The Ultimate Mexico City Restaurant Guide by a Native Resident
Looking for the ultimate Mexico City restaurant guide?
Look no further than this guest post by Dani, who was born and raised in Mexico City!
Mexico City is a food lover’s paradise. From traditional Mexican cuisine to international delights, the city offers a wide range of dining options that cater to every palate.
Whether you’re a fan of Italian pasta, Mediterranean mezes, Japanese sushi, or classic tacos and burgers, Mexico City has it all.
Here’s your ultimate Mexico City restaurant guide to some of the best establishments in this thriving city – from swanky food establishments to hamburger and taco joints that will make you drool.
The Ultimate Mexico City Restaurant Guide
There are so many reasons to visit Mexico City, and food is one of them
Mexican Food in Mexico City
Balcón del Zócalo (Historic Center)
Situated in the heart of Mexico City’s Historic Center, Balcón del Zócalo offers delicious Mexican cuisine with stunning views of the Zocalo main plaza and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
The food here combines traditional Mexican flavors with a modern twist, presenting dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious.
They suggest a tasting menu that puts an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients combined with Chef Pepe Salinas’s creative flair, but they have à la carte options too. If you go that route, don’t miss out on trying their exquisite ceviche and the duck tacos.
At Balcón del Zócalo, you´ll find a nice wine selection and well-crafted cocktails to pair with the scrumptious food, too.
- Location: Av. 5 de Mayo 61, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
- Reservations: 55 5130 5134 / Website
Siembra Comedor (Polanco)
Originally a tortilla shop with a small taco business on the side, this locale has evolved into Siembra Comedor, a pretty restaurant overlooked by chefs Karina Meía and Israel Montero.
The place has preserved its corn-based essence, and you’ll be treated to the wafting aroma of freshly-made tortillas coming out of the semi-open kitchen as soon as you walk in the door
The menu here features a variety of traditional Mexican dishes, some with a twist, like the soft-shell crab tacos, pork belly gorditas and the shrimp aguachile. As for dessert, you’ll find traditional tamales that are exquisite!
- Location: Newton 300, Polanco V Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City
- Reservations: 55 7875 0411 / Website
Azul Condesa (Condesa)
Located in the trendy Condesa neighborhood, Azul Condesa is a charming restaurant that serves great food set in a picturesque, two-story house with charming artisan decorations and a pretty patio with outdoor seating.
Helmed by Chef Ricardo Muñoz Zurita, the place is a favorite in the area for savoring Mexican cuisine. His moles and chiles en nogada are top-notch, following the tradition of the group’s other two venues: Azulísimo and Azul Histórico.
This is a great option for visiting any time of day, whether you’re looking to have some Eggs a la Mexicana or chilaquiles or breakfast, or you’re in the mood for a leisurely lunch or dinner with a glass of wine or a mezcal cocktail.
- Location: Av Nuevo León 68, Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
- Reservations: 55 5286 6380 / Website
Italian Food in Mexico City
Isola (Polanco)
Isola is an essential destination for Italian food lovers in the exclusive Polanco district of Mexico City. Its wide variety of dishes is guaranteed to be crafted with the freshest and highest quality ingredients.
Housed in a beautifully restored period mansion, Isola’s façade and interior preserves its historical essence, while contemporary elements create a space of irresistible casual chic.
The concept here is “Zero Shortcuts” and top quality, which means a combination of artisan techniques and the best ingredients, hand-picked by Chef José Mendín himself. This translates to exquisite pasta made from scratch that pleases even the most demanding palate.
- Location: Av. Emilio Castelar 149, Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City
- Reservations: 55 6445 5628 / Website
Il Becco
Located inside the Four Seasons Hotel on Reforma Avenue, Il Becco is a guarantee of good Italian food in Mexico City. It is part of the Becco Group, which boasts more than 20 years of experience serving traditional Italian dishes in Mexico City.
Their trademark is the use of stone-ground grain lours, cheeses, olive oils and sausages imported straight from Italy. Its menu includes dishes that range from the basic minestrone and artisan pizzas, to prawns and prime meat cuts, as well as the most elaborate pasta and risotto cooked with the original recipes.
The taglioni with trufle and brasato di costolete glazed in red wine are musts.
Il Becco’s design is a delightful combination of coziness and sophistication, with red brick walls and tables covered in crisp white tablecloths creating a unique ambiance that reminds of a charming trattoria in Italy.
- Location: Four Seasons Hotel (Av. Paseo de la Reforma 500, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City)
- Reservations: 55 5230 1818 / Website
Marcelleria (Roma)
If you’re aiming for a unique Italian culinary experience in the Roma neighborhood, Marcelleria is a very nice option that specializes in traditional Italian cuisine made from scratch and prime meat cuts.
This Italian restaurant prides itself on bringing homemade flavor from Italy by cooking its dishes in an artisan way, using original recipes and its own stone oven, while using as many local ingredients as possible.
