Guadalajara Food Guide: Everything We Ate (and Drank!) in Mexico’s Second City

While researching for our recent trip to Guadalajara, I stumbled upon a piece of travel advice from a local. They said something along the lines of, “Food is the reason you come to Guadalajara; everything else is just a bonus.”

That really resonated with my food-loving heart and confirmed for me that Michael and I made the right choice for our trip.

And now that I’m back home, I can wholeheartedly say that an internet stranger’s opinion is completely valid. Sure, there are so many wonderful sights to see and things to do in Guadalajara – but the food is so incredible that it deserves to be the main draw. In fact, that’s why I’m sharing my food guide here today before I share my full Guadalajara travel guide because the food scene is worth the cost of a plane ticket alone.

(Side note: another observation I read is that all of the food in Guadalajara is wet – I can also now say that’s true, too).

During this trip, I aimed for a balance of Tapatío (i.e., someone from Guadalajara) classics and restaurants that define what modern cuisine in Guadalajara looks like. The result is a menu of equal parts tiny, hole-in-the-wall spots that have been serving the same dishes for more than half a century, and ultra-hip joints reimagining those dishes in almost-unrecognizable forms. Both are valid, and both deserve to be celebrated.

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Exploring more of the region? Find all of my Jalisco guides in one place.

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In today’s post, I’m sharing everything we ate during our week in Guadalajara, broken down by category: antojitos (which literally means “little cravings” but really refers to street foods and snacks), restaurantes (you probably figured out what that means, but these are sit-down meals consumed within a restaurant), dulces (sweets and desserts), café (or coffee, and there’s a lot of good stuff brewing), and bebidas (that really just means drinks, but in this guide, it mostly refers to alcoholic ones).

You’ll notice that most of the places listed are located in or around the neighborhood where we stayed, Colonia Americana. We chose an Airbnb in this neighborhood because of its proximity to cafés and bars where we could start and end our day conveniently, but there is good food to be had all over the city.

And because a picture is worth a thousand words (and we ate a lot during our trip) this is quite the photo-filled post. Cuidado: if you’re not hungry now, you might be by the time you finish reading. ¡Buen provecho!

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ANTOJITOS

Birrieria la Victoria

Birrieria la Victoria is technically a fonda/restaurante, but I had just a light bite in mind for my visit, so I’m placing it in the antojitos category (plus, could I really start a Guadalajara post with anything other than birria?). The Birria here is ultra-traditional – which makes sense, as they’ve been serving Tapatíos since 1948 (the walls are covered in framed newspapers from historical events that have occurred since they opened!). Whether you choose to dip or pour your consomé is up to you; birria is a non-negotiable when visiting the city.

→Birrieria la Victoria // C. Manuel Acuña 1511, Villaseñor, 44600 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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Tacos De Barbacoa Arthuro

To start, the tacos I ate at Tacos De Barbacoa Arthuro just might be the very best barbacoa tacos I’ve eaten in my life. In Guadalajara, tacos de barbacoa are typically served at breakfast (and sometimes lunch) – and we happily obliged early one morning. This is a popular neighborhood spot, and unless you want to order at the window, you may have to wait for a table. But once seated, be sure to order your tacos with cheese – the griddled crunchy tacos are heaven.

→Tacos De Barbacoa Arthuro // C. José María Morelos 957, Col Americana, Centro, 44100 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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Ahogadas Betos

When we arrived to find the famous Tortas Ahogadas El Profe Jimenez closed, we turned to Ahogadas Betos instead. And maybe, just maybe, it was the better option anyway. In addition to having a street-service counter, Ahogadas Betos has a small dining room where you can escape the sun for a few moments. In our usual fashion, we opted for a smaller portion to allow us to enjoy more food throughout the day. Here, tortas ahogadas come in regular and mini sizes – but even the mini size was incredibly generous. And if the sandwich wasn’t drowned enough, the staff brought out an extra serving of consomé to drench it even more.

→Ahogadas Betos // C. Pedro Antonio Buzeta 757, Ladrón de Guevara, Ladron De Guevara, 44600 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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Birrieria las 9 Esquinas

Our initial birria destination was Birrieria El Paisano, but as they had already sold out for the day, we went across the square to Birrieria las 9 Esquinas instead. We never made it back to El Paisano, but were more than satisfied with the birria at las 9 Esquinas. Sitting near the open kitchen was a treat – watching the tortilla-making action up close was mesmerizing.

→Birrieria las 9 Esquinas // C. Colón 384, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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Fresh Fruit

The fruit in Mexico is nothing like the fruit we purchase from supermarkets in the U.S. Not only is it more fresh and flavorful, but street vendors choose the ripest ones to cut and serve right in front of you. The fruit vendor at the canyon access by Parque Mirador Independencia was a delight – along with the watermelon and mango he prepared for us.

→Various Locations

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RESTAURANTES

Ponte Trucha Negro

Ponte Trucha Negro is an essential stop for seafood lovers visiting Guadalajara. Located in the Santa Teresita neighborhood, you’ll likely see the line at the door before you see the sign on the building (even at our late lunch hour of 4 p.m., there was a long wait). The menu is definitely a bit overwhelming, but at least you’ll get a chuckle from the names of some of the offerings. Order a variety of dishes to share with your table-mates, and have an extra tostadita de atún for me, please.

