One of Tampico's main attractions is the delicious food. Due to its location, between lagoons and rivers on the Gulf of Mexico, Tampico is rich in natural resources. Every holiday season, hundreds of visitors from nearby cities come to Tampico just to get a taste of the tempting dishes and snacks, such as shrimp empanadas and grilled king prawn. The city has excellent seafood restaurants for every budget. Try some stuffed crabs or pickled sea-bass or the local chilpan tamales, rice and beans and the world- famous steak Tampiquena style. Locals take pride in their tortas de la barda, which are subs with beans, ham and pork, and take their name from the restaurant where they were invented, located next to the Customs House.
There are lots of excellent restaurants in Zona Dorada (Golden Zone), Tampico's trendiest neighborhood, featuring different specialties from all over the world, from Japanese to Brazilian and even Thai. Ask for the chef's specials and enjoy the most delectable cuisine, always prepared with the freshest ingredients.
Applebee's
Enjoy Tampico's freshest salads, the tastiest beef and chicken fajitas and the largest grilled hamburgers, in this cozy family restaurant. Although recently opened, Applebee's has quickly become everyone's favorite. They feature a kids menu, and for those who want to keep fit, low carb dishes as well..
Barake
Immerse yourself in an atmosphere of class, style and ambient music. This popular restaurant is famous for its truly authentic Lebanese cuisine, featuring such delicacies as Lebanese yogurt, hummus, Lebanese rice, tabbouleh, kibbeh, and stuffed grape leaves, as well as traditional beverages like Arak. Customers can also sample their wide range of flavorful tobaccos, which can be smoked at your table using one of their many Hookah pipes. Barake is the perfect blend of sophisticated decor and exotic Middle Eastern flavors.
Batutas
Located on the upper level of the Metropolitan Cultural Complex, this elegant restaurant not only has the most remarkable and delicious Italian specialties, but also provides an outstanding view of Tampico's Carpintero Lagoon. We recommend the shrimp, squid or clam salads with zesty dressings, as well as the fish and pasta specialties, accompanied with a glass of fine wine.
Don Porfirio
Located on one of Tampico's main streets, Hidalgo Avenue, just a few steps from the Holiday Inn Express and Camino Real, is this unique restaurant serving typical Mexican dishes, such as green enchiladas and juicy Tampiquena steaks.
El Asador
El Asador serves the juiciest steaks in Tampico and you simply must try their signature dish the "Tampiquena steak". Other favorites include beef tacos smothered in a spicy Northern salsa, one bite and you'll understand why people keep coming back to this busy restaurant time and again!
El Papalote
El Papalote is in Tampico's Zona Dorada, and offers prime steaks, gourmet salads and flame grilled hamburgers, in a homely atmosphere. Let El Papalote's friendly efficient staff pamper you, as you enjoy an ice-cold beer and a delicious meal. The restaurant has rustic décor and hardwood furnishings.
Jardín Corona
Excite your palate with the tastiest Argentinean cuisine in Tampico. Their juicy steaks, fresh seafood, and unique seasoning are sure to please. Jardin Carona is on Hidalgo Avenue, directly across from the Holiday Inn Express Tampico, in the "Zona Dorada".
Marchica
Imagine a restaurant where fishing boats dock just a few meters away from your table, to deliver their catch; well at Marchica, where the slogan is "from the boat to your table", this is reality. This popular restaurant has been serving the freshest fish and seafood dishes for years and has become renowned around town not only for the excellent food but also for the quality of the service.
Oriental Grill
Let us recommend the Lee Chat chicken shish kebabs glazed with delicious peanut sauce, or the Huan Jaa shrimp with nuts and green scallions. These are only two of the many options at the Oriental Grill, located in Zona Dorada. The minimalist decor and pleasant background music creates a classy atmosphere, and as an added attraction you can see the chefs at work through a large window.