If you’re planning a trip to Mexico City, get your stretchiest pants ready because you’re in for a gastronomic treat! CDMX is an amazing place for any food lover—and even if you have a dietary restriction, know there is something for everyone. I promise there is so much more to eat than tacos, so without further ado, here is my guide on where to eat in Mexico City! (Last updated October 20, 2022.)
QUICK LINKS: Best Restaurants | Best Tacos | Best Breakfasts | Best Markets | Best Bakeries & Sweets | Best for Vegans | Best Bars | Best Coffee
Best Restaurants
Expendio de Maiz ($$)
This place needs to be on everyone’s list! There’s no set menu, and the dishes they serve will change daily because it’s all based on what they find during that morning’s market run. Because of this, they are able to be very accommodating to food allergies and preferences.
Each dish is 85-100 pesos ($4-5 US dollars), and they will keep bringing out plate after plate until you tell them you’re full. With only 4 tables and no reservations, expect at least a 1-hour wait—WORTH IT—unless you go very early in the day. Cash only!
Contramar ($$$)
This upscale seafood spot in Roma Norte is not to be missed. Order the tuna tostadas (tostadas atún), the signature fish dish (pescado a la talla) and green shrimp aguachile (aguachile verde de camarón); you’ll thank me later! Every dish is sharable, so if you go with a group, the more things on the menu you can try.
You will need a reservation, but if you’re not able to get a table or the walk-up wait time is too long, head over to their sister restaurant Etremar in Polanco—it’s the same menu and much easier to get a table! Entremar might also be able to accommodate big groups, too, because they have a fantastic rooftop dining area.
Rosetta ($$$)
Who knew one of my favorite Italian restaurants would be found in Mexico? Not only was the ambiance beautiful, but the fresh bread and fresh pasta was, shall we say, *chef’s kiss*. I ordered the waygu steak tartare al pastor starter and the pappardelle pasta with chicken liver and sage, and it was the perfect meal. Reservations are highly recommended as this is one of the more popular restaurants in CDMX! If you are solo or a group of 2, you have a decent chance of getting a table as a walk-in if you go right at 6:30pm when dinner service begins.
Ojo de Agua ($$)
When you’re craving something healthy after consuming a multitude of tacos, I urge to you come here. They have an extensive breakfast and lunch menu and delicious coffee, juices and smoothie options. Everything I tried was delicious, so no matter what you order you’ll be happy. Notable favorites of mine were the Pesto Bowl and their “Post Workout” and “Recovery” smoothies (súper jugos).
They have several locations around CDMX, but their Roma Norte location was absolutely dreamy. Lush plants were everywhere, the tables were spread out, and the WiFi was perfect for working remotely and Zoom calls.
Choza ($$)
This Asian-fusion restaurant is basically like a speak-easy but without the password. You won’t find it on Google or Google Maps, and the only way people know about it is through word of mouth and Instagram. Once you arrive to the right door, ring the doorbell off to the side and someone will let you in. Though the drink menu was a bit lacking, the food was good—but I will personally say I’m not sure it was worth the hour I waited. The friend I went with, though, really loves this place so if you have the time, go and form your own opinion! If nothing else, wouldn’t you want to say you ate at a secret-ish restaurant? 😉
Open Saturday-Sunday from 3-9pm and Monday from 7pm-1am. No reservations, just ring that doorbell and be prepared to wait! The address is Monterrey 194 in Roma Norte.
Santo Hand Roll Bar ($$$)
If you’ve ever dined at Kazu Nori or Sugarfish in LA or NYC and you have a craving for that quality of hand rolls when in CDMX, Santo is the place to go! They have set menus for both hand rolls and nigiri, but I will say that no matter what you order, you must try the Hamachi Negi & Truffle hand roll! It was divine.
El Lago Restaurante ($$$)
A high-end Mexican restaurant tucked away in Bosque de Chapultepec (a park more than twice the size of Central Park), you’ll have fantastic views of a lake no matter where you sit. While on the pricier side, the food, ambiance, view and service was worth the splurge. I was enchanted by every bit of this place, right down to the bathrooms (I’m not kidding lol) and the wine list, which was on an interactive iPad app.
