Gastronomy

Flavors from an Era Gone By

Acapulco has had a long love affair with the sea. This is reflected in its romantic moonlit bay, its iconic cliff divers and perhaps most of all, its cuisine.

Coco Loco Los Flamingos’ hotel bar is home to the Coco-Loco, a deceptively innocuous cocktail served in a coconut, laced with tequila, gin and white rum.

Acapulco’s dining options range from humble eateries to world-class restaurants perched on cliffs with breathtaking views of Acapulco Bay. For the full Acapulco experience, definitely find some room in your budget to book a table at one of the top-tier restaurants overlooking the bay – especially if you’re planning a romantic evening for two. You’ll be gazing out at the same glittering view that enthralled such celebrities as Elizabeth Taylor and Cary Grant.

On the other side of the coin, find some time to drop into one of the open-air restaurants set up along the public beaches fronting La Costera, heading into Old Acapulco. Better yet, pick a Sunday and commandeer a tiny table in the sand and enjoy life the way the locals do, eating some fried fish and drinking a Tecate or two. You’ll be surrounded by some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, and for a while anyway, you won’t be a tourist; you’ll be a local, too.

Visitors with a yen for seafood will find plenty on offer, from fresh caught fish slathered with a chili-based sauce and grilled over the coals, a dish called pescado a la talla; to guinatán, a sumptuous plating of dried fish cooked in coconut milk. A signature Acapulco dish is ceviche, which uses only the freshest shrimp, octopus, fish and clams marinated in lime juice, accompanied by avocado, tomato, olives, cilantro, onions and a healthy dash of hot sauce. It’s usually served in a huge goblet. Ceviche can become a compulsion and you may become one of those travelers waking up early to search for a restaurant with ceviche on its breakfast menu.

In addition to the typical meat-based dishes like burritos, enchiladas and tamales, visitors will also find more exotic fare. Two of the most popular regional dishes are Molcajete acapulque, composed of sizzling grilled steak, pork and nopales cactus; and pozole, a soupy stew made with pork and hominy (corn), topped with fresh ingredients like chopped onion, sliced cabbage and avocado.

Acapulco’s signature dish ceviche is also touted as being a natural aphrodisiac.

Tropical fruits such as mangos, coconuts, papaya and watermelon abound; try a licuado, a Mexican-style smoothie made with fruit, milk and ice that’s both healthy and refreshing.
Desserts in Acapulco can be super sweet. Top off your meal with some decadent flan, or a humble churro (similar to a cruller), or buy a handful of fudge-like Mexican candies to go, made with such ingredients as coconut, tamarind, guava, sweet potato and even chili powder.

If you’re looking for more familiar comfort food – a desire that will strike at least once during a vacation – fries and pizza are easy to find, and some of the world famous fast food chains, such as Kentucky Fried Chicken and Burger King are represented.