Perhaps it is the altitude of 9,000 feet that makes the food in Real de Catorce taste so wonderful, but more likely it is the talents of the chefs who have traveled to Real over the past twenty years to make the village their home. Real de Catorce is indeed unique in that there is more European cuisine offered than Mexican.
The food in Real de Catorce is surprisingly diverse - Argentinean, Italian, Swiss, German, Slovenian and Mexican chefs blend to bring a remarkable menu for the visitors. Each morning trucks from nearby Matehuala and from as far as San Luis Potosi will deliver the freshest vegetables, meats, seafood, and wonderfully rich coffees to the various restaurants in town. Most restaurants make their own tortillas and desserts are made in their kitchen.
At times you will find professional musicians playing soft music in the corner. Recently we were treated to the music styling's of Ethan Azarian on guitar and vocals and Melissa Knight on cello performing their original songs from their latest recording, "Cross'n Over." The Austin, Texas couple performed to a packed house.
| Meson de la Abundancia |
 The Meson de la Abundancia, owned by Petra Punte (currently the Mayor of Real de Catorce) and her Swiss husband Thomas Peter is the largest restaurant in town with three seating areas including a full bar and meeting/banquet room. Located in a colonial Mexican jewel built in1863 and originally the home to the Real de Catorce Treasury, the Abundancia has been respectfully restored to modern comfort.
The Abundancia offers several wonderful homemade fettuccine dishes, a variety of pizzas and the best Arrachera south of Monterrey, Mexico. For those who have not visited Northern Mexico, Arrachera is a thicker, juicier flank steak. The cut is marinated overnight in a traditional sauce with Tampico origins. It is often served with a light salad and sides of beans, rice, and guacamole. At Abundancia, it is covered with grilled sweet onions and served with pico de nopales, rice, and sweet peppers.
A trip to the bar will lead you by the pastry cabinet, which is filled with an ever-changing array of the savory pastries, all lovingly handmade, like all the food at Abundancia with the freshest, all natural ingredients.
El Real Restaurante
Calle Lazangorza 11
488.887.5044
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550
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| Eucalipto Restaurante |
 The Restaurante Eucalipto owned by Alexander Magaña and his Slovenian wife, Spela (or as the locals call her - Stella), offers large steaks and traditional Italian cuisine. Eucalipto, hidden up a side street on the far side of the central plaza, but those willing to seek out this restaurant will find Catorce's most elegant restaurant. The front dining room is small and intimate, but step inside and you will find a wonder awaiting you in the large main dining room. Along one wall are French doors with a view of the giant eucalyptus tree in the courtyard. The other walls are painting in soft colonial colors of muted sunlight yellow.
You will be greeted by either Alex or Spela at the door as they serve as your hosts and wait persons. They take a very hands on approach to the cooking and serving of their cuisine. One starts with a bottle of fine wine of which there are many to choose from in their extensive gallery. A plate of Brushetta comes next, with the finest and freshest tomatoes served on the best bread available. The accompanying oil is extra virgin and very light.
On the menu, you will find a variety of homemade pastas, a salad with a range of greens hard to find in Mexico, and wonderful prepared steaks. Choose from Prime Rib, New York Strip, Fillet Mignon, or perhaps for something lighter the Chicken Cordon Bleu.
No matter the main course, you will want to try their Tiramisu, a Strawberry Flan or an excellent homemade pastry followed with an Espresso. You can be sure that a visit to Eucalipto will be the highlight of your dining experiences in Real de Catorce.
Eucalipto Restaurante
Calle Lerdo
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550
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| El Cactus |
 The very small and intimate El Cactus Restaurante offers popular local dishes and is located on the west side of the town plaza that was built in 1888. El Cactus opened in 1994 by Valerio Monti. The restaurant offers a combination of Italian and Mexican dishes. The Italian specialties include four handmade spaghetti dishes, a Bolognesa lasagna and a very special homemade ravioli that is stuffed with a choice of rabbit, goat, spinach or cottage cheese. You will also find a delectable baked pasta with mushrooms and fresh vegetables. For those who want a more American menu, try the T-bone steak or the broiled chicken with rosemary potatoes.
In their reception area you will find a dozen or more varieties of regional homemade organic marmalades that can be purchased to enjoy at home. But don’t let that keep you from enjoying their desserts during your visit. Their many pies and cakes offer something for every palette. You will most likely return again and again to taste the varied desserts.
El Cactus Restaurante
Calle Zaragosa
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550
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| Malambo Restaurante |
On the south side of the Plaza Hildago you will find the Malambo Restaurante, which offers traditional Argentine dishes. This restaurant is a surprising delight. Do not let the plain exterior fool you. Guests enter through a beautiful fountained courtyard to a cozy room decorated with original art and photographs and furnished with hand painted tables. The food is wonderful and the pastries are even more so.
During a recent visit we had two of the many tasty dishes. The Spinach Cappellini or Cappellini de Espinach con Creama was as good as any that we have had anywhere. Likewise the Spinach
Empanada with Cheese or Empanada Espinach con Queso was a pleasant surprise. There were two good size empanadas on the plate as well as a large salad that would have made a meal in itself. The meals were served with fresh oven-baked bread and butter as well as a basket of homemade chips and a wonderful salsa.
Highly recommended as one of the better restaurants in Real de Catorce.
