El Portón de Cortés

Situated in the Mercado Municipal La Acocota, Semitas "Beto" has become one Puebla's go-to cemita spots. Don't expect a litany of choices here, though, as the menu is concise, but do expect to leave feeling satisfied. Their lightly crisped white bread with sesame seeds is halved and hollowed out to make room for generous fillings like pork milanesa with shredded quesillo, freshly sliced ripe avocado, pápalo, and your choice of chile. These are hearty portions, and you won't leave hungry. Chase it with a soda and pull up a chair lining the stall for a classically casual experience.

For almost two decades, this restaurant has stood as a standard-bearer for classic Pueblan cooking. Open at all hours, the spacious dining room features high ceilings, modern art and a host of attentive servers ready to swoop in. The menu is large, but locals know which specialties to focus on. When in season, chiles en nogada is a must. Another essential is the sizeable sample platter featuring mole poblano, verde, rojo and blanco – each one finely layered and bursting with personality. Everything has to be shared, including several endlessly tempting and fiery salsas. The restaurant is conne

Make your way to El Güero Marinero, a casual yet upscale seafood bar in the Centro Histórico. Divided by the hot and cold seafood bars, this lively spot is always buzzing, due in part to the well-prepared cocktails. The menu isn't comprehensive but is tightly focused on seafood, largely sourced from Ensenada. You won't go wrong with any of the offerings, but their taco de jaiba, with crispy-fried softshell crab served over a corn tortilla with avocado mayonnaise and fried spinach, is a surefire winner. Another hit? Camarones a los tres chiles, with grilled shrimp bathed in three chile sauces,

Cute as a button, this charming breakfast nook is a sweet way to start the day. Royal blue walls, patterned tile floors, greenery and old-time music make for a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. Start with a warm pastry filled with sweet cream and jammy fruit. Chilaquiles with chicken and enmoladas with plantains offer plenty to share. Served with chimichurri and excellent house pickles, cemitas are hearty and stacked to the sky with the likes of avocado, stringy Oaxacan cheese and seasoned pork. Further in, find a patio and bar that comes alive in the evening.

It is not every day in Puebla that one finds Chinese buns filled with pork belly and glazed in salsa matcha and hoisin or golden, tempura-fried huauzontle served with sweet potato puree. Since 2014, Chef Fernando Hernández has been cooking with global, often Asian, inspiration that is far different from the typical cuisine of the region. Dishes are as delicious as they are pretty. The grilled pork jowl with lentils, which is almost too good to share with anyone else at the table, is especially memorable. While the bar downstairs shakes up wonderful cocktails, the upstairs dining room is airy,

Set in a vintage house in Puebla’s Barrio de Santiago neighborhood, this little restaurant has lofty ambitions. There are only a handful of tables, resulting in an experience that is intimate and carefully choreographed. Chef Chriss Marin is the mind behind this experience, which acknowledges regional ingredients and traditions like pita bread, peanuts, mole and tamales and prepares them in creative, imaginative ways. The generous Mexican tasting menu is fast-paced and delivers inspired cooking that may start with a series of bold snacks like goat brain taco or rabbit barbacoa. An ambitious co

Vica could stand on its charm alone. Nestled within a 16th-century building in Atlixco, the open-air dining room affords views of the historic property and verdant garden, but this isn't just a pretty place to pull up a chair. Chef Francisco Vigorito prepares a tasting menu that highlights the valley, rotating with the seasons to spotlight the best products. The meal begins with bites such as squash tucked with a poblano chile puree and garnished with cilantro flowers. Grilled cheese topped with guava and tomatillo might be next, followed by rabbit barbacoa with a turmeric and rosemary sauce.