By Fernanda Noriega

One of the favorite places in San Miguel de Allende is La Cocina. After many recommendations, I found out why and I’m sure the same thing will happen to you.

Originally its name was Café del Viajero, however Dolores Álvarez, the owner of the establishment, had the idea of putting in the window that faces Hernández Macías a pendant that said «la cocina,» and the diners popularized it with that name; but what makes the place stand out is the Mexican food that it serves every day to its customers. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, La Cocina offers «What a Mexican family eats at home—you eat in a restaurant but as if you were at home, with that peace and seasoning,» says Dolores.

Chilaquiles, served with meat and Oaxacan mole, are the specialty, but also delicious are the Enchiladas Capital, salads, shrimp broth, burritos, and Aztec soup, just to mention some of the dishes, all prepared with fresh and local ingredients.

Dolores explains that from 9am to 1pm the menu focuses on breakfasts, offering an individual package that includes a seasonal fruit cocktail, bread rolls that are handmade in a stone oven served with butter and jam, a main course, and a drink—a choice of juices, café de olla, Oaxacan chocolate mixed in water or milk, and aguas frescas. 

From 1pm onwards, lunchtime comes and you can also enjoy a mezcal with worm salt and chapulines from Oaxaca, a margarita, or a craft or national beer. 

From Wednesday to Monday from 9am to 9pm, La Cocina awaits you with the table set to serve you like at home.