Best Restaurants in Queretaro (Outside of Centro)

One of the reasons why we chose to live in Queretaro was because of its multicultural food scene. Queretaro’s restaurant scene may not be as well-known as Mexico City or San Miguel de Allende, but its flair for traditional, contemporary, and international cuisines cannot be denied. Queretaro has restaurants ranging from Korean BBQ and Indian vegetarian to Japanese sushi, and English fish’n’chips.

*Updated August 28, 2023

If you’ve been following us for a while, you know we are major foodies. Most of our trips are planned around the World’s Best Restaurants. We’ve eaten at Pujol and Quintonil in Mexico City, Gaggan and Nahm in Bangkok, and El Celler de Can Rocca in Spain. Our trip to Lima, Peru was solely to dine at the 10 best restaurants in the city. We are probably the only people you know who went to Peru and didn’t go to Machu Picchu.

Over the last few months, we have reacquainted ourselves with some old favorites and dined at a few new restaurants that survived COVID. This list is by no means complete. Also, saying they are “the best” is obviously our own opinion. We’ve had several restaurant suggestions that we just haven’t tried yet, but if you are new to Queretaro or have been here for a while, we can highly recommend these fine restaurants outside of Centro for their food and atmosphere.

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For our recommended restaurants in Centro read our post:

Restaurants in Centro, Queretaro- Where to Eat for Every Budget

Best Sushi Restaurants in Queretaro

Izakaya Sushi Querétaro

Second floor at Paseo Queretaro mall

Paseo Querétaro, Anillo Vial Fray Junípero Serra 7901 PB-Local 50, La Purísima, 76146 Santiago de Querétaro

We found out Izakaya Sushi is a chain restaurant, but it doesn’t taste like a chain. The extensive menu is fantastic, and they have some very creative dishes. We tried the duck ramen (highly recommend), Tower Mr. Tanuki, and a spiced tuna bowl. All were very good and large portions. We didn’t have any room for a roll or two, but they do have several specialty rolls for your non-sushi friends like the Wakamole maki with Philly cream cheese, beef, and peppers or the Panama roll with fried chicken and plantains.

SUM Sushi Bar

Across from City Market at Antea Lifestyle Center in Level 3 building

Torre capita, Av. Antea 1032-local 3, 76127 Santiago de Querétaro

SUM Sushi Bar is a casual place with fantastic dishes. We had the spicy tuna roll which was at least a foot long, pad Thai, and a sashimi platter. The portions were fantastic for the price, and the food was great. Other items you can try are yakitori (skewers), nigiri, salads, udon noodle dishes, fish, and steak. If we hadn’t been so full, I would have loved to have the yuzu lime cake or matcha crème brûlée. There’s enough variety in the menu for both meat and vegetable eaters to enjoy together.

TIP: Do not park in the underground parking garage. They have problems with the pay machine, and the security guy will not be helpful. Park out on the main street or around the corner.

Furi

Blvd. Bernardo Quintana 26, Calesa, 76020 Santiago de Querétaro

This sushi restaurant is what you would expect to find in New York or Los Angeles. By first impressions, it ticks all the boxes. The valet parking, sleek design, and attention to service have made this our first choice when it comes to eating sushi. The choices are astounding. From ceviche to rolls and hot plates of salmon, you won’t be disappointed. Save room for dessert. The bonsai tree is not only stunning, it’s chocolatey delicious!

Best Italian Restaurant in Queretaro

Restaurant Emilia (Jurica)

Privada de los Industriales 105-Int 3, Jurica, 76120 Santiago de Querétaro

There are plenty of fantastic Italian restaurants in Queretaro, but Emilia’s makes you feel like you are in an Italian trattoria. The brick-arched ceilings are gorgeous, and the lighting is perfect for a romantic dinner (though not ideal for food pictures). The wine list features plenty of choices from Mexico and International wine regions. The pasta dishes and pizza are excellent. Try the shrimp linguine or the lasagna.

