Travel: San Miguel de Allende

As you know if you follow me on Instagram, we just returned from an amazing trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. The place is absolutely magical, otherworldly and filled with mystery. It is a dose of old world Mexico blended with fabulous restaurants, modern shops, artists galore and authentic markets.  The color abounds as does the amazing architecture influenced by Spain and Moorish influence.

The weather is lovely too with warm days and cool nights as it is in a high desert type mountain setting.

One think to note is the streets are cobblestone, serious cobblestone.  It is almost a tennis shoe only town and I am a fashionista who truly wore flat boots and sneakers only.

If you have never been GO, GO, GO.

I have arranged all the suggestions from various friends and designers for you to use on your trip South of the Border.

Breakfast/Sweets

Restaurante Cumpanio – very nice, great pastries and coffee.

El Petite Four – amazing chocolate and pastries

Cafe La Ventana – great coffee

San Agustin – famous for Mexican hot chocolate and churros. VERY good! Great for a dessert too.

Lavanda Cafe– best breakfast in SMA

Lunch

Los Milagos – very authentic mexican

Cafe Rama – Very nice lunch spot located between Rosewood and The Instituto. More modern than Mexican. tortilla soup is to die for. Went 2x for this!

Jackie’s San Antonio – off the beaten path but very good and very popular.

El Pegaso

Nirvana (see under “To Do”)

Dinner

The Restaurant – Awesome food and atmosphere. Chef from LA, Donny Masterson.

Moxi at Hotel Matilda – hotel very chic, superb food

Restaurante Cumpanio – very nice contemporary setting and cuisine

La Posadita – charming rooftop with great views and delicious traditional Mexican food.

La Mesa Granda – great

Bistro Mi Casa – very nice restaurant within the Instituto.

Bugambilia – SUPER traditional Mexican restaurant. Been there forever and very delicious.

Taco Don Felix – use to be a taco stand, but now a restaurant. About a 10 minute taxi drive to a quiet neighborhood. Really yummy and authentic decor.

La Sirena Gordo – best neighborhood bar & great marge

Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar restaurant at Rosewood – VERY cool, great view.

Quince– Amazing rooftop for drinks and dinner among the stars

Áperi at Dos Casas– Modern cuisine a chic boutique hotel by cult favorite chef Matteo Salas

Shops

Dôce 18 – Located downtown, in the beating heart of artsy San Miguel De Allende, this retail space plays host to a smorgasbord of Mexican brands covering a bafflingly large array of services and products. Contemporary dining by chef Matteo Salas occupies The Dining Room, while sumptuous options such as The Coffee Room give a Mexican spin on European cafe culture. A Champagne bar, macaroons, bakery, fusion-confectionary, library and Pepe Soho photography gallery are just a small cross section of what’s in store at this multifarious complex with a boutique hotel space.

Camino Silvestre – 2 locations, one on Correo has tea and nice food. Beautiful garden and home store. Hand blown glasswares made in San Miguel.

Mixta – awesome, hip “worldy chic” shop – clothes, jewelry, home stuff. Written up in New York Times and NY Magazine.

Talula de la Lune – amazing Mexican made boots and booties for a steal!

Cock of the Walk Designs / Carrie Cameron Art-  the most amazing cowboys boot ever!

Wabi Gallery – contemporary art and pottery

Galeria Casa Diana – home of Diana Friedeberg and gallery featuring work of many artists including Pedro Friedeburg and his original design of this home that they used to share

Fabrica la Aurora – a HUGE collection of galleries, interior shops, restaurants and more. A MUST see!

Sollano 16– great interiors shop with accessories and art.

Casa R– Well curated home interiors shop with some fashion and accessories too. Beautiful courtyard space as well. Love the Arete Collection they carry.

Kingsley Market – Beautiful Mexican made minimalist jewelry, handbags and more.

RECREO SAN MIGUEL – exquisite high end simple serapes and ponchos

INSH’ALA –  beautiful global finds for your home

Market in town – tons of little booths with all the stuff they sell at the retail stores, but cheaper.

Stay

We stayed in a great rental house (pictures do not do it justice) through 3rdHome (email me for more info) that is also available on HomeAway.

Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada–

L’Otel – an all suite boutique hotel in a great location

Dos Casas– modern boutique hotel in an older building

The Matilda – cool modern boutique hotel with amazing outdoor space

Rosewood Resort – large scale luscious resort with all the amenities

To Do

Schedule a tequila tasting with Casa Dragones in their super chic tasting room within Dôce 18.

Take a car to Dolores Hildago where all the mexican pottery is made.

Visit Atotonilco Church – restored in 2008, World Heritage site. Called “Sistine Chapel of Mexico”. About 10 miles outside of San Miguel – can take a cab.

Then have lunch at Nirvana, lovely restaurant at a BEAUTIFUL boutique hotel. Feels like you are totally in the country. GREAT food and setting.

Galeria Atotonilco is right by Nirvana and is the best folk art in San Miguel and not to be missed!

Cooking Classes abound. I hear Sazon Cooking School is amazing.

Art Workshops are very popular too.