The 38 Essential Mexico City Restaurants

A restaurant interior, with tables full of diners, double height exposed brick walls covered with decorations, and a glass roof
Inside Páramo | Alejandra Arango

Esquite tamales at Enrique Olvera’s daytime oasis, late night suadero and tripe from an iconic taqueria, an intimate tasting menu on a secret Condesa rooftop, and more great bites to try now in CDMX

The first thing any visitor to the Mexican capital will take in — probably while staring out the window in awe as their airplane descends over the intense, urbanity-on-steroids sprawl — is the sheer size of this town, 573 square miles in total. It’s densely populated and patchworked with distinct neighborhoods, each with its own culinary identity. It would take several lifetimes to get to know all of the street stands, holes in the wall, neighborhood favorites, and high-end destinations in this city.

Yet this list — 38 restaurants, dishes, and culinary experiences that define Mexico City’s gastronomic identity — should offer a comprehensive starting point for any visitor. It includes the obvious and the overexposed; it also includes hidden gems. It covers longtime buzzing neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa, as well as newer destination districts like San Miguel Chapultepec and Juarez. There are tacos, tortas, tasting menus, and tamales. There are enough sweets to satisfy the most dedicated concha enthusiast and some old-school breakfasts for the nostalgists. Whatever the type of place, it provides standout food and a taste of something visitors can’t get back home.

Updated, September 2022:

A few trends in CDMX’s stronger-than-ever dining scene: European-style neighborhood spots have gained popularity with locals, and young Mexican chefs are following the trend by opening their own bistros and cafes. Food menus have gotten shorter, and on the beverage side, natural wines, local fermented drinks, and small-production apple ciders are becoming the norm in every new project in Roma Norte, Condesa, and Polanco. In one of the hottest food destinations in the world, finding a table can be challenging at certain A-list spots, especially during holiday weekends. Book in advance, and be polite with local staff — beyond the virtue of kindness, it can open doors.

We update this list quarterly to make sure it reflects the ever-changing Mexico City dining scene.

Natalia de la Rosa is a Mexican food writer, mezcal collector, and culinary guide based in Mexico City.



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