The Northern Mexican cuisine is usually very different from the one that is eaten in the rest of the country. Its semi-desert soil forced the Spanish settlers to import cattle. Thats how the tradition of the cattle ranches started. Due to the meats intense flavor, the sauces are milder than in the south and the center. Another culinary difference with the rest of the country is that when you eat a taco, the tortilla will be made from wheat, since there, it is the wheat and not the corn, the main ingredient of the tortillas and some of them are really big and called sobaqueras.
Monterrey restaurants' specialty is the cabrito al pastor, which is kid goat cooked slowly over mesquite coals, that gives it that special smoked taste. The locals say that if you haven't tried roasted kid goat, it is like you have never been to Monterrey and recommend which part of the goat to choose to have an extremely satisfactory culinary experience. The tender arrachera beef is also typical of this region and it is an excellent alternative to the traditional meat cuts. You shouldn't miss also the famous o machaca con huevo, which is a specialty made with dried meat fried with eggs, accompanied by wheat tortillas and eaten usually for breakfast.
But in Monterrey you will find much more than meat based dishes. The areas vast gastronomic offer will let you enjoy the most appetizing and varied dishes. While dining in Monterrey you will find from restaurants that serve traditional Mexican food and taco stands to French, Chinese or Italian cuisine, among a wide assortment of international specialties, in addition to a great number of American chain restaurants and well recognized fast-food spots.
Dining in Monterrey will be a great experience and won't significantly affect your pockets. Even the most sophisticated Monterrey restaurants have more convenient prices than the ones at the beach resorts and many of them offer, as an additional pleasure for their customers, entertainment and live music in the evenings.
El Rey del Cabrito
It is the most famous restaurant in Monterrey amongst locals and tourists because of its delicious roasted kid goat. As you enter, you can see the grill at your left and racks of kids spread on spits roasting over a low smoky mesquite fire. It exhibits an informal and colorful ambience, with red neon lights and walls ornamented with pictures of the owner, posing with known personalities and artists. If you dont dare to try cabrito, this restaurant also serves fajitas and other more traditional meats.
Pangea
Pangea offers contemporary cuisine in a warm and casual atmosphere, along with a great domestic and imported wine selection and scrumptious desserts. The menu is permanently renovated to provide different options to the diners. The restaurants areas are perfect for carrying out business meetings, family and friends celebrations and other activities. It offers also a bar for wine-tasting and a store where you can buy the best domestic wines and the house wine.
La Catarina
This is a large restaurant decorated in a contemporary Mexican style, with brick walls, handcrafted figures and contemporary paintings. It also features original table linen, napkins, cups and dishes, decorated with ladybugs, since the name of the restaurant in Spanish means ladybug. This establishment serves from Mexican traditional dishes to sophisticated creations based on duck, lamb and goat and seasonal dishes like chiles en nogada (Poblano chile filled with a mix of meats, fruits and raisins, in a walnut sauce); all of them may be savored accompanied by a wide variety of tequilas and Mexican wines.
Luna Mexicana
With a casual and family-like atmosphere and decoration with rustic wooden furniture, it offers traditional Mexican cuisine, like tortillas with huitlacoche (corns fungus), its famous roasted meats and seafood dishes. It has a wide selection of drinks, among them daiquiris, margaritas and a great variety of tequilas and cocktails. Enjoy yourself watching sports events in the big screen.
El Camaron Norteño
Enjoy a wide variety of seafood and try the shrimp cocktail, seafood salad, breaded shrimps, ceviches, shrimp cream, stuffed crab and all the sea delicacies in a regal table.
El Tio
Restaurant with more than 60 years of experience specialized in regional food and exquisite Mexican cuisine, with live music played by the best bands. It offers the best quality meats and seafood treats, in addition to luscious desserts and excellent wines.
Corner Deli
Corner Delis dishes have a distinctive and singular hallmark. The salads are very original and add to the typical ingredients fruits, nuts, cheeses and unique home-made dressings; the home made pasta is served with exclusive sauces, and conventional tortas (sandwiches) are renovated with new cheeses and meats combinations. This is a place for eating tasty abundant dishes at very convenient prices.
La Cocina de Honan
Excellent self service restaurant that offers the best Chinese cuisine in traditional dishes such as fried rice, delicious combinations based on meat, chicken and vegetables, and a special menu for kids, with nuggets, rice and French fries.
Italianni's
In a cozy setting, surrounded by a feeling of warmth, like in an old Italian family restaurant, you can travel through images, aromas and flavors to the beautiful Italy, where the dark woods, plaid tablecloths and soft lighting create an atmosphere filled with the heritage, culture and traditions of the Italian people. Get ready to share generous portions with a true homey flavor, tasting dishes based on classical Italian recipes.
La Bonne
It presents a concept of casual food, with a nice and contemporary ambience, suitable for any occasion. No matter the happening, whether it is a business meeting or special celebration with the family, friends or spouse, La Bonne is a place where you can enjoy a great variety of sandwiches, pasta, crepes, salads, fondues, delicious entrees and mouthwatering desserts.