Quick answers — eating in Mexico City
- Best restaurant overall
- Pujol
- Best value
- El Tigre (MXN 350 - 700 / USD 20 - 45)
- Strongest cuisines
- Mexican & Latin, Italian, French, Middle Eastern
- Dishes to try
- Tacos al Pastor, Churros, Esquites, Enchiladas
- Booking window
- For MICHELIN-starred restaurants, book 1-3 months in advance, especially for weekend evenings. Use online reservation platforms like OpenTable or Resy, or directly via the restaurant's website.
Booking well in advance is crucial for top establishments, often weeks or months ahead. Dress codes typically range from smart casual to formal, depending on the venue. Tipping usually follows the 10-15% standard, with 20% for exceptional service. Dinner hours generally run from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Mexican & Latin
Best Mexican and Latin American restaurants in Mexico City
Latin American kitchens have some of the fastest-moving cooking anywhere: masa ground in house, ceviche cured to order, and Nikkei menus mixing Peruvian and Japanese technique.
Pujol
Two MICHELIN StarsContemporary Mexican · Polanco · MXN 3,500 - 5,000 / USD 200 - 300
Enrique Olvera
Enrique Olvera's Pujol is a global benchmark for modern Mexican gastronomy, reimagining traditional flavors with refined techniques and exceptional ingredients. The tasting menu, served in an elegantly minimalist space, is a journey through Mexico's culinary history and future, highlighting fermentation and pre-Hispanic staples. Its profound respect for local produce and ancient methods defines its unique appeal.
Order: Mole Madre, Mole Nuevo; Baby Corn with Chicatana Mayonnaise
Quintonil
Two MICHELIN StarsContemporary Mexican · Polanco · MXN 3,200 - 4,800 / USD 190 - 280
Jorge Vallejo
Quintonil, led by Jorge Vallejo, celebrates indigenous Mexican ingredients with remarkable creativity and precision. The restaurant emphasizes sustainability and a direct relationship with producers, resulting in dishes that are fresh, vibrant, and deeply flavorful. The intimate, sophisticated setting complements a menu that is both daring and rooted in tradition, making every visit a discovery of native flavors.
Order: Crab tostada with lime, radish, and habanero mayonnaise; Charred avocado tartare with escamoles
Sud 777
One MICHELIN StarContemporary Mexican · Pedregal · MXN 2,500 - 4,000 / USD 150 - 240
Edgar Núñez
Located in a lush residential area, Sud 777 offers a tranquil dining experience where chef Edgar Núñez masterfully blends Mexican ingredients with Japanese precision. His tasting menus are a testament to seasonal bounty, showcasing vegetables from his own garden and responsibly sourced proteins. The spacious, modern interior and garden views enhance a dining experience that is both sophisticated and deeply connected to nature.
Order: Vegetable focused tasting menu; Green aguachile with scallops
Em
One MICHELIN StarModern Mexican · Roma Norte · MXN 2,000 - 3,500 / USD 120 - 200
Lucho Martínez
Chef Lucho Martínez's Em offers a high-concept, dynamic dining experience focused on innovative Mexican cuisine. The restaurant is known for its inventive flavor combinations and playful presentations, pushing culinary boundaries while maintaining a deep connection to local ingredients. The intimate setting and omakase-style tasting menu ensure a personalized and adventurous gastronomic journey for every diner.
Order: Mushroom and escamoles taco; Uni tostada
Contramar
MICHELIN SelectedMexican Seafood · Roma Norte · MXN 1,200 - 2,500 / USD 70 - 150
Gabriela Cámara
Contramar is an iconic institution, celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere and outstanding Mexican seafood dishes. Chef Gabriela Cámara has created a menu that perfectly captures the fresh, lively flavors of the Pacific coast, served in a bustling, unpretentious setting. It's a quintessential Mexico City experience, offering consistently delicious food that showcases the bounty of the sea with simplicity and elegance.
Order: Pescado a la Talla; Tuna Tostadas
Fonda Mayora
Bib GourmandTraditional Mexican · Condesa · MXN 400 - 800 / USD 25 - 50
Gerardo Vázquez Lugo
Fonda Mayora offers a delightful immersion into classic Mexican breakfast and lunch, emphasizing fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional recipes. Chef Gerardo Vázquez Lugo champions regional dishes, serving hearty, flavorful meals in a warm, inviting setting. It's an excellent spot for experiencing authentic Mexican comfort food, known for its consistent quality and approachable, bustling neighborhood charm, perfect for an everyday meal.
