50 Best Restaurants in Mexico City

Mexican restaurants in Mexico City

Here are some of the best places to eat for quality Mexican food…

Rosetta Restaurant (Roma Norte) – high-end budget

One of the first restaurants to receive a Michellin star when they were introduced to Mexico in 2024, Rosetta is the brainchild of Elena Reygada, recently voted the world’s top female chef.

Her restaurant on Colima in Roma Norte is known for its elevated cuisine with sustainable, seasonal ingredients. While the menu changes, you can expect Mexican-Italian classics including pasta, meat, and fish dishes with exquisite, creative sauces. Main dishes start from 500 pesos.

Book via the website for parties larger than four, or chance a walk in (arrive early at 1pm or 6pm) for small groups.

Can’t get a table or feel it’s out of budget? Have a drink and dessert at Salón Rosetta instead, one of the top cocktail bars in CDMX located above the restaurant. Also, across the street is Panaderia Rosetta serving delectable pastries including the star: guava ricotta rolls.

Opening times: 1pm-5.30pm and 6.30pm-11pm. Closed Sundays.

Máximo Bistrot (Roma Norte) – high end budget

Chef, Eduardo García, and restaurateur Gabriela López, are the dream team behind Máximo Bistrot known for using Mexican ingredients, French culinary style, and their atmospheric, open-plan restaurant.

Dishes on the menu include wood-grilled quail with sweet potato and yellow wine jus, and pappardelle with oxtail beef ragout and parmesan.

Opt for tasting menu for 3,500 pesos ($190) including a wine pairing for 5,350 ($290). Individual main dishes start from 300 pesos ($30).

Opening times: 1-10pm daily (11pm on Saturdays). Closed Sundays.

Read next: all the best Roma Norte restaurants

Fonda Fina (Roma Norte) – mid-range budget

Another place that will never let you down for tasty, slightly upscale Mexican food is Fonda Fina in Roma Norte near the Fuente de Cibeles statue.

Classics on the menu include the octopus, pork belly sopes (round, corn patties), beetroot and hibiscus carpaccio, and arrachera steak.

They have a lovely range of locally-inspired cocktails like the mezcal negroni and pepino (cucumber) infusion. It’s a cozy, atmospheric restaurant with a great vibe and impressive food presentation.

Expect to pay around $15 for a main dish; worth it for such high quality!

Opening times: 1pm-10pm daily (11pm from Thurs-Sat), closed Sundays.

Quintonil (Polanco) – high-end budget

One of two restaurants in CDMX with not one but TWO Michellin stars (the other being Pujol)is Quintonil.

Stone crab, lobster stew, pibil duck tamale, and coconut and cactus paddle sorbet are all on the menu. The only thing that can rival the unique, creative flavors is the exquisite presentation.

As to be expected given its credentials, it’s one of the most expensive places to eat in CDMX with the tasting menu priced at 5,000 pesos (almost $300) before drinks; add another to 2-3,000 to include drink pairings.

Reserve a table via the website.

Opening times: 1pm-12am, Tues-Sat.

Esquina Commun (Condesa) – mid-range budget

This speakeasy-style restaurant in CDMX is an absolute gem and a popular choice for a reason!

Visiting Esquina Commun was one of the most memorable foodie experiences of my year. Opt for the small-plate menu and, if you eat everything, order all six between two people (this was easily enough food but we didn’t feel uncomfortably stuffed).

We tried dishes including burrata and squash tostadas, rib-eye steak with pear and peach mole, and miso banana blondie. However, the menu is ever-changing to accommodate fresh produce, so I can’t promise what you’ll try – but I have a sneaking suspicion it’ll be delicious!

Booking is essential via their Instagram. Expect to pay around 1,000 pesos per person ($55) including a soft drink.

Opening times: 1pm-10pm from Fri-Sun; 4pm-10pm on Thurs.

Pujol (Polanco) – high-end budget

Easily the most famous restaurant in CDMX is Pujol by Enrique Olvera, now the proud owner of two Michellin stars.

Pujol is famous for their 3,650-day-old mole (at the time of writing, obviously it gets older each day) served from a pot that’s been continuously cooking and enhancing the flavor.

Since Olvera has become a regular on Netflix food shows set in Mexico, prices have crept up, and some reviews say the $200 tasting menu (before drinks and tip) is not worth it. However, it’s a real experience: the restaurant’s vibe is understated elegance, akin to the home of a millionaire.

Real foodies will want to find out for themselves!

