The 38 Best Restaurants in Mexico City, According to a Local Culinary Guide

The largest city in North America, Mexico City is a unique, elastic, ever-changing patchwork of food traditions. As a native of the city and a food writer covering the scene for the past 14 years, I’m still amazed by CDMX’s captivating energy and scale. The 38 Best Restaurants in Mexico City, According to a Local Culinary Guide From tacos to fine dining (and fine dining tacos), Eater’s expert recommends these essential restaurants in Mexico City Since Eater first started reporting on Mexico City’s dining scene in 2016, the way people travel and dine out has changed. Food-obsessed travelers visiting CDMX are often guided by opaque and controversial award systems, such as the 50 Best and, since 2024, the Michelin Guide. But there’s a lot more going on in restaurants here. I’ve witnessed CDMX’s growing openness to regional cuisines and its fascination with trends. I’ve also watched as the chefs who launched Mexico City onto the international stage more than 20 years ago have begun quietly passing the baton to a new generation of chefs and restaurateurs, who have traveled the world, worked in the best kitchens, and returned home to continue their cooking journeys. In the spirit of sorting out what is worth visiting, this list includes 38 restaurants and experiences for first-time and seasoned diners in Mexico City, focusing on projects that have distinctive culinary point of views, clear commitments to hospitality, and/or young local talent in the kitchen. We update this list regularly to make sure it reflects the ever-changing Mexico City dining scene. Our write-ups include insider tips from our experienced writers and editors, as well as a rough range of pricing for each destination — ranging from $ for quick, inexpensive meals with dishes largely under $10 (or the equivalent in pesos), to $$$$ for places where entrees exceed $30. New to the map in October 2026: Eater’s fall additions to the list move across neighborhoods and moods: A reinvention of one of Roma Norte’s favorites, Lalo, with an Italian-inspired new concept; El Distrito Fresco, a casual seafood spot fit for a long afternoon of eating and drinking in Tabacalera; an experimental bar, FO+MA, to end a night in Mexico City on a cocktail-heavy note; and Los Pacientes, a Doctores neighborhood taquería with a wide range of tacos and Norteño vibes. If you’re looking for even more travel tips, order the Eater Guide to Mexico City, which unpacks the sprawling city by breaking it down into seven chapters, along with histories and glossaries that put the tamales and pozoles you’re eating into eye-opening (and mouth-watering) context. The 38 Best Restaurants in Mexico City, According to a Local Culinary Guide From tacos to fine dining (and fine dining tacos), Eater’s expert recommends these essential restaurants in Mexico City If you buy something from a link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. The largest city in North America, Mexico City is a unique, elastic, ever-changing patchwork of food traditions. As a native of the city and a food writer covering the scene for the past 14 years, I’m still amazed by CDMX’s captivating energy and scale. Since Eater first started reporting on Mexico City’s dining scene in 2016, the way people travel and dine out has changed. Food-obsessed travelers visiting CDMX are often guided by opaque and controversial award systems, such as the 50 Best and, since 2024, the Michelin Guide. But there’s a lot more going on in restaurants here. I’ve witnessed CDMX’s growing openness to regional cuisines and its fascination with trends. I’ve also watched as the chefs who launched Mexico City onto the international stage more than 20 years ago have begun quietly passing the baton to a new generation of chefs and restaurateurs, who have traveled the world, worked in the best kitchens, and returned home to continue their cooking journeys. In the spirit of sorting out what is worth visiting, this list includes 38 restaurants and experiences for first-time and seasoned diners in Mexico City, focusing on projects that have distinctive culinary point of views, clear commitments to hospitality, and/or young local talent in the kitchen. We update this list regularly to make sure it reflects the ever-changing Mexico City dining scene. Our write-ups include insider tips from our experienced writers and editors, as well as a rough range of pricing for each destination — ranging from $ for quick, inexpensive meals with