Food Travel Guide – Top Spots in Mexico City, DF

Mexico is globally known to be home to the best beaches in the Americas, but also to be one of the world’s greatest urban travel destinations: Mexico City, a.k.a D.F., a.k.a CDMX. The densely populated, high-altitude capital of Mexico is a popular tourist destinations for its vibrant and colorful lifestyle, its various cultural attractions, and of course its world-renowned gastronomy scene. Explore Mexican cuisine at its best with Mexico City’s top must-spots!  (As seen on Tasting Table).

• ⇒ The best Mexican fine dining…
• PUJOL
  Petrarca 254, Miguel Hidalgo, Polanco, 11570
  +52(55) 5545 4111
  www.pujol.com.mx/en/
  $$$$
  ♥♥♥
• 
• If you ask any Mexican (or legit worldly foodie) what is the best restaurant in Mexico City, the first answer will most definitely be Pujol. Pujol is the most renowned restaurant in Mexico, and has been repeatedly ranked as one of the world’s 50 best restaurants and among the top 10 restaurants in Latin America. Top chef Enrique Olvera introduces Mexican fine dining at its best. Find the full review of Mexico City’s #1 restaurant here.

• 

  Amazing Barbacoa Taco – Suckling Lamb Taco, avocado leaf adobo, avocado puree

• 

  QUINTONIL
  Newton No. 55, Miguel Hidalgo, Polanco, 11560
  +52(55) 5280 1660
  www.quintonil.com/en/
  $$$$
  ♥♥♥

• 
• Right behind Pujol is Quintonil, Mexico’s City 2^nd most-famed fine-dining restaurant. For many, it has stolen Pujol‘s top spot show, and has even earned a better ranking than its peer among the world’s 50 best restaurants. The young chef Jorge Vallejo is a protégé of Enrique Olvera – the influence is notable, although at Quintonil, vegetables and greens take center stage. This discreet Polanco restaurant has an elegant, yet relaxed vibe, and the cuisine offers an inventive and modern take on traditional Mexican ingredients. The best part is the value: it’s hard to beat a 10-course tasting menu at one of the world’s top restaurants for around $70 USD! Good service, great wine (with pairing), and high-quality food! Reservations are a must!

• 

  Dining room – a modern outdoor garden feel with walls covered in leaves

• 

  Menu highlight: Crab Tostada – www.quintonil.com

• CARMELA Y SAL
  Torre Virreyes, Calle Pedregal N.24
  Del. Miguel Hidalgo, CDMX.
  +52 55 7600 1280
  • www.carmelaysal.mx
    $$$$
    ♥♥♥
• Carmela y Sal is a newer addition to the Mexico City fine dining scene. The restaurant opened late 2017 by famed chef Gaby Ruiz, known for her Gourmet MX in Villahermosa. She successfully imports Tabasqueñan cuisine to Mexico City with a refined creative menu, and a modern, architecturally innovative space. Enjoy the contemporary South-East Mexican flavors for lunch and dinner, paired with great mixologist Tequila cocktails. The Jicama salad is a must, and so are reservations!

• AZUL HISTORICO
  Isabel la Católica #30, Cuauhtémoc, Centro Histórico, 06000
  +52(55) 5510 1316
• www.azul.rest
  $$$
  ♥♥♥
• 

• In the heart of Downtown, Azul Histórico is a beautiful Mexican restaurant, located in an old courtyard of a colonial style building (at the lobby of Hotel Downtown). The restaurant’s decor and lighting have a magical romantic feel to it, with its open air patio shaded by tall trees climbing all the way to the roof, in which trunks and branches are flickering with pretty little chandeliers. The restaurant serves high-quality authentic Mexican recipes with a modern twist.
• 

  Beautiful patio dining room

  BLANCO COLIMA
• Colima 168, Roma Norte., 06700
  +52(55) 5511 7527
• www.blancocolima.com
  $$$
  ♥♥♥
• 

• • This restaurant was recommended to me by THE Mexican Oscar-winning director Alejandro Iñárritu as he was dining next to me at Mimi in New York. So obviously, it’s legit! Blanco Colima is a new Mexican Gastronomy and culture house located in a historical mansion house in Roma. There are different dining rooms, each with a specific style (choose the balcony if you want a romantic night), with an overall upscale and classy atmosphere. The menu is a refined gastronomical take on Mexican and International cuisines – you can order the tasting menu (recommended) or à-la-carte, and they even have a whole section for vegetarians! Come for date night or a special group dinner.
  • 
  • 

    Explanada Room

    

    Steak Tartare, papa souflé, alioli de trufa y parmesano

    ROSETTA
    Colima 166, Colonia Roma., 06700
    +52(55) 5533 7804
    www.rosetta.com.mx
    $$$
    ♥♥♥
• 
• If you want a break from tacos and mole, Rosetta is your best bet for fine-dining Italian with a slight Mexican touch. Rosetta is a relatively small, cosy restaurant in Roma, with a great relaxing atmosphere. Its chef, Elena Reygadas, has even been named the best female chef in Latin America! Reservations recommended.
• 

