6 Best Restaurants in Acapulco, Mexico

Along the Costera Miguel Alemán are several of these 24-hour restaurants specializing in quick service and light, healthy food: sandwiches made with whole wheat bread, soy burgers, chicken dishes, yogurt shakes, and fruit salads. You'll recognize these eateries by their green signs with white lettering. The original—the first, and best, in this now-national chain—is across from the Grand Hotel Acapulco.

As the name implies, young goat—served charcoal-grilled—is a specialty of this restaurant. You can also choose from among genuine Mexican dishes like chicken in mole (spicy chocolate-chili sauce); shrimp in tequila; and jerky with egg, fish, and seafood. Wash it down with a cold beer or glass of wine. The place opens at 2 every afternoon, so although you can have lunch here, it might be at a later time than you're accustomed.

This casual open-air street-side eatery specializes in hearty Mexican food. The place is open 24 hours most days—although on Tuesday the folks here open at a leisurely 3 pm—serving Acapulco's famous green-and-white pozole as well as steak dishes like filete tampiqueña (a strip of tender grilled beef), which comes with tacos, enchiladas, guacamole, and beans.

In the 1950s, this local favorite was a bohemian hangout that attracted renowned bullfighters along with Mexican songwriter Agustín Lara and his lady love, María Félix. You can see their photo over the bar and sample the same dishes that made the place famous back then: shark tamales, seafood casserole, or shrimp prepared with sea salt, curry, or garlic. The restaurant is smackdab in the middle of Playa Caleta, and there are free lockers for diners who want to take a swim, as well as banana and wave-runner rentals.