Pass through the non-descript archway on Avenue Morelos in Zihuatanejo, and you enter a spacious, courtyard setting that is Restaurant El Pueblito. The garden and the sunbathing iguanas add to the tranquil experience. The menu includes a variety of chicken, beef and seafood dishes, all in the style of Guerrero-state cuisine. Pozole, the Guerrero soup made with hominy and either pork or chicken, is available on Thursdays.

don't miss: The shrimp cocktail has a picante kick to it, and goes down real well with a cold beer. The coppola filet is a fish fillet with a unique peanut-y sauce that is delicious.

just the facts, ma'am: El Pueblito is open daily for lunch and dinner, from 12pm to 10pm. Live music every night. Thursday is Pozole day, and the volume of the music is pumped up quite a bit with really large speakers.

meet me @: El Pueblito is on Avenue Morelos, #249, Colonia Centro

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($$$) Because Zihuatanejo is a fishing village, there are numerous seafood restaurants to choose from, but Jarocho is unique in that it is Vera Cruzana seafood. The beautiful architecture with exposed wood and Segusino furniture provides a lovely setting for this casual dining experience. (All furniture and artwork is for sale at Segusino, listed in our shopping section.) The menu includes a wide variety of seafood, steaks and paella on Sundays.

don't miss: the seafood conchas (on the shell) is a rich appetizer and a great way to start the meal. The fish filet with lemon and capers is delicious.

just the facts, ma'am: Jarocho is open daily except Mondays for lunch and dinner 2 to 11 pm. Choose between indoor and outdoor seating. Large groups welcome.

meet me @: Jarocho is located at H. Galeana, #15, on the corner of Nicolas Bravo, just down from Cinema Paraiso (where the former favorite Gondwana used to be).

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($$) For an inexpensive meal that is away from the crowds of tourists check out La Cabaña de Otero. This outdoor restaurant is located in the shady front garden of a residential neighborhood and is mostly frequented by local Mexicans. The lunch menu varies daily, but generally provides a choice of three traditional dishes made with pork, chicken, beef or vegetables. The chicken in creamy chipotle sauce is a tasty dish on the picante side, and is served over rice. All meals are served with queso fresco, beans and homemade tortillas.

don't miss: The fried fish is a whole fish, generally red snapper, cooked with garlic until it is deliciously crispy. It is not always available, but if you ask in advance, they’ll make sure they have it.

just the facts, ma'am: La Cabaña de Otero is open daily except Mondays for breakfast, lunch and early dinners, from 9 am to 5 pm. On Sundays, the menu includes barbecued lamb.

meet me @: La Cabaña de Otero is located on the corner of Paseo de la Boquita (the road to Comercial Mexicana) and Las Huertas Avenue (the road with TelMex).

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($$) Restaurant and bar, La Langosta, is a great option for an afternoon of fun in the sun on Playa Larga. Located right on the beach, they serve a variety of seafood, made in so many different ways that everyone is bound to find a favorite. The menu includes local dishes such as tiritas (tiny strips of raw fish in lime juice and chopped onion) and their version of pescado a la talla called talla adobada (a whole fish wrapped in foil and cooked with mild seasonings). Walk on the beach, play in the pool or hang out in a hammock while spending the afternoon drinking cool cervezas or limonadas and watching the dolphins swim by.

don't miss: the camaronillas are made with fresh shrimp, a gently spicey red sauce and wrapped in masa (used for making corn tortillas). The breaded shrimp is perfectly done and lightly crunchy.

just the facts, ma'am: open daily from 10am to 6:30/7pm. Kids' pool and adult pools included. Shaded parking available. The jukebox can get a bit loud at times, but they are always happy to turn it down when asked.

meet me @: La Langosta is located on Playa Larga where the road to Playa Larga intersects the frontage road.

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Pollos Locos is one of the local favorites for fire-roasted chicken and meat. An order of chicken comes with grilled onion, rice, tortillas, salsa, salad and mouth-watering grilled chicken. Top off your meal with a soda or cold beer. If you prefer wine, pop across the street to the liquor store, there’s no corkage fee.

just the facts, ma'am: Pollos Locos is open every day, 11am to 10pm. Pollos Locos is located in Zihuatanejo on Nicolas Bravo, #15, or in Ixtapa at the Hacienda Shopping Plaza. Stay in at the restaurant, place an order to go, or call for home delivery.

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($) The name was coined by a long-time visitor and is now recognized by most locals, cab drivers, and tourists - if only because "Pozole Alley" is just that! A small row of small, family-run restaurants that serve dirt-cheap, extremely good, and wholey authentic Mexican food with little fanfare, save the occasional wandering troubadour, juggler, or gaggle of playing children. Although the prices have risen in recent years, you can still get a hearty meal of enchiladas, sopes, tamales, or tostadas for under 20 pesos (including a glass of agua de jamaica, naranja, o horchata and a large steaming bowl of pozole for about 22 pesos. Pozole blanco with chicken or pork is served every day while the more savory (and spicy!) pozole verde and pozolo rojo are served on the traditional Thursday.

don't miss: everyone has their favorite restaurant on Pozole Alley so make sure to try each one to find your pick. My favorite is three restaurants in from Nicholas Bravo because of the delicious salsas, including a muy picante salsa verde and a refreshing, chunky ensalada jitomate (tomato salsa). In fact, I often request baggies of the salsa to take home from my eggs the next morning!

just the facts, ma'am: Although some of the restaurants also serve lunch, most take siesta before the alley comes to life at dusk through the late supper hours. During Mexican holidays and on most Sunday nights, you might have to wait for a table - or be friendly and share!

meet me @: runs perpendicular into Nicholas Bravo, in between Benito Juarez and Vicente Guerrero

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($$) Salvador's might be called a "hole in the wall" restaurant - if it had any walls! With just a cluster of tables and chairs under an awning, there is no ostentation about Salvador's - just hearty, authentic Mexican food and cold beer and soft drinks. Fishermen can also bring their latest catch for Salvador to prepare and serve fresh off the grill.

don't miss: the enchiladas verde and camaronillas are arguably some of the best in Zihua while the guacamole has a picante kick from an abundant use of chiles.

just the facts, ma'am: Salvador's is open from 9am until 9am (mas o menos), Monday through Saturday.

meet me @: Salvador's is located at the foot of the second pedestrian bridge over the canal on Calle Adelita in Colonia la Madera.

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($) Tradition rules on Thursdays at Santa Prisca with verde (green) and blanco (white) pozole, chicken or pork, served at this hole in the wall basement restaurant. All orders of the Guerrerro-born soup come with a plate of appetizers including miniature chile relleños (made from picante jalapeños!), taquitos, chicharrones (pork rinds), avocado, and tortilla chips with bean sauce. Don't come if you're in a hurry or want a quiet afternoon because lingering and loud music is part of the Thursday ritual.

don't miss: live music from popular local musicians, a shot of their own mezcal especially brought in from Taxco, or a large refreshing pitcher of freshly made limonada.

just the facts, ma'am: opens on Thursdays at 2 until the pozole runs out. There's an unpredicatable ambiance here which is half the fun of going regularly: sometimes it's a rockin' fiesta til after midnight, sometimes a slow, sweaty afternoon of leisure (and soup!).

meet me @: Santa Prisca is located in Colonia el Limon on the inbound lateral of 200, Avenida Victor Hugo. Most cab drivers know how to get there and will likely drop you in front of a hardware store. Go next door and follow the music down the stairs.

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