Opening times: 1pm-9.30pm, closed Sun. Reserve a table on their website.

Azul Historico (Centro) – mid-range budget

For an authentic meal in the Historic Center of CDMX, I highly recommend Azul Historico after a busy day sightseeing.

The menu tells you which state the dishes originate from, for example Puebla, Oaxaca or the State of Mexico. Try the mole poblano, chile en nogada (classic dishes from Puebla), tacos, enchiladas, and more. Begin with the tortilla soup, served in a La Catrina-shaped bowl.

It’s also a good place to eat breakfast with classics like chilaquiles and omelets (including vegetarian options like flor de calabaza). It’s affordable yet the restaurant ambiance is lovely.

There’s also an Azul Restaurant in Condesa but I’ve personally not been yet.

Opening times: 9am-10.30pm.

Taco restaurants in CDMX

A topic I have researched hard and tirelessly, friends! Many of the taco joints are more like street food, however here are a few places you can at least sit down…

Taqueria Orinoco (Roma and Condesa)

I can’t not mention this place because it’s so famous, but I’m sure any Chilangos reading will think I’m just another gringa hyping the ultimate (over?)hyped restaurant.

Taqueria Orinoco is a late-night spot with several branches, all of them as packed and busy as each other, with lines down the street every night. I can’t decide if it’s overhyped or not because, on the one hand, it IS pricey compared to other taquerias…

On the other hand, the al pastor and crispy potatoes are delicious, and I have tried a LOT by now. Order one of each taco (pastor, chicharon, and res) to get a free serving of smashed potatoes. I don’t know how they’re so good, but they are!

Opening times depend on the location but most open at 1pm and the central branches stay open ’til 3am week nights and 5.30am on weekends!

El Vilsito (Navarte)

This is a quirky and iconic spot (also featured on the Netflix Taco Chronicles show) inside a car garage that transforms into a taqueria around 7pm and stays open ’til the small hours.

 El Vilsito serves some of the best al pastor tacos in town, and I would know after making it my life’s mission to track them down! It’s in the Navarte neighborhood which isn’t far from Roma/Condesa by taxi or bus.

El Pescadito (multiple branches)

Two words: fish tacos!

Chose from a variety of fish and shrimp options, and opt to include a cheese-stuffed chili pepper in your taco! Well, why not?

The best bit might be the salad bar where you can dress your tacos with every type of side and salsa imaginable. These taquerias are everywhere: check the location list.

Opening times: check the branch but usually 11am to 6pm or 8pm.

Read next: 44 best taco places in Mexico City

Seafood restaurants in CDMX

You might not have high expectations given how far Mexico City is from the sea, however I can assure you there’s fantastic seafood here. After all, Mexico is the country that invented fish tacos… meaning you can trust them!

If you love seafood, Contramar should be top of your list. Mentioned by the Michelin guide, the World’s 50 Best publication, and featuring on Eva Longoria’s culinary show, there’s no shortage of people who agree.

Having dined here multiple times, I can say the best dish is the pescado a la talla: a whole fish coated in red and green adobo made from chili and parsley, representing the Mexican flag. Ceviches and tostadas are also on the menu, but there’s no bigger highlight for me than the fig mascarpone tart, easily of my favorite desserts in CDMX.

To get a table, I recommend calling or emailing (find the details on their website) or chancing a walk-in. I once visited in the morning and put my name on a list which resulted in me successfully getting a table later in the day.

Opening times: midday-8pm.

Mi Compa Chava Marisquería (Roma Norte)

This is a very famous restaurant that – due to the queuing situation – I haven’t made it to yet. Mi Compa Chava Marisquería in Roma Norte is known for its seafood, in particular Insta-worthy aguachile towers. The oysters also get a mention.

Get in line at 1pm and hope to bag a table!

Opening times: midday-8pm (closed Mon).

Known for its famous seafood towers and shrimp seasoned in a bag, Playa De Sinaloa (with restaurants in Roma Sur and Norte) is a messy but fun and casual place to dine.

I’ll be honest, it’s not as good as the seafood restaurants mentioned above but since getting a table can be tricky at Contramar and Mi Compa Chava, it’s an ideal place for a quick, no-fuss dinner when craving seafood.

Opening times: midday-9pm.

El Corazon del Mar (Napoles & R Norte)

This is another fantastic seafood restaurant with two branches, the original in the Napoles neighborhood and a newer one in Roma Norte. The menu at El Corazon del Mar comprises tacos, burritos, aguachiles, ceviches, tostadas, and soup, as well as fish, octopus, and shrimp served in various creative ways.

