Must-see restaurants in Mexico City

  • Pujol

    Polanco & Bosque de Chapultepec

    Arguably Mexico’s best gourmet restaurant, Pujol offers a contemporary take on classic Mexican dishes in a stylish and modern, Mexican-designed setting…

  • Quintonil

    Polanco & Bosque de Chapultepec

    This contemporary innovator consistently makes the Top 50 Restaurants in the World list – #11 in 2018 – for creatively showcasing traditional Mexican…

  • Taquería Orinoco

    Condesa

    For a taste of the north, head to this excellent Monterrey-style taco restaurant. It's buzzing with hip locals after a night out but a queue forms by even…

  • 500px Photo ID: 103772725 - two authentic mexican tacos with barbacoa and carnitas on slate table top

    El Hidalguense

    Roma

    Slow-cooked over aged oak wood in an underground pit, the Hidalgo-style barbacoa at this family-run eatery is off-the-charts delicious. Get things started…

  • Los Danzantes

    Coyoacán & San Ángel

    Los Danzantes puts a contemporary spin on traditional Mexican cuisine with dishes such as huitlacoche (trufflelike corn fungus) raviolis in poblana …

  • Páramo

    Roma

    Named after Mexican novel Pedro Páramo about a ghost town, this jam-packed, sprawling restaurant–bar feels more like a house party. Tacos like the huasca…

  • Maximo Bistrot

    Roma

    If there's one place that best represents Mexico City's exciting new culinary scene, it's Maximo Bistrot. The constantly changing menu, which draws on…

  • Expendio de Maíz

    Roma

    An unmissable, unique experience. No menu, no official name (except the 'corn dealer' description), just a relaxed, communal table with food straight from…

  • El Cardenal

    Centro Histórico

    Possibly the finest place in town for a traditional meal, El Cardenal occupies three floors of a Parisian-style mansion and has a pianist playing sweetly…

  • Sin Nombre

    Alameda Central

    Too good to keep hidden, the 'No Name' restaurant, next to mezcalaría Bósfaro, prepares handcrafted Mexican, slow-food dishes such as conejo encacahuatado…

  • Hostería de Santo Domingo

    Centro Histórico

    Whipping up classic Mexican fare since 1860, Mexico City's oldest restaurant has a festive atmosphere, enhanced by live piano music. The menu offers…

  • Los Cocuyos

    Centro Histórico

    Suadero (beef) tacos abound in the capital, but this always-open stand reigns supreme. Follow your nose to the bubbling vat of meats and go for the artery…

  • Tamales Madre

    Zona Rosa & Reforma

    This is tamales heaven, especially for vegetarians. Cyclists blaring 'tamales!' from speakers on CDMX's streets sell lard-based tamales that are stingy on…

  • Contramar

    Condesa

    Seafood is the star attraction at this stylish dining hall with a seaside ambience and impeccable service. The specialty is tuna fillet Contramar-style –…

  • Café NiN

    Zona Rosa & Reforma

    This golden cafe-restaurant looks plucked from belle epoque Paris with glorious patisserie and bakery treats as part of the Rosetta Panadería empire. The…

  • Lardo

    Condesa

    It always seems sunny in this convivial stylish bistro, which takes Mexican flavors and matches them with European freshness. Part of the Rosetta…

  • Galanga Thai Kitchen

    Roma

    Serving up classics like tom yum (hot and sour soup), gai satay (skewered chicken in peanut sauce) and pad thai (noodles in tamarind sauce), Galanga does…

  • Santana del Mar

    Coyoacán & San Ángel

    The best-value seafood restaurant in CDMX appears pricey with a designer, nautical-themed dining hall roomy enough for groups to linger. For the price, it…

  • Terraza Cha Cha Chá

    Alameda Central

    As festive as it sounds, a margarita and tuna tostada (large crispy tortilla) on the terrace overlooking the Monumento a la Revolución is a real fiesta…

  • El Huequito

    Alameda Central

    These old pros have been churning out delectable tacos al pastor (marinated pork roasted on a spit) since 1959, thus the higher than average asking price…