  Charming Dining Room – www.rosetta.com.mx

  

  Ravioli – www.rosetta.com.mx

• ⇒ The best seafood…

• CONTRAMAR
  Durango 200, Cuauhtémoc, Roma, 06700
  +52(55) 5514 9217
• www.contramar.com.mx
  $$$
  ♥♥♥♥

• Ok… Pujol and all the other new Mexican fine-dining joints are great, sure. But the culinary highlight of a trip to Mexico City is Contramar! If you love seafood, or even if you just like it, this is THE must-stop. Contramar is a VERY popular restaurant, amongst locals and visitors, for authentic, fresh Mexican seafood fare. Find the full review of this stellar seafood joint here.
• 
  

  Signature dish & highlight: the Tuna Tostadas – a must order!

  

  Camarones (shrimp)

  

  Swordfish

  

  Fish Tacos

  

  Sushi grade tuna with jalapeño

  • EL PESCADITO
  • Calle Atlixco 38, Condesa 06700
    +52(55) 6268 3045
  • $$
    ♥♥♥♥
  • THE place for fish tacos! Shrimp or fish, fried or grilled, El Pescadito is the seafood taco haven in La Condesa. This is a day spot (closes at 6pm) and people line up at all hours, but the wait is well worth it, especially considering you can indulge in two tacos and a beer for less than 100 pesos! A must snack stop in DF.

  DE MAR A MAR
  Niza 13, Cuauhtémoc, Juárez, 06600
  +52(55) 5207 5730
  www.demaramar.mx
  $$$
  ♥♥♥

• 

• Located just off Reforma, De Mar a Mar is one of Zona Rosa’s prime restaurants and probably your 2^nd best choice for seafood after Contramar. The unassuming, casual-looking restaurant has a nice low-key ambiance, but the sole reason for coming here is for the fresh seafood! Don’t leave without trying their ceviches and fish tostadas (good wine list as well).
• 

  Ceviche de atun y leche de coco – opentable

  

  Tostadas De Atun Y Chiles Secos – opentable

• ⇒ The best tacos…

• EL PARNITA
  Yucatán No.84 Local E2, Cuauhtémoc, Roma Norte, 06700
  +52(55) 5264 7551
• www.elparnita.com
  $$
  ♥♥♥

El Parnita is a local favorite in one of Mexico City’s hippest areas for authentic, top-notch tacos with a fun vibe. The crowd is a mix of regulars, business men/women with their button down shirts wolfing down sloppy tacos, and a trendy young crowd. The service is fast and friendly, and the tacos are delicious with high-quality ingredients. Best for lunch street-side dining – but can get very buzzy and busy!

El Parnita tacos -www.picssr.com

• LOS PANCHOS
  Tolstoi 9, Miguel Hidalgo, Anzures, 11590
  +52(55) 5254 5430
• www.lospanchos.mx
  $$
  ♥♥♥
• 
• • Another recommendation from Señor Alejandro Iñárritu himself, for great, authentic tacos at a reasonable price. Get the carnitas and chicharrón tacos! Best for an informal lunch.
  • 

    Guacamole – lospanchos.mx

    ⇒ The best breakfast/brunch…

• EL CARDENAL
  Palma 23, Cuauhtémoc, Colonia Centro, 06000
  +52(55) 5264 7551
  www.restauranteelcardenal.com
  $$
  ♥♥♥
• 
• 3 other locations:
  Alameda (Hotel Hilton)
  Hilton Mexico City Reforma, Av. Juárez 70
• Lomas
  Avenida Paseo de Las Palmas No. 215
• San Ángel
  Av. de la Paz Núm. 32, Alvaro Obregon

El Cardenal has several locations within the city, and is the #1 quintessential breakfast & brunch joint in Mexico City – recommended by most D.F. locals, and by Señor director Alejandro Iñárritu himself (gracias Ale!). El Cardenal is the finest place in town for a traditional Mexican breakfast. Mexican cuisine isn’t only about tacos and mole – ants and insects are a huge part of the local gastronomy. And since every complete breakfast must include protein, El Cardenal’s signature dish is their Escamoles, i.e. ant eggs (!) decadently cooked in a lot of butter. It sounds weird and scary, it’s actually delicious. Other must-orders include their nation-wide famous conchas pastries, (to be accompanied with their nata cream and semi-sweet hot chocolate) and their house main dish specialty is the pecho de ternera (oven-roasted veal breast). El Cardenal occupies three floors of a Parisian-style space, convenient for small parties and big groups. Great for family and friends brunch gatherings!

Full Brunch at El Cardenal

Escamoles (ant eggs) – signature dish and must-order

Quesadillas

Queso Fresco

More protein: Crispy Worms!

