When exploring a new city, one of the most delightful experiences is discovering the best restaurants and hidden culinary gems that reflect the local flavors and culture. Mexico City’s restaurant scene changes so fast and so furious that it can be hard to keep up, which is why I wanted to update this list of old favorites and new obsessions.
These are not listed in any particular order of preference, and I would be happy for you to remind me of something that should be here but isn’t!
Centro
El Cardenal – Even though this place is super popular and can be touristy, I LOVE the conchas and nata (a type of sweet bread and clotted cream) and the Mexican hot chocolate as well as many other items on their massive menu. My favorite location is on Plaza Tolsa next to the MUNAL.
Bosforo – Tucked down Luis Moya street off the Alameda is a tiny mezcal bar that is undoubtedly too hipster-divey cool for me, but I love it anyways. Get there early for a seat, there aren’t many.
Makan – One of the city’s best culinary gems in my opinion, Makan is a fusion of Asian cuisines with a touch of Mexican magic and I have never had a dish there I didn’t think was delicious.
La Texcocana – In a tiny storefront on Avenida Independencia is my favorite torta shop, mostly because the tortas are also tiny and if you are so inclined you can try several in one sitting. The bacalao (salted cod) is my favorite.
Casa de España – White-coated waiters serve classic Spanish cuisine under the mile-high ceilings of the Casino Español de México, a stunning piece of 20th-century architecture in the heart of downtown. The food is very good, but the ambiance is unbeatable.
Azul Historico – Yucatan Peninsula-inspired food from one of Mexico’s most lauded chefs in an enchanting setting on the main patio of the Downtown hotel. Try the tostados de salpicón.
Torre Latinoamericana Restaurant– Totally overpriced, underwhelming, and poor service, but the view is so magical you won’t even notice. Make sure to go to the restaurant, the new bar, a level down no longer has a great view. You will have to order something to eat in order to hang out.
Lismoneros – A long-time favorite which has been overshadowed by newer, hipper locales, Lismoneros continues to serve deeply-rooted Mexican flavors in contemporary presentations that focus on local, sustainable produce — what more could you ask for?
Condesa
Azul Condesa – See above, same guy, same great food.
El Greco – A little taco shop with phenomenal tacos arabes, a Condesa traditional.
Milou – A tiny French bistrot. I like their breakfast egg dishes, the coffee and the fact that they have international newspapers for customers to read.
NIV – An extensive wine list from around the world and a concise menu of small plates to tempt you into lingering a little longer.
Sod – Sod’s Mediterranean lounge ambiance is just enough to set it aside from the other speakeasy-like cocktail joints that have sprung up all over the city. The cocktails are really inventive and the menu, though small, packs a punch in the flavor department, get the stuffed olives and the chicken tajín.
Specia – a Polish restaurant right on Amsterdam with a killer view and a lovely borscht.
Esquina Comun – The recent winner of a Michelin star, I am very much on board with all the attention that Ana Hernandez and her restaurant are getting these days. The menu is rooted in Mexico but surprising and innovative and I haven’t had anything I didn’t like.
Mendl – A classic Jewish deli, they make their own rye bread, pastrami, bagels, and lots more delicious little treats that I miss from home.
Roma
Pizza Franca – Argentine pizza place with nicely priced, good wine. Seating is only really outside, so maybe not a good choice if we are having one of our famous rainy afternoons.
Sesame – Asian-street-food-fusion-delicious-explosion. Samosas and Pad Thai.
Expendio de Maiz – There’s no menu at Expendio, just the expectation that it will be good. Rounds of small plates come out, usually with a corn base (tortilla/sope/huarache), a blend of fresh local greens, traditional spices, and meat or non-meat protein on top. Everything is interesting and representative of traditional, local cuisine.
Fonda Fina – I have gone back and forth on Fonda Fina, but in the end, I think that it’s a great place to try some very traditional Mexican food in a slightly more upscale setting.
Pan Comido – A vegan/vegetarian place with great breakfast/brunch and coffee, also very pet-friendly (that could be a theme in this neighborhood).
Maximo Bistrot – One of Roma’s finest and fanciest, but truly, the food is delicious and worth the pesos for a special occasion (or every day if you’ve got money to blow).
Rosetta– The bakery has great bread and sweet rolls, and the Italian restaurant has great pasta and wine. Try the bone marrow appetizer.
Mi Compa Chava – I hardly ever go anymore because of the ridiculous wait, but it is one of my favorite casual seafood joints, with aguachiles that will blow your mind and clear your sinuses as well as wild micheladas, good ceviche, and a handful of other fishy delicacies.
