CLOSED: Gracias Madre

In an unassuming spot off the main square, for three hours each evening, the kitchen at Gracias Madre turns out some of the most inventive dishes to be found on the island. Incredible flavour combinations, ingredients that zing with freshness and some pretty impressive cooking.

This is not a cheap restaurant by Holbox standards, but you're paying for food sourced with love and recipes that feel like conversations playfully and expertly rehearsed between flavours. The raw Phad Thai gestures towards South East Asia but its tangle of zucchini threads, almonds peas and ginger has a brilliantly invigorating sharpness that is utterly its own. Red Curry and Black Bean Bourginion are generous and gently spiced delights and despite the baroque array of ideas and competing flavours on the menu, nothing here appears fussed at for the sake of it.

Deserts are creamless but exquisitely creamy confections served in jam jars, and smoothies guide you through a Willy Wonka journey of flavours before landing happily at a near approximation of their menu description.

If you want food with a spirit of adventure you could do a lot worse than to work your way through Gracias Madre's menu. It's serious and seriously addictive food.

We tried a choco lovers smoothie, raw Pad Thai and Thai Red Curry, all were absolutely delicious. The food was filling and very flavoursome. All freshly made on the day. Friendly German/English speaking couple who run the place.