You’ll find a wide selection ranging from delicious pizzas and pasta to tender steaks and even hamburgers. Nonna’s lasagna and funghi pasta is a must-try if you want to be transported to a traditional table in a picturesque Italian villa.
As for drinks, they have a cellar with more than 50 labels that include Mexican and Italian vintages, as well as a variety of mezcals, tequilas and cocktails.
- Location: Cerrada de Orizaba 127, Roma Nte, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
- Reservations: 55 5574 1461 / Website
Japanese Restaurants in Mexico City
Suntory (Lomas)
Founded in 1970, Suntory is a benchmark of Japanese haute cuisine adapted to the Mexican palate. In other words, it is a classic that has seen generations of Mexico City residents and visitors pass through its doors looking for a fine meal in an exclusive atmosphere.
Here, you’ll find traditional sushi rolls, teppanyaki plates and other Far East delicacies with top quality ingredients.
The story behind Suntory is that the Japanese chain came to Mexico City 54 years ago with the purpose of promoting their liquors – mainly cantaloupe-flavored Midori.
Soon they realized there was a huge potential for a restaurant that offered high-quality Japanese cuisine with a twist to satisfy Mexican palates, and the rest is history.
- Location: Montes Urales 535, Lomas – Virreyes, Lomas de Chapultepec, Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City
- Reservations: 55 5202 4711 / Website
Ryoshi (Polanco)
Ryoshi is an innovative Asian restaurant in the heart of Polanco, one of Mexico City’s most exclusive neighborhoods.
It is a great choice for enjoying Asian and international delicacies in a trendy spot with modern architecture and a plant-filled atmosphere that exudes sophistication and style.
It centers on a spectacular sushi and robata bar, as well as a menu with top-notch delicacies that include fish imported from Japan, Spain, Alaska, New Zealand and beyond.
Ryoshi also boasts a fine selection of premium sakes, wines and cocktails.
- Location: Av. Presidente Masaryk 111, Polanco V Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City
- Reservations: 55 8848 0754 / Website
Funky Lee (Polanco)
If you’re looking for exquisite Japanese fare in a super cool place, Funky Lee is your go-to.
This spot is one of the latest Japanese food venues with exotic vibes and a party atmosphere that seem to be taking hold of Mexico City.
For starters, this place is hidden behind a bookcase inside the “Diego y Yo“ restaurant in Polanco, like a sort of speakeasy – a concept that has gained a lot of popularity in the last few years.
Once you cross the entrance, you’ll be rewarded with scrumptious Japanese dishes, good music and well-crafted designer cocktails.
Must-tries include the Kanji Roll with clarified butter and Roca Shrimp, but your best bet is to order several dishes to share because everything is delicious.
If you prefer something less noisy and want to try Oaxacan cuisine, staying at “Diego y Yo“ without crossing the threshold is also a good idea.
- Location: Av. Presidente Masaryk 123, Polanco V Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City
- Reservations: 55 9237 6022
Seafood in Mexico City
Contramar (Roma)
Contramar is a benchmark seafood culinary scene in Mexico City due to its delicious fresh ingredients and the laid-back, relaxed atmosphere.
In case you are wondering about the freshness of their seafood or “mariscos,“ with Mexico City being an inland destination, worry not.
The city has the logistics in place to bring in the first catches of the morning from several coastal destinations. At Contramar they have them brought in from Sonora, a seaside state by the Gulf of California.
This is the case with all reputable seafood restaurants in the city. Mexico City residents love seafood and they are quite savvy, so a good rule of thumb is to trust the places where you see a decent crowd.
Campobaja (Roma)
Campobaja is a contemporary restaurant that honors the culinary wealth of the Mexican coasts with a concept that centers on local ingredients and sustainable fishing practices.
The fish and seafood dishes at Campobaja are scrumptious, making it a favorite among the local crowd. Although the menu changes regularly according to product availability, you’ll always find something to delight your senses within a pretty, relaxed ambiance.
The indoor and outdoor terrace and the DJ music contribute to the unique dining experience in Campobaja, as does their great natural wine and cocktail selection.
Favorite dishes here include black rice with squid and aioli, grilled octopus, shellfish and their various ceviches.
Greek Food in Mexico City
Mentor (Reforma)
Mentor offers a genuine Mediterranean experience that transports you to an eatery in a charming town in Greece.
Housed in the St. Regis Hotel on bustling Paseo de la Reforma avenue, this restaurant is committed to providing an authentic Greek venue, with chefs from the Mediterranean country who cook using fresh, imported ingredients and traditional techniques to create some of the best Mediterranean flavors in town.
They have live music with traditional songs performed with a bouzuki, and Opa dancing on Fridays and Saturday nights to enhance your experience.
- Location: The St. Regis Mexico City (Av. Paseo de la Reforma 439, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City)
- Reservations: 55 1185 1885 / Website
Ilios Greek Estiatorio (Polanco)
Ilios honors the essence of Greek cuisine by taking traditional gastronomy to a new level of sophistication in an exceptional space with a tasteful design.
Put simply, it is an oasis in the heart of the busy. Here, you can immerse yourself in the Greek dishes and culture in a beautiful setting – wood, plants and earthy tones converge both indoors and in the open-air seating areas.
This culturally rich and fun experience involves exquisite food, fiery drinks and Greek elements such as glasses shaped like Doric columns and a shiny Achilles’ Heel. And yes, shouts of, “Opa!“ and the sound of plates breaking are not unheard of.
As for the menu, must-tries include domanthes, which are pickled grapevine leaves stuffed with Greek rice and kalamata olives, and the spanakotiropita, a crispy ilo stuffed with spinach and feta cheese. Be warned that servings are quite generous, with the idea that you will share the way Greek people do at home.
- Location: Av. Pdte. Masaryk 311, Polanco IV Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City
- Reservations: 55 9688 6866 / Website
French Restaurants in Mexico City
Maximo Bistrot (Roma)
Run by Chef Eduardo García and his wife and partner Gabriela López, Maximo Bistrot is a fine example of a restaurant that serves exceptional French food.
The restaurant follows the strict philosophy of supporting national products, serving simple yet sophisticated dishes that you can accompany with craft beer or wine. The physical space is very pretty and cozy, and they’re open from breakfast to dinnertime.
Their menu changes daily, but they never cease to impress with dishes like asparagus and carrot puree or Chicatana ants, although they also have traditional French and Mexican items for less adventurous stomachs.
- Location: Av. Álvaro Obregón 65 Bis, Roma Nte, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
- Reservations: 55 5264 4291 / Website
Best Burgers in Mexico City
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the vast gastronomic offer in Mexico City and just want a good ol’ hamburger? Well, the city has plenty of them, too. Here are a couple of hand-picked options to put on your foodie bucket list.
We Love Burgers Condesa
With several locations across the city, We Love Burgers is a favorite among burger lovers. Their menu features a variety of creative burgers made with top-quality ingredients.
Their blue cheese burger and BBQ bacon burger are particularly popular, but you can find simpler options as well if that is what you are looking for.
- Location: Av Michoacán 172, Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
- Reservations: 55 5038 9086 / Website
Butcher & Sons
Butcher & Sons offers gourmet burgers in a stylish setting, with delicious innovative options like The Bowie with blue cheese and caramelized onions.
Each hamburger here is named after a famous musician, which adds a fun twist to your dining experience.
- Location: Av Michoacán 172, Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
- Reservations: 55 5038 9086 / Website
Best Tacos in Mexico City
Tacos in Mexico City are probably, not surprisingly, the most iconic food item in the capital.
You’ll find many varieties, in hundreds of eateries that range from small street stands to fine dining venues.
Here are a couple of options that are sure to please. Both of them recently received the Michelin Bib Gourmand award!
Los Parados
Located in Roma Sur, this taco restaurant is very popular among locals and tourists alike. The name literally means, “those who are standing,” and that is what you can expect. Casual stands like these are also great dining options for solo travelers in Mexico City!
Los Parados serves traditional pork pastor tacos, as well as the less common beef pastor. Other favorite options include beef with cheese, beef with poblano pepper and quesadillas with pita bread.
Los Parados is open beginning around noon into the wee hours of the morning, which is very convenient for nightowls and party-goers.
- Locations: Monterrey 333, Roma Sur, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
- Reservations: First come, first served basis / Website
El Vilsito
By day, El Vilsito is an auto repair shop; in the afternoons and evenings, it transforms into one of the best taco spots in the city.
It’s famous for its tacos al pastor, which consist of marinated pork cooked on a curling vertical spit, then served in a soft tortilla with diced cilantro and onion, fresh pineapple and salsa. This place is a must eat in Mexico City for taco enthusiasts.
- Locations: Petén 248 y Av. Universidad, Narvarte Poniente, Benito Juárez, Mexico City
- Reservations: First come, first served basis
The Ultimate Mexico City Restaurant Guide: Final Thoughts
From traditional Mexican specialties to international delights, Mexico City’s culinary scene is a vibrant tapestry of flavors.
Whether you’re indulging in a fine dining experience at an exclusive venue, or enjoying tacos while standing on a street corner, this city has something to satisfy every craving. See which options most intrigue you and add them to your Mexico City itinerary.
No matter what occasion brings you to Mexico City, be sure to make some time to explore some of these restaurants!
About the author: Dani is a travel blogger born and bred in Mexico City. She traveled all over the world for years before deciding to settle back in her hometown because she truly believes it’s one of the coolest cities in the world. These days, she writes for No Hurry To Get Home and runs, The Guide CDMX.
