximately 5-10% of restaurant customers leave online reviews. Even on the high end they should only have had a total of 50 reviews with a mix of good and bad. The possibility of receiving those 1,200 positive reviews is huge red flag.
Price-Based Reviews
Many poor reviews are actually price-based, as the person expected a lot more based solely on price. How often are families eating in a nice restaurant causing the question of how they can afford the cost? In truth, in most instances they cannot! As wages are low in Cuernavaca, the staff members who want to go to a restaurant once a week with their family only see the price of dining. The general minimum wage in Cuernavaca, Mexico, is MX$278.80 per day, or approximately MX$1,951.60 per week. For an average worker to take a family of 4 to dinner in a nice restaurant can easily cost MX$200 to $300 per person or between MX$800 to MX$1,200 in total. Ultimately, the cost might equal 41 to 61.5% of their weekly paycheck. Obviously, the expectations are extremely high and become quite difficult for the business owner to meet. Thus many of the poor reviews are solely price-based, although the reviewer will not want to accept the responsibility for his low salary and will seek to find other faults with the restaurant.
Location Costs
With restaurants in Cuernavaca the cost of location is substantial. These are invisible to the patrons. A restaurant on a well-traveled street that offers parking either at the restaurant or nearby, will pay an exorbitant cost for the location. The cost of utilities are much higher for a business than they are for a home and are priced according to location plus the actual usage.
Cost of Staff
The cost of staff is also much higher than most patrons believe. Here the business owner by law must pay for a seven day work-week (a minimum of MX$1,951.60 per week). But this amount may be easily doubled when adding the required benefits of healthcare, maternity leave, longer vacation periods, more holidays where they must pay extra to staff. The restaurants have to deal with a huge staff turnover rates, and if they let an employee go, they often must pay a three-month severance. In Mexico, employees can take two days per week off and still receive full pay for the week. Also, there is a Federal law that all employers must pay an end of the year bonus equal to an extra 15 days minimum, and they must pay 10% of all profits from the business to the employees. Of course, it is ultimately the patrons of the restaurant that cover all of the costs operation.
Note: Most restaurants are not open past 9 pm, and some close as early as 6pm. Call Ahead if dining at night!
Budget Minded
If you are on a budget and looking for a true Mexican meal be sure to go where the locals go – Calle de los Tacos (Taco Street), which is actually located on Calle Nueva Inglaterra and lined with taquerias. However, it is important to remember that not all taquerias are particularly hygienic, so choose carefully. Alphabetically:
Café de la Finca: Calle Modesto Rangel #13, Mexican, Cafe, International +52 777 358 1521
Cafe La Fauna: Calle Dwight W. Morrow 8 Local 4, Mexican, Cafe, International +52 777 688 6663
Emilianos: Calle Lic. Ignacio L. Rayon #5-C, Mexican, Latin, Spanish +52 777 313 2966
GIO Burger: Plutarco Elías Calles 111, Centro, 62580 Temixco, Mor. +52 777 788 0229
GIO Burger: Sirloin Hamburgers and more. +52 777 257 1798
Hamburguesas Chon Plaza Cuernavaca: Av Vicente Guerrero 110-Local K5/6, Lomas de la Selva, 62270 Cuernavaca, Mor. +52 777 242 4976
Hamburguesas Chon: Aguascalientes 8, Ricardo Flores Magon, Indoors or in the garden, hamburgers other sandwiches. +52 777 322 9020
La Envidiosa: Avenida Teopanzolco #204, Seafood +52 777 608 9964
La Gringa 1: Lázaro Cárdenas #7, Antonio Barona, Mexican, Latin +52 777 501 0722
La Gringa 2: Av. Universidad #101, Mexican, Latin +52 777 140 4560
La Gringa 3: Av. Pdte. Manuel Ávila Camacho #21, Mexican, Latin +52 777 313 0966
La Gringa 4: Las Granjas, 62460 Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexican, Latin +52 777 609 1663
La Maga Cafe: Calle Dwight W. Morrow #9, Mexican, Latin, Vegetarian Friendly +52 777 310 3871
Las Iguanas Green’s: Morelos 190 in Colonia Centro +52 777 245 0750
Los Habaneros: Taxco 303, Lomas de la Selva, 62270 Cuernavaca, Mor., Tiny restaurant, but excellent Cochinita Pibil and Sopa Lima +52 777 228 0569
Mariscos El Pelón: 1207-B Calz. de Leandro Valle Ote., Patios de la Estacion, 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. Fresh Seafood at economical prices and excellent service. +52 777 599 4314
Taquería El Especial: C. Nueva Inglaterra, Lomas de Cortes, 62240 Cuernavaca, Mor. Open from 1PM to 1:15AM Monday through Saturday, and 3PM to 1:15AM on Sundays. They have multiple locations in Cuernavaca, but this is only one that we have visited.