  • Barbacoa Renatos

    Mexico City

    In the seldom-visited working-class neighborhood of Azcapotzalco, Renatos has been quietly preparing some of the best barbacoa (lamb) in Mexico City for…

  • Taquitos Frontera

    Roma

    While you may be drawn by the huge pastor roasting outside, you should stay for the sizzling plates of alambres (tasty mixes of grilled fish, meat,…

  • Burger Bar Joint

    Roma

    For gourmet burgers and cheap craft beer, head to this sports bar along Roma's main drag. Choose from juicy beef burgers, vegan tofu and oat burgers, and…

  • Corazón de Maguey

    Coyoacán & San Ángel

    Adorned with old glass jugs used for transporting booze, this attractive restaurant does traditional Mexican fare that's typically prepared in mezcal…

  • San Ángel Inn

    Coyoacán & San Ángel

    Classic Mexican meals are served in the garden and various elegant dining rooms of this historic estate opposite the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y…

  • Azul Histórico

    Centro Histórico

    Chef Ricardo Muñoz reinvents traditional Mexican recipes such as pescado tikin xic (a grouper dish from the Yucatán with plantain and tortilla strips)…

  • Mythos Estiatorio

    Polanco & Bosque de Chapultepec

    For a taste of Greece in downtown Mexico City, this upscale restaurant is your best option. The most popular menu items are grilled meats and seafood such…

  • Tacos Álvaro Obregón

    Roma

    The tacos al pastor (spit-roasted marinated pork) at this brightly lit taco restaurant come very close to being the best in the city. The meat is juicy…

  • Broka Bistrot

    Roma

    Set in a stylish hidden patio, Broka serves delectable Euro-Mexican fusion dishes such as a fish and nopal stack with blue-corn tortillas. The weekday…

  • Agapi Mu

    Condesa

    Casual yet classy, this is one of the best Greek restaurants in the city. You’ll find all the classics such as moussaka, spanakopita and souvlaki on the…

  • Merkava

    Condesa

    If you get a hankering for authentic Israeli food while in Mexico City, head to Merkava. Be sure to try the hummus; it’s always packed with flavor and…

  • Ficelle Boulangerie Patisserie

    Condesa

    For an afternoon pick-me-up, grab a coffee and a pastry from this French-style bakery. Choose from a selection of pastelitos (little pastries) so you can…

  • Nonsolo

    Roma

    Roma residents head here for late-night pizza, midday wine offers and huge portions of pasta. There's a brick pizza oven, cheap beer, and plenty of…

  • El Rey del Suadero

    Polanco & Bosque de Chapultepec

    A one-stop chomp to try two of Mexico City's most iconic tacos: suadero (beef) and al pastor (spit-cooked marinated pork). Suadero tacos can be combined…

  • Sud 777

    Ciudad Universitaria & Tlalpan

    If you find yourself on the city's south side, don't miss the contemporary Mexican cuisine of Edgar Nuñez, one of the capital's top chefs. Signature…

  • Pasillo de Humo

    Condesa

    If you can't make it to culinary capital Oaxaca, here's your chance to delve into authentic traditional cuisine from the region. You might try the sopa…

  • Lalo!

    Roma

    A popular breakfast spot in the trendy Roma neighborhood, Lalo refers to the nickname of owner and acclaimed chef Eduardo Garcia of Maximo Bistrot Local…

  • El Rey de las Ahogadas

    Mexico City

    Deep-fried rolled tacos, aka flautas, are filled with your choice of refried beans, cheese, shredded beef, chicken, potato or marinated pork. They're…

  • Fonda Fina

    Condesa

    The fonda concept of ordering a three-course meal off a set menu does not apply here; instead you select a main with your choice of sauce and side dish…

  • La Abuela

    Zona Rosa & Reforma

    There's certainly no shortage of tacos de canasta (steamed tacos in a basket) in Mexico City, but La Abuela has been doing it for three decades – and it…