4 best Mexican restaurants in San Ángel
San Ángel is one of those magical corners of Mexico City where time seems to slow down. Its cobblestone streets, colonial homes, and bohemian atmosphere create the perfect setting for unhurried strolls—and for eating really well. Located in the southern part of the city, this neighborhood offers a culinary scene that rivals even the trendiest areas. Here, historic restaurants coexist with contemporary concepts and spaces that respect the soul of the neighborhood while still surprising your palate. It’s a place where every corner tells a story, and every well-set table can easily become your new favorite spot.
San Ángel also has that special charm that makes you feel like a tourist in your own city. You can start the day with coffee on a hidden terrace, move on to a traditional Mexican meal in a beautiful old mansion, and end the night with cocktails in an intimate spot with low lighting and soft music. Best of all, despite its calm and relaxed vibe, the area is full of life, with galleries, parks, art markets, and culture around every corner. All of this makes dining in San Ángel about much more than satisfying your appetite—it’s about enjoying a complete, unique, and unmistakably chilango experience.
1. OXA Cocina Única San Ángel
OXA Cocina Única is a restaurant that celebrates the very best of Mexican cuisine from a creative perspective that remains deeply respectful of its roots. Located in the San Ángel neighborhood, this space stands out not only for its culinary proposal, but also for its aesthetic. Details in clay, wicker, talavera, and wood create a warm, elegant atmosphere that feels like a true homage to authentic Mexican design. Every corner of the restaurant is thoughtfully crafted to engage the senses, from the décor to the soft music that accompanies each meal.
This is an ideal spot for a special dinner, especially if you’re looking to surprise someone with something different. The menu, curated by chef Ana Martorell, draws inspiration from traditional recipes, reimagined with a contemporary twist that honors and elevates the flavors of Mexico. Many dishes evoke the comfort of home cooking passed down through generations, yet are presented using modern techniques and plating that feels almost gallery-worthy. Dining here is not just about eating—it’s about discovering, remembering, and celebrating what it means to cook in Mexico.
OXA is perfect for a date night, thanks to its intimate, elegant ambiance filled with thoughtful details that make it ideal for anniversaries, romantic dinners, or a quiet evening well spent. It’s also a great option for small family gatherings or celebrations that call for something a little more special. The softly lit terrace, surrounded by greenery, offers the perfect setting to disconnect from the city’s noise and truly be present in the moment.
The average price per person ranges from $500 to $1,000 Mexican pesos, an investment that is fully justified by the quality of the ingredients, impeccable service, and the overall experience. The restaurant is not pet-friendly, so if you usually dine out with your dog, this will be one exception. OXA doesn’t just feed the body—it nourishes the soul with every dish.
2. La Jacinta San Ángel
La Jacinta San Ángel is a restaurant that blends a laid-back atmosphere with a modern, thoughtfully crafted culinary proposal. Located in the heart of the San Ángel neighborhood, this spot has earned its place among the favorites in the southern part of the city, not only for its food but also for its beautiful terrace that invites you to linger for hours. It’s one of those places that charms you from the very first glance—lush greenery, natural light, great music, and cocktails that genuinely surprise. The vibe strikes the perfect balance between casual and chic, making it ideal for almost any occasion.
La Jacinta is especially great for a leisurely lunch, particularly on weekends. The menu features a mix of Mexican and international flavors, with dishes designed for sharing and enjoying at an unhurried pace. From tuna tostadas to pastas, gourmet tacos, and quality cuts of meat, everything is prepared with clear attention to detail. That said, the real star of the show is the cocktail program: creative, well-balanced, and crafted by bartenders who know exactly how to turn a drink into an experience. It’s very easy to end up staying for a couple more rounds than planned.
This spot is perfect for a get-together with friends, but it’s also a great option for families. One of its standout features is the kid-friendly amenities, including a play area and on-site caregivers who keep little ones entertained while you relax and enjoy your meal. Service is fast, friendly, and attentive—something you’ll truly appreciate when the place fills up, which it often does. If you’re planning a weekend visit, making a reservation is highly recommended.
With an average price range of $500 to $800 Mexican pesos per person, La Jacinta offers excellent value for what it delivers: solid food, a great atmosphere, and a space that makes you want to stay. And for those who don’t go anywhere without their furry companion, there’s good news—the restaurant is pet-friendly. La Jacinta is the kind of place where everything flows naturally: the conversation, the flavors, and the desire to come back again.