Vanilla & Chocolate conchas

2nd floor dining room of the Downtown location

CAFE DE TACUBA
Calle de Tacuba 28, Cuauhtémoc, Centro, 06010
+52(55) 5521 2048
www.cafedetacuba.com.mx
$$
♥♥♥

Unique dining space & decor

Café de Tacuba is another authentic restaurant for real, traditional Mexican food in its “simplest” form. Old school Mexican comfort food is served all day, but the best would be to come here for breakfast or lunch, although live music is played on evenings. I was recommended to come to Café de Tacuba for their famous enchiladas as a hangover cure, and it works! Major cheat meal though. The large dining space is located right by Zócalo in a historical building that looks like it was an old church, with stained glass mosaic windows and beautiful Mexican paintings. It’s full of locals and seems to be one of those legit places where families gather for a group meal. This is not the refined “new Mexican” joint, but a local favorite for typical Mexican food served by an old-school uniformed waitstaff!

Majorly decadent Enchiladas de Tacuba – a must order

ENO
Calle Petrarca 258, Miguel Hidalgo, Polanco, 11570
+52(55) 5531 8535
www.eno.com.mx
$$
♥♥♥

Eno is Pujol chef Enrique Olvera’s “fast casual” café located in the Polanco district. Eno is the place to go for breakfast or brunch, with lots of delicious options, including traditional Mexican egg dishes with a slight modern twist, and healthier choices if needed. It’s obviously not the same price point as Pujol, although on the pricier side for breakfast. Can get very crowded!

LA ESQUINA DEL CHILAQUIL
Alfonso Reyes 145, Condesa, 06140
$
♥♥♥

• • If you need a heavy duty cure from last night’s one-too-many margaritas, La Esquina del Chilaquil is your quick, on-the-go remedy! This corner street vendor is the place to be for a chilaquiles breakfast of milanesa. The tortas are the way to go, i.e. carbs and fat with a side of carbs and fat.  All you need is choose if you want the green salsa or red salsa – or both! Lines are long but service is super quick.⇒ The best bakeries
• MAQUE
  Several locations 
  www.maque.com.mx
  $$
  ♥♥♥
  Condesa location:
  Av. Ozuluama No.4, Cuauhtémoc, Hipódromo Condesa, 06100
  +52(55) 2454 4662
• 
  Polanco location:
  Emilio Castelar 209 G, Polanco, 11510 Ciudad de México
  +52(55) 5281 6429

Maque is one of the finest bakeries in Mexico City. This side-walk panadería and pasteleria is known to bake some of the best  local pastries – the Pastel de Elote (cornbread cake) is a must order. Expect long lines, even midweek, so try to get there before 10am and sit outside if you can!

ROSETTA PANADERIA
Roma location:
Colima 179, colonia Roma,
+52(55) 5207 2976
Juárez location:
Havre #73, Cuauhtemoc, Juárez, 06600
+52(55) 5207 7065
www.rosetta.com.mx
$$
♥♥♥

The people behind Rosetta restaurant also have a Panadería, ranked as one of the best bakeries in Mexico city. Both locations are in small, cozy spaces and get very packed! Coffees are exclusively from small local Mexican producers, and they bake some of the city’s best bread and pastries. The vibe seems far more European than Mexican though, but instead of a croissant order their Mexican Ocho or conchas. Quiches, sandwiches etc. are also popular.

www.rosetta.com.mx/panaderia

LARDO
Agustín Melgar 6, Cuauhtemoc, Condesa, 06140
+52(55) 5211 7731
www.lardo.mx
$$
♥♥

Lardo is a hip and trendy spot in the Roma/Condesa area, with a cool vibe and beautiful crowd.  The restaurant is open all day, but best for breakfast (or lunch). The food is a blend of French cooking with Mexican-international ingredients. The space almost has a “New York vibe” to it. Best catered for young locals and tourists looking for a leisurely breakfast (menus available in English).

Cute interior – www.lardo.mx

⇒ The best food markets

Now, the most important Mexican culinary journey is of course the street food. This is what the Mexican food culture has always been about. No trip in Mexico City is complete without wandering about its numerous food markets, discovering the local produce, and eating at the numerous, ridiculously affordable mercados. Try to explore as many as you can (San Juan is more of the gourmet market with unconventional meats and bugs!), be adventurous and buen provecho!

• Mercado de San Juan
  Avenida Arcos de Belén, Cuauhtémoc, Centro, 06720 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
• Mercado Roma
  Calle Querétaro 225, Cuauhtémoc, Roma Norte, 06700 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
• Mercado del Carmen
  Amargura 5, Álvaro Obregón, San Ángel, 01000 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
• Mercado de Coyoacán
  Ignacio Allende S/n, Del Carmen, 04100 Ciudad de México
• Mercado Medellín
  Medellín 234, Col. Roma, 06700