dishes largely under $10 (or the equivalent in pesos), to $$$$ for places where entrees exceed $30. New to the map in October 2026: Eater’s fall additions to the list move across neighborhoods and moods: A reinvention of one of Roma Norte’s favorites, Lalo, with an Italian-inspired new concept; El Distrito Fresco, a casual seafood spot fit for a long afternoon of eating and drinking in Tabacalera; an experimental bar, FO+MA, to end a night in Mexico City on a cocktail-heavy note; and Los Pacientes, a Doctores neighborhood taquería with a wide range of tacos and Norteño vibes. If you’re looking for even more travel tips, order the Eater Guide to Mexico City, which unpacks the sprawling city by breaking it down into seven chapters, along with histories and glossaries that put the tamales and pozoles you’re eating into eye-opening (and mouth-watering) context. El Distrito Fresco Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$ Right on the Monumento a la Revolución plaza, El Distrito Fresco plays with Mexico City’s nostalgia for the old Distrito Federal, mixing a seafood eatery — or fonda — concept with a daytime cantina. The menu includes a deep-fried calamari ceviche, an Acapulco-style seafood cocktail, and fried shrimp with garlic and hot sauce. Distrito Fresco is chef Rebeca Ortíz and Xavier Piñero’s newer, more ambitious culinary project, after flying under the radar but still very much in the know with event-based dinners at Nogal Nogal and Los Gatos, plus their two-day-a-week wine and DJ nights. El Distrito Fresco tastes and feels like a Mexico City spot should: fresh, no-fuss, lively, fun. Pair everything with margaritas, clamatos, or a regular michelada. Best for: A casual lunch ideal for large parties. Taco crawl in Centro Histórico Open for: Lunch Price range: $$$ For a rapid-fire overview of Mexico City’s ever-growing street food scene, join a walking tour of the curb-side gems that make the city a mouth-watering metropolis. One good option is Club Tengo Hambre, which offers a multi-stop parade through the best taquerías and hidden stands downtown. Best for: Food geeks and those who find eating in the streets of Mexico City intimidating will both enjoy the experience — this is a great option for first-time visitors who wish to cover a lot of ground in one day. Charco Open for: Lunch through dinner Price range: $$$ Located on a rooftop behind Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Charco is the best restaurant in the Centro Histórico neighborhood right now. Chef Ricardo Verdejo leads the project with a clear vision of what casual dining in CDMX should be: neither fussy nor overcomplicated, solid and friendly service, and genuinely delicious food. Start the meal with the farmer’s market crudite, paired with a gorgonzola dip sprinkled with cured egg yolk. Other standout dishes include the grilled catch of the day with peas and fresh fava beans over a seafood-based beurre monté, and the leeks and asparagus with a meunière sauce and olives, a reminder of how rich and savory vegetarian food can be. Don’t miss the Charco martini and the Tokio Cobbler. Best for: A sunset meal following a full day of activities in Centro Histórico. The Templo Mayor and the Cathedral are within a short distance, and the Diego Rivera murals at the SEP building are also nearby. Taverna Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$$ Taverna sits in a restored townhouse built in 1906 on Juarez’s General Prim Street. After years of family inheritance disputes, neighborhood disarray, and neglect, the property was eventually acquired and restored by Archipiélago restaurant group to house a Mediterranean-inspired spot. The food does deliver — but it’s almost beside the point. Most people come for the candlelit setting, which blends vintage details, greenery, and fine tableware into a kind of elegant ramshackle vibe. Needless to say, pin Taverna for a romantic dinner. The menu offers smoked and fire-cooked dishes like whole fish with potatoes and citrus salad or roasted cauliflower with mustard cream. The space also includes cozy lounges to enjoy a cocktail or two, with options like aged Negronis or dirty martinis. Best for: The restaurant is a good fit for larger celebrations. El Minutito Open for: Morning coffee and casual evening cocktails Price range: $$$$ El Minutito is a small, Italian-inspired coffee shop that moonlights as a wine bar after dark. Located just a few steps from Plaza Washington in the Juarez neighborhood, the business focuses on the social aspects of