Top 10eatMexico City

Top 10 Best Places to Eat in Mexico City

Mexico City is a culinary powerhouse where ancient traditions meet modern gastronomy. From world-renowned fine dining to legendary street tacos, CDMX offers an unparalleled food scene with over 300,000 restaurants and countless street vendors serving everything from mole to mezcal.

Updated January 21, 2026

All-Time Best

1.

Pujol

Pujol
$$$$
Tennyson 133, Polanco, Miguel HidalgoWebsite

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
Reserve
Also available on:OpenTableResy
fine-dininginnovativeworld-50-best
2.

Quintonil

Quintonil
$$$$
Newton 55, Polanco, Miguel HidalgoWebsite

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
Reserve
Also available on:OpenTable
fine-diningfarm-to-tableworld-50-best
3.

Contramar

Contramar
$$$
Durango 200, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc

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
Also available on:
seafoodiconiccasual-fine
4.

El Huequito

El Huequito
$
Ayuntamiento 21, Centro HistóricoWebsite

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
View Locations
Also available on:
tacosal-pastortraditional
5.

Los Cocuyos

Los Cocuyos
$
Calle de Bolivar 56, Centro Histórico

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
Also available on:
street-foodlate-nighttraditional
6.

Mercado Roma

Mercado Roma
$$
Querétaro 225, Roma Norte, CuauhtémocWebsite

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
View Vendors & Hours
Also available on:
food-hallgourmetmodern
7.

Rosetta

Rosetta
$$$
Colima 166, Roma Norte, CuauhtémocWebsite

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
Reserve
Also available on:OpenTable
italian-mexicanbakeryfine-dining
8.

Maximo Bistrot

Maximo Bistrot
$$$
Tonalá 133, Roma Norte, CuauhtémocWebsite

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
Reserve
Also available on:OpenTable
bistrotfarm-to-tableseasonal
9.

El Cardenal

El Cardenal
$$
Palma 23, Centro HistóricoWebsite

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
Reserve
Also available on:
breakfasttraditionalinstitution
10.

Taqueria Orinoco

Taqueria Orinoco
$$
Multiple locations including Roma Norte and CondesaWebsite

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
View Locations
Also available on:
tacosnorteñomodern

Best of 2026

1.

EM

EM
$$$$
Tonalá 133-A, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc

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
innovativefusiontasting-menu
2.

Expendio de Maíz

Expendio de Maíz
$$
Yucatán 84, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc

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
Also available on:
corn-focusedtraditionalinnovative
3.

Carmela y Sal

Carmela y Sal
$$
Orizaba 161, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc

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
Also available on:
modern-mexicantacoscasual

Winter Specials

1.

Café de Tacuba

Café de Tacuba
$$
Tacuba 28, Centro Histórico

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
Also available on:
traditionalhistoriccomfort-food
2.

Pozolería La Casa de Toño

Pozolería La Casa de Toño
$
Multiple locations throughout CDMX

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
View Locations
Also available on:
pozoletraditionalbudget-friendly

Spring Specials

1.

Azul Histórico

Azul Histórico
$$$
Isabel la Católica 30, Centro 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
Reserve
Also available on:OpenTable
regionalcourtyardseasonal
2.

Mi Compa Chava

Mi Compa Chava
$$
Fernández Leal 46, Coyoacán

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
Also available on:
seafoodcevichecasual

January Dining

1.

Tamales Doña Emi

Tamales Doña Emi
$
Álvaro Obregón 90, Roma Norte

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
Also available on:
tamalestraditionalseasonal
2.

Fonda Margarita

Fonda Margarita
$
Adolfo Prieto 1364, Del Valle Centro

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
Also available on:
breakfastlocal-favoritetraditional

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.