5 Best Restaurants in Sonora, Mexico

Perched atop Puerto Peñasco's highest point, this restaurant has the best views over the bay and the town below. There's indoor dining, but the long outdoor terrace overlooking the sea is the place to be, especially at sunset, when it can be packed with locals and visitors alike. A wide-ranging menu includes everything from nachos and quesadillas to flaming, brandied jumbo shrimp.

This friendly family restaurant with great Mexican food is easy to spot if you look for the large green-and-yellow building or the mermaid on the sign. Traditional Mexican dishes are the best bargain, but seafood lovers will have plenty to choose from: the menu lists 12 different shrimp dishes, such as Hawaiian-style shrimp wrapped in bacon and served in a sweet apple-and-pineapple sauce.

This popular Mexican family restaurant sits on the west side of the Alameda. Here you might get homemade rosca bread (a sweet, round loaf) with your coffee and an assortment of daily specials. The made-fresh-daily corn tamales are hard to beat; other specialties include the chiles rellenos (cheese-stuffed chili peppers) and the carne milanesa (similar to chicken-fried steak).

The walls at this cozy pink restaurant are decorated with historical photos from Mexico's past, including many of Mexican revolutionaries. Ask anyone in town, and they'll tell you Rosa's ample breakfasts are the best way to start the day. Try the machaca with eggs and salsa; the tortilla soup is great for lunch or dinner. Gringos who miss being pampered will appreciate the decaf coffee and salad bar.

This large restaurant is rather institutional-looking, but it's a great place to try regional specialties. There's a set menu—meals are designed for two or more, and typically include carne asada, ribs, tripe, vegetable salad, beans, and fresh flour tortillas. It's popular with both locals and visitors from across the border.