European coffee culture; the place has no seating — except a tiny bench on the sidewalk — instead encouraging customers to stand at the bar (and discouraging remote workers setting up shop with their laptops and phones). It makes for an intimate space to start the morning with caffeine, a croissant, or a grilled cheese sandwich. Once the sun sets, the bar kicks in, offering aperitivos, espresso martinis, vermouth, and natural wine. Best for: El Minutito has become a social epicenter of the Juárez neighborhood, so expect fun people watching. Cananea Open for: Night out with cocktails; Sunday daytime drinks Price range: $$ Juárez’s buzziest new drinking spot, Cananea is the wood-paneled bar of the Posada Viena hotel. The bar felt abandoned for years until Baja chef Jair Téllez took over the space, revamping the menu and beverage program. The original character (and lore) of the bar remains: a mezzanine with a pool table, a jukebox by the cocktail bar, dimmed red lights. The new menu offers bar snacks and small Northern-inspired dishes like quesabirria, Sonoran dried meat, and chivichangas, alongside well-balanced classic cocktails like margaritas, whisky sours, gimlets, mezcal spritzes, and natural wine. Vibe check: Cananea has become the go-to bar for hospitality industry insiders. Taller de Ostiones by FISM Open for: Lunch Price range: $$$ With a concise seafood-only menu, Taller de Ostiones by FISM showcases Mexico’s seafood bounty, all sustainably sourced from the coast of Baja California Sur. Situated in a secluded patio in the Juarez neighborhood, the restaurant maintains a casual ambiance, enhanced by its open kitchen. The menu changes with product availability and season, but consistently stands out for its fresh assortment of oysters, clams, and tuna sashimi from the raw menu. To round out the experience there are grilled pescadillas and Baja-style fish tacos paired with micheladas or a glass of white wine, creating a complete seafood-forward meal. Must-try dish: Order the botana especial to get all the best of the raw bar. Fugaz Open for: Thursday to Sunday lunch and dinner Price range: $$ Chef Giuseppe Lacorazza sources seasonal seafood from Mercado de la Viga (Mexico City’s largest seafood market) and uses it to make effortless, homey dishes that mix Mexican influences with some global flair. The avocado tostada with furikake is one of Fugaz’s most popular dishes, and it’s always on the menu, but check out other house specialties like the chilpachole (a corn and seafood soup), gnocchi with mussels, and white bean stew with clams. Lacorazza’s menu reflects his ongoing culinary research, which he shares periodically in his newsletter, Gula. The restaurant sits on a busy avenue in Roma Norte and works best for a casual late lunch or dinner. Know before you go: Pair your meal with wines from the sister bar/wine shop project next door, Fantasma. Sarde Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$$ Oregonian chef Jacob Harth and restaurateur Enrique Lascuráin run Sarde, which is inspired by the cuisine of Corsica and Sardinia. The restaurant’s menu is primarily focused on seafood, including elegantly plated dishes like totoaba tartare, mackerel with celery vinegar, or tuna carpaccio with schmaltz and pickled chile. Simple preparations highlight the team’s efforts to select sustainable items for their pantry and source seafood fished responsibly. The wine program focuses on underappreciated wine regions, with an exciting selection of bubbles and whites by the glass. The restaurant is small and well-edited in ambiance, and the open kitchen lets out noise from the service rush, so expect to hear plenty of “Yes, chef!” throughout your visit. Must-try dish: Even though Sarde’s menu is heavy on seafood, the rib-eye is exceptional. Ultramarinos Demar Open for: Lunch and early dinner Price range: $$$$ Seafood is at the epicenter of Ultramarinos Demar, the most recent project of chef Lucho Martínez. It’s hard to pinpoint all the culinary influences at play on the menu; there’s zarandeado (the classic Mexican-style grilled fish), but also velvety clam chowder, perfectly moistened crab cakes, lobster rolls, caviar with chips, and seafood platters. The restaurant appears casual, with a relaxed, no-frills dining room and bar seating, but servers draw inspiration from classic European restaurants, delivering polished table service in crisp, white jackets. The cosmopolitan, indulgent experience is a good choice for lunch or an early dinner (the restaurant closes at 7 p.m.). Know