As for what to order, if you come at the right time of year (August/September), you can enjoy Chile en Nogada, a traditional dish served in many Mexican restaurants in commemoration of Mexican Independence Day. Otherwise, I recommend their duck dish with mole! Also, you cannot miss the chance to try their guacamole con chapulines. Be adventurous, I dare you! The guac was excellent and the grasshoppers added a nice crunchy texture. Mind over matter. 🙂
Pujol ($$$$)
You’ve likely heard of this restaurant if you’ve watched Chef’s Table on Netflix, and it currently ranks #5 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. They offer a 7-course seasonal tasting menu and a 9-course omakase taco menu, and while I’ve only tried the tasting menu, I hear the taco tasting is actually better. Both menus have a mix vegetables and seafood, and includes their signature mole madre—aged for 2,564 days on the date I went.
This fine dining experience is certainly a splurge and will run you $180+ for the 7-course tasting menu and drinks. Reservations are absolutely required and they book out months in advance, so the moment you book your flight to Mexico City I suggest you also make a reservation here if it’s on your list.
Quintonil ($$$$)
Also on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, Quintonil comes in at #9. They have a 9-course seasonal tasting menu with an optional wine pairing, as well as à la carte options, too, for the less hungry—but you should definitely come hungry! Their menu included a mix of vegetables, seafood and meat, and I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday dinner here.
This tasting menu will run you around $150 and if you want to add on a wine pairing, it’s an additional $100. Otherwise, for one person with cocktails instead of the wine pairing, the meal will cost around $180 or so. Reservations are a must, but easier to get than Pujol.
If you’re torn between making a tasting menu reservation at Pujol or Quintonil, I personally would go with Quintonil. It’s less over-hyped, and I liked that it had a well-rounded meal of meat, seafood and veggies (as opposed to just seafood and veggies at Pujol).
Taverna ($$$)
A delightful combination of Mediterranean cuisine and local ingredients in a beautiful, rustic space. I highly recommend the ‘Arroz Caldoso’ with seafood and the wild boar ribs/smoked apple purée. Reservations required!
Other honorable mentions:
- Pasillo de Humo ($$) – Authentic Oaxacan food! Go here if you don’t have time to visit Oaxaca, and try any of the mole dishes.
- Mercardo Roma ($$) – A trendy spot with lots of different food vendors. From vegan eats to an outdoor beer garden, you’re sure to find something that will appeal to your every craving. You must try the bone marrow tacos at Trending Tacos.
- Gin Chan ($$) – Omakase menus starting at $30, are you kidding me?! Yes, the fish is fresh. Run, don’t walk, people!
- Yakumanka ($$) – Go here for some bomb Peruvian food, but go earlier in the day because the most popular dishes sell out.
- Comedor de los Milagros ($$) – A trendy food court of sorts with a variety of Latin American food vendors serving country-specific classics. Bonus: They had live music when I went on a weekend, and they have photo walls for your Instagramming pleasure.
- Madre Café ($$) – An Instagram-worthy spot with a menu, cocktails and quality service to match. This place is always busy so make a reservation.
Best Tacos
Tacos Los Juanes
A local favorite in Roma Norte, this taco stand is not to be missed. Their tacos are 10 pesos each (that’s 50 cents in US dollars!) and you can be completely full after only spending a whopping $3. In my opinion, the best tacos on the menu were the al pastors and suadero. Cash only.
El Vilsito
Another local favorite, this late-night hotspot is a short Uber ride away from the city center. Situated in the Navarte neighborhood and absolutely worth the trek, El Vilsito actually operates as a car mechanic’s garage by day, and a taqueria by night! Known for their al pastors, they have THREE trompos, and is great for people-watching while enjoying your tacos. It’s also the perfect spot to come after drinks, because they’re open until 3am on most nights and 5am on Saturday’s!
Tacos “El Gato Volador”
Nestled in the middle of a whole group of street taco vendors in Roma Norte, look for the “flying cat” on the sign! This spot is the best one of the bunch, and every time I go there are tons of locals swarming the booth. My personal favorite are the tacos campechanos, and I love adding their potatoes on top! Cash only.
El Tizoncito
This sit-down establishment has several locations around CDMX and is where I like taking friends on their first day in town. They always want tacos but are scared of jumping straight into street food, so this is a great spot to meet both requirements! I’m a huge fan of chips and guac, and they had the best guac out of all that I tried around the city! (They don’t try to overcomplicate it; it was guacamole with just the right amount of salt, and the chips have the perfect crunch.)
Cariñito Tacos
This is a new-ish spot in Roma (opened in late Spring 2021) and serves Asian-inspired pork belly tacos. There are only 4 options on the menu—each is seasoned with sophisticated flavors from either China, Isan, Thailand or Laos. I tried the Cantonese option and the meat was delightfully crispy and came topped with pickled cucumbers, sesame seed, hoisin sauce and homemade sriracha. Between my friends and I, we tried every option on the menu and everyone was smiling at the end. While Cariñito isn’t cheap compared to other taco spots around the city (each taco is $2.50), the unique flavors justified the price for me. I definitely will be making a point to go back here during my next visit to Mexico City!
La Esquina Del Chilaquil
While this street food stand doesn’t serve tacos, it definitely deserves to be mentioned here! This is the place to go for the best breakfast tortas. Only open from 8am-12pm, this Condesa gem is a local favorite with lines almost always down the block. The tortas are filled with chilaquiles, milanesa (fried chicken), black beans, crema and cheese, and the only real choice you’ll have to make is if you want the red sauce (rojo) or green sauce (verde). A torta will run you 55 pesos ($2.75) and is plenty big enough to fill one person’s belly for hours. Cash only.
Side note: As someone who is dairy-free, I can attest that the torta without the cream and cheese is still delicious!
Other honorable mentions:
- Los Cocuyos – This is a great spot to get adventurous. Try the suadero, ojo (eye, but it’s actually the meat around the eye) and lengua (tongue)!
- Los Especiales – This place specializes in basket tacos, and at 8 pesos each (40 cents USD), they will be the cheapest tacos you’ll eat in Mexico City. There are 4 flavors to choose from: pork rinds with green sauce, pork rinds with adobo, beans and potato. Go early in the day if possible, as long lines deplete their offerings and salsa stash by nightfall! (I sadly learned this the hard way.)
- El Pez Azul – When you’re craving fish tacos, this is the place to visit.
Worried about getting sick from the food and water in Mexico City? Read my tips on how to keep your stomach happy!
Best Breakfast
Lalo! ($$)
A popular breakfast/brunch spot with great service. Their pancakes are amazingly fluffy and sweet, but best to order them when you have a friend to share them with. (Pro tip: order the pancakes with a savory dish so you have a nice balance.) There’s always a line, so go early as there are no reservations.
Eno ($$)
There are several locations around the city, and I always have a solid meal here. I love their avocado toast and friends say their chilaquiles are really good, too.
Lardo ($$)
An amazing spot for pastry and egg-lovers! Their scrambled eggs are out of this world. Reservations are highly required, but you can get a table if you’re willing to wait.
Best Markets
I’ll be honest: after going to 2 markets, they all started to look the same, but that didn’t mean I wanted to stop exploring them all. Each one had its own charm and variety of different food stalls, so if you have the time, try to visit as many as you can! I loved seeing the local culture, all the fresh produce and people-watching from various food stalls.
- Mercardo de Coyoacán – My personal favorite market. I always make it a point to eat at Quesadillas Lucha when I’m there.
- Mercardo San Ángel
- Mercardo Medellín – Great selection of fresh produce, food, various ingredients (including an Asian booth!) and lots of flowers and plants.
- Mercardo San Juan – While I haven’t gone here yet, it’s on my list. It’s the only market in the city that specializes in gourmet and exotic foods (aka insects), and I’m highly intrigued.
Best Bakeries & Sweets
El Moro
Established in 1935, this churrería is truly an establishment of Mexico City! A single churro here costs 9 pesos (45 cents), and they have dipping sauces, churro ice cream sandwiches, coffee, and more on the menu. And if you are dairy-free like me, you’ll be delighted to know that the churros are actually vegan! With many locations across town, you might just find yourself at one every day of your trip.
Panadería Rosetta
The sister bakery to Restaurant Rosetta that I spoke of early-on in this post, this place is another local favorite. They have many types of fresh bread, as well as pastries, scones, muffins, cookies, sandwiches, coffee—you name it, and they’ve probably got it. Not to mention, they even have vegan and gluten-free options, too! With 3 locations in CDMX, it’s a wonderful place to enjoy a sit-down breakfast or grab a coffee, favorite bread or pastry to-go.
Pan Gabriel
This bakery only makes organic, vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free bread and sweet treats! As anyone with a dietary restriction knows, it can be really hard to find good vegan pastries, let alone good gluten-free pastries, so discovering this place was a real win. They had so many different options that I felt like a kid in a candy store! A must-visit if you’re in the Condesa or Coyoacán neighborhoods.