 

Best Mediterranean Restaurant

CHIOS Cocina Mediterránea

P.º de la República 11555, 76127 Santiago de Querétaro

I had to make a new entry for this one because the cuisine features touches of Italian, Greek, and Middle Eastern. CHIOS is fine dining without exorbitant prices. The restaurant itself is beautiful, and the food is absolutely delicious. We had the rice with shrimp, Diavola pizza, and the lamb burger served with tzatziki. The lamb burger was very moist, and the pizza crust was fantastic. For dessert, I couldn’t pass up the pistachio souffle, which was more like a pistachio lava cake. Absolutely worth the calories! Steaks, carpaccio, and salads are also offered. The wine list is extensive and not overpriced. If you have something special to celebrate like an anniversary or birthday, CHIOS is the place we would recommend wholeheartedly.

Best All-Around Restaurant (Pasta, Pizza, Steaks, Desserts)

Hunger

Urban Center Juriquilla, Fixit, 76220 Juriquilla

If you can’t decide what you want to eat, Hunger is the restaurant of choice for all tastes. From handmade pastas, Italian dishes, pizza, steaks, Asian appetizers, tacos, and empanadas, it’s the perfect place for a romantic dinner for two, or a group celebration. Some of our favorites includes the short rib ragu, Diavola pasta with grilled salmon, charcoal pizza with grilled shrimp, and the chicken parmesan. Their steaks look good, but we don’t eat steaks very often anymore. Every month they feature a special menu from seasonal specialties (like Chile en Nogada in September) or Thai cuisine. Save room for dessert because there is always something unique to sample. The wine list is short, but there’s some good options, and the cocktails are creative. Plus they have a gator in their logo, so us Floridians feel right at home!

 

Best Seafood Restaurant in Queretaro

Santa Mar

Antea Lifestyle Center

You might be surprised by two things. One that the central part of the country has fantastic seafood, and two that one of the best restaurants in Queretaro is in a mall. Antea Life Center is one of the largest malls in the country, and has quite an array of top-notch stores, designers and restaurants.

Santa Mar’s seafood is as fresh as it comes. It’s seasonal menu only shows what’s fresh now. From a spicy peanut aguachile to lobster tacos, salmon, swordfish and oysters, you’ll easily spend all day drinking and feasting on the bounties of the sea.

There’s no shortage of fine seafood restaurants in Queretaro. SAVE along Paseo de Republica is also a great restaurant for ceviche, aguachile, and whole fish dishes.

El Guayabo

Blvd. Villas del Meson 54, Manzanares, 76230 Juriquilla

Need a beach break without the hassle of travel? El Guayabo next door to Mision Juriquilla is a palapa-covered bar and restaurant serving fresh seafood dishes and tasty cocktails. Serving large portions that can easily be split among 2 people, this seafood wonderland is the perfect place to “escape” the city life and pretend you are back at the beach with pina colada and fish tacos.

For Spanish Cuisine and a Hidden Speakeasy

Ay Lola

Carretera Querétaro – San Luis Potosí 10617, Jurica, 76127 El Salitre

For an upscale dining experience, try Ay Lola. You’ll feel transported like you are in Spain with choices like the suckling pig, stewed oxtail, paella and gazpachos. Wines from Spain and Mexico feature heavily on the wine list, one of the best we’ve seen in Queretaro. This restaurant is spread out with different areas. Relax near the bar with a view of the wine room, or watch soccer on the big screen TV out on the patio.

After dinner, ask your server about the UP Bar Speakeasy. They will need to show you the way since you have to pass through the kitchen and up a secluded elevator. The UP Bar is a small bar area with large windows overlooking the Aloft pool perfect for relaxing with a cocktail. Leave the bar just as mysteriously as you came through another exit out to the parking lot.

Excellent Mexican Cuisine

Rio Quintana

Prolongación Boulevard Bernardo Quintana, Avenida Universidad Esq, Alamos 1ra Secc, 76160 Santiago de Querétaro

This contemporary Mexican restaurant takes familiar Mexican dishes and elevates them with unique ingredients and cooking techniques. Unique moles, whole fish dishes, and season fruit desserts are just a few reasons to dine here. The high ceiling in the dining room and white-shirted servers add an air of elegance. Rio Quintana is an excellent choice for an anniversary dinner.

