3 Best Restaurants in Cholula, Around Mexico City

A stone's throw from the Gran Pirámide, this little eatery, opened in 1939, has bumped up its prices a bit, but it's still a good place to cool off after a sweltering afternoon in the archaeological zone. It's welcoming and cluttered with bric-a-brac. The specialty is acamayas, a kind of crayfish. Also available are chilaquiles, milk shakes, an array of tortas, various types of mole, and meat dishes.

This budget eatery to the side of the portales on the zócalo is a favorite for fresh local fare. The menu includes tacos, flautas (tortillas rolled into tubes and deep-fried), and pozole (flavorful hominy soup with pork or chicken). The especialidades section includes meat-heavy combination plates that are an exceptional value for under $10. The place stays open until around midnight.

Simple but smart, Los Jarrones ("The Pitchers") welcomes diners with long wooden tables, comfy cushioned chairs, and white walls accented with green tiles. Starters include onion and garlic soup; the parrillada (a variety of grilled meats) is a popular option for sharing. A weekend breakfast buffet is served 9:30 to 1. Live music at night is loud but pleasant.