All-Time Best
Pujol
Pujol
Chef Enrique Olvera's flagship restaurant redefines Mexican cuisine with innovative techniques and ancestral ingredients. The iconic mole madre, aged for over 2,500 days layered with fresh mole, is a culinary masterpiece.
Highlights
- World's 50 Best Restaurants #12
- 2,500-day aged mole madre
- Omakase-style corn tasting menu
Quintonil
Quintonil
Chef Jorge Vallejo celebrates Mexican biodiversity through elegant tasting menus featuring rare indigenous ingredients. The rooftop herb garden supplies fresh produce daily for dishes that honor tradition with contemporary flair.
Highlights
- Latin America's 50 Best #4
- Rooftop garden
- Indigenous ingredients
Contramar
Contramar
The iconic seafood restaurant famous for its tuna tostadas and the legendary red and green grilled fish. This bustling Roma Norte institution is a must-visit for fresh coastal flavors in the heart of the city.
Highlights
- Famous red & green grilled fish
- Fresh tuna tostadas
- No reservations - arrive early
El Huequito
El Huequito
Serving tacos al pastor since 1959, this Centro Histórico institution is credited with perfecting the iconic Mexico City taco. Watch the trompo spin as masters slice perfectly seasoned pork.
Highlights
- Original tacos al pastor since 1959
- Centro Histórico location
- Counter seating
Los Cocuyos
Los Cocuyos
A legendary late-night taco stand in Centro Histórico serving tacos de suadero, longaniza, and cabeza since 1957. The perfectly rendered beef brisket tacos are a Mexico City rite of passage.
Highlights
- Since 1957
- Famous suadero tacos
- Open until 2am
Mercado Roma
Mercado Roma
A modern gourmet food hall in the heart of Roma Norte featuring over 60 vendors offering everything from craft beer and artisanal tacos to sushi and specialty coffee. The rooftop beer garden is perfect for evening drinks.
Highlights
- 60+ food vendors
- Rooftop beer garden
- Artisanal products
Rosetta
Rosetta
Chef Elena Reygadas transforms a stunning Roma Norte mansion into an Italian-Mexican culinary destination. Her legendary bread basket and seasonal pastas showcase Mexico's finest produce with European technique.
Highlights
- Famous bread basket
- Beautiful mansion setting
- Seasonal tasting menus
Maximo Bistrot
Maximo Bistrot
Chef Eduardo García's intimate Roma Norte bistro serves market-driven cuisine with daily changing menus. The open kitchen creates a warm atmosphere for enjoying locally-sourced, seasonal Mexican ingredients.
Highlights
- Daily changing menu
- Market-driven cuisine
- Intimate atmosphere
El Cardenal
El Cardenal
A beloved institution serving traditional Mexican breakfast and lunch since 1969. Famous for their hot chocolate with water, fresh pan dulce, and classic Mexican dishes prepared with time-honored recipes.
Highlights
- Famous hot chocolate
- Fresh pan dulce
- Traditional breakfast since 1969
Taqueria Orinoco
Taqueria Orinoco
A modern taquería from Monterrey that has taken Mexico City by storm with their signature flour tortilla tacos. Known for their premium cuts of arrachera and ribeye, served with exceptional salsas and craft cocktails.
Highlights
- Northern-style flour tortilla tacos
- Premium arrachera and ribeye
- Great cocktails
Best of 2026
EM
EM
Chef Lucho Martinez's Polanco restaurant blends Mexican and Asian influences through innovative tasting menus. The intimate space showcases creative dishes that push boundaries while respecting tradition.
Highlights
- Mexican-Asian fusion
- Creative tasting menus
- Rising star chef
Expendio de Maíz
Expendio de Maíz
Chef Norma Listman and Saqib Keval celebrate the sacred importance of corn in Mexican cuisine. This Roma Norte gem serves masa-based dishes using heirloom varieties ground fresh daily.
Highlights
- Heirloom corn varieties
- Fresh-ground masa daily
- No menus - chef's choice
Carmela y Sal
Carmela y Sal
A modern taquería elevating traditional recipes with high-quality ingredients. The birria tacos and handmade tortillas have made this Condesa spot a new favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Highlights
- Premium birria tacos
- Handmade tortillas
- Modern atmosphere
Winter Specials
Café de Tacuba
Café de Tacuba
This stunning 1912 restaurant serves traditional Mexican comfort food in a baroque setting with Talavera tiles and murals. Winter specialties include rich moles and warming chocolate.
Highlights
- Since 1912
- Stunning colonial architecture
- Traditional moles
Pozolería La Casa de Toño
Pozolería La Casa de Toño
The city's favorite spot for pozole, the hearty hominy soup perfect for cool winter evenings. Generous portions and budget-friendly prices keep locals coming back.
Highlights
- Best pozole in the city
- Open late
- Multiple locations
Spring Specials
Azul Histórico
Azul Histórico
Set in a gorgeous courtyard in Centro, this restaurant showcases regional Mexican cuisine with spring ingredients. The seasonal menus celebrate fresh produce and lighter preparations.
Highlights
- Beautiful courtyard dining
- Regional specialties
- Spring tasting menus
Mi Compa Chava
Mi Compa Chava
Nayarit-style seafood in a casual Coyoacán setting. Spring is perfect for fresh aguachile, ceviche, and pescado zarandeado enjoyed al fresco.
Highlights
- Nayarit-style seafood
- Fresh aguachile
- Coyoacán location
January Dining
Tamales Doña Emi
Tamales Doña Emi
January and February are tamale season in Mexico. This beloved stand serves some of the city's best tamales verdes, rojos, and de mole - the traditional Día de la Candelaria food.
Highlights
- Candelaria season specialty
- Multiple tamale varieties
- Morning hours
Fonda Margarita
Fonda Margarita
Start the new year right with legendary breakfast at this no-frills Roma gem. The chicharrón en salsa verde and eggs any style are worth the inevitable wait.
Highlights
- Famous chicharrón
- Cash only
- Breakfast until sold out
Frequently Asked Questions
Essential CDMX foods include tacos al pastor (spit-roasted pork), tacos de suadero (beef brisket), carnitas, birria (braised meat stew), chilaquiles for breakfast, tamales, quesadillas de huitlacoche (corn fungus), mole in various styles, and churros with chocolate. Don't miss street elotes (corn) and esquites (corn in a cup) for snacks.
Yes, street food in Mexico City is generally safe when you follow local wisdom: eat at busy stalls with high turnover (locals know best), look for vendors who prepare food fresh to order, and observe cleanliness practices. Start with cooked foods before trying raw preparations like ceviche. Most visitors eat street food daily without issues.
Roma Norte and Condesa offer trendy restaurants and cafes. Centro Histórico has traditional spots and markets. Polanco features high-end dining including Pujol and Quintonil. Coyoacán is perfect for markets and casual eats. San Ángel has weekend markets. Each colonia has its own taco stands and local favorites worth exploring.
For top restaurants like Pujol, Quintonil, and Rosetta, reservations are essential - often weeks in advance. Popular casual spots like Contramar don't take reservations, so arrive early (before noon). Street food stalls and markets never require reservations. Mid-range restaurants often have availability with same-day bookings.
Mexico City offers incredible value. Street tacos cost $10-25 MXN each ($0.50-1.50 USD). A filling street meal runs $50-100 MXN ($3-6 USD). Mid-range restaurants average $200-500 MXN per person ($12-30 USD). Fine dining tasting menus range from $2,000-5,000+ MXN ($120-300+ USD). You can eat extraordinarily well on $30-50 USD per day.