Trip Ideas The Best Hidden Gem Shops, Bars, and Restaurants in Mexico, According to Locals By Liz Cantrell Liz Cantrell Liz Cantrell is an associate editor at Travel + Leisure. She edits stories with a focus on outdoor and adventure travel, as well as Canada, Northern Europe, and the Southeastern U.S. She also helps edit the T+L A-List of top travel advisors. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 23, 2022 Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan Share Tweet Pin Email From left: Silvia Moreno-Garcia; the shelves in a bookstore on Calle Donceles. Photo: From left: Martin Dee/Courtesy of Penguin Random House; Rodrigo Ojeda To find the best hidden gems in any destination, it always helps to have local advice. That's why, in celebration of Mexico as our Destination of the Year, T+L contacted some of our favorite Mexican authors, hoteliers, and chefs to ask for their recommendations in their home country. Here are their suggestions, from Oaxaca to Baja. From left: Diving with El Burro Baja tours; Josh Kremer and Pablo Carmona. From left: Courtesy of El Burro Baja Tours; Courtesy of Josh Kremer and Pablo Carmona "For years we have been discovering the greater Baja Peninsula. An incredible culinary journey starts with a taco tour of Todos Santos―including stops at Barracuda Cantina, Santo Chilote, and TikiSantos. Then make your way north to Magdalena Bay, where you will find the best seafood in Baja, then to Concepción Bay, where you should take the El Burro Baja Tour and go diving for fresh clams."—Josh Kremer and Pablo Carmona, cofounders of Paradero Todos Santos From left: Enrique Olvera; a glass from Xaquixe. From left: Araceli Paz/Courtesy of Enrique Olvera; Courtesy of Xaquixe "A vibrant destination with endless things to discover, Oaxaca is one of my favorite cities in the world. It's only a one-hour flight from Mexico City, my hometown. There is a small shop called Xaquixe, where you can buy beautiful blown-glass objects. But I'm a proud chilango, and I'm always happy to be back in CDMX: Fonda Margarita(entrées $3–$4) offers delicious casual breakfasts. After a day exploring the city, stop by my bar, Ticuchi, for a cocktail."—Enrique Olvera, founder and co-owner of the restaurants Pujol, Cosme, and Damian, among others. "My favorite thing to do in Mexico City is to head downtown and walk by the used bookstores at Calle Donceles, a historic bookseller alleyway. There are more than a dozen; some of them have been there for decades. Afterward, it's just a question of finding a coffee shop and sitting down to read your recent purchases while sipping a coffee with milk."—Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the New York Times best-selling author of Mexican Gothic, among other novels. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit