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Updated February 2024
If there’s something synonymous with Mexico City, it’s the word food. After two trips, I’m rounding up the best restaurants in Mexico City you can’t miss on your trip.
Some serious eats and some of the best restaurants in Mexico City are the ones that top the world’s best list each year. Whether you’re in it for street food or a 12-course meal, you have such a wide range of dining options.
Mexico City restaurants and the food scene remind me of a lot of what you find in New York. Perhaps it’s that beautiful blend of well-executed decor or the top-notch service that does it for me. With different neighborhoods like Polanco, La Condesa, or Roma, you can easily eat your way through the city.
One thing I found with the restaurants in Mexico City is the need to be reserved in advance. It seems as though there are a handful of restaurants on everyone’s list and for good reason. So those tend to book up way in advance.
I often joke that the amount of time you should spend in CDMX depends on how much you’d like to eat. You could spend weeks here and not do it all — the beauty of travel. I think around four to five days does the job. It’s the perfect amount of time to hit the classics and grab street food along the way.
So this list of best restaurants in Mexico City isn’t necessarily all that is top awarded. It’s a combination of restaurants doing something special — whether it’s fine dining or street food. Ready to start planning? Here’s my list of restaurants you won’t want to miss.
Planning a Trip to Mexico City? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels in Mexico City:
- Casa Polanco, for the best luxury hotel
- La Valise, for the best design hotel
- Hotel Carlota, for the best budget-friendly hotel
For more incredible Mexico City stays, check out my guide to the best hotels in Mexico City. If you’re looking to make the most of your time in the city, be sure to read my Mexico City travel guide and roundup of the top things to do!
1. Pujol
Chef Enrique Olvera is doing something special in this restaurant and has been for a long time. Pujol is not only an icon for Mexico City but is frequently rated as the best restaurant in all of Mexico. It’s a journey through indigenous ingredients, an ode to corn, and one place you’ll want to reserve far in advance. The menu here is a multiple-course tasting menu and the end of the meal is quite a surprise.
Address: Tennyson 133, Polanco, Polanco IV Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11550 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
2. Rosetta
What I love about Rosetta is that not only is the dining room beautiful (Instagram-worthy) but the food is incredible. Chef Elena Reygadas does something wonderful here, a focus on homemade pasta and pastries is the best way I can put it. Reserve this restaurant in Roma in advance and you’ll be happy to have a silky bowl of pasta mid-trip. I always call and reserve for the garden room (pictured above.)
Address: Colima 166, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
3. Contramar
Contramar is an institution for Mexico City and all things seafood. Order the tuna tostadas, the house drink, and the whole fish. It’s delicious, you may even eat there twice. I should have eaten here a few more times when exploring the Condesa neighborhood. It’s the perfect spot to come for a long brunch just like the locals do.
Address: Calle de Durango 200, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
4. Máximo Bistrot
It’s tough to put my finger on the kind of cuisine, I suppose French with local ingredients? It’s delicious either way, a cool mid-century space, and always packed. Maximo Bistrot has a wonderful tasting menu that is also a great deal if you’re looking for a coursed meal. This is one of the classics I like to recommend to everyone.
Address: Av. Álvaro Obregón 65 Bis, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
5. Dulce Patria
Inside Las Alcobas, one of the highest-rated restaurants in CDMX is Dulce Patria. It’s a fine-dining take on what their grandmothers have been bringing to the table for years. Bright ingredients, colorful plating, and a range of mole bread are the highlights.
Address: Anatole France 100, Polanco, Polanco III Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
6. Sud 777
Number 16 on the World’s 50 Best List is reason enough to book a table at Sud 777. Chef Edgar Nuñez trained at El Bulli and Noma and brought back with him an incredible take on Mexican cuisine. Think whimsical and playful dishes with an ode to ingredients from the source nearby.
Address: Blvrd de la Luz 777, Jardines del Pedregal, Álvaro Obregón, 01900 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
7. Diana Restaraunt
Yes, hotels have wonderful restaurants and St. Regis has one of the best in the city. Diana is a must on two accounts: genius food and one incredible view. It’s a modern take on traditional Mexican cuisine.
Address: Av. P.º de la Reforma 439, Cuauhtémoc, 06500 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
8. Quintonil
I came to Quintonil the first time I visited Mexico City and the prixe-fixe lunch blew my mind. A journey through Mexican cuisine with beautiful plating. If you can’t get a table at Pujol, this is the second-best restaurant in the city. You’ll love the soft shell crab and short rib here, it’s some of the best.
Address: Av. Isaac Newton 55, Polanco, Polanco IV Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
9. El Huequito
Al pastor tacos are El Huequito’s specialty. Most of these Mexico City restaurants are small food stands where you’ll grub down on tacos in a small bar. Multiple locations across CDMX and all amazing — my personal favorite is near Centro Historico.
Address: Ayuntamiento 21, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06050 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
10. Anatol
Inside Las Alcobas, Anatol is a win of a restaurant if you’re in Polanco. Their food is all homemade, be sure to order the margarita — may be the best I’ve had. Their housemade ice cream is also a hit.
Address: Av. Pdte. Masaryk 390, Polanco, Polanco III Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
11. Belmondo
Belmondo is the most artisanal of all sandwich shops yet. The crispy chicken comes highly recommended.
Address: Tabasco 109, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
12. El Cardenal
One of the most renowned restaurants in Mexico, El Cardenal celebrates Mexico’s rich culinary traditions. Come here for the traditional breakfast of “Chocolate Doña Olivia”, freshly baked bread, and thick creams before exploring the neighborhood or the lunch and dinner menu that offers exceptional homages to classic Mexican dishes.
Address: C. de la Palma 23, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
13. Lardo
Come to this outpost in Condesa that is all for Tuscan charcuterie. One innovative dish at Lardo is the green chilaquiles with burrata.
Address: Agustín Melgar 6, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, 06140 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
14. El Turix
Cochinita Pubil is the house favorite at El Turix and pretty much all they serve. One guy on the grill, slapping on a hefty portion of some fresh tortillas. Be sure to pile on the salsa too. *Cash Only*
Address: Av. Emilio Castelar 212, Polanco, Polanco III Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11540 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
15. Panadería Rosetta
Yes, a pastry shop is on the list. It had to be done, and Elena Reygadas of Rosetta does it again with Panadería Rosetta. This time with warm guava-filled, flaky, buttery pastries. Worth the wait, show up early in Roma Norte.
Address: Colima 179, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
16. Masala y Maíz
Masala y Maíz brings a beautiful combination of Indian and African influences and dedication to the culinary roots that link India and Mexico.
Address: Calle Marsella 72, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Juárez, CDMX, Mexico
17. Quesadillas Maria Isabel
Quesadillas Maria Isabel is a perfect hole in the wall in Polanco, where fried quesadillas are topped heavily in salsas.
Address: Av. Emilio Castelar 14 Local BCD CDMX, 11560 Talmas, CDMX, Mexico
18. Páramo
Páramo is only open at night and often referred to as a hipster taqueria. Either way, delicious.
Address: Av. Yucatan 84, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
19. Niddo
In the heart of the Juarez neighborhood, Niddo is all about European food with a Mexican twist.
Address: Dresde 2, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
20. Amaya
It’s hard to categorize but one could describe Amaya as great modern Mexican cuisine. It’s highly known for its wine list that features natural wines.
Address: Calle Gral. Prim 95, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
21. Maizajo
What was created to research corn from communities, Maizajo opened their latest location over in La Condesa. It’s known for its taqueria-style restaurant with a wonderful open-air terrace that is always packed. Some of the best tacos are filled with rib-eye or longaniza, and don’t skip on the drinks here. You can find a more formal menu on the weekends as well.
Address:Fernando Montes de Oca 113, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, 06140 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
22. Pasillo de Humo
If you make your way to Mercado Parian, head upstairs to the restaurant, Pasillo de Humo. This is for the carnivores — a menu focused on traditional dishes like flatbread tlayudas with grilled beef. Don’t miss some of their moles and small plates as well.
Address:Av Nuevo León 107, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
23. El Pescadito
This is one of the best cheap eats in the Condesa, think all things seafood. Come for $2 tacos filled with crispy shrimp, fried fish, and no shortage of beer to pair with it. It’s the spot for a fast eat, but seriously delicious. And don’t skip on those toppings — every salsa you could imagine and it’s never complete without a pickled red onion.
Address: C. Atlixco 38, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, 06140 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
24. Botánico
The newest restaurant from chef Alejandra Navarro (from Quintonil), brings new flavors to the fine dining options. The outdoor terrace is lush, and a quiet hideaway from the city in an art deco mansion. The seasonal plates that come with the rotating menu are known for dishes like oyster platters and her pork Milanese.
Address:Alfonso Reyes 217, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
25. Ostrería 109
As a seafood-forward wine bar focusing on oysters, you can’t miss a night out here. Small plates meet craft co*cktails, in a very chic and stunning space. One of their stand-out dishes? Green clam chowder with seared tuna.
Address:Av Nuevo León 109, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
26. La Tachinomi Desu
For those looking for a Japanese restaurant and bar, don’t skip this hole-in-the-wall spot. It’s a wonderful standing-room-only spot, that features a rotating menu of fresh eats. And at times, they even have new chefs take over their menu. It’s a hip spot and a newcomer to the Mexico City food scene.
Address:Río Pánuco 132-1a, Cuauhtémoc, 06500 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
27. Galanga
For a taste of Thai cuisine, head to Galanga for some serious eats. Don’t miss their iconic entrees like the khao soi or their fried chicken wings. Their outdoor terrace is adorned with bamboo, and makes for a stunning setting.
Address:Monterrey 204, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
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1. Book Your Flights
Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.
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Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
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Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Car
Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.
5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access
Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
