Flavors of the world: Our favorite food spots in San Cristóbal de las Casas

San Cristóbal may be small, but it punches above its weight when it comes to the food scene. The diversity of options is particularly impressive. Everyone from budget backpackers to fine diners to vegans can all find multiple offerings to satisfy their cravings. We spent a month in this charming city, and below we list our favorite spots to snag a bite. 

Te Quiero Verde

Calle Niños Heroes 4

If you're looking for fresh, vegan/vegetarian, and locally sourced dishes, this is the place. Te Quiero Verde offers filling salads, several varieties of delicious veggie burgers, and savory vegan pastas all for very reasonable prices. They also feature an extensive selection of fresh-squeezed juices. This was our favorite spot to go when we were craving healthy comfort food. 

Oh La La!

Av. Real de Guadalupe 2

This delightful little café and pastelería is the perfect place to enjoy an artisanal tea or coffee and a sweet treat. With a delicious chai latte in hand, it was a great place to hunker down here when we wanted to get some work done. Located near the Zócalo on the pedestrian street of Guadalupe, it's also prime real estate for people watching.

Trattoria Italiana

Dr. Navarro 10

Having read reviews of this top-rated restaurant, we expected a superb meal. Even with such high expectations though, we were totally blown away. Particularly well known for their homemade pasta, this restaurant is an authentic little slice of Italy in the highlands of Chiapas. Jared had the gorgonzola and pear ravioli and Rebecca ordered the bacon-wrapped prawns, and we still can't stop talking about how incredible the entire meal was. Perhaps the only thing more jaw-dropping was that we paid only $500 pesos ($26 USD), tip and appetizers included.

Doña Ame Tamales

Calle Diego de Mazariegos 28

If you're looking to try a variety of true chiapaneca tamales, this no-frills eatery is a must visit. Located just a short walk from the Zócalo, they offer more than ten different types of savory tamales in addition to four flavors of sweet tamales, representing the different regions of this southern Mexican state. We particularly loved the mole, rajas, and picte de elote tamales. And at only $14 pesos ($0.75 USD) each, you can stop by for just a snack or a full meal.

Xocol-Na Chocolate & Churros

Benito Juárez 16

After spending nearly four months in Mexico, we can certainly say we've had our fair share of churros. But this place takes churros to a level of artistic mastery we'd never seen before. Piping hot, coated in sugar, and drizzled with your choice of topping from rich chocolate to cajeta (dulce de leche) to lechera, these decadent treats are sure to indulge your sweet tooth. Paired with a cup of hot chocolate, it's a perfect place to escape a chilly evening.

TierrAdentro

Real de Guadalupe 24

A café, restaurant, and cultural center, TierrAdentro puts politics on the plate. With revolutionary quotes on the placemats and portraits of mujeristas hung around the walls, you'll feel the spirit of resistance Chiapas is known for. You can find almost any Mexican dish you're craving on their extensive menu. Whether you're looking for a spot to post up with a coffee and a book or a filling dinner, we give TierrAdentro two thumbs up.

La Viña de Bacco

Real de Guadalupe 13

If you walk down Guadalupe in the evening, you're sure to see this lively spot as tourists and locals gather around small tables outside sipping beer and wine while live music entertains the crowd. This tapas restaurant always has great deals like a free tapa with every glass of wine, all for $20 pesos ($1.05 USD). While indoor seating is available, most of the action is outside. And after a few drinks, you'll hardly notice the cold.

Falafel

Real de Guadalupe 87

This small hole-in-the-wall spot offers quick and delicious Mediterranean food. As it's name suggests, the falafel is fantastic. If you need a break from the cheesy, fatty, and creamy Mexican food, a pita pocket here will fill you up without weighing you down.

Zanahoria

Benito Juárez 14

If you're feeling indecisive and looking for a great vegan/vegetarian meal, Zanahoria offers a menú del día for $75 pesos ($3.95 USD) that won't disappoint. You get a soup, entrée, dessert, and a drink from this tiny open kitchen with an intimate charm.

Todo Vegano

Real de Guadalupe 74

While not a sit-down restaurant, this vegan take-out place almost feels like a deli. With offerings like chili, spring rolls, sushi, dumplings, and pastries, we kept finding ourselves picking up an easy dinner here when we didn't feel like cooking.

Mercado "José Castillo Tielemans"

On Utrilla between Nicaragua and Costa Rica (about 8 blocks north of the Zócalo)

The key to traveling on a budget is cooking most of your meals at home. If you have access to a kitchen, this market is a great place to grab fresh local ingredients. We've been to plenty of markets, but this is absolutely the freshest and cheapest we've found so far in Mexico. The ladies at the market were literally shucking the beans in front of us. For about $200 pesos ($10.50 USD), we brought home enough fruits and vegetables to feed ourselves for a week.

Lacteos Maya

Av. Diego Dugelay 4A

After months on the road, you start craving specialty products like artisanal cheeses, garlic spread, pesto, and real peanut butter. Lucky for us, this was a one-stop shop for all of our gourmet needs. With low prices that will shock any American or European tourist, this family-run shop gave us access to a range of options we couldn't find in the grocery store. Paired with the market above, we ate like royalty in the comfort of our apartment.