→Ponte Trucha Negro // C. Ignacio Ramírez 646, Santa Teresita, 44600 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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Kamilos 333

Kamilos 333 and its neighbor, Karne Garibaldi, are both known for the typical Guadalajara dish: carne en su jugo (literally, “meat in its juice”). Locals and tourists alike debate over which restaurant serves the best version – and even though Karne Garibaldi holds the record for serving the fastest meal, in the end, we decided on Kamilos 333. The specialty dish, spelled “Karne en zu Jugo” here, is sold by weight. Unless you’re famished, I wouldn’t recommend going any larger than the chico size (in retrospect, I should have ordered the mini) because the meal is incredibly rich and is also accompanied by a delicious bean soup. And no matter what size you order, please don’t skip the guacamole. It’s heavenly.

→Kamilos 333 // C. José Clemente Orozco 333, Santa Teresita, 44600 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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Yunaites

Yunaites is a must-visit for brunch in the Mercado IV Centenario. The tiny counter sends out dishes full of local flavor with a concentration on what is in season. The menu has likely already changed since my visit, but you’re certain to enjoy a stunningly beautiful meal at the small shared table. Queue up well ahead of your desired mealtime – it’s a popular spot for a good reason.

→Yunaites // Calle Garibaldi 824, Jesús, 44200 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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La Cafeteria

La Cafeteria is an all-day spot that would feel right at home in New York or London, with fancy coffees, juices, and killer brunch fare. I especially enjoyed the mix of traditional dishes and modern breakfast favorites.

→La Cafeteria // Libertad 1700, Col Americana, Americana, 44160 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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Belial, Coctelería + Cocina

It wasn’t on our list, but I’m so glad we found Belial, Coctelería + Cocina (now closed) as we were running out of open places to eat and drink one evening. The atmosphere is a bit more clubby than I’m used to, but it worked out perfectly as they were open and serving both food and drink late into the night. The cocktail program is especially artful!

→Belial, Coctelería + Cocina // now closed

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PALREAL

If I could have visited one place on this list for a second time, I might have chosen PALREAL. This chic daytime cafe offers a brunch-ready menu that is equally split between breakfast and lunch options (perfect for my non-egg-eating media naranja). They were miraculously open for brunch on Easter Sunday, so we made reservations in advance. That was an easy choice, but the menu was much more difficult to navigate as everything sounded delicious (and better yet, it absolutely was). I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to eat guacamole again unless it’s topped with chunks of fresh tuna (but obviously I’ll try, even though it might be difficult). And while I’m not quite sold on lengua yet, I’m glad I gave it a chance.

→PALREAL // C. Lope de Vega 113, Arcos Vallarta, 44130 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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Quelite

My birthday breakfast at Quelite was one of the many highlights of our trip. Although the restaurant is known for its innovative dinner menu, breakfast is treated with the same care at a much lower price point. The bottomless café de olla is a must.

→Quelite // C. Pedro Moreno 1078A, Col Americana, Americana, 44160 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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Xokol

Our visit to Xokol warranted its own dedicated blog post – head here to read all about our experience at this restaurant dedicated to reviving indigenous ingredients and recipes.

→Xokol // now at C. Ignacio Herrera y Cairo 1375, Santa Teresita, 44600 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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DULCES

City Market

I love perusing fancy grocery stores in major cities, and City Market is one of the nicest I’ve ever visited. Although we were there to pick up some of my favorite Mexican chocolates, I also picked up a couple of sweet treats from the bakery, like this all-butter concha and a new-to-me treat called a Garibaldi. This buttery pound cake is given an extra sweetness thanks to apricot jam and nonpareils. Who knew grocery store pastries could be so decadent?

→City Market // Plaza Patria, Av de la Patria 1950, Plaza Patria, 45160 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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Night Market

I’m not sure if the night market is always held in front of the Templo Expiatorio or if it just coincided with our Semana Santa visit, but it was clearly the place to be. Vendors were set up throughout the square, selling food so tempting that even if you were already full, you wouldn’t be able to resist. In addition to a quesadilla (not pictured), we finally found a vendor selling jericalla (Guadalajara’s famous flan-like dessert) and another frying up fresh churros.

→Templo Expiatorio // C. Manuel López Cotilla 935, Col Americana, Americana, 44160 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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Karmele

We stopped by Karmele to pick up a pastry on the way to meet up with our Tequila tour group, only to be tempted by literally everything. I wish I would have had time to return – my almond croissant was as good as any I’ve had in France.

→Karmele // Av. José María Morelos 2279A, Arcos Vallarta, 44130 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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Nieves de Garrafa Chapalita

Throughout the city, you’ll find stalls selling Nieve de Garrafa – a sorbet-like frozen treat. They come in more flavors than you can imagine and are the best way to beat the heat (far better than a stomach full of dairy on a 90°F day, as you would experience with ice cream). In the case of the ultra-popular Nieves De Garrafa Chapalita in Tlaquepaque (pictured at the top of this post), you’ll have plenty of time to figure out which flavor you’d like, as the line is almost guaranteed to be long.

→Nieves de Garrafa Chapalita // C. Juárez 246, Centro, 45500 San Pedro Tlaquepaque, Jal., Mexico

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CAFÉ

Gufo Café

Gufo Café is a cute outdoor spot in Americana, serving coffee exclusively sourced from Mexico. Even during the hottest part of the day, Gufo remains cool thanks to its shady tree cover and patio umbrellas.

→Gufo Café // now at Av. Chapultepec Sur 198, Col Americana, Lafayette, 44150 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico

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FINAL THOUGHTS ON DINING IN GUADALAJARA

After visiting Mexico’s vibrant second city, I too will echo that internet stranger’s sentiments: Guadalajara’s food scene is the city’s biggest draw.

I’m glad it’s starting to get some of the recognition it deserves (I mean, just look at how birria has exploded onto menus across the globe in recent years!), and it is my hope that if you’re reading this, you too will soon discover why. Enjoy the delicious adventure ahead of you!