Expect tasty cocktails, carajillos, and desserts, too.

Opening times: midday-10pm (11pm Thurs-Sun).

Oaxacan restaurants in Mexico City

Oaxaca is easily one of the best foodie regions of Mexico so, if you’re looking for delicious food in CDMX, it’s never a bad idea!

Agua Santa Tropical (Escandon)

I love Agua Santa Tropical because it’s cheap, there are great veggie options (as well as meat and fish), and drink deals. Last time, mezcal cocktails with jamaica (hibiscus) and romero (rosemary) were the daily special for just 80 pesos.

There are 10+ tacos to choose from (gobernador shrimp is my favorite), plus tlayudas AKA crispy ‘Oaxacan pizzas’ topped with cheese, meat, and vegetables.

Sharing three dishes with a friend including a cocktail each cost just 280 pesos ($15) each. It’s a funky, outdoor restaurant with cool decor and fun music that gets people dancing later in the night.

It’s a lovely hidden gem on the edge of the Escandon neighborhood.

Opening times: 2pm-11pm (unitil midnight Fri & Sat), closed Mon.

Vegetarian restaurants in Mexico City 

Most of the veggie restaurants are in Roma Norte, the unofficial headquarters of anything plant-based. Some of my faves are…

La Pithaya (Roma Norte)

Vibrant pink tacos create the eye-catching aesthetic at La Pitahaya. But it’s not style over substance: the creative menu and usual taco toppings are well worth trying.

Pictured above is the vegan mole dish with pink tortillas, rice, and purple cabbage. My only complant is the prices are a little inflated at 225 pesos ($12) for three tacos, and I wasn’t stuffed afterwards.

Opening times: 2-9pm, closed Tuesdays.

Na Tlali (San Angel)

The fresh ingredients, creative menu, and thoughtful details set Na Tlali apart. The theme is Oaxacan and Veracruzian cuisine, inspired by the chef’s desire to enjoy her home state’s food without meat. 

It’s great for any type of meal, with breakfast highlights including the unusual chilaquiles toppings, and lunch and dinner options like three-mole enchiladas and soy watermelon ‘tuna’ tostadas. 

The only downside of Na Tlali is that it’s far from the center in the pleasant San Angel neighborhood. Time it around a trip to the idyllic Sabado (Saturday) Market and I promise it’ll be one of your favorite days out in CDMX.

Opening times: 1pm-10pm (until 11pm Fri and Sat), closed Mon.

Asian food in CDMX

If you want to mix it up from Mexican cuisine, there are fantastic international restaurants in CDMX, particularly Asian food (or perhaps this is just because I seek it out so well!). Some worthy spots include…

Kura (Roma Norte)

A 45-page menu may not sound like a good thing but I can assure you that Kura is a dream – if you ever decide what to order!

This Japanese restaurant with an atmospheric interior and outdoor seating serves delicious ramen, sushi, tempura, karaage, tonkatsu, yakitori (dishes on sticks), build-your-own oden fish soup, and wagyu beef. At lunchtime, order a bento box with a bit of everything from 400 pesos.

For drinks, there are Japanese beers and an enormous range of sake, while desserts include mochi and chocolate fondant with matcha ice cream. There’s plenty for veggies and vegans.

Pad Thai, (Roma Norte)

As the name might suggest, Pad Thai is a Thai restaurant and the pad Thai is the star dish, although there are plenty of other dishes on the menu, too. The yellow curry is also worth a try.

They also have Thai tea which is hard to come by in Mexico.

Koku (Condesa/Juarez)

Koku is another of the best Japanese restaurants in Mexico City, with one in Juarez neighborhood and one near Parque Mexico in Condesa. Inside the Juarez branch, it’s dark and moody with neon Japanese letters on the wall, but there’s also a relaxed courtyard.

They serve fantastic sushi including nigiri, sashimi, hand rolls, and hosomaki. There are bento boxes if you can’t choose, plus poke bowls, ramen, gyoza, and desserts like matcha tiramisu.

Wash it down with Japanese and Mexican beers, craft beers, sake cocktails, and wines. We paid around 400 pesos ($20) each for plenty of sushi, a shared dessert, and a beer each.

Galanga Thai House (Roma)

This is easily the most famous Thai restaurant in CDMX, yet scandalously I haven’t been, partly because it’s pretty expensive.

With mains around the 500 peso mark ($27), not everyone agrees that Galanga Thai House is worth it. But with luxurious ingredients like soft shell crab and beyond beautiful presentation, it’s somewhere real foodies may be sad to miss!

Try to book in advance as it’s popular.

The Juarez neighborhood of CDMX is home to LGBT nightlife, karaoke, speakeasy bars like Handshake Speakeasy (voted best bar in the world in 2024) and Koreatown.

I haven’t been to that many Korean restaurants because Arirang always does such a good job that I’ve returned at least five times. The bibimbap is great but the highlight has to be the Korean barbecue with endless sides to accompany meat you can grill at the table.

It’s not especially cheap but it’s a great feast!

More international restaurants in Mexico City

There’s everything from French to Indian and Lebanese. Don’t miss…

Pat Patz (Juarez)

I adore Pat Patz. For quality Middle Eastern food like hummus, falafel, baba ganoush, koftas, and shawarma, there’s nowhere better (apart from possibly the restaurant coming up next!).

All the dishes are quality and creative, laden with pomegranate seeds and mint. We loved the watermelon labneh salad with yogurt cheese and the eggplant schnitzel. If you can’t pick from the menu, opt for the mezze with all three dips, plus pitta and olives.

It’s an ambient restaurant on a quiet street in Juarez. Don’t miss it!

Jayi Restaurant (Roma Norte)

Another quality restaurant in Roma Norte serving delectable Middle Eastern specialties is Jayi.

If you’re hungry and want to try several dishes, I can vouch for the kebab dishes with two sides of your choosing: we went for baba ganoush and lentils. Since we shared this between two, we also added a serving of rich jocoque cheese.

Prices are high (starters from 140 pesos) but you can tell everything is made using high-quality ingredients.

Cicatriz (Juarez)

Few restaurants in CDMX do brunch, lunch, and dinner well, adjusting the ambiance as they go. One such place is Cicatriz, a cozy corner in Juarez with indoor and outdoor seating beside a peaceful plaza.

Although they do great brunch, salads, and coffee during the day, the lights turn down from 6pm when they serve simple yet delicious dinner dishes. You wouldn’t think a chicken burger could be THAT good but that’s because you haven’t tried theirs with garlic butter and tangy pickled zucchini!

For drinks, I love the N M Roy cocktail with gin, orange, coconut, and hibiscus.

Mythos Cibeles (Roma Norte)

Located near the Cibeles fountain, Mythos Cibeles has an open-air dining feel and a classy interior, perfect for a celebration, date, or nice sit-down dinner. 

Greek dishes on the menu include shawarma, mezze, steak, and fish. Save space for dessert and wash it all down with one of the many quality wines. 

For a budget option, they also serve their gyros and shawarma dishes from a takeaway window; prices start from 100 pesos. 

Marmota (Roma Norte)

High-quality small plates with unusual ingredients bring guests to Marmota. The short menu changes monthly but you can generally expect meat, seafood, and veg with rich sauces and dips, best mopped up with toasted sourdough.

We shared five plates between two of us: a beetroot yogurt dip, chorizo with jalapeños and blueberries, burrata with tomato (the highlight), a shrimp dish, and anchovy dip with sourdough (the latter was the only one we didn’t like – it was sweet and fishy, a no in my book).

We paid 650 pesos ($35) each inc. soft drinks. The restaurant is a stylish spot beside Plaza Rio de Janeiro where you can while away a night with friends.

Fugaz in Roma Norte is another restaurant known for creative, small-plate dining. It’s an intimate cafe serving a range of wines from 900 pesos a bottle including my favorite, orange wine!

Food-wise, we were overwhelmed at first due to the unusual ingredients (like manta ray and furikame) but everything we ordered was delicious, so I’d advise taking a gamble if you’re an adventurous eater.

The menu comprises three tostadas (95 pesos, we tried them all) and three hot and three cold plates – designed for sharing – that often change. We loved the tetala filled with shrimp in a sweet potato puree.

Best pizza restaurants in Mexico City

Sometimes you’re just craving a pizza, I know I’m right!

Dr Pizza (Roma Norte)

Easily one of my favorite pizza places where I often get takeout. However, Dr Pizza has a lovely open-plan restaurant with views of Plaza Popocatépetl. I like their Mexican-inspired pizzas with ingredients like flor de calabza and huitlacoche.

