Mexico Guide
The north
Eating
1 Barra Antigua Constitución 1030 You'll find big plates and big screens in this restaurant that serves moderately priced Mexican fare, steaks and burgers, as well as beer, cocktails and tequila.
2 La Casa del Maíz Abasolo 870-B Ote, at Dr Coss Airy, modern place taking its decorative cues from MARCO down the street, and serving unusual Mexican dishes, either with or without meat. Try the memelas la maica, a kind of thick tortilla topped with a richly seasoned spinach and cheese salsa. Closed Sun eve and all day Mon, opens at 6pm other days. Have a look at the funky Akbal (Maya for "night") Lounge upstairs.
3 Coliseo Cafetería Colón 235 Clean and cheerful 24hr place near the bus station, serving regular Mexican staples at low prices; quesadillas (M$25), bean tacos (M$20) and passable café con leche (M$7).
4 La Fonda del Rey Matamoros 816 Ote Bright and cheery restaurant that does decent and economical Mexican staples.
5 Gorditas Doña Tota Escobedo near Morelos This fast-food-like chain serves up delicious little gorditas for under a buck and has many outlets throughout the city. Beware, you might become a regular.
6 El Infinito Jardón 904 Ote A surprising little find, with sofas and a small lending library (some English books), serving some of Monterrey's best espressos and lattes. Cakes and sandwiches, too, and a few times a month they have live acoustic music.
7 LA Pizza Matamoros 855 Simple takeout place. They do decent 12in pizzas for M$50 and 14in pies for M$65.
8 
Madre Oaxaca Jardón 814 Ote The speciality of this beautiful upmarket restaurant is Oaxacan cooking, the most delicious of Mexico's regional cuisines. Check this place out, especially if you can't get down south.
9 Las Monjitas Morelos 240 Ote Waitresses dressed as nuns dish up Mexican steaks and a catholic selection of quality antojitos, including such house specialities as the Father Chicken, The Sinner and Juan Pablo II; the last is an artery-hardening combination of salami, pork, bacon, peppers, grilled cheese and guacamole. Beautiful azulejos on the walls make the slightly elevated prices worthwhile. There's a second branch a couple of blocks along at Escobedo Sur 913. Open daily 8am–11pm.
10 Nuequen Dr Coss 656 Renowned upmarket restaurant that specializes in Argentine cuisine, though they also have good Mexican and Italian dishes on the menu.
11 Restaurante Vegetariano Superbom Galeana 1018, between Hidalgo and Ocampo. Excellent vegetarian comidas (M$45), and an all-you-can-eat buffet (M$75) from noon until 5pm; mornings the food is à la carte. Closed Sat.
12 El Rey del Cabrito Dr Coss and Constitución The best place in town for cabrito is this slightly unworldly restaurant, adorned with stuffed carnivorous animals and full of the delicious aromas of charcoal-grilled meat.
13 Sanborn's Morelos near the Plaza Hidalgo As safe a bet as ever for sandwiches and snacks: great if your stomach's feeling homesick for more Continental-style fare.