3. Santana Escenaria
Santana Escenaria is a restaurant that turns any visit into a vibrant, out-of-the-ordinary experience. Located in the Tizapán San Ángel neighborhood, inside Plaza Escenaria, this spot has won over diners looking for a mix of great food, well-crafted cocktails, and an atmosphere that’s always in celebration mode. With a modern Mexican cuisine concept and a carefully curated visual aesthetic, Santana is the perfect place for anyone who wants to eat well while enjoying an energetic, lively setting.
It’s an excellent choice for lunch, especially if you’re in the mood for something that feels like a full-on plan. The menu is packed with reinvented Mexican favorites, including seafood towers, arrachera aguachile, stylish tacos, house-made salsas, and shareable starters meant for the whole table. Add to that a strong cocktail program with creative mixes, ice-cold beers, and freshly prepared carajillos. On weekends, the experience levels up even more with live DJs or music that sets the mood just right.
Santana truly shines for get-togethers with friends or long, laid-back family meals that naturally turn into extended sobremesas with more drinks. The vibe is relaxed but stylish, making it a great spot to celebrate a birthday, meet up with friends, or simply disconnect from the daily grind over good food and a great atmosphere. The spacious layout also makes it ideal for larger groups, positioning it as a solid choice for casual celebrations.
With an average price range of $200 to $500 Mexican pesos per person, Santana Escenaria offers excellent value, especially considering that the experience goes far beyond the food. The restaurant is not pet-friendly, so if you were planning to bring your furry companion, they’ll have to stay home this time. Santana Escenaria is one of those places where you eat well, drink even better, and have an amazing time—without having to cross half the city.
4. Na Tlali
Na Tlali is a restaurant that goes beyond food—it’s a conscious experience deeply connected to the land, its ingredients, and overall well-being. Located in the San Ángel neighborhood on Avenida de la Paz, this space offers a culinary proposal rooted in Oaxacan and Veracruz traditions, reimagined through a 100% plant-based and sustainable approach. It’s a place where flavor, environmental awareness, and Mexican heritage come together in every detail. From the moment you arrive, the intention behind the concept is clear, reflected in the natural décor, warm service, and deep respect for the ingredients.
Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Na Tlali stands out for its versatility. You can start the day with a comforting cup of café de olla and corn bread, and end it with a vegetable mole that rivals any traditional meat-based version. The menu is filled with original creations such as plantain molotes stuffed with huitlacoche, mushroom tacos with pipián, and the iconic pineapple tamal with amaranth, topped with artisan chocolate. Everything is prepared to order using local, organic, and animal-free ingredients, proving that plant-based cuisine can be just as rich, complex, and satisfying.
The restaurant is ideal for a date, but it’s also a great spot to share with friends who are looking for a calm, flavorful, and different kind of dining experience. The atmosphere is peaceful and inviting, with warm lighting, soft music, wooden tables, and handcrafted details that encourage you to slow down and enjoy the moment. Adding to the experience, the space also features a small market offering organic and sustainable products, giving your visit an even more mindful touch.
With an average price range of $250 to $350 Mexican pesos per person, Na Tlali is very accessible considering its concept, quality, and ethical focus. The restaurant is not pet-friendly, so if you have a four-legged companion, they’ll need to stay home this time. Na Tlali is the kind of place that nourishes more than just the body—it feeds the mind, the soul, and a commitment to a more conscious way of living.
Flavor with history
San Ángel has a unique essence that you can feel in its streets, hear in its plazas, and, of course, taste in its restaurants. This neighborhood achieves something few others do: blending history, tranquility, and a top-tier culinary scene without losing its identity. Here, every meal becomes an experience that goes far beyond what’s on the plate. Whether you’re looking for a chef-driven experience rooted in tradition like OXA, a laid-back brunch with memorable cocktails at La Jacinta, a fun afternoon full of Mexican flavor at Santana, or a conscious, plant-based proposal like Na Tlali, this southern part of the city invites you to taste, linger, and come back for more. Each place has its own vibe, its own story, and its own way of making you feel right at home—just better fed.
But don’t stop here—this is just a taste. Mexico City is full of charming neighborhoods and exciting food scenes waiting to be explored. On the Reservándonos blog, we guide you to everything from rooftop terraces in the historic center to hidden gems in Narvarte or pet-friendly spots in Condesa. If you love eating well, discovering new places, and putting together great plans, you’ll always find something here to spark your appetite. So keep reading, make the plan, and get ready to savor the city one restaurant at a time—because around here, the craving never really ends.