A Foodie’s Guide to Guadalajara: Where to Eat, Hear Mariachi & Sip Tequila

Take a private walking tour of the historic center: Visit the Cathedral, Teatro Degollado, and Mercado Libertad San Juan de Dios for artisanal finds (souvenirs galore!) and incredible street food. Pay a visit to Mercado Juarez for a less touristy market experience.

See a live Mariachi performance in the birthplace of Mariachi: From iconic venues like Teatro Degollado, to places like Casa Bariachi with nightly performances, it is hard to miss Mariachi performances in Guadalajara—they’re everywhere. If you’re a true Mariachi lover (like myself), plan your visit around Guadalajara’s two‑week International Mariachi & Charrería Festival in August and September, when the streets come (even more) alive with music and parades.

Take a day trip to the birthplace of an ancient, sacred drink: Tequila. Opt for an elite experience on the Jose Cuervo train, or with a private driver.

Spend a leisurely afternoon in Tlaquepaque: Transfer 15–20 minutes to this charming arts district. Visit galleries, boutique shops, and a ceramics workshop for an authentic hands-on memory. Alternatively, opt for a curated tasting.

Attend a festival: Guadalajara’s cultural calendar is just as booked and busy! Check local listings for upcoming events and experience the diverse sounds of Mexico firsthand.

Museums & murals: Visit Hospicio Cabañas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing José Clemente Orozco’s murals. Then, visit Museum of the Arts (MUSA) to experience contemporary Mexican art inside one of Guadalajara’s most elegant historic buildings. You’ll find rotating exhibitions, plus iconic works that reveal the city’s creative soul.

Have a spa day: Treat yourself to a day of R&R at one of Guadalajara’s luxury spas, such as the Spa at Casa Habita or the Chandan Spa. Indulge in rejuvenating treatments inspired by traditional Mexican healing rituals, including massages, facials, and holistic therapies.

Indulge in Mexican cuisine: Eat. Guadalajara is packed with incredible places to eat. Go on a curated taco crawl, splurge on a private tasting menu at a celebrated local spot, or embrace ultra-relax mode and have the city’s best bites delivered via Uber Eats.

Alcalde: Widely considered Guadalajara’s top restaurant, this fine-dining spot offers a seasonal tasting menu that reinterprets Mexican ingredients in a refined but unpretentious way. Reserve in advance—it’s a true must for foodie travelers.

I Latina: Contemporary Latin cuisine with serious creativity—I’d say this is probably my favorite meal I’ve had in Guadalajara. Order multiple small plates, lean into whatever the server recommends, and absolutely save room for dessert—it’s a fantastic choice for special occasions or a splurge-y date night.

Casa de los Platos: Set in a historic finca with multiple dining rooms and lush gardens, Casa de los Platos is a beautiful place for both a group dinner, or an intimate romantic dinner. There’s plenty of table-side action, modern Jalisco dishes, and craft cocktails, all in a setting that feels almost cinematic—especially fun for an arrival-night dinner.

Santo Coyote: Dinner here feels like stepping into a living museum: dramatic, multi-sensory, and deeply rooted in pre-Hispanic ritual. Table-side preparations, bold flavors, and atmospheric spaces make it a meal that awakens both the senses and the spirit. It’s my favorite restaurant and overall concept in Guadalajara—I dream of planning a destination wedding or major event here.

Hueso: An intimate, design-forward restaurant where avant-garde dishes are served in a striking whitewashed space lined with hundreds of bones (huesos). It’s a memorable choice if you love architecture, interiors, and restaurants that feel like art installations while also serving up delicious, memorable dishes.

Casa Bariachi: Combine pre- or post-dinner drinks with a live mariachi show—perfect for families, groups, and celebrations. Order a flight and enjoy the music while you tap your feet and sing along to the classics.

Taquería Tomate: Some of the best al pastor I’ve had in Guadalajara, without any fuss or fluff. Just honest, flavorful, authentic Mexican tacos at a reasonable price—the kind of spot you’ll want to return to more than once on a single trip.

Mercado Libertad: Hire a local guide and dive into Guadalajara’s iconic street food in a way that feels both safe and immersive. This is the place to try birria tacos, tortas ahogadas, and syrup-soaked jericallas. Wear your stretchy pants.

Allium: Farm-to-table and ingredient-driven, Allium’s menu shines when local produce is at its peak. Think tuna crudo, roasted peach salads, and constantly changing dishes that feel fresh, thoughtful, and deeply connected to Jalisco’s terroir.

La Docena: A lively seafood and oyster bar born in Guadalajara and now beloved across Mexico. Come for casual lunches or late-night oysters, stay for the energy, the cocktails, and the “just one more plate” effect.