Xni-pec: Domingo Diez #900, Mexican +52 777 441 0962
Medium Priced
You will find a large selection of medium priced restaurants all over town. Alphabetically:
Armando’s Pizzeria and Restaurante: Calle Rio Amacuzac 2, Col. Vista Hermosa, Italian, Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly +52 777 317 1955
Brother’s Prime: Avenida Plan de Ayala #426, International, Grill +52 777 312 8963
Casa Hidalgo: Hidalgo #6, Centro Historico, Mexican, Latin, International +52 777 312 2749
Casa Taxco Quinta Lucerito: Av. José María Morelos 221, Las Palmas, 62050 Cuernavaca, Mor. +52 777 310 2452
Chavela: Calle Lic. Ignacio L. Rayon #22 Local 8, Mexican, Latin +52 777 947 8403
Cocina De Raiz: Calle Compositores #202, Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly +52 777 144 0260
El Asadero: Avenida Plan de Ayala #504, Steakhouse, Mexican, Argentinean +52 777 315 7729
El Canejo en la Luna: C. Orquídea, Col. Satelite, Vicente Estrada Cajigal, Pizza, Pastries, and Ice Cream. +52 1 777 459 6043
La Chilaquileria: Av. San Diego 1009, Zona 1, Vista Hermosa, 62295 Cuernavaca, Mor. Open 9AM – 5PM Monday through Sunday. Small, but some of the best Chilequiles in Cuernavaca for the past 10 years. +52 777 100 0965
Las Asadas Bar & Grill: Carr. a Aeropuerto de Cuernavaca S/N, Xochitepec, Morelos, Mexico. Just south of Cuernavaca near the airport, this restaurant is a hidden surprise with some of the very best beef and pork in Mexico. +52 777 365 1331
Marmori Bakery: Plaza Casa Blanca, Av Vicente Guerrero 110, Lomas de la Selva, 62267 Cuernavaca, Mor. Located just off the Plaza. Combination of bakery, coffee shop, and restaurant. +52 777 333 2828
Nostalgia Pizzeria: Av. Reforma 208, Reforma, 62260 Cuernavaca, Mor., Pizza done right! +52 777 102 2443
Pan y Miel y Terraza Miel: Av. Emiliano Zapata 303, Col. Tlaltenango, Panderia on the second floor, and a restaurant on the top floor, with an elevator if needed. +52 777 349 3873
Restaurante Casa Taxco Centro: Calle Gral. H. Galeana 17, Cuernavaca Centro, Centro, 62000 Cuernavaca, Mor. +52 777 688 6776
Restaurante Casa Taxco: Av. Zapata, Calle Emiliano Zapata, Bellavista, 62140 Cuernavaca, Mor. +52 777 102 1045
Súper Fonda La Lupita Nueva Inglaterra#2: C. Nueva Inglaterra 426, Lomas de Cortes, 62230 Cuernavaca. Open 8 AM–5 PM Monday through Saturday, Closed Sunday. This restaurant consistently receives 5 stars from diners. Excellent service and great food! There is a second floor for reunions and banquets.
Súper Fonda La Lupita Nueva Italia #1: Nueva Italia 31C, Lomas de Cortes, 62240 Cuernavaca. Open 8 AM–5 PM Monday through Saturday, Closed Sunday. This restaurant consistently receives 5 stars from diners. Excellent service and great food! +52 777 375 8027
Tamuz: Avenida Reforma N. #501, Contemporary, Vegetarian and Vegan +52 777 311 2223
High-End
Cuernavaca has a number of world-class, high-end restaurants. Alphabetically:
Deli y Arte: Calle Rio Amacuzac 214, Vista Hermosa (at the foot of Rio Mayo and across Rio Balsas), Haute French. Open Tuesday to Saturday 4 to 8 pm. Reservations +52 777 219 7879
El Faisan: Avenida Emiliano Zapata #1233, Mexican +52 777 317 5281
El Faisan: Mexico-Acapulco km 87.5, Villas del Lago, 62370 Cuernavaca, Mor.
El Madrigal Restaurant: Sonora #115, Mexican, International, Suitable for vegetarian +52 777 100 7700
Kookaburra: Avenida Teopanzolco #307, Mexican, International +52 777 688 6656
La Provence: Calle Plutarco Elias #22, Col. Club de Golf, French, European +52 777 318 2996
Las Mañanitas: Ricardo Linares #107, El Centro, Mexican, International, Suitable for vegetarian +52 777 362 0000
Pavarotti Restaurant: Avenida Teopanzolco 1, Vista Hermosa, Italian Pizza, Mediterranean +52 777 318 5842
Restaurante La India Bonita: Dwight W. Morrow 15 B, Cuernavaca Centro, Centro, 62000 Cuernavaca, Mor. +52 777 333 0100
Rincon del Bife: Avenida San Diego, #1001, Steakhouse, International, Argentinean +52 777 315 4794
Tamuz Restaurant: Av. Reforma N. 501, Reforma, Suitable for vegetarians, vegan options, gluten-free. +52 777 311 2223
Verdesalvia Restaurante: Calle Rio Amacuzac #10, Hotel Anticavilla Garden, Italian, Contemporary, Vegetarian +52 551 915 0238