Cancino (multiple locations)

For huge pizzas with plenty of ingredients (and tasty starters, salads, and drinks), you can’t do better than Cancino, especially the restaurant with open-air seating surrounded by plants beside the Cibeles statue in Roma Norte.

Brunch restaurants in Mexico City

The best meal of the day is something I know a lot about!

The below places get BUSY on weekends so you’ll need to get in line if they don’t take reservations, which many don’t. Read my CDMX brunch guide for a full variety of options including some hidden gems.

What’s better than chilaquiles? Build your own chilaquiles at Chilpa with a huge variety of options. Opt for classic combos like chicken, cheese, and egg, or mix it up with goat’s cheese, steak, or shrimp.

Chilakillers Loungería (Escandon)

Slightly off the tourist track, this is a favorite of mine that isn’t usually too busy. Visit Chilakillers for enormous plates of chilaquiles, piled high with every ingredient imaginable. They also offer value packages including coffee and juice.

Lalo! (Roma Norte)

The French toast at Lalo! is worth enduring the hour-long queue on weekends. This cool restaurant in Roma Norte is splattered with urban murals. Sit at big shared tables inside or grab a table for two outside. Either way, be sure to try a guava cruffin!

Frëims (Condesa)

This is one of my favorite brunch restaurants in Mexico City, located beside the Hippodrome in peaceful Condesa. I can vouch for the delicious lemon ricotta pancakes at Frëims as well as the classic chilaquiles.

There’s inside and outside seating, making it a lovely setting for a leisurely brunch with excellent coffee to boot.

Cafe Nin (Juarez)

If the line down the street for guava ricotta rolls at Panaderia Rosetta is too long, my top tip is to visit Cafe Nin in Juarez instead. Not only does it double up as one of my favorite coffee shops in CDMX but they also serve Rosetta pastries alongside brunch and lunch.

Don’t miss the burrata chilaquiles!

Cafe Tabuca and El Cardenal (Centro)

I’m lumping these places in Centro together as they have a similar vibe: historic establishments often with a line down the street. Aim to visit early on a weekday, if possible.

Both serve classic Mexican breakfast dishes like chilaquiles and eggs (I love the flor de calabaza omelet at Cardenal) accompanied with sweet bread and classic coffees. No flat whites here, friends! Both serve excellent hot chocolate, however.

Cafe Tabuca is inside a historic ex-monastery while El Cardenal has a couple of locations. I like the one beside Alameda Park with a life-size recreation of a Diego mural inside.

(The original is around the corner at one of my favorite Mexico City museums, the Diego Rivera Mural Museum. If you don’t have time to visit, the restaurant’s copy is identical).

Best Mexico City restaurants by area

A final way to categorize all the sublime eats in la cuidad…

Polanco 

• Pujol (upscale Mexican, tasting menu)
• Quintonil (upscale, tasting menu)

Centro

• Azul Historico (Mexican)
• Cafe de Tacuba, El Cardenal (traditional brunch)
• Los Cocuyos (tacos)
• Bosforo (Oaxacan food)

Juarez 

• Masala y Maiz (fusion)
• Arirang (Korean)
• Maza Bistrot (Indian-French)
• Pat Patz (Middle Eastern)
• Cicatriz (world cuisine/coffee)
• Cafe Nin (brunch and pastry/coffee)

Other 

• Na Tlali (San Angel) – vegetarian food
• El Vilsito (Navarte) – meaty tacos
• Agua Santa Tropical (Escandon) – Oaxacan food.

Thanks for reading!

Mexico City food and drink guides:

• Roma Norte restaurants, Mexico City
• Where to eat in Condesa
• Where to go for cocktails in CDMX
• Speakeasy bars in CDMX
• Review of Handshake Speakeasy
• Vegetarian restaurants in Mexico City
• Breakfast and brunch in Mexico City
• The best coffee shops in Condesa
• Best places for dessert in CDMX
• La Esquina del Chilaquil (torta de chilaquiles)
• Ultimate Mexico City street food guide

Other Mexico City guides:

• Best places to stay in CDMX
• Day trips from Mexico City
• What season to visit CDMX?
• San Angel area guide
• What to do in CDMX on a Saturday and Sunday
• The best Mexico City markets
• My favorite museums in CDMX
• Visitors’ guide to the Bazaar Sabado in San Angel
• Hiking in Desierto de los Leones National Park
• Tepotzotlan, Mexico guide (day trip from CDMX)
• Roma Norte area guide
• Condesa area guide
• Juaraz area guide