Best Brewery in Queretaro

Cerveceria Hercules

Av. Hercules Ote. 1, Hercules, 76069 Santiago de Querétaro

Craft beers are gaining in popularity in Mexico. Every region seems to have a few local breweries. Cerveceria Hercules offers more than just craft beer. Visit the former textile factory grounds and observe the beer making process, organic garden, and beer garden vibe serving hamburgers, pizza, bratwursts and buffalo chicken sandwiches. With lots of room to spread out, this is a fun place for the whole family.

Hercules has opened a second location called Almacén Hércules off of Blvd. Universidad. On weekends a local mercado selling small production chocolate, cheese and other items welcomes you. Inside, you’ll find the great beer selection along with mezcal drinks, a select food menu and more.

Best Wine Bar in Queretaro

Vinopremier Queretaro (Juriquilla)

Calle Sta. Teresa 502-Local 33, Santa Fé, 76230 Juriquilla

We love Vinopremier, and not just because it’s 10 minutes from our house. They have a large selection of Spanish boutique wines from obscure areas, plus a few big name brands from Rioja, Italy, and the United States. You’ll also find some of the best Mexican wines to drink along with your Spanish tapas. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram to know when they have special guest chef dinners, wine tastings and live music.

Best Winery Restaurants in Queretaro

Vinaltura Winery

Ignacio Zaragoza, Sta Rosa de Lima S/N, 76290 Queretaro

Vinaltura Winery has the trifecta: wine, food and views. Dine a la carte or try one of their 4-course food and wine pairings focused on Mexican cuisine with Mexican wine. Try a ceviche with Sauvignon Blanc, or carnitas with a Malbec. The chef experiments with different proteins and moles, and each bite is a culinary masterpiece. The winery features many 100% varietals such as Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurtstraminer and Malbec, and tasty red blends made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot and Carignan.

Puerta del Lobo

Carr. Chichimequillas-la Griega, 76249 El Lobo, Queretaro

With three different restaurant choices, fabulous wines and a spectacular view anywhere on property, dining at Puerta del Lobo is the perfect way to spend a long afternoon in the country. Dine at the Sarmento Restaurant on tuna tostados shaded by sun umbrellas overlooking the vineyards. Meat lovers will love the grilled meats and tutanas (bone marrow) at the Ruins restaurant within the old walls of long-gone houses. Or get a bird’s eye view of the surrounding mountains at the Mirador Wine Bar while noshing on local charcuterie and cheese and sipping a sparkling wine.  All the restaurants feature the winery’s wines from Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc to soft red blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Syrah perfect that pair perfectly with fish or steaks.

Best Restaurant Atmosphere in Queretaro

Hacienda La Laborcilla

Prol. Corregidora Nte. 911 Bis, Quinta la Laborcilla, 76168 Santiago de Querétaro

Consistently listed as the top restaurant in Queretaro on Tripadvisor, this restaurant is a foodie destination of its own. Occupying an 18^th century renovated hacienda, the outdoor dining area surrounds a glistening pool under the shade of age-old trees. Located downtown on the edge of Centro near Plaza Boulavares and Costco, you’d never know that this lovely oasis existed. The wine list is superb and we really enjoyed the escamoles.

Best Barbacoa in Queretaro

Barbacoa Hermanos Ibarra

Paseo de la República 11101, 76127 Santiago de Querétaro

Many of the restaurants mentioned are fine dining, but I have to give a special shout out to the best barbacoa place we’ve eaten at in Queretaro. Just off Paseo de la Republica (Highway 57) in a wooden structure with one large sign saying BARBACOA, is the perfect Hidalgo-style barbacoa eatery. This barbacoa place is only open on Saturdays and Sundays until 3pm in the afternoon. Get there early to watch the process of the men unfolding the meat from the pit and women making the pillowy tortillas. The tortillas are slightly thicker than normal to hold the juicy lamb meat that practically melts in your mouth.  Dress up your taco with their homemade spicy green, red and avocado salsas, sprinkle with onions and cilantro, and enjoy!

 

 

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