San Miguel de Allende (SMA) holds a special place in our hearts, as Alec was baptized there 28 years ago.

SMA has been given the title "World's Best City" three times by Travel + Leisure and "World's Best Small City" three times by Condé Nast. This Mexican city is known for its charm, food, culture, and people. It's a colorful, colonial-style city with a vibrant wine scene, markets and artisans galore, and one of the most impressive gastronomic scenes in Mexico.

SMA is an extremely welcoming town, and despite being a small town, SMA is filled with things to do. From the second you walk through downtown, you'll see the iconic, pink Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel towering above the lower, Spanish-style buildings sprawled out around the square. Walk around the square, people-watch, or duck into the nearby artisan market to pick up handmade goodies.

It's a cultural hub, with plenty of art exhibition spaces and live music performances around town in the evenings. Museums abound in SMA, as do shopping offerings in the city; local boutiques here make everything from silk-screen tees to hammered silver jewelry. There are many delicious restaurants and rooftops.

Lavanda Café (link)
Best breakfast in town, serves Lavender Coffee! So cute and delicious food. Get there early because there is often a line.

Café Rama (link)
A cute, casual little cafe near the Rosewood hotel. Great breakfast/lunch spot!

Cumpanio (link)
Right in Centro, close to everything.

Trazo 1810 (link)
The restaurant at the top of the hotel is both beautiful and delicious! They make great cocktails and host a crazy 7-9 course prix fixe brunch on Sundays!

Ki'bok Coffee SMA (link)
Best little coffee shop in town! Walk in and go all the way to the top, grab a little table on the top patio.

Panio (link)
A great little spot to grab a pastry or sandwich to go!

Rustica (link)

A delicious outdoor cafe, where everything on the menu is superb. A great lunch spot!

Garambullo fonda gourmet (link)

A great little cafe right outside of the Ignacio Ramirez market. Stop by the Mercado de Artesanías after for some local shopping!

Inside Café (link)

A great lunch spot with tons of healthy options, but also lots of yummy choices. Sit at the very top on the rooftop for beautiful views!

La Posadita (link)

Yummy authentic Mexican food, right in the middle of Centro and just under the Parroquia. The rooftop is beautiful and a perfect spot to have lunch with a view! The back table on the rooftop is the best!

Don Taco Tequila (link)

A vegan taco place, great for lunch! Fresh margaritas, yummy guacamole and delicious tacos! Right in Centro, a cute little lunch spot.

Luna de Queso (link)

A beautiful and yummy lunch spot (or breakfast), with cute little shops in the same building. Sandwiches, soups, smoothies, etc. Take a taxi.

Correo Restaurante (link)

Casual, cozy spot for local Mexican fare. Right near the Centro.

The Restaurant (link)

Another favorite restaurant in San Miguel! The owner is from California and has a gourmet burger night every Thursday night. Great staff, fun environment and delicious food!

Bocaciega (link)

Looking for a break from Mexican food? Check out this yummy Greek restaurant with a rustic yet modern vibe on the inside.

La Parada (link)

Peruvian cuisine like ceviche, rice dishes & pisco-based cocktails in a rustic-chic setting.

Atrio Restaurant (link)

Sits right outside of the Parroquia in the Jardin and has a beautiful rooftop. The entire menu is delicious and they make great martinis!

Moxi at Hotel Matilda (link)

This gorgeous hotel has an indoor/outdoor restaurant, with a higher-end, fine dining experience. Really well known chef! They also have a delicious, less expensive brunch.

Áperi (link)

High-end Mexican dining experience, emphasizing fresh, local ingredients with an innovative tasting menu.

Tostevere (link)

A quaint, cool little trendy restaurant, where everything on the menu is delicious! Get there early as the restaurant is very small, but totally worth it! Check Open Table for reservations.

Bovine (link)

A delicious upscale restaurant with yummy steaks and martinis! Also a beautiful environment and totally Instagram-worthy.

La Única (link)

A fun, party dinner place! Make a late reservation, come for the dinner and stay for the party! Has great views of Centro and the local churches.

El Manantial (link)

One of the oldest bars in Mexico! And a super cool local bar. The ginger margarita is a must have!

La Azotea (link)

A great rooftop bar, perfect for early dinner & drinks.

Luna Tapas Bar (link)

One of our top recommendations is this rooftop bar at the Rosewood Hotel. Some of the best views in San Miguel and a beautiful rooftop restaurant bar. Grab happy hour cocktails, some apps or grab dinner here. A great place for photos!

El Tupinamba (link)

A fun dive bar with good food, good drinks and live music! Live music is every night around 9pm, with flamenco dancers on the weekends.

Bekeb (link)

A great happy hour rooftop bar! A fun atmosphere right outside of Centro, with a DJ and beautiful sunset views!

San Mezcal (link)

Great, intimate bar that serves creative drinks featuring mezcal and inventive, delicious tapas plates. Try a refreshing mezcal mule!

La Comer (link)

The largest grocery store in the city. Has everything you need.

City Market San Miguel de Allende (link)

A higher-end grocery store right next to La Comer.

Super Todo (link)

For those staying near Recreo street, Super Todo is a little store that has all of the important items you may need. It is the closest store for emergency items.

Local tours (Airbnb, Viator)

Get to see the most that San Miguel has to offer with a variety of local tour options, including walking tours, cooking classes, tequila tastings, horseback riding, and day trips.

Mercado de Artesanías (link)

Hand-embroidered shawls, decorative pottery & silver jewelry at stalls in this colorful artisan market.

Mercado Ignacio Ramírez (link)

Big, vibrant market with vendors for fruit, vegetables & hot food, plus local crafts & gifts.

Fabrica La Aurora (link)

Renovated textile mill housing cafes, shops & galleries with works by local artists in many mediums.

Doce 18 Concept House (link)

Discover a curation of brands that represent the best in fashion, art, design and home that Mexico has to offer at this concept house.

Marquesa de Mancera (link)

Wonderful Mexican handicraft store with home decor and other goods.

La Casa del Vidrio (link)

Wonderful handmade Mexican glassware store. All of the glassware in our home is from here!

La Parroquia (link)

Grand, neo-Gothic 17th-century church known for its soaring pink spires & lofty, ornate sanctuary. This is where Alec was baptized.

Charco del Ingenio (link)

Natural preserve and botanical garden with a big cactus collection & other indigenous flora, including endangered plants.

Mirador San Miguel (link)

Beautiful viewpoint to see the entire town of San Miguel de Allende.

Tres Raíses (link)

One of the most gorgeous wineries in the area, and the wine is the best I've had in San Miguel! The Rose and the Tempranillo are a must-have and all of the food is delicious! 25 minute drive from town.

Viñedos San Lucas (link)

A beautiful vineyard right outside of San Miguel. They have a fantastic Sunday brunch! 30 minute drive from town.

Cuna de Tierra (link)

Wonderful vineyard! Great wine and beautiful grounds! One of the largest vineyards around. 40 minute drive from town.

Santísima Trinidad - Dolores Hidalgo (link)

This vineyard is one of the most beautiful vineyards around and has wonderful outdoor dining that overlooks water and it is just magical! 35 minute drive from town.