Adventures

Latin Flavor: San Miguel’s Hot Spots

From modern Mexican cuisine to a luxe rooftop bar with panoramic views, a guide to soaking in San Miguel

Photo: Amy Dickerson

The courtyard at Lavanda Cafe.

Where to Eat & Drink

Lavanda Café
Slowly sip a cappucino in the café’s cozy courtyard and then linger over breakfast; try the bacon-and-egg cazuela.

 

Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar
Perched atop the swank hotel Rosewood, this gorgeous tapas bar offers the best views—day or night—of San Miguel.—rosewoodhotels.com

Photo: Amy Dickerson

Tuna tacos at the Restaurant.

Moxi
Mexico City’s top chef Enrique Olvera opened this indoor-outdoor dining outpost, inside the funky Hotel Matilda, which is owned by Lake Charles, Louisiana, native Harold “Spook” Stream. Order the short ribs with mole manchamanteles, one of the seven classic Oaxacan sauces.—moxi.com.mx

 

La Parada

On a quiet stretch near Casa Acanto, owners Alex and Juan Leon de Vivero serve fresh, inventive Peruvian fare, including a full ceviche menu. And they mix a mean Pisco Sour.—laparadasma.com

 

The Restaurant
Chef and owner Donnie Masterton, who moved here from California, creates amazing Mexican fusion. But Thursday is burger night, a great chance to meet some local expats.—therestaurantsanmiguel.com

Where to Shop

Rachel Horn Home
An interior designer originally from San Antonio, Horn sells vintage Mexican doors, garden stonework, and other distinctive pieces from her storefront in the Fábrica la Aurora art and design center.—fabricalaaurora.com

Photo: Amy Dickerson

Fiesta flags wave above a side street.

Recreo San Miguel
Browse high-end serapes at this family-owned outfit. Each oversize shawl is handmade from premium fabrics such as linen, silk, and cashmere.—recreosanmiguel.com

 

Sollano16
Ann Harte’s expertly curated shop carries Mexican antiques, as well as exquisite jewelry, art, and other home goods.—sollano16.com

Photo: Amy Dickerson

A look inside home goods shop Sollano16.

Where to Sleep

Hotel Matilda
A modern counterpoint to the city’s colonial architecture, this chic boutique hotel is steps from the main square and houses a worthy art collection.—hotelmatilda.com

Photo: Amy Dickerson

The streets of San Miguel.

Premier San Miguel House Rental and Concierge
For a peek beyond the city’s ornately carved doors, Alabama native Katharine Hibberts offers dozens of gorgeous private homes for rent by the night, week, or month.—premiersanmiguel.com


With its cobblestoned streets, colonial architecture, and ever-growing creative class, this Mexican mountain city—an expat enclave since the 1940s—continues to bewitch Southern travelers


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