Where to eat in Monterrey

Restaurants, cafés and street food in Monterrey, Mexico that locals actually go to — plus the local names for the chains you already know.

• El Lingote — Norteño grill, Barrio Antiguo (3). Order the Arrachera. Barrio Antiguo grill where arrachera meets the old quarter.
• El Gran Pastor — Cabrito, Obispado (2). Order the Cabrito riñonada. Cabrito institution since 1971; the window of roasting goats says it all.
• Cara de Vaca — Tacos / grill, Obispado (2). Order the Taco de ribeye. Chef-driven taquería proving regio beef culture evolves.
• La Nacional — Norteño classics, Centro (2). Order the Machacado con huevo. Since 1939: machacado, cortadillo, and the old Monterrey dining room.
• Madre Café — Brunch / café, San Pedro (2). Order the Chilaquiles verdes. The brunch line of San Pedro — worth it for the pan dulce alone.
• Taquería Orinoco — Tacos norteños, Centro (original) (1). Order the Trompo tacos. The hometown original before it conquered CDMX — trompo + chicharrón.
• El Rey del Cabrito — Cabrito, Centro (2). Order the Cabrito al pastor. The king of roast kid goat — Monterrey's signature dish, spit-fired.

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