Here's a rapid-fire list of places we've tried in Ajijic that we vouch for:

- for street tacos: Taqueria Norma Y Tino, Tacos El Paisa

- for tortadas ahogadas & birria: Tortas Ahogadas Charly

- for low-key Mexican fare: Tatehuari, Cenaduría Memo

- for more-upscale Mexican fare: Teocintle Maiz

- for seafood: Baja Norte

- for donuts: Donas Donuts

- for helados: Helados Chaps

- for coffee: El Gato Feo

- for cocktails Alibi Room, Camaleon Bar

Xokol is our absolute favorite restaurant in the world! We hope you get to experience the magic of this place :)

However: Xokol is in Guadalajara, not Ajijic. So it's probably out-of-the-way unless you plan on spending a night in Guada. But Guadalajara is definitely worth checking out on its own (see the Travel tab), and if you do, dinner at Xokol is a must. It's Mexican cuisine but heavily focused on indigenous ingredients and techniques, with a focus on corn. You can order a-la-carte or do the 9-course tasting menu (which is a LOT of food so please be prepared for that). Reservations recommended.