Contramar – There’s a lot of hype around this restaurant, but it’s all pretty much true, Contramar is absolutely delicious seafood and has a warm, family-and-friends vibe that I love.
Delirio Abarottes – A WAY better location for outside seating than the original Delirio on Monterrey, but this one doesn’t have the full med-mex menu as the other. Sandwiches, coffee, pastries, and delicious fancy deli shit.
Fideo Gordo – The chef is the grandson of the guy who invented cacahuates Japoneses, and he is crafting some delicious Mexican-Japanese fusion like his Birria udon dish with lamb or the seafood udon with miso and ancho chile sauce.
Fugaz – An understated restaurant on the edge of Roma, Fugaz has a small but delicious menu of seafood in some unexpected preparations (think raw amberjack fish is dusted with burnt cumin served with crisp, sweet melon or fresh charales with fermented pickles and a sweet tomato and masala sauce).
Sartoria – One of the city’s best Italian restaurants with housemade pasta, delicious antipasti, and a hearty list of Italian wines to choose from.
Bolero Cafe – The best pizza in the city by far, they also serve craft beer, classic cocktails, and a smattering of Colombian food to a vinyl-laced soundtrack in a casual, unpretentious setting.
Chicama – Opened in 2024, this is the best Peruvian ceviche I have yet to eat in the city. The anticucho has just a tiny touch of that organ meat flavor, but I love its texture and the marinade on it. They even have vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, but go for the fish you can.
Ojo Rojo – A mecca for the nostalgic, Ojo Rojo has great diner classics — milkshakes, patty melts, hamburgers — with just a hint of sophistication on the side.
Juarez
Imbiss – One of my culinary favorites, Imbiss has delectable house-crafted cocktails, and a menu that makes my mouth water just thinking about it — the fried chicken! the roasted cauliflower with satay sauce! — I could go on and on.
Bagels Lepu – This bagel shop and restaurant is the brainchild of a British/Colombian couple and they serve some delicious combos like the lox or the whitefish salad, as well as pastries and coffee drinks.
Cafe Nin – Another option from Rosetta chef Elena Reygadas, with great light lunches and breakfast and pastries from one of her bakery locations next door (which is just as cute and beckoning as Cafe Nin)
Taller Xilotl – One of my favorite spots in the city — gourmet seafood tacos with obviously thoughtful recipes and excellent craft cocktails in smallest bistrot-cool dining room you have ever sat in.
L.B. Dining – Delicious Asian fusion in the upper level of the hipster interiors store Loose Blues. They also have Mexican craft beer.
Cicatriz – Right next door from Loose Blues in the plaza Washington. A limited, but delicious menu, salads, sandwiches, coffee and baked goods. Short-rib sandwich with tomato jam, roasted carrots in tahini yogurt and macha sauce.
Casi Esquina – A casual mini-pizzeria/Italian place. Eat the lasagna. Please. German craft beers.
HOP, the beer experience – A narrow craft beer bar with lots of local brews on tap. Relaxed vibe and some outside seating.
Amaya – Delicious, multi-layered flavors in a menu that defies categorization. Love the grilled cheese lamb sandwich with pickled vegetables and the rabbit stew.
Comedor Milan – A super simple but delicious diner in a hidden backyard in the Juarez. Grilled Salmon, quinoa salads, chicharron and salsa as a starter.
Parker and Lenox – This trendy speakeasy’s interior design makes it feel oh-so-1920s. You have to call ahead for a reservation, don’t even try to do it online. Here is the number to reserve: 55 78 93 3140
Niddo – A Canadian/Jewish/Mexican fusion menu in a delightful and casual cafe setting. The burrata brava is delicious, and make sure to grab a pastry at their coffeeshop around the corner.
Other Hoods, Other places
Masala y Maiz – Stunning Mexican-Indian fusion brought to you by a team which is taking on the dominant restaurant culture and its various abuses. Try the butter chicken, it is heaven.
Blaxicocina – A balm for the soul of any southerner (or wannabe southerner like me), a transplant from Maryland, the Blaxicocina chef is cooking up collards, fried chicken, grits, sweet potato pie, and more, all with a little touch of mexicanidad thrown in the mix.
Las Tlayudas – Great Tlayudas, mezcal and Mexican craft beer. It’s a tiny place with a really mellow, friendly vibe. Breakfasts here are stellar and they sell Oaxacan products like chocolate and coffee.
Nicos – One of the pioneers of fine dining in Mexico City, Nicos not only serves excellent traditional Mexican dishes — try the fideo seco or the rabbit in mole — it also has that neighborhood-chicness that brings families, businessmen, hipsters, and rich kids all to the same place for lunch.
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