I don’t often talk about food on this blog, but I do consider eating well an intrinsic part of living well in Mexico. For those living in or visiting the cosmopolitan city of Guadalajara, there are plenty of ways to satisfy cravings for artisanal chocolate, fine wine, smoked fish, fresh cheeses, exotic Asian seasonings, and more.
Below, I share five of my favorite specialty shops in the Guadalajara metro area that foodies should know.
Villa de Patos
A few blocks from my house is a small grocery (pictured above) that would be right at home in Berkeley, California’s Gourmet Ghetto. All of the products Villa de Patos sells are certified organic — made without pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, or artificial ingredients.
True farm-to-table ingredients.
Their dairy products and fresh produce are sourced from the company’s farm in General Cepeda, located in the northern state of Coahuila, about an hour west of Saltillo. Popular items include aged sheep’s and cow’s milk cheeses, artisanal butters, kefir, Greek yogurt, walnuts, and seasonal jams like mango with tamarind.
When you visit, please don’t overlook their charming café attached to the grocery store. The baristas pull a perfect cappuccino — and there’s reliable wifi, too. As a bonus, Villa de Patos is located on one of the most beautiful streets in the city, the cobblestoned and tree-lined Av. Aurelio Ortega — worthy of a stroll (or pedal on the dedicated bike lanes) anytime.
Location: Av. Aurelio Ortega 521, Los Maestros, 45150 Zapopan, and villadepatos.com.
Guato – Casa de Ahumados
A few months back, while enjoying an evening at a friend’s place, we tasted the most delicious smoked salmon I’ve had outside of New York City. When he mentioned it had come from a shop in Providencia that smoked the fish themselves, I thanked the food gods and made plans to visit.
Guato – Casa de Ahumados occupies a cozy space on Avenida Ruben Dario, where it’s nearly impossible to park. But don’t let that deter you.
The postage-stamp-sized store/cafe’s display case is stocked with a myriad of smoked artisanal delicacies, including the extraordinary smoked salmon, available in 200-gram packages for 300 pesos. As if that weren’t enough, they also do a small sandwich menu (eat in or carry out) that includes a legit delicious Vietnamese banh mi, a steal for 90 pesos.
While waiting for your order, enjoy the chill music on their sound system. With food in hand, tables spilling out onto an open terrace invite you to linger and contemplate the modern art (and small record collection) adorning the walls and shelves.
Location: Av. Rubén Darío 1679, Providencia 4a. Secc, 44639 Guadalajara. Or message them on Instagram.
Toyo Foods
While Mexicanized Japanese is plentiful in Guadalajara, enjoying an authentic Japanese meal requires some sleuthing and a pocket full of cash — especially if dining at top spots like Kasuga or HONŌ.
For those who prefer to create Japanese dishes at home, Toyo Foods is a go-to resource. I typically visit their Providencia shop for imported ingredients that are difficult to find in most Mexican grocery stores.
It’s a great spot to pick up nori paper, miso paste, ramen noodles, sushi rice, a massive range of soy sauces and other condiments, and gorgeous traditional ceramics. They also carry a decent selection of sake, imported Japanese beers, and cooking tools.
Prices are higher than what you might find at a hole-in-the-wall grocery in Centro, but on the plus side, Toyo is clean, with polite and cheerful staff. And with multiple locations, there’s no need to trek across town.
Location: Av Pablo Neruda 2365, Providencia 3a. Secc, 44630 Guadalajara, and toyofoods.com.mx. There are also branches in Valle Real, Chapalita, La Estancia, Boreales, Independencia, and yes — Centro.
Ki’Xocolatl Minerva
I’d never describe myself as a candy addict (I prefer salt), but if your idea of love is a box of artisanal chocolates, you need to visit the Ki’Xocolatl boutique a few blocks from Arcos de Minerva.
Founded by Belgians, Ki’Xocolatl has experimented with the best cacao beans available in Mexico. They now produce chocolate utilizing cacao from their 289-hectare plantation in the Yucatán.
My first visit to this place gave me a brand new perspective on cacao. I’d gone there on a tip, looking for some unique Mexican chocolates for my spouse.
Entering the store I was entranced by the aromas. Then the staff started offering me samples, and my taste buds came alive. Their little truffles and bonbons are pure decadence.
Tasting is believing. If you love fine chocolate, treat yourself (or someone special) to arguably the best artisanal chocolates in Mexico.
Location: Diag. Golfo de Cortés 2888, Vallarta Norte, 44690 Guadalajara, and kixocolatl.mx.
La Contra
Yes, Guadalajara is famous for being a stone’s throw from Tequila. But that doesn’t mean oenophiles are out of luck in this town.
If you believe like I do that great food deserves great wine, you need to know about La Contra. This specialty shop is committed to showcasing only the very best Mexican grape juice. (they do not carry imported bottles)
Please don’t come looking for labels with wide distribution in grocery store chains like Soriana or Fresko. At La Contra, you’ll find top wines from small producers, with an emphasis on Valle de Guadalupe and Coahuila.
The cool kids who staff this shop really know their products and will recommend something to match your taste if you don’t know where to start. They also carry a small selection of artisanal spirits (mezcal, rum, whiskey) and craft Mexican beers.
La Contra does in-store wine events (see their Instagram for details) and recently installed an Enomatic system that allows them to offer a rotating selection of wines by the glass, to help you experience these exciting wines before buying.
Location: C. José Guadalupe Zuno Hernández 2129, Col Americana, Guadalajara, and lacontravinos.com.