Patries and empanada are available on a "to go" basis for those who enjoy having a casual snack on hand to eat in their hotel courtyard or balcony after the afternoon siesta.
Malambo Restaurante
Calle Lanzagorta at Calle Allende
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550
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| La Esquina Chata |
The Esquina Chata is located on the east side of the plaza and offers homemade Italian baked goods and pastries. They have the best coffee in town. Usually they are open for breakfast during the week, and during lunch on weekends.
La Esquina Chata
Lanzagorta 2
488.887.5060
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550
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| El Minero |
 Located across from the Hotel Abundancia, the El Minero offers some of the best Mexican food in Real de Catorce.
Usually open only on busy weekends and during the holidays.
El Minero Restaurante
Calle Lazangorza
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550
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| El Cafe Azul |
Café Azul may look like a coffeehouse from the street, but step inside and you are greeted with a small but delightful menu of inexpensive dishes. They have a good variety of crepes and pastries, as well. This is the best place in town for an expresso or cappuccino.
Owned by Christof and Brigitte, who hail from Switzerland, they offer a quiet respose on the busy main street.
El Cafe Azul
Calle Lazangorza
488.887.5131
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550
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| El Tolentino |
The Tolentino Restaurant offers good food downstairs. The food is local and very good in quality and the price right for most budgets.
Take a little walk up the hill and enjoy a pleasant and wonderful meal at the El Tolentino.
On weekend nights you will find a full bar and live music on most weekends. The bar offers a good mix of local and tourists with a wide varience in age. Most of the music is younger, but you never know! Get there early to get a good seat.
El Tolentino Restaurante
Callejon Teran #7
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550 |
| El Real Taco |
 El Real Taco offers something a little different. While it is seemingly a street cafe, once inside you will find a good variety of pizzas, flavorful tacos, hamburgers, and fresh squeezed orange juice.
El Real Taco
Calle Zaragoza
488.887.5058
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550
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| La Puesta del Sol |
 The Puesta del Sol is located at the far edge of town by the old church and cemetery. It is an old hotel offering primitive and inexpensive rooms, but the view of several hundred miles is breathtaking. You can sit in the restaurant, sipping Laguna Seca mescal and watch the sunset across the farmlands far below. They offer traditional Mexican dishes served at bar tables screenprinted with Corona and Carta Blanca logos for a more Mexican experience.
La Puesta del Sol Restaurante
Calle del Cementerio 16 at end of Zaragosa Street
488.887.5005
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550
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| El Rincon Chabelo Restaurante |
The El Rincon Chabelo is typical of the many smaller restaurants frequented by the local population of Real de Catorce.
Located on Calle Lanzangorza that one drives through to gain entrance to Real de Catorce. On an open-air grill just outside the front door of the restaurant they are busily preparing quesadillas with fresh made flour tortillas, thick sliced ham and a choice of three different homemade cheeses. This restaurant offers menudo, caldo de res, asado de puerco, bistek a la mexicana, bistek ranchero, mole de pollo, chiles rellenos, huevo al gusto, gorditas, tacos de harina y maiz, enchiladas, and all types of drinks. El Rincon Chabelo Restaurante
Calle Lazangorza
488.887.5084
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550
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| Dona Emma Restaurante |
Dona Emma's Restaurant is another small restaurant for locals of Real de Catorce.
They have both open-air seating and inside seating as well. Dona Emma offers Menudo de Res, Caldo de Res, Mole de Pollo, Bistek Ranchero, Asado de Puerco Enchiladas, a wide variety Gorditas and Tacos and all types of drinks.
Stop by on the way into town and enjoy a meal or a cold drink. Dona Emma Restaurante
Calle Lazangorza
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550
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| Fonda Dona Julia Restaurante |
Fonda Dona Julia is a small restaurant serving typical Mexican food to the locals of Real de Catorce.
Located on Calle Lanzangorza you can sit on the patio and enjoy quesadillas with fresh made flour tortillas prepared on the open-air grill just outside the front door of the restaurant. On the menu: Menudo, Caldo de Pollo, Tacos de Harina, Chiles Relleno con Arroz, Entomatadas, Enfrijoladas, Rajas con Queso, Enchiladas, Chicharron, Nopalitos and a variety of Gorditas.
Fonda Dona Julia Restaurante
Calle Lazangorza
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550
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| Dona Chila Restaurante |
Dona Chila is another of the restaurants located in the market area of Calle Lanzangorza.
Serving Caldo de Res, Mole de Pollo, Asado de Puerco, Menudo, Caldo de Res, Chiles Rellenos, Enchiladas, and specializing in Gorditas with Nopal, Picadillo, Barbarcoa, Chicharron, Chiles, and more.
All served in the open-air seating in front of the restaurant, where you can sit and watch the world go by.
Dona Chila Restaurante
Calle Lazangorza
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550
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| El Real Restaurante |
 We cannot recommend this restaurant as we have had some problems with the owners. Very poor service and mistruths caused us to stop doing business with the owners.
El Real Restaurante
Calle Morelos #20
488.887.5058
Real de Catorce, SLP, Mexico 78550
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| Smaller Restaurants |
There are of course, like throughout Mexico, many small street vendors and traditional restaurants. Surprisingly, the food at these is remarkably good.
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