Mariscos Villa Rica is one of the most consistently recommended seafood restaurants in Veracruz, known particularly for its huachinango a la veracruzana — whole red snapper in the classic tomato, olive, caper, and chile sauce that is the signature dish of the region. The fish comes from the Gulf, the vegetables from the coastal state's farms, and the recipe has the confidence of a place that has been doing the same thing well for a long time.
The name refers to Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, the settlement that Hernán Cortés founded on this coast in April 1519 — the first Spanish town on the American mainland. The crab soup and the fresh oysters are also very good. The restaurant is in Boca del Río, the beach neighbourhood south of the centre; a taxi from the Plaza de Armas takes about fifteen minutes and the journey along the coast road is pleasant.