Cuisine & Restaurants

Cooking is an important part of the local culture, and is based primarily on meat dishes. Classic examples include delicious roast kid, charcoal grilled ribs, Zaraza meat, braised kid and traditional beef jerky with scrambled egg, accompanied by wheat tortillas and traditional sauces such as pico de gallo, la bandera and la fresadilla.

Barandales
Radisson Gran Ancira, downtown, T: (52 8) 345-7575
The Ancira's elegant turn-of-the-century restaurant, located in the majestic lobby, features exquisite buffets, and a champagne brunch on Sunday. Live music.
Carlos n' Charlie's
Plaza San Agustin shopping center, in Garza Garcia, T: (52 8) 363-2848
Here you'll find the lively, casual atmosphere and tasty food that characterize Anderson restaurants. At night, it's a popular gathering spot for the young set.

El Granero Grill
Calz. del Valle 333 Ote., in Garza Garcia, T: (52 8) 378-4408
OPEN: 12:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; to 5 p.m. Sunday.
One of the city's leading restaurants well liked for its expertly prepared meat dishes. A wide-ranging menu, from Mexican specialties to sushi, served in an attractive mountain lodge-style setting.

El Rey del Cabrito
Dr. Coss and Constitucion, downtown, and two other locations, T: (52 8) 345-3232
These massive restaurants, with their mustard yellow facades with red neon trim, and kitschy hunting lodge interior decor, are very eye catching, but have lost their former reputation for serving premium cabrito.

El Tío
Av. Constitucion or Hidalgo 1746 Pte., downtown, T: (52 8) 346-0291
OPEN: 12:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
A thriving family-run business since 1931 thanks to the excellent food, service and personalized management (today tio's nephew manages the restaurant). Lunch is served in a spacious dining room decorated with bullfighting memorabilia, and dinner is enjoyed in a romantic, candle-lit garden patio. Regional dishes such as cabrito and carne seca are the specialty, but great care goes into everything, including the fresh seafood, soups, salads and homemade desserts, all served in generous portions. This has an ample wine list.

Hawaii 5-0
Roble 501, at Gomez Morin, in Garza Garcia, T: (52 8) 378-6405
OPEN: 12:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Built to resemble a palm-thatched hut on a tropical isle, this restaurant features Chinese and Polynesian dishes. Here the décor and atmosphere is both creative and fun.

Il Capriccio
Enrique C. Livas 315, Colonia Vista Hermosa, T: (52 8) 348-4374
Authentic Italian fare served in a cozy setting. Menu features homemade pastas and brick-oven pizzas.

Il Giardino
Gomez Morin 265 Sur, in Garza Garcia, T: (52 8) 335-0497
OPEN: 1 p.m. to midnight.
An attractive trattoria and bar featuring specialties from the south of Italy.

Las Pampas
Near TEC de Monterrey, Garza Sada 2401, T: (52 8) 358-2127
OPEN: Noon to midnight.
This restaurant specializes in Argentinian-style meats and empanadas (turnovers).

La Casa de Sandor
Crowne Plaza Hotel, downtown, T: (52 8) 319-6010
Hours: Open 1 to 11 p.m.; from 6 p.m. Saturday, CLOSED: Sunday
A restaurant and bar popular with residents as well as visitors.

La Guacamaya
Av. Roble 515, Colonia Valle del Campestre, in Garza Garcia, T: (52 8) 335-9220.
OPEN: 12:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; to 6 p.m. Sunday
The finest fresh fish and prime cuts of beef prepared with northern flair.

La Parola
Next to the Holiday Inn Express, San Jeronimo 1102, T: (52 8) 333-5490.
OPEN: Noon to midnight; to 10 p.m. Sunday
A rustic, cozy setting for enjoying traditional Italian cooking. The menu offers such favorites as pasta with salmon or four cheeses.

La Strada
Paseo de los Leones 2043, Colonia Cumbres, T: (52 8) 311-0912
Hours: 1 p.m. to midnight; to 6 p.m. Sunday, CLOSED: Monday
A celebration of Italian cooking in a very Old World setting. Good selection of Italian wines to complement meals.

Los Continentes
Presidente Inter-Continental Hotel, in Garza Garcia., T: (52 8) 368-6000
International cuisine in an attractive setting.

Los Vitrales
Sheraton Ambassador Hotel, downtown, T: (52 8) 340-6390
OPEN: 24 hours a day
This handsome restaurant, located in the lobby, under a lovely stained-glass ceiling, offers excellent international and regional cuisine. Wonderful breakfast buffets, great service.

Luisiana
Hidalgo 530 Ote, T: (52 8) 343-1561
OPEN: Open daily, noon to midnight.
A favourite of Monterrey's movers and shakers, and for good reason. This elegant and formal restaurant is centrally located in the downtown area and serves fine continental cuisine, luscious desserts. Outstanding service.

McDonald's
Galerias Monterrey and other locations, T: (52 8) 347-5265
The same hamburgers, fries, pies and shakes you enjoy back home.

Mirabeau
Vasconcelos 501-6, in Garza Garcia, T: (52 8) 338-8880
Hours: 1 to 11:30 p.m.; from 7 p.m. Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, CLOSED: Monday
A taste of France in Monterrey.

Pangea
Bosque del Valle 110-20, in Garza Garcia, T: (52 8) 356-5612
Hours: 1 to 11 p.m.; to midnight Friday and Saturday, CLOSED: Sunday
Though new to the restaurant scene, Pangea's fine international fare and handsome setting has attracted a loyal clientele. Menu highlights include the tomato tower stacked with avocado and goat cheese in a basil vinaigrette, cream of roasted garlic, grilled curried swordfish, and ostrich.

Quinta Real
Quinta Real Hotel, in Garza Garcia, T: (52 8) 368-1000
A truly elegant setting for enjoying refined international and regional dishes. Piano and violin duet at dinner Hour: 6 a.m. to midnight

Residence
Degollado 605 Sur and Matamoros , T: (52 8 ) 345-5040
Hours: 1 p.m. to midnight, CLOSED: Sunday
An elegant restaurant known for its prime rib

Sierra Madre Brewing Co.
Vasconcelos 564, in Garza Garcia, T: (52 8) 378-6001
A microbrewery and restaurant featuring California-style cuisine, generous portions ideal for sharing and, of course, beer on tap.

Wall Street
Presidente Inter-Continental Hotel, in Garza Garcia, T: (52 8) 368-6000
OPEN: Monday to Saturday for breakfast and dinner, Sundays all day
An American-style steak house featuring prime cuts of beef prepared to your exact order.
CATEGORY: International

El Regio
Several restaurants in Monterey serve kebabs of onion, chili morrón, steak and bacon, the so-called El regio alambre, which can also be made at home as long as you have a grill, can be seasoned to taste with salt and pepper and cooked until the meat starts oozing its juice. Delicious!