You can create an entire itinerary revolving around the best places to eat in Mexico City. There are world-renowned restaurants with elevated takes on Mexican classics, cheap taco stands on the side of the street, and mercados filled with ingredients from all over the republic.
Now, I’m not the type of trip planner who likes to make reservations for every meal, but in Mexico City, there are certain reservations you need to seek out if you’re a foodie. Making reservations comes with a disclaimer: I wasn’t always hungry in Mexico City due to the altitude. If you’re not accustomed to living somewhere with a high elevation, don’t stack your itinerary with too many reservations because you may want to opt for churros for dinner (like we admittedly did one night). It’s nice to have a balance between street food snacks and 7-course meals.
In this guide, you’ll find some of the best places to eat and drink in Mexico City.
RESTAURANTS
Contramar
In Mexico City, lunch is the most important meal of the day and there’s no better place to linger over lunch than Contramar. You’re going to want to order the iconic Pescado A La Talla Contramar style, a whole white fish with red adobo sauce on one side and a herbaceous green sauce on the other side. The dish I’m still dreaming about is the Tacos de Caritas de Pulpo (carnitas-style octopus tacos).
If you can’t snag a table at Contramar in Roma, go to Entremar in Polanco. It’s the same exact menu with less of the scene-y crowd. Remember, it’s a lunch spot, so if you’re going for dinner expect to make a reservation before it closes at 8 p.m.
*Make a reservation at Contramar or Entremar
Rosetta
Rosetta’s dishes and ambiance are dreamy. The restaurant is in an old villa’s courtyard in Roma Norte. Because of its focus on seasonality and Mexican ingredients, the menu changes daily but its staples like corn tamales remain. Chef Elena Reygada, the mastermind behind the restaurant, was named the world’s best female chef in 2023 and Rosetta is #49 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
*Make a reservation here. They open 30 days in advance.
Pujol
Pujol is enough of a reason to book a trip to Mexico City. This year it was unseated as the top restaurant in Mexico City, but it still ranks #13 in the world (not too shabby, right?). It’s a 7-course tasting menu that focuses on vegetables and seafood from all over Mexico. It’s around 180 USD per person to dine at Pujol and it’s worth every penny.
Reservations open 60 days in advance, so make sure you set an alarm to snag your seat. There’s a taco-tasting menu and the traditional one. We did the traditional one and enjoyed every bite.
Tacos Orinoco
Tacos Orinoco is Mexico City’s go-to taco spot. Do they have the best tacos in Mexico City? Not necessarily, but you should try them to use as your baseline to compare other tacos to because they’re still pretty great. Plus, you can find Taco Orinoco’s cute red-and-white tiled interior at locations all over the city. There might be a line out the door but it goes by fast. Order as soon as you walk in and they’ll bring your tacos to your table.
El Huequito
Behold, the tacos that are better than Orinoco. El Huequito also has many locations but specifically specializes in al pastor tacos. El Huequito basically translates to “hole in the wall” so don’t expect the Instagram-able vibe of Tacos Orinoco, but you can expect delicious tacos plus sides like queso fundido. You can order at a window or sit down for tacos and a michelada.
La Capital
You know how “New American” restaurants have been popping up in the States since gastropubs became cool in the 2010s? La Capital can be described as “New Mexican.” It serves classic Mexican dishes with a modern twist. They even put on a little show and pour the lime juice on your aguachile table side. The waiter was also nice enough to send me home with extra fresh tortillas that are made in-house.
La Vineria
If you’re looking for a low-key dinner or a break from typical Mexican cuisine, La Vineria is your spot in La Condesa. It’s old world meets new with traditional Mediterranean dishes made with Mexican ingredients. Order a Mexican wine from the Guadalupe Valley to pair with your fish or duck confit.
Azul
Many restaurants in Mexico City cook up their modern interpretations of Mexican classics, but at Azul, you can expect the classics done right. (And, no, classics don’t include a chimichanga) Order mole poblano to get a taste of Puebla or order the steak that’s cooked to perfection. Azul has locations in Centro Histórico and La Condesa. Along with a delicious lunch and dinner, they serve brunch until 11 a.m.
Cafes
Panadería Rosetta
A few blocks from Rosetta’s flagship restaurant is Panadería Rosetta, Elena Reygada’s popular bakery. It’s known for its sourdoughs and guava roll. When you arrive at the bakery, you’ll likely be greeted with a long line. Luckily, the to-go line moves pretty quickly, so pick up some pastries and head to Plaza Río de Janeiro to enjoy your sweets.
Madre Café
Madre Café is a great brunch spot in Roma Norte with an expansive outdoor courtyard. Order the chilaquiles and enjoy the free fresh pastries while you wait for your entree to come out. At night, you can go upstairs to Madre Rooftop for a drink overlooking Roma.
Delirio
At Delirio, you can sit down for a breakfast sandwich and enjoy fresh green juice to make you feel better about all the tacos you ate yesterday or just pick up a cup of coffee to go while you explore Roma Norte. It’s half cafe and half artisanal marketplace with indoor and outdoor seating.
Blend Station
Roma Norte and La Condesa are filled with cool coffee shops. Blend Station serves great coffee (and matcha!) in a vibey space a couple of blocks from Parque España and Parque México for when you need your caffeine fix.
Churrería El Moro
You can’t leave Mexico City without trying a real Mexican churro and hot chocolate. Luckily, Churrería El Moro has locations across the city. If you want to compare Mexican and Spanish churros go to the El Moro next to Parque México and then head over to San Ginés, a famous churro spot from Madrid that has a Mexico City outpost next to (you guessed it) Parque España.
bars
La Clandestina
Mezcal is Mexico City’s liquor of choice. At La Clandestina, you can get a flight of Oaxacan mezcals to sip on while hanging out in an intimate setting. The music is great but it’s also low enough that you can have a conversation.
Licorería Limantour
Licorería Limantour was named the #4 bar in the entire world and the best bar in North America, so it’s no surprise you’ll need reservations. Thankfully, it’s not that hard to get in and there’s table service. Honestly, the drinks aren’t anything crazy but they’re well made. If you’re a cocktail person, you’ll also want to try to make reservations at Handshake Speakeasy and Hanky Panky, which both rank in the top 20 of the best cocktail bars.
Drukendog
This casual beer bar goes beyond Bohemia and Modelo with good local Mexican craft beer on tap. It has an elevated brewery taproom vibe and an American-leaning food menu to match its aesthetic and English name.
Jazzatlán Capital
If you’re looking for some live music, head over to Jazzatlán Capital. As the name suggests, Jazzatlan is a jazz bar but it also showcases other types of music. They have free and ticketed shows in their two-story bar throughout the week. Even if there’s a ticketed show upstairs, you can order a drink at the downstairs bar and hear the live music through the speakers.
Other Spots To Try
Quintonil
The #1 restaurant in Mexico City and the #5 restaurant in the world.
Amaya
A popular spot for Mexican cuisine and natural wine by a well-known chef.
Elly’s
A restaurant and bar that has a friendly dog roaming around.
Porfirio’s
A touristy spot that turns your chill weeknight dinner plans into a party.
Loup Bar
An intimate natural wine bar that serves small plates.
Planning a trip to Mexico City? Read The Ultimate Mexico City Guide to get all the information you need to plan your next vacation.
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