before you go: While you wait for your table, grab a coffee across the street at sister project Café Tormenta. La Vista Open for: Cocktails Price range: $$$ Hi-fi cocktail bars are trending in Mexico City, and La Vista has earned a reputation as a favorite social spot since its opening in the fall of 2024. The cocktail menu includes an Oolong Spritz and the Elote Fashioned, with mezcal, rum, and corn bitters, both approachable drinks to start the night. For a well-rounded and more spirited alternative, try the Napoleon: dry Carpano, gin, and tangerine liquor, a cocktail meant to keep up with the bar’s energy throughout the night. Pin La Vista as an ideal spot to end an evening after dinner in Roma Norte. Best for: A night out with friends. El Gran Abanico Open for: Breakfast and lunch Price range: $ Considered one of the best places to eat carnitas in Mexico City, El Gran Abanico is a local gem in the Tránsito neighborhood. While the taquería serves pastor, grilled steak, and longaniza tacos, focus on the carnitas. Order a surtida taco — a mix of lean and fatty pork meat — or, if you’re feeling more ambitious, order a pork shank served with fried beans, guacamole, and tortillas. If you take a car: Uber is the best way to get there, and be sure to bring pesos. - Gutiérrez Nájera s/n (Francisco Javier Clavijero), 62900 Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México - 55 8078 1884 - Visit Website Kill Bill Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$$$ Omakases have been trending in CDMX for a while now, as chefs meet the demand for high-end culinary experiences with easily accessible fresh seafood, including sustainable options from Baja California. The 12-seat bar Kill Bill is a less stuffy addition to the scene, combining elements of sushi omakase, robata, and hi-fi jazz music. The casual atmosphere is ideal for enjoying the three, well-thought-out omakase options — Kill, Bill, or Kill Bill — the last including super premium ingredients like certified Japanese wagyu and caviar. The pairings include sake by the glass or bottle and an elegant wine selection with crisp oranges and whites. Best for: Pin this one for a date night celebration, but make sure you book ahead of time. Los Pacientes Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$ The newest neighborhood taqueria in Doctores arrives with a menu that blends Mexico City-style tacos with a Northern Mexican vibe. Los Pacientes’s tacos range from brisket, asada, and campechanos to hamburger patty and rib-eye tacos to quesabirrias and volcanes, providing a well-rounded taco experience that feels local and not overpriced, unlike other upscale taquerias in town these days. Some of the best sellers are the brisket volcano, the quesoasada (in a flour tortilla), and the charcoal-grilled rib-eye, which is big enough to feed two people, with a side of baked potato, guacamole, and grilled peppers. Best for: Late night tacos after Lucha Libre at Arena Mexico. El Tigrillo Open for: Weekend brunch and cocktails at night Price range: $$ Mexico City is obsessed with everything Norteño, from banda music and cowboy boots to velvety flour tortillas. El Tigrillo fits right in. The tiny bar in Roma Norte offers a short menu of hardy Norteño breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday. Try the scrambled eggs with chorizo and potatoes, the grilled cheese with carnitas, the chile güero taco, or the chicharron burrito. It’s hard to go wrong. In the evenings from Wednesday to Saturday, El Tigrillo serves as an aperitif bar pouring vermouth, cider, Mexican wine, and mini cocktails. Know before you go: El Tigrillo is walk-in only, so plan ahead. Castacán Open for: Lunch and casual dinner Price range: $ Tapping into diners’ interest in Yucatecan cuisine, restaurateur Gabriela Cámara opened Castacán in spring 2024. The menu’s stars are the traditional cochinita pibil, the roasted suckling pig, and the crispy castacán (Yucateco pork belly). Order a taco of each to try the full range or go for a torta if you feel more ambitious, along with side orders of black refried beans, cheese, or longaniza sausage. The quality of the tortillas and salsas match Cámara’s care and respect for Yucateco traditions, but the look and feel of Castacán is entirely CDMX: bright pink floor tiles, eye-catching signs, and walls lined with intricate mosaic tiles. Know before you go: For the IYKYK Mexico City souvenir, grab a tote, a trucker hat, or a T-shirt from Castacán’s hot pink collection. Lotti Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$$ Lotti is Chef Luc Liebster’s first solo project, tucked in a 1915 Porfirian-period mansion on the sought-after Colima Street in Roma Norte. The menu intersects his Swiss culinary heritage with Mexican ingredients and flavors, showcasing Liebster’s fine-dining trajectory from the acclaimed Steirereck in Vienna to Mexico City’s top restaurant, Pujol. Standout dishes include the in-house brioche with Parmesan cream, mortadella, and clams, as well as the watermelon carpaccio with crispy lentils and cured tomato. Lotti’s execution of the menu is meticulous, emphasizing the quality of ingredients coming from different regions of Mexico. Don’t miss the Hasselback potatoes with avocado cream and trout roe; the scallops with zucchini, cantaloupe, and white bean paste; and the confit rockot with peas, corn, pistocho, and epazote. Lotti’s wine selection focuses mostly on crisp, mineral-driven whites from Europe to pair with Liebster’s fragrant, sleek menu. Best for: A power lunch with an elegant atmosphere in the heart of Roma Norte. Bar Mauro Open for: Cocktails from evening through midnight Price range: $$ Bar Mauro reasserts Mexico City’s romance with cocktail bars grounded in storytelling, and has been rewarded for it — it debuted in the 14th position on North America’s 50 Best Bars list in spring 2025. Mixologist Ricardo Nava and his brother Eduardo centered the concept around their grandfather’s love for the Italian aperitif tradition. Ricardo’s long mixology career and experience behind the bar are evident in a cocktail list featuring options like the Banana Adonis, which combines rosso vermouth, sherry, and banana, and the Sbagliatto Bianco, with both dry and white vermouth, Prosecco, and pine bitters. Bar Mauro has become the place to be for cocktail hour in Roma Norte, with excellent light bites like prosciutto arancini. Best for: A catch-up with friends or a casual romantic night. The Lamb Open for: Lunch through dinner Price range: $$$ The Lamb shines like a beacon of culinary enlightenment in Roma Norte. Everything about the restaurant is on point: A little white lamb emblem welcomes guests to a cozy space inspired by British pubs, while the menu draws from flavors of the English countryside. It’s the third project of restaurateur couple Poppy Powell and Federico Patiño, and it feels like their most personal. Chef Patiño’s take on English cooking incorporates wild game, fresh produce from organic farms, generous amounts of butter, and exceptional European-style cheeses produced in Mexico. The result is a selection of classics, including a Scotch egg with homemade ketchup, a mackerel pate that may be best in class in Mexico City right now, beef liver with caramelized onions, Welsh rarebit, bangers and mash, fish and chips, and rabbit pie. Know before you go: Even though the menu relies heavily on animal protein, vegetarians will be well-served at the Lamb. Order the glassed carrots, the chayote with fennel and cheddar salad, and the wild mushroom pie with baby corn and cheese. Bar Nino Open for: Lunch through dinner Price range: $$$ Restaurateur Isabel Castillo and chef Michael Crespo took their time opening their latest restaurant, located just a few steps from their highly successful first project together, Hugo El Wine Bar. They’ve created a charming establishment, renowned for its New York-style hospitality and elegant approach to Italian cuisine. A recent lunch reservation revealed local patrons are loving dishes like asparagus with anchovy butter and Parmesan, served with just the right amount of cheese and butter; the perfectly cooked artichoke risotto; the veal meatballs with velvety mashed potatoes; and the seabass with lime and capers. The wine list is a good match for the menu, and you should focus on the options by the glass. Most of the seating in the restaurant is outdoors, typical of a Roma Norte establishment, and reservations are highly encouraged. Must-try dish: Leave some room for the tres leches cake. Bartola Open for: Lunch to late night Price range: $$ Chef Armando Acosta helms Bartola, an inviting Italian-inspired spot in Roma Norte. The menu is stocked with crowd-pleasers like a particularly generous Caesar salad, rigatoni cacio e pepe, and ravioli with short rib. Bartola also stands out for its welcoming ambiance and a strong cocktail program, so it’s a great choice for those who enjoy bar seating. Don’t miss the chicken parm, topped with diabola sauce, pesto, and mozzarella — it’s become a social media darling. Best for: A casual lunch outdoors in Roma Norte after a day of shopping. Outline Open for: Dinner and weekend brunch Price range: $$ Tucked away on a basement level past a retail store, Outline proves that Mexico City’s cocktail game has peaked. The concept features nearly 30 pre-batched cocktails, poured from a draft line. Other draft options include seasonal kombuchas and slushies, such as the Outline margarita. The dinner menu offers options such as vegetable tempura with sesame sauce, fish ceviche with cherry tomatoes, and asada tacos on flour tortillas, so there’s something for everyone here. The regular crowd is mainly groups of mid-30s friends, looking for a place to enjoy a leisurely dinner with drinks as a pregame for the weekend. Outline also offers seating on an ample terrace. Know before you go: Outline hosts local DJs to set the mood for the weekend, as well as visiting chefs for special menus, so the experience changes regularly. Tacos la Once Mil Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$ The latest opening of what Chilangos call “bougie tacos” is La Once Mil, located in one of the most expensive zip codes in Mexico City: Lomas de Chapultepec. The taqueria is best suited for visitors staying in the Polanco area; otherwise, be prepared for some traffic. Order the picanha and sirloin Angus taco, prepared on a rotating trompo like al pastor. Other satisfying options include the carnitas and campechano tacos. Vibe check: Expect a full house frequented with affluent locals and nine-to-fivers at lunch hour, which in Mexico is usually around 1 to 4 p.m. Xuna Open for: Afternoon to late dinner Price range: $$$$ Michelin-starred chef Jonatan Gómez Luna, of the acclaimed Le Chique in Riviera Maya, brings his culinary vision to Mexico City with Xuna. The restaurant’s name means “Great Lady” in Mayan, and pays homage to Mexico’s ancient culinary heritage, which serves as the canvas for a menu executed by head chef Efrén Oswaldo Chan. The tasting menu takes diners on a journey through Mexican regional cuisines and refined culinary techniques, playing with varied texture, color, and vibrant flavors in every dish. Standouts include the tetela with seasonal insects and chicatana mole, and the spider crab tostada — both delicately prepared and visually striking. Xuna is a welcome addition to Mexico City’s high-end tasting menu scene, joining the ranks of Quintonil and Pujol. Know before you go: This is a high-end tasting menu experience, so wear your best to blend in with the stylish local crowd. Cursi Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$$ Cursi means “cheesy,” and true to its name, the restaurant’s decor artfully combines street art with a romantic theme, creating a space perfectly suited for a casual dinner date. The family-style menu further reinforces the social nature of dining here. Start with the charred green aguachile and a shrimp cocktail with yuzu, then try the grilled Caesar salad topped with anchovies. For mains, pick from rib-eye, bone-in short rib, BBQ ribs, or flank steak (arrachera), all served with a generous portion of fries. Sides like mac and cheese with bacon or grilled vegetables complete the experience. Cursi’s cocktail program focuses on sweet and fruity libations like the Medias de Seda — gin, raspberry, vanilla, and condensed milk. Must-try dish: For a sweet ending, indulge with the creamiest dulce de leche cheesecake. Propio Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$$ Located in the heart of Roma Norte, Propio is an ambitious project led by chefs Shary Romo and Alex Chávez, whose impressive resumes include household names like Mexico City’s Quintonil and EM and New York City’s Eleven Madison Park. The Propio space is midcentury chic, with a salon divided in two sections, a luminous open kitchen, and a sundeck at the back. Since Propio opened in mid-2024, the chefs’ skills have been consistently on display with favorites like soft-shell crab with red rice, vuelve a la vida seafood cocktail, and pork belly with yellow corn mayo and bourbon glaze. The cooking is relatable yet highly elevated and contemporary, anchored in Chávez and Romo’s Northern Mexican heritage. Propio has quickly become a sought-after reservation, so plan in advance. Must-try dish: The monkey bread with caramelized vanilla ice cream and the strawberries with cream fraiche. Jowong Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$ Mexico City is an increasingly diverse dining destination. Take restaurants like Jowong, which has gained popularity in