10 Great Restaurants in Monterrey

La Nacional is a prestigious steakhouse known for its prime cuts of meat and elegant interiors. The restaurant offers superb ribeye steaks, salted beef fillet, broiled octopus and tuna ceviche, plus the delicious queso fundido (melted cheese and spicy chorizo). Try its banana cream pie for dessert, or sample some of the many gelato flavors on offer.

Vegetarians have some great options, such as broiled artichoke, roasted cauliflower, and truffled French fries. The beverages list includes wines from award-winning Mexican vineyards and several excellent tequila-based cocktails. The stylish dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows so you can watch the world go by.

El Lingote is a light, airy restaurant with incredible views of the peaks of Cerro de la Silla. Occupying the top floor of Monterrey's Museum of Steel, the restaurant is surrounded by huge wrap-around terraces overlooking treetops. The minimalist modern dining room has a bar along 1 wall, with a carefully curated selection of wines.

The dishes here are a work of art, presented with flair and combining the flavors of northeast Mexico with influences from around the world. Try a tender fillet steak, beef carpaccio, or tacos stuffed with goat meat. The seafood is all top quality, from fresh octopus to tuna tartare. Finish your meal with a melting brownie or rich crème brulée.

Mar del Zur is an innovative fusion restaurant that mixes classic Mexican cuisine with the flavors of Thailand. Chef Eduardo Palazuelos has traveled extensively through Southeast Asia and brought back the best ingredients and techniques to add zing to his native cuisine. Oysters from the raw bar are a popular choice, as is the Japanese hamachi (amberjack) with Peruvian influences.

Try Thai red curry made with Canadian salmon, crab tacos with oriental chili sauce, or short rib beef with sweet potato purée. Vegetarians and vegans can get in on the action with soya-based ceviche and spicy vegan tacos. The fusion theme extends to the beverages list, with cocktails incorporating Thai flavors like ginger and lime.

Cara de Vaca is a light-hearted, playful restaurant that doesn't take itself too seriously. Much of the cooking is done on the open fire in the kitchen, leading to deliciously broiled ribeye steaks, sucking pig, and organic roast chicken. Locals swear by the roast Yukon potatos, spicy charro beans, and arugula salad.

The charming interior feels like a luxurious greenhouse, with plants and greenery everywhere and lots of natural light. The beverages list comes from around Mexico and includes several natural and organic wines and a couple of excellent ciders. For dessert, give the guava pie a try– you won't be disappointed.

Sibau specializes in local and northern Mexican cuisine, with a focus on modernizing lesser-known local dishes. Among the restaurant's more adventurous dishes, you can try dried apricot wrapped in bacon, Yucatán-style pulled pork, and foie gras ravioli with caramelized mango. There are also steak tacos, tuna with ponzu sauce, and popcorn ice cream. You can taste a wider range of dishes by opting for several of the delicious sharing plates.

The sumptuous dining room has plush armchairs and a distinctive zigzag design on the floor. Relax with a cocktail on the outdoor terrace, whether that's a refreshing kiwi and passionfruit drink or the aptly named 'dirty devil', which lights on fire.

Colmillo is a modern steakhouse with dishes inspired by street food from northern Mexico, Los Angeles, and New York. The restaurant uses fine cuts of meat and seafood to elevate street food flavors into a luxury gastronomic experience.

Oysters flavored with Pequin peppers are must-haves at Colmillo, but the roasted cabbage deserves a try too. No little detail is neglected, including beers brought to the table buried in ice buckets. A playlist of experimental rock, 1970s funk, and old-school hip-hop merges nicely with the street food vibe.

Bistro Bardot is a French bistro that's so authentic you'll forget you're not in Paris. Tuck into quintessentially French dishes like escargots in garlic sauce, truffle and foie gras burgers, pan-fried salmon and fillet of beef au Poivre (pepper). The profiteroles and crème brûlée are classics, but for something a bit different go for a slice of matcha cake with vanilla ice cream.

Brunch is a popular meal at Bistro Bardot. On weekends, the restaurant is crammed with locals enjoying eggs Benedict, croissants, and pain au chocolat. French pastries go great with a glass of sparkling prosecco or a watermelon ginger cocktail. The chic black-and-white dining room is decorated with photographs of famous French actors and street scenes.

Koli Cocina de Origen is a family-owned and operated restaurant that focuses on the culinary culture of northeast Mexico. The star of the menu is cabrito (goat meat) served with beans and flavored with apple and plums. The tasting menu also features carne asada (broiled and sliced beef) and suckling pig with Mexican pepper leaf.

A bold and surprising dessert is made with edible bougainvillaea flowers, chocolate with prickly pears, and plum ice cream. The magnificent dining room is decorated with lush green velvet and has a neat view of the kitchens, so you can watch your food being prepared.

Gallo 71 is decorated like a traditional Mexican grocery store, but don't let the simple surroundings fool you. You'll find tender cuts of ribeye steak, tacos stuffed with beef and bone marrow, deep-fried pork belly, and broiled octopus. The truffled fries are always a popular choice, and vegetarians and vegans will enjoy the cauliflower steak.

If you don't have room for a slice of carrot cake or blueberry cheesecake, finish your meal with a citrusy tequila cocktail and enjoy the mountain views from the covered terrace. Gallo 71 has regular music with different DJs playing all kinds of hits from Wednesdays to Saturdays.

Grand Cru is a fine French restaurant run by Paris-born sommelier Ludovic Anacleto. The restaurant has earned a reputation for sensational wines, with a wine list that covers more than 700 different vintages. Pair your meal with a luscious Provençal rosé, fruity Anjou red or a crisp white from the Rhône.

The menu ranges from typically French dishes like foie gras terrine to tuna with wasabi guacamole. You can also enjoy Angus burgers served on homemade brioche, pork belly cooked in beer, and braised lamb pot pie. The rich, wood-panelled dining room and comfy armchairs tempt you to stay and have another glass after dinner.