Acapulco has more than 160 restaurants, serving everything from traditional Mexican food to Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Italian, French, and Lebanese cuisine. Many of the most popular eateries front the beach along the Costera. They're al fresco, casual, and lively, especially along Playa Condesa, but if you prefer a quieter place, there are enchanting restaurants off the main drag. Or you may prefer the elegance of dining al fresco at the magnificent El Campanario high above the bay. You can eat seafood in abundance here. In fact, preparing seafood a la talla (grilled) began in Acapulco. To enjoy it at its best, head to Barra Vieja, out beyond the Vidafel Mayan Palace Hotel, where restaurant owners grill fish on the beach.

Prices in the more sophisticated restaurants tend to be high, with dinner for two costing $75 or more. But there are plenty of relatively good inexpensive restaurants serving local food all along the Costera.

Local Dining Suggestions

• Beto's: Popular seafood lunch place by the beach along the Costera (Costera Miguel Alemán 99, Playa Condesa, 744-484-0473)

• El Amigo Miguel: A favorite local hangout downtown, serving the best seafood in town washed down with cold Mexican beer (corner of Juárez and Azueta, 744-483-6981)

• El Campanario: Dine al fresco in this Italianate mansion with a breathtaking view of the bay (Avenida Paraiso s/n Fraccionamiento Condesa, 744-484-8830).

• Restaurante La Cabaña: Excellent seafood and famous Acapulco ceviche served in a simple bistro on Caleta Beach in Old Acapulco, bedecked with photos of Johnny Weismuller and other movie stars (Playa Caleta s/n Lado Oriente, Fraccionamiento Las Playas, 744-482-5007)

• Ristorante CasaNova: Set high above the bay on the road to the airport, serving Northern Italian cuisine with spectacular views (Carretera Escénica, Fraccionamiento Las Brisas, 744-446-6237)

• Sanborn's: An American-style family restaurant with good food, service, and prices (four locations along the Costera, 744-485-5360)

• Tony Roma's: International steak house, serving the best ribs in town (Costera Miguel Alemán in the Hotel Continental Plaza, 744-484-3348)

Dining Precautions

Most restaurants in the resort area of the city along the Costera are clean. Bottled water is available everywhere. Be cautious of buffets served outdoors in the heat of summer.