part thanks to a blossoming Korean community. Historically, Zona Rosa has been the Korean enclave in the city; in 2023, however, Jowong secured a home in Condesa in what was formerly a Chinese cafe. Now, with a minimalist approach and keen attention to detail, Jowong captures the attention of diners with dishes like a Korean Caesar salad with seaweed and yuzu or crispy corn with Sichuan pepper. The main dishes are also a treat, so order the Korean feast — marinated prime rib, bulgogi, banchan, rice — as well as the fried chicken with gochujang. Best for: Sunday brunch with friends to enjoy a family-style meal. Magazzino Open for: Dinner to late night Price range: $$ The main draw of this intimate spot in Condesa is its six-seat, reservation-only chef’s table, where diners are treated to an omakase-style experience featuring chef Patrizio Cesarano’s inventive daily menu. In addition to the cozy indoor space, there are outdoor tables where guests can sample a seasonal Mexican-Italian menu of small plates, perfect for pairing with rare wines. Standout dishes include the blue corn polenta with smoked mayo and meco chile, and the beef tartare with avocado leaf. Magazzino’s chef’s table is in high demand, so be sure to book well in advance. Best for: True restaurant geeks looking for a meal unlike any other in town. Piquette Brasserie Open for: Afternoon to late night Price range: $$$ Piquette Brasserie marks chef Marin de Bausset’s temporary residency in Mexico City, set in Roma Norte and running through February 2026. Piquette showcases a classically French menu featuring dishes like Lyonnaise salad, chateaubriand (beef tenderloin medallion) with Dijon sauce and frites, and chicken vol-au-vent with cherry sauce, among other brasserie favorites. Wine pairings are a highlight, curated by Alexandre Langlois — a seasoned wine expert in Mexico City and founder of Brutal, a well-regarded wine bar and shop in San Chapultepec. Best for: A classic French-style dinner with a focus on wine. FO+MA Open for: Pre- or post-dinner cocktails Price range: $$$ Founded by former Handshake Bar alumni, FO+MA is the most interesting place to have a cocktail in Mexico City right now. The cocktail menu uses high-end techniques like infusions, distillations, ferments, and clarifications to pull unexpected flavors from familiar ingredients. The back bar looks more like a working lab than a bar, ideal for cocktail geeks who love experimental libations. Try the Martini Fromage — built around blue cheese, vodka, tomato cordial, and apple — or the Golden Milk, a well-balanced herbal cocktail with whiskey, honey, turmeric, ginger, and pepper. The bar’s name blends the team’s vision: form and matter, which translates into an imaginative and bold cocktail menu. The bar snack menu is limited, so plan your reservation for before or after dinner. Vibe check: For cocktail geeks and connoisseurs looking for the next best bar in the city. Lalo Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$$ In mid-2026, chef Eduardo García and Gaby López gave Lalo, their casual spot in Roma Norte, a second life. After a nine-month renovation, Lalo’s long communal table and Mexican-style breakfast gave way to chef García’s new vision: an old-school Italian trattoria. Peperonata and house-made focaccia, pasta like cavatelli with lamb ragú, agnolotti stuffed with beef rib and wild mushrooms, and gnocchi with Parmesan or chicken milanese alla Napoli are among the dishes that represent Lalo’s 2.0. As usual, a deep roster of local producers stands behind chef García’s menu execution, offering a menu that is precious about technique and inspired by Italian nonna culinary traditions. Lalo’s hospitality follows Gaby’s vision: attentive to detail and orchestrated to make guests feel right at home. Must-try dish: Don’t skip the tiramisu, a love letter to Italian desserts. Baldío Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$$ Baldío merges two progressive projects. On one side, Arca Tierra has been a major player in Mexico City, building restorative agricultural connections between farms and restaurants. On the other, chef Douglas McMaster of pioneering London restaurant Silo brings his zero-waste cooking approach. Together, they create a menu where the seasonality and freshness of the ingredients truly shine through. Portions run small, so you can order an array of options from the open kitchen. Start with esquites with epazote oil, the grilled pork and hoja santa dolma, and chinampa veggies with green pipian. Continue with the