Best Vegan Restaurants
Before coming to Mexico City, I had concerns that I wouldn’t have many food options because of my dairy allergy. After all, the Mexican food I knew always had milk and/or cheese in it. But to my delight, I learned tacos and quesadillas in CDMX do not come with cheese unless you for it, and not only were most restaurants able to accommodate my food allergy, there were many vegan restaurants to choose from!
Plantasia ($$)
This contemporary Asian plant-based restaurant was not only one of the lushest, most dreamiest spots in Roma Norte in terms of ambiance and decor, but the food was also amazing! The menu has a great mix—from sweet and savory breakfast options, to soup, noodle dishes and sushi rolls for lunch and dinner, you can expect to walk away very happy from this place. I went here twice; once for breakfast and once for lunch, and I can’t wait to go back again!
Gracias Madre ($)
This was actually my very first food stop I made once I landed in Mexico City! A surprise find just a couple blocks from my Airbnb in Roma Norte, I considered myself so lucky to have this gem so close by. I don’t know how they did it, but their soy-based al pastor taco was simply perfect and tasted exactly like meat. My suggestion is to pay extra to add vegan cheese to your tacos; it melted beautifully and made the tacos taste extra special.
Other vegan spots still on my list to try:
Some helpful words if you’re vegan or dairy-free:
Vegano – Vegan
Sin lácteos – Dairy free
Sin queso / leche / crema – Without cheese / milk / cream
Best Bars
Supra Roma Rooftop
A very trendy rooftop bar in Roma Norte to spend an evening! Get there with time to enjoy the sunset over cocktails and dinner, then let the DJ’s house music take you into the night. Great for groups! Reservations are highly recommended as walk-in’s are often turned away.
LA NUCLEAR and Pulquería La Panana
If you’ve never heard of or tried pulque (pol-KAY) before, you should add one of these places to your list. It’s a cloudy-white alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of the maguey plant, and with only 4-6% alcohol content, it would take a lot to get drunk, FYI. I personally am not a fan of tequila or mezcal (I know, how did I not get kicked out of Mexico?) but I enjoyed pulque a lot. LA NUCLEAR is in Roma and Pulquería La Panana is in Centro—and right below a pulque museum if you want to learn more about this pre-Hispanic drink!
Bar Las Brujas
This small bar is on the bottom level of a historic building in Roma Norte known to locals as La Casa de las Brujas (The House of the Witches). Because of this, they themed their cocktails after powerful women who have been deemed as witches, and all the bartenders are female. I really loved the atmosphere, drinks and service here!
Licorería Limantour
With locations in Roma Norte and Polanco, this is the perfect place to start or end your evening. Their drink menu is extensive, and they also serve food. Currently ranked #4 on The World’s 50 Best Bars list, reservations are definitely recommended, though my group has gotten lucky multiple times and were able to be seated after just a short wait.
Baltra Bar
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Condesa, this bar ranks #32 on The World’s 50 Best Bars list! They have great cocktails, but arguably even better martinis. Pro tip: if you go on Tuesdays (known as Martini Martes), you can get a classic martini for 100 pesos each ($5 USD)! Reservations recommended for Tuesday nights.
Speakeasys in CDMX:
- Handshake Speakeasy – Currently ranks #11 on The World’s 50 Best Bars list
- Hanky Panky – Currently ranks #13 on The World’s 50 Best Bars list
- Xaman Bar – The only speakeasy I’ve gone to in CDMX so far, but I loved the drinks and vibes here!
Best Coffee
Buna
Though I’m not a coffee drinker, I had to mention this place. I have friends that say Buna serves the best coffee in all of Mexico City, and after trying a sip of their drink, I can safely say I see why they feel this way. I learned Buna’s coffee beans come from Oaxaca, a region in Mexico known for their coffee farms, so it all makes sense! I enjoyed their hot chocolate here (made with Oaxacan chocolate and water instead of milk—con agua, sin leche) and bought coffee beans as souvenirs for my coffee-loving family members back home.
And there you have it, my guide to a full and happy stomach in Mexico City! Did I miss any of your favorites? Leave a comment with your own CDMX food recs or with the restaurant(s) you’re most excited to try.
Still want more recs? While this post highlighted my favorites food and drink spots, check out my Google Map for a full list of recommendations. A good handful are still on my “Need To Try” list, so not all are tried and true by yours truly—yet! Here’s a rundown of my color coding for the “Eats” section:
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