San Angel Inn

Don’t be confused, as this is not a hotel. San Angel Inn is actually a former convent that's been turned into a restaurant. It’s old school and extremely classy. It's the kind of place where people drive up in their bullet-proof Mercedes with their driver, and folks step out of the car wearing three piece suits or Chanel. This restaurant is the most beautiful place we had ever eaten in our life. The outside dining area is full of flowers and birds and fountains, and is quite literally an oasis of calm from the hectic world of Mexico City. But, despite the high end touches, San Angel Inn is quite affordable. The level of service is beyond what most restaurants in the US offer, with the waiters and other staff going above and beyond to make sure everyone has a great time.

For San Angel Inn, I recommend sitting in the garden. Because this is a very popular spot, reservations may be necessary many days, or weeks ahead. If you plan on going on a major holiday (like Christmas Eve, which we did), garden reservations are best made months in advance.

-The reservations page for San Angel Inn lists all the different numbers and ways to contact them.

-You can always email San Angel Inn for reservations at reservaciones@sanangelinn.com

A dish I recommend is the chicken stuffed with cheese in a fruit sauce. My mom ordered this and it was dainty, delicate, and delicious. Many of the dishes at San Angel Inn, such as the chicken in fruit sauce, are not typical Mexican food, but closer to continental European food. Also the baked oysters at San Angel Inn are as good as any beach resort restaurant. San Angel Inn is also known for their margaritas, which come in a small glass and a “sidecar” or more margarita chilling in a bowl of ice, so you can top off your glass with more cold (and not watered down) cocktail. And don't pass up on their dessert! They have a dessert cart that comes by at the end and it is very decadent. The usuals on the dessert cart include floating islands (meringues in cream sauce), chocolate cake, and carrot cake.

We, of course, went with the chocolate cake!