7 Best Restaurants in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas and Tabasco

El Fogón de Jovel, spread across a lovely colonial courtyard, strikes a balance: it caters to tourists but is still popular with locals. Order the parrillada chiapaneca for a sampling of regional specialties of Chiapas. They also serve a large selection of tamales, such as the tamal untado, which is stuffed with chicken and mole. In keeping with local ways, they serve a margarita made with posh (the local firewater).

This small café, which is just across the street from the main plaza, has some outdoor seating under its archways and a pleasant interior with high ceilings and plenty of fresh air. You can enjoy a meal here as you watch the people go by—they are open from breakfast through dinner. The sopade tortilla (tortilla soup) and enchiladas are both tasty options. They sell regional fresh bread, muffins, and delicious coffee all day.

This cozy café is inside a former home of city founder Diego de Mazariegos. But that doesn't mean it's a musty museum. It's surprisingly modern, with a curved bar surrounded by vegetation. Start with sopa de flor de calabaza (squash flower soup) or ensalada de nopalitos (cactus salad), then move on to the tongue-twisting albóndigas enchipotladas (meatballs in chili sauce). There's live music most nights at 9.

In an old house with a pleasant patio, this vegetarian restaurant is a favorite of locals and tourists. Almost everything on the menu is homemade, including the daily baked bread. For breakfast, don't miss the muffins and fruit salad with fresh yogurt. You also can't beat the fresh pastas and pizzas or their soups and salads. Going on a day trip? You can buy pizzas, breads, muffins, and preserves to go.

The scent of freshly baked bread is the first thing you'll notice, tempting you to skip the restaurant altogether and just grab a few of the warm rolls and a jar of locally made preserves. But the so-called "House of Bread" serves a fabulous, if leisurely, breakfast. For lunch, try the tasty tamales chiapanecos (with a spicy cheese filling) or the mild chilies stuffed with corn and herbs. Round out your meal with bean soup and one of the best salads in town.

People rave about the dishes—especially the steaks—at this chalet-style restaurant in the Hotel El Paraíso. The interior has eight candlelit tables and a cozy fireplace. Swiss delights include classic raclette and several different types of fondue. The service is doting but not distracting. The intimate bar is known for its creative, strong cocktails.

This big, airy Zapatista-affiliated café is a great place to linger over a cup of coffee or enjoy the simple prix-fixe meal (there are plenty of vegetarian options) that includes juice, soup, a main plate, and rice. The restaurant is surrounded by small boutiques, including Nail Ch'en, where you can buy neat handmade blouses, and Mono de Papel, where you can find books and magazines (with some titles in English), including several titles on the Zapatista movement. You can also buy a requisite T-shirt with the image of Subcomandante Marcos.