Order: Enfrijoladas; Chilaquiles with cecina
Italian
Best Italian restaurants in Mexico City
Italian kitchens abroad split into two camps: the classic trattoria doing pasta, fish and a short wine list, and the modern dining rooms treating Italian produce with tasting-menu precision.
Rosetta
One MICHELIN StarModern Italian with Mexican influence · Roma Norte · MXN 1,800 - 3,000 / USD 100 - 180
Elena Reygadas
Housed in a beautiful Porfirian mansion, Rosetta presents an exquisite blend of Italian technique and Mexican ingredients, creating a unique culinary dialogue. Elena Reygadas's cooking is characterized by its delicate balance and profound respect for seasonal produce, with a strong emphasis on house-made pasta and artisanal breads. The elegant, rustic-chic ambiance perfectly complements its sophisticated yet approachable cuisine.
Order: Hoja Santa and stracciatella tortelloni; House-made sourdough bread
French
Best French restaurants in Mexico City
French cooking is still the backbone of fine dining almost everywhere — expect sauce work, butter, precise service and set lunch menus that cost a fraction of dinner.
Máximo Bistrot
MICHELIN SelectedModern Mexican-French · Roma Norte · MXN 1,500 - 2,800 / USD 90 - 160
Eduardo García
Chef Eduardo García’s Máximo Bistrot is renowned for its farm-to-table philosophy, emphasizing seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers. The menu changes daily, reflecting the freshest available produce and offering a refined take on contemporary Mexican cuisine with subtle French influences. The rustic-chic ambiance and passionate service create an inviting and truly authentic dining experience, celebrating honest, delicious food.
Order: Daily changing seasonal menu; Scallop aguachile
Middle Eastern
Best Middle Eastern restaurants in Mexico City
Middle Eastern tables are built around sharing — dips, flatbread, grilled meat and salads arriving together rather than in courses.
Merkava
MICHELIN SelectedMiddle Eastern · Condesa · MXN 800 - 1,500 / USD 50 - 90
Daniel Ovadía
Merkava brings the vibrant flavors of the Middle East to Mexico City with a creative and authentic approach. Chef Daniel Ovadía crafts dishes that are rich in spices, fresh herbs, and traditional techniques, offering an exciting culinary journey. The lively atmosphere and beautifully presented plates make it a standout, showcasing the depth and warmth of Israeli and broader Levantine cuisine with modern flair.
Order: Hummus with lamb and pine nuts; Sabich
Budget
Where to eat cheaply in Mexico City
Los Cocuyos
A legendary street-side taqueria offering some of the city's best suadero and cabeza tacos. Expect delicious, rich cuts of meat served simply with onion, cilantro, and salsa. Around MXN 20-30 per taco.
Mariscos El Jarocho
A bustling, no-frills spot famous for its fresh seafood tostadas and cocktails. Try the 'torre de mariscos' for a refreshing mix of shrimp, octopus, and fish. A hearty meal can be had for around MXN 150-250.
Panadería Rosetta
Sister bakery to the acclaimed restaurant, known for its exquisite artisanal pastries, breads, and coffee. The guava roll (rol de guayaba) is a must-try. Prices typically range from MXN 50-120 for pastries and coffee.
Mercado de San Juan
An adventurous market offering exotic meats, pre-Hispanic ingredients, and ready-to-eat street food. Find delicious tacos and tostadas with ingredients like venison, crocodile, or escamoles. Tacos start from MXN 40-80.
Tacos Orinoco
A popular spot for classic Northern Mexican street tacos. Their 'taco de chicharrón' (fried pork rind) and 'taco de trompo' (spit-roasted pork) are highly recommended. Expect to pay around MXN 30-40 per taco.
Local dishes
What to eat in Mexico City
Tacos al Pastor
Originating from Lebanese immigrants, these tacos feature marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit, shaved off and served on small tortillas with pineapple, onion, and cilantro. They are a quintessential Mexico City street food experience. Look for bustling stands with a vertical trompo (spit) to find the freshest ones.
Churros
Crispy fried dough pastries, often dusted with sugar and cinnamon, served warm. They are a beloved sweet treat, perfect for breakfast or a late-night snack. Pair them with a cup of rich Mexican hot chocolate. El Moro, a historic churrería, is legendary for its fresh, perfectly crunchy churros.
Esquites
A popular street snack made from corn kernels, typically boiled or roasted, then mixed with mayonnaise, cheese, chili powder, and lime juice. Served hot in a cup, it offers a delightful blend of creamy, spicy, tangy, and savory flavors. Find vendors in parks and busy street corners.