grilled trout with native tomatoes and the amberjack sashimi with pickled chayote. The beverage program includes corn-based drinks like pozol and house fermentations such as pulque and tepache. Because of the hyperlocal nature of the operation, the menu can change daily, meaning Baldío can pleasantly surprise you every visit. Best for: Baldío is a perfect option for vegetarians and pescetarians, with dishes heavy on produce and greens. Lina Open for: Dinner only on weekdays, with lunch on weekends Price range: $$$ Lina is the first solo project of chef Mariana Villegas after spending time in world-renowned kitchens like Cosme in New York, Fulgurances L’Adresse in Paris, and Contramar in Mexico City. Lina’s dinner menu combines international flavors and local ingredients, with options like trout tartare with hibiscus creme fraiche, tuna sashimi with carrot aguachile, and wagyu with salsa borracha. For dessert, Villegas’s tres leches with guava cream is an elegant take on one of Mexico’s most beloved cakes, and the chocolate mousse with pataxtle (white cacao) is excellent. Lina’s open kitchen and dining room feel cozy, and the restaurant offers bar seating for diners to kick off dinner with a Sake Splitz (Mexican sake, Oaxacan poleo, prosecco) or a glass of biodynamic wine. Vibe check: Lina feels casual yet elevated for the quality of the menu, ideal for dinner parties among food-focused friends. La Americana Open for: Casual afternoon snacks and cocktails Price range: $ At La Americana, you’ll find books, fanzines, and magazines for browsing or purchasing while sipping a pre-batched Negroni, dry martini, margarita, or glass of wine. The bookshop meets bar also offers a casual menu of snacks like a corned beef sandwich, farro salad with charred sweet potato, or mackerel salad with tomatoes and fermented mango. Check out the reading clubs, which often evolve into social, neighborly hangouts. Know before you go: Remote workers are welcome, but video calls are not permitted. Gaba Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$$ After cementing his career in acclaimed kitchens like Bestia in LA and Arca in Tulum, chef Victor Toriz Sánchez is finally flying solo at Gaba, consistently drawing diners to the outskirts of Condesa with his exceptional execution. The menu builds on carefully sourced ingredients like acoyote beans, chicatana ants, and Ocosingo cheese, all enhanced with a dose of experimentation for especially sophisticated results. Make sure to order the sweetbreads with green chileatole (corn masa porridge mixed with green chiles and herbs) and the wagyu cecina tartar. Must-try dish: Chicken liver pate. Lagerbar Hércules Open for: Lunch through dinner Price range: $$ The Querétaro-based project Hércules has carved out a niche in Mexico’s craft beer community for its diverse variety and quality lagers, a style that locals love. Located on a busy corner of Campeche Street, Lagerbar focuses on lagers on tap, offering an array of regional takes on the golden pint, including a Czech pilsner, a lager made with corn, a pale lager inoculated with brettanomyces, and a Kolsch-style ale. The staff is quite knowledgeable, down to the minutiae of how foamy your pint should be according to Czech traditions. Pair the hops with a pork shank served with pickled peppers, a weisswurst sausage, or schnitzel with mash. Vibe check: The crowd is very local, packed with creative and 9-to-5 Chilangos looking for a chill beer after office hours. Voraz Open for: Lunch and dinner Price range: $$$ For years, the Servicio Becerra autoshop stood on the corner of Aguascalientes and Manzanillo in Roma Norte. The shop’s hand-painted sign still signals the entrance, but the concrete-heavy interior now houses Voraz, a gastropub by chef Emiliano Padilla. The restaurant makes the space feel welcoming with pristine white tablecloths and a busy open kitchen, where Padilla produces conversation-starting apps like a salty churro served with cotija cheese sauce and chile powder. Meatless main dishes include options like roasted broccoli with pumpkin seed sauce or an uchepo, a sweet corn tamale made here with cheese foam and tomatillo sauce. There’s a bar area where you can have a snack alongside cocktails like the Melipon Sour with gin, honey, and xtabentún. Know before you go: Sunday dinner can be tricky in Mexico City, as most restaurants close early; Voraz, which closes at 10, fills that gap. Gia Open for: Lunch through dinner Price range: $$$ After nailing the contemporary bistro concept with Cana, chef