Where to Eat & Drink in Mexico City
Mexico City has no shortage of great places to eat and drink, including some of the world’s top restaurants. I will caveat this post by stating that I am no expert when it comes to food or knowing about the world’s best chefs. With that said, I’ve been lucky to meet some people that have taught me a thing or two and inspired this post.
Here are some of my favorites:
Roma Norte
Choza. Super cool Brooklyn-esque spot - the owner is from BK and one of their chefs’ resume is filled with top restaurants around the world. Their menu is super unique (I was there recently and they brought over a shot of mezcal and told us to add it to our ceviche). They serve up a total of five whole fish each day and have live music and DJ. Most of the menu will be sold out before dark, so you should plan to go early, or if you make friends with the owner or chef text them ahead of time to save you a few things. You won’t find them on Google Maps (address is Monterrey 194) and they are only open Saturdays and Sundays.
Rosetta. There are two Rosettas - the bakery and the restaurant and they are located within a block of each other. Both are great and should be on your list. The restaurant also has a few gluten-free bread options.
Sartoria. Italian spot with homemade fresh pasta dishes, including a gluten-free pasta that was delish. The octopus appetizer was also cooked to perfection.
Expendio de Maiz Sin Nombre. A small, no-frills spot with ~6 tables, all located on the sidewalk. They will ask you for your dietary restrictions upon arrival because there is no menu and they just bring you each small plates each course until you let them know you are done. You will likely have to wait for a table, so I definitely recommend heading next door (upstairs) to Paramo for a drink while you wait.
Blanco Colima. Huge menu of cocktails and a very cool space. It’s in large old building in Roma with tall ceilings, and sort of French-style detailing.
Taqueria Orinoco (also Condesa, Polanco). Everyone says these are the best tacos in Mexico City - they definitely lived up to the hype.
Maximo Bistro. Another must-visit Mexico City spot. Everything on their menu is good.
Cafe Madre. Great outdoor spot for coffee, working remotely, or getting together with friends for lunch or drinks.
Casa Awolly. Hotel in Roma Norte with a great rooftop bar. The decor is super cool - you have to walk through the house with different colored/themed rooms to get to the restaurant.
Eno (also Polanco, Lomas). Great brunch spot and the chef is the same guy from Pujol, Enrique Olvera.
Contramar. Haven’t made it here yet, but it’s apparently a phenomenal seafood spot. You will need to make a reservation in advance.
Supra Roma. Rooftop with 360 views of the city. Fun for drinks or a night out.
Juárez
Havre 77. Another super cute restaurant in Roma Norte. It’s French, from the decor to the menu and the music. Don’t be scared when you see the small menu upon arrival or online, they have a large list of specials each day. The escargot dish is a must.
Niddo. A cute brunch spot. The pancakes are unreal (I am told. They are unfortunately not gluten free) and the flavor changes each day.
Masala y Maíz. Although their menu was a bit too bold for me in regards to them sharing their US political options, their food made me quickly forget it. Like the name implies, this is a mix of Indian and Mexican cuisines. They have a great wine selection too.
Huset. Another cute spot for dinner/drinks. They have a nice outdoor garden area on the ground level and then a few tables upstairs by the bar inside that are cozy.
Elly’s. Great 70’s/retro-style spot with amazing food. They also have a small bar on the second floor that is worth checking out (if you get the invite). Order the roasted chicken.
Toledo Rooftop. Cool rooftop for drinks.
Cafe Nin. Adorable spot in Roma Norte with vintage chandeliers and brick walls. It’s a great stop for coffee and pastries (I think they are from Rosetta).
Helena. Great nighttime spot for grabbing drinks and a bite to eat with friends before or for a night out.
Loup Wine Bar. Natural wine bar with both indoor and outdoor seating.
Maison Artisima. Speakeasy with a great cocktail menu. It’s tiny and there’s a piano in the middle of the room. It is located to the left/above Loup Wine Bar.
Condesa
Lardo. One of my go-to’s, maybe because it reminds me a bit of the West Village in NYC. Great for brunch, lunch, dinner, or drinks, and they have lots of gluten free bread options. Literally everything on their menu is great.
Hotel Condesa DF. Hotel with a nice rooftop bar. The “DF” is very important!! Make sure to double check you put in the right place if you call an Uber. I ended up in the wrong part of the city… my Uber driver was just as shocked as I was when we pulled up to this Hotel Condesa motel.
Ojo de Agua (also Condesa and Polanco). Great spot for working, grabbing a juice or an amazing acai bowl, etc. They always have strong WiFi.
La Clandestina. What looks like a small bar from the street is actually a speakeasy…
Polanco
Pujol. Ranked as one of the best restaurants in the world, it’s a must if you are visiting Mexico City. You should book on OpenTable in advance, but I was able to get a table last minute by keeping an eye out for a cancellation. You have to do their tasting menu. If you’re gluten free and dairy free you should be able to have everything except for the churro dessert.
Animal Masaryk. A relatively new spot in Polanco and super cool. They have a pretty diverse menu and you must get the Monkey dessert (I forget the name, but it’s soooo good).
Masa Japanese House (also Bosques). A great sushi spot I stumbled on via UberEats. Reminded me of Sugar Fish in NYC and it’s just so good.
Dante. Great Argentinian food for takeout and the restaurant is very cool.
Entramar. Same owner and menu as Contramar but less-known, so you should easily be able to get a table.
Gin Gin (also Roma Norte, Condesa). Love Gin? Or craving something other than mezcal and tequila? This place has fun cocktails, and they often have late-night parties.
Other Neighborhoods
Suntory (Del Valle). A classic sushi spot that is a must. From what I’ve gathered is that it’s a place where patrons have gone for years and each have their own liquor cabinets that’s delivered on a bar cart when you sit down.
Takeout (Rappi)
Empanadas El Altillo. Craving amazing Argentinian/Colombian empanadas? My friend Tomas started a business and sells them at various cafes and for takeaway orders on Rappi. They are unreal.
El Califa (multiple locations). This is my go-to takeout choice. Literally every week I order a bunch of their soups and chicken to last me the next few days.
xx Em
