we on the cheap

yes, you can spend over 500 pesos on a meal here in Zihua (and definitely in Ixtapa) - but you can also spend less than 50 pesos on a delicious, filling meal that you'll want to write home about!



guide to EAT pricing estimates:

$ < 50 pesos
$$ < 100 pesos
$$$ < 200 pesos
$$$$ < 300 pesos
$$$$$ > 300 pesos

icon directory
We're biased... any listing accompanied with a we heart zihua editor's pick icon notes an editor's pick. Designation as one of our favorite spots is based solely on our opinion and experience. Any future sponsored (paid) listings will always be clearly marked as such.


Country Fried Chicken

family friendly single friendly walking distance from centro
($) If you’re walking down Paseo de la Boquita just past Plaza Kioto on your way to the Centro and you think you smell fried chicken, you’re right. Country Fried Chicken is a small restaurant just across from the canal and serves some of the best fried chicken in Zihua outside of my kitchen. You can order pieces and side orders a la carte, or you can get packages of various pieces of chicken with cold slaw and mashed potato with gravy.

don't miss: For an extra special treat, don’t miss out on an order of chimichangas, 3 for $30, which are fried tortillas filled with shredded chicken and other yummy stuff.

meet me @: Country Fried Chicken is located on Paseo de la Boquita, #23, Zihuatanejo. They are open every day, 11 am to 9 pm. Buy chicken to eat there, take away or call for delivery to your home.

-CLICK HERE for further info including telephone #s, email, website URLs, more content & (coming soon!) photos-

editor's pick
La Casa Cafe

group friendly family friendly single friendly fluent English spoken walking distance from centro
($$) La Casa Cafe has become a vacationer and expatriate's staple, offering a balanced mix of gringo-style breakfasts, deli sandwiches and wraps, and Mexican favorites in a quiet courtyard-style restaurant. Owners Lorna and Pedro are great for directions, travel advice, and Zihua stories. Major sporting events are shown on a large flat panel tv during special extended hours and they also occasionally also have night time live music events.

don't miss: the coffee! Casa Cafe's slogan is "Life's too short to drink bad coffee" and they take this sentiment seriously with strong brewed americano plus a wide range of espresso-based drinks. From the menu, the homemade multigrain bread and bagels are a hit with customers who try in vain to pry the recipes from Lorna.

just the facts, ma'am: open Tuesday-Sunday, serving 9am - 2pm; La Casa Cafe is one of the few nonsmoking restaurants in Zihua.

meet me @: La Casa Cafe is located in Colonia la Madera in the middle of Calle Adelita, the street running alongside the canal. Look for their sandwich board sign and Pedro outside, greeting passersby.

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Loncheria La Especial

family friendly single friendly walking distance from centro
For a healthy meal at a lean price, check out Loncheria La Especial. Connected to the plant nursery Viva Vida Vivero, Loncheria La Especial provides you with an assortment of fresh juice options including orange, melon, carrot, guayaba, papaya, nopal and spinach. The breakfast and lunch menu include tostados, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, sopes, sandwiches and eggs made any style.

don't miss: for a fabulous pick-me-up or a hangover helper, don’t miss the Popeye Super Juice with spinach, pineapple and chaya, and the chicken enchiladas verdes.

just the facts, ma'am: Loncheria La Especial is open Mondays through Saturdays, 8 am to 3 pm and is located on Paseo de Palmar, between Plaza Kioto and DHL.

-CLICK HERE for further info including telephone #s, email, website URLs, more content & (coming soon!) photos-

editor's pick
Pozole Alley

group friendly family friendly single friendly open late walking distance from centro wheelchair access
($) 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

group friendly family friendly single friendly walking distance from centro
($$) 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.

-CLICK HERE for further info including telephone #s, email, website URLs, more content & (coming soon!) photos-