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Azul Historico
Dining under hundreds of candles in a beautiful courtyard within Mexico City’s historic center is reason enough to choose Azul Historico. Add one of the capital’s most well-regarded chefs, Ricardo Munoz Zurito, and it’s clear that Azul Historico is a...
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Balcón del Zócalo
This rooftop restaurant serves delicious, upscale Mexican cuisine and views of the Zócalo Square. Diners have the option of à la carte or a tasting menu, both of which can be paired with craft cocktails or wine.
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Blanco Colima
Blanco Colima is a buzzy, open-air bar with a clubby vibe in a gorgeous former home, located directly next door to Rosetta and perfect for a pre- or post-dinner drink for travelers looking to brush shoulders with locals.
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Carmela y Sal
This restaurant from Gabriela Ruiz is stylish and upscale while still maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a great dinner pick for families and couples alike. With a focus on flavors from Tabasco, the well-curated menu offers a...
- Photo by Sarah Levine, courtesy IndagareRead More
Contramar
Comida, which refers to lunch in Mexico, is the largest meal of the day and often a celebratory event that lasts for hours. There is no better way to experience this special meal than at Contramar, which is buzzing on...
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El Turix
This hole-in-the-wall taco shop always has a line out the door and serves what is arguably the best cochinita pibil (pulled pork) in town. So much so that it is the only thing on the menu.
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Em
In the growing “Little Tokyo” area, Em (often called Emelia) is a high-design restaurant from chef Lucho Martinez serving seasonal, Mexican-grown dishes with a Japanese influence. Reservations are a must. Says Las Alcobas hotelier Samuel Leizorek of Lucho’s cooking here:...
- Photo by Sydney Lapin courtesy IndagareRead More
Hugo El Wine Bar
This cozy wine bar in a far corner of Roma Norte is a great spot for practically any occasion—whether you're dining solo, on a first date, meeting with friends or having a meal with the family. Opened by two transplants...
- Photo by Andrea Cinta, courtesy Elena ReygadasRead More
Lardo
Located on the corner of a leafy street in Condesa, this airy restaurant blends perfectly into its surroundings and is the sister restaurant to Rosetta. The restaurant's wooden furniture and copper accents are understated and cool, and the abundance of...
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Le Tachinomi Desu
Le Tachinomi Desu is a standing-room-only Japanese bar with an impressive natural wine list and chalkboard menu offering only the freshest daily ingredients. The friendly staff serves up delicious crudos, ceviches and a light, three-course omakase, but the restaurant is...
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Maximo
A pedigreed alumni from the kitchens of Pujol and New York City’s Le Bernardin, chef Eduardo Garcia and his wife Gabriela opened Maximo in a former medical supply store in 2012 (though they have since relocated). The unpretentious restaurant is...
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Mercado Roma
This gourmet market and food hall offers a variety of artisanal vendors to choose from for traditional Mexican fare, sandwiches and more (including a German biergarten).
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Meroma
With a cocktail bar, terrace and restaurant, Meroma is worth a visit for its attractive, modern design alone—but you’re guaranteed to stay for its sophisticated menu (with a mix of local and international flavors).
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Molino “El Pujol”
Can’t get a spot at Pujol, or not interested in investing the time and money in a meal there? This relaxed spot is Pujol chef Enrique Olvera’s casual spot for accessibly priced, gourmet tortillas and tacos.
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Pujol
A culinary gem of Mexico City, Pujol consistently ranks in the top 25 of the world’s best restaurants by numerous publications. Chef Enrique Olivera’s magnum opus is a sleek dining room with just 13 tables, where guests enjoy an ever-changing,...
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Quintonil
While Quintinol’s setting is simple (with an unassuming entrance and sleek dining room), the menu is anything but. Located in the trendy Polanco neighborhood, the restaurant boasts innovative cuisine created by Pujol alum Jorge Vallejo with an emphasis on seasonality...
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Restaurante Nicos
A favorite of the late Anthony Bourdain, just a 20-minute drive from the Centro Histórico, Restaurante Nicos is a must-visit restaurant for a truly local, authentic Mexican lunch. While it is a bit out of the way, the experience is...
- Photo by Alejandro Ramirez Orozco, courtesy Elena ReygadasRead More
Rosetta
The creative Italian cuisine at Rosetta makes for a wonderful contrast to the city’s local fare—and is crafted by chef Elena Reygadas, who was awarded the World’s Best Female Chef award in 2023 by World’s 50 Best. Located within a...
- The courtyard at San Ángel Inn. Photo by Sydney Lapin courtesy IndagareRead More
San Ángel Inn
A former hacienda, the San Ángel Inn played host to many notable figures and Mexican aristocracy before it became one of the city’s most venerable restaurants. The menu is similar to that of an upscale European restaurant, but first-time visitors...
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Sartoria
Known as the Italian restaurant in Mexico City, Sartoria serves classic trattoria-style food with fresh, local ingredients and a great wine list.
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Tetetlán
This sustainability-focused restaurant has a simple menu that is sourced from local, ethical ingredients inspired by Mesoamerica. The food is good, not necessarily anything to write home about, the location certainly is: it is housed in Luis Barragan's Casa Pedregal,...
- Ticuchi's octopus taco with hummus and curryRead More
Ticuchi
Ticuchi (which means “bat” in Toltec) may seem like a strange name for a restaurant. However, as you step into the cozy, dimly lit, cave-like dining area of Enrique Olvera’s latest outpost in Polanco, the name will start to make...
Mexico City

Courtesy Rosetta
You can’t walk down any street in Mexico City without encountering the smells of hand-made tortillas and fresh tacos, but the city offers much more than just street cafés. In fact, the fine dining and gastronomic innovation make for an exciting culinary scene that is leading the way in Mexico City’s cultural revival. Lunch is often the main meal for locals, beginning around 2:00 pm, but there are also plenty of fabulous dinner experiences. For an abbreviated list of restaurants, read Top Tables Mexico City.
Destination
Type of Restaurant
Type of Meal
Editors Pick
Beyond…
Consider combining your trip with one of these destinations.
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Nicaragua
Central America’s largest and least densely populated country, Nicaragua is broken up into three areas: the magnificent Pacific coast, the remote Central Region and the nearly deserted Atlantic coast. The moniker “the country of lakes and volcanoes,” is no exaggeration....
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Costa Rica
The spirit of Costa Rica is best captured by its mantra “Pura Vida.” Directly translated, it means “pure life,” but in daily use it’s normally an expression of satisfaction or thanks, and is often heard as a greeting and farewell....