From Guadalajara to the world.

Guadalajara is celebrating, and this time we’re not just toasting with tequila—we’re celebrating with food. We’ll tell you why, but we already know the whole world is in love with our gastronomy, and for good reason: Mexican food is a spectacle for all five senses.

In 2010, Mexican Gastronomy was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The goal was to promote Mexico's natural wealth, encourage the preparation of traditional foods, and preserve the cultural values expressed through culinary art.

Last month, TasteAtlas named our city one of the best places to eat in the world, rankingLa Perla Tapatíaas number 12 in their top 50. TasteAtlas is a digital platform that ranks the best restaurants and dishes around the globe, often referred to as the "Google Maps of food."

Thanks to its culinary diversity, Guadalajara has won us all over with standout dishes like birria, pozole, torta ahogada, carne en su jugo, famous fried quesadillas, biónico, tejuino, birote, and jericalla.

Tapatío cuisine is famous for its authentic flavors and diverse ingredients; its best dishes represent every important part of the region's culinary identity.

Guadalajara offers a constantly evolving culinary scene, where local and international chefs fuse modern techniques with traditional recipes to create unique gastronomic experiences.

Our city has established itself as a world-class culinary destination. Year after year, we have seen an increase in restaurants offering extraordinary flavors, filled with artistry from the kitchen to your table; the creativity behind their dishes is unmatched.

And what can we say about the great chefs we currently have in Guadalajara, who have added original value tolocal gastronomy, making their restaurants a must-visit.

Take, for example, Óscar Garza, originally from Monterrey, the genius chef behind Bruna and Octo. Both spots are full of personality and thought out to the smallest detail—from their unique decor and design, which have earned awards like the UNESCO Prix Versailles, to their incredible dishes and exquisite signature cocktails.

Octois a restaurant that transformed the traditional seafood spot into what we know today as a creative space, filled with hexagonal bricks, clay tiles, and fresh seafood bars, making it one of the best restaurants in the city. According to the chef, it was created with the goal of admiring seafood products and the dedicated work that goes into bringing them to the table—or, as he puts it, "It is time to show gratitude through respectful handling."

And how could we forget Bruna, another spot established as one of the best dining options in the city, where you can also take a stroll through the art gallery inside the restaurant during your visit. It is an unmissable place to enjoy a variety of Mexican dishes featuring traditional recipes, innovated with techniques and flavors to create abstract, contemporary pieces—truly art for your palate.

Next on our list is Paco Ruano. A Guadalajara native, he is best known as the chef behind the aesthetic of modern Mexican cuisine and the mastermind of the restaurant Alcalde, which is considered one of the best restaurants in Jalisco.

Drawing on years of experience in European cuisine and the roots of his mother’s and grandmother’s cooking, which have significantly influenced his career, he discovered “the closeness of cooking to the land and its products; that is how he decided on a constant in his kitchen: simplicity in presentation.”

Every taste of his dishes tells a story full oftalent, which is shared by his entire team of collaborators with the quality they maintain from the earth all the way to your table.

It is a place full of sensory experiences; its culinary art is based on the seasons of the year, and its menu has a living, day-to-day concept. It is definitely a space created to surprise.

The next spot belongs to Poncho Cadena, creator of the restaurant “La Leche” in Vallarta, and “Veneno” and “Hueso” in Guadalajara. The latter is named for being “a strong word, with a vibe, and linked to flavor,” according to the chef.

This place is an experience for all the senses, from the moment you enter its eccentric white walls decorated with bones, to its open kitchen with delicious aromas and a long table for sharing with all the diners.

A concept based on the “basic and primitive.” The chef’s influences come from Mexican, French, Spanish, and Asian cuisine. However, he has noted that art, music, nature, and design are also reflected in all his dishes.

And how could we fail to mention another of his great creations, like Veneno, which was recognized in 2020 as “Best Design in the Americas and Best Ceiling.”

Considered by the chef himself to be a “catrina” cantina, it stands out for being “acelebrationof our roots in every bite, while every corner of the place is a visual masterpiece” with its authentic and unique Mexican cuisine.

These are some of the most recognized chefs nationally and internationally. We don’t have to travel far or go to another country to try their food; they have decided to bring all that culinary experience from their careers right to our city.

Who else would you add to this list?

Talk to you soon, ciao!