Word of Mouth: San Miguel de Allende
Some of our favorite places in this historic, photogenic city
Artistically and culinarily dynamic and ever-evolving, San Miguel de Allende (around 170 miles from Mexico City) is one of Mexico‘s most exciting and photogenic cities. Between the wonderfully wonky cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, baroque to neo-gothic architecture and bougainvillea-covered walls of the city, there’s innovation bubbling. The city is UNESCO-protected, but it’s much more than a historically significant place. Inventive architecture, concept shops, thoughtful stores, incredible food, luxurious accommodation and beautiful public spaces make this city feel as ancient as it does electric. And, whether hosting the MAG Festival or celebrating religious holidays, San Miguel de Allende offers a sense of community and connection that’s welcoming for visitors. Here, we highlight some of our favorite places in this wildly alluring city.
La Unica
Ideal for an afternoon cocktail and snack, La Unica is an airy and colorful space, found via staircase and ivy-wrapped corridor. Be sure to get a table on the bougainvillea-covered terrace, overlooking the main square—complete with views of the neo-Gothic church Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. If you make it for sunset, the church’s pink spires make for some especially photogenic moments.
Casa Dragones
A CH favorite for some time, small-batch tequila brand Casa Dragones has its home in San Miguel de Allende—right off Plaza Principal. Once the stables of the city’s legendary Dragones cavalry, the “spiritual” home of the tequila (the liquid itself is made in Jalisco) is now a glorious private house. While it’s tricky to find, once inside the historic headquarters, visitors will learn all about the luxury tequila’s process while tasting the various iterations. Be sure to book your tour ahead of your visit.
Mixta
Whether hanging out in Mixta‘s cactus-covered courtyard or wandering through the many rooms filled with carefully selected items from San Miguel de Allende and beyond, the feeling of discovery is strong. Hidden behind a fairly modest doorway, Mixta is home to plenty of plants as well as clothing, artwork, homeware, jewelry, trinkets and tchotchkes that are several steps above most souvenirs. With incredibly friendly and helpful staff, this spot—complete with its original frescoes—feels akin to a sanctuary.
COOL HUNTING always gets permission to use the images we publish; however, as an independent publication, we cannot afford to continue fighting unfair claims of copyright infringement, so the images have been removed from this post.
