2 Best Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende, San Miguel de Allende and the Heartland

Within the gracious Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, Restaurant 1826 conveys both ease and sophistication. The upholstered chairs are comfortable enough to linger over various courses. Flavors represented on the international menu—a small but inspired collection of plates—are subtle, with unusual seasonings that truly please the palate. Sinfully large and calorie-laden desserts include a volcano of semisweet chocolate (in presentations from ground to molten), with a fig compote and rosemary ice cream. Almost-floor-to-ceiling windows frame the large, rectangular space, and the artwork of local luminaries like Marilo Carral grace the walls. A pre- or postdinner drink on the rooftop bar, La Luna, offers incredible 360-degree views of the city. Breakfast (starting at 7 am) and lunch offer more Mexican dishes. Cooking classes with chef Victor Palma and expansive Sunday brunchathons happen on the outdoor patio.

Founded in 2008 by chef Donnie Masterton, formerly of New York's Bouley, Montrachet, and Tavern on the Green, The Restaurant is where well-heeled and shabby-chic expats dine with fashionistas and movers and shakers, though they cede the pleasant vine-covered patio to wealthy Mexican visitors come the weekend. The menu emphasizes organic ingredients and changes according to the season and whatever inspires chef Masterton in the local market. Specialties include homemade ravioli with goat cheese and poblano peppers, crab cakes with guacamole, miso-marinated Pacific salmon, sautéed salmon trout in curry brown butter, and, for dessert, panna cotta made with goat yogurt and honey. Thursday is burger night, with a whole menu of specialty burgers.