Enchiladas
Corn tortillas rolled around a filling (often chicken, cheese, or beans) and covered with a chili sauce. Mexico City offers many regional variations, including enchiladas suizas with a creamy green sauce and cheese, or enchiladas rojas with a spicier red sauce. They are a hearty and satisfying meal.
Sopes
Thick, handmade corn tortillas pinched at the edges to form a shallow cup, then fried and topped with various ingredients like refried beans, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and a choice of meat (carnitas, chorizo, etc.). They offer a delightful textural contrast and robust flavors.
Tlacoyos
Oval-shaped, thick corn tortillas traditionally filled with beans, cheese, or requesón (ricotta-like cheese) before being cooked on a comal. They are often topped with nopales (cactus), cheese, and salsa. Tlacoyos are a hearty, traditional pre-Hispanic dish, commonly found at markets and street stalls.
Mole
A complex, rich sauce made from a myriad of ingredients including chilies, spices, nuts, and sometimes chocolate. Mole Poblano is famous, with its deep, dark hue and intricate flavor profile. It's often served over chicken or enchiladas. Each region boasts its unique mole variations.
Barbacoa
Traditionally, lamb or goat slow-cooked in a pit oven, wrapped in maguey leaves, resulting in incredibly tender, smoky meat. It’s a weekend delicacy, often served with warm tortillas, fresh cilantro, onions, and spicy salsas for a truly authentic Mexican brunch experience.
How to book a table in Mexico City
- · For MICHELIN-starred restaurants, book 1-3 months in advance, especially for weekend evenings. Use online reservation platforms like OpenTable or Resy, or directly via the restaurant's website.
- · Many top establishments require a deposit or credit card guarantee for reservations, with a strict cancellation policy to prevent no-shows. Be aware of the timeframe for free cancellations.
- · Consider booking a lunch seating at fine dining restaurants; prices are often more approachable, and reservations can be easier to secure while still experiencing the chef's full vision.
- · Strict no-show policies are common. Failure to cancel within the specified window (typically 24-48 hours) will result in a charge to your card, often the full tasting menu price.
FAQ
Mexico City restaurant questions travellers ask
What is the best restaurant in Mexico City?
Pujol in Polanco is the benchmark table — Contemporary Mexican, led by Enrique Olvera, two michelin stars, around MXN 3,500 - 5,000 / USD 200 - 300 per person. Order the Mole Madre, Mole Nuevo; Baby Corn with Chicatana Mayonnaise
Where is the best Mexican and Latin American restaurant in Mexico City?
Pujol in Polanco is the Mexican and Latin American table to book in Mexico City (MXN 3,500 - 5,000 / USD 200 - 300 per person). Other strong options: Quintonil, Sud 777, Em.
Where is the best Italian restaurant in Mexico City?
Rosetta in Roma Norte is the Italian table to book in Mexico City (MXN 1,800 - 3,000 / USD 100 - 180 per person).
Where is the best French restaurant in Mexico City?
Máximo Bistrot in Roma Norte is the French table to book in Mexico City (MXN 1,500 - 2,800 / USD 90 - 160 per person).
Where is the best Middle Eastern restaurant in Mexico City?
Merkava in Condesa is the Middle Eastern table to book in Mexico City (MXN 800 - 1,500 / USD 50 - 90 per person).
Where can I eat well in Mexico City without spending a fortune?
El Tigre is the best-value table on this list at roughly MXN 350 - 700 / USD 20 - 45 per person. Beyond fine dining, locals point to Los Cocuyos, Mariscos El Jarocho, Panadería Rosetta.
How far in advance should I book restaurants in Mexico City?
For MICHELIN-starred restaurants, book 1-3 months in advance, especially for weekend evenings. Use online reservation platforms like OpenTable or Resy, or directly via the restaurant's website. Many top establishments require a deposit or credit card guarantee for reservations, with a strict cancellation policy to prevent no-shows. Be aware of the timeframe for free cancellations.
What food is Mexico City famous for?
Tacos al Pastor, Churros, Esquites, Enchiladas, Sopes — the dishes most worth eating where they come from. Originating from Lebanese immigrants, these tacos feature marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit, shaved off and served on small tortillas with pineapple, onion, and cilantro. They are a quintessential Mexico City street food experience. Look for bustling stands with a vertical trompo (spit) to find the freshest ones.
Planning the rest of Mexico City?
The full Mexico City guide has a seven-day itinerary, neighbourhoods, museums and the mistakes to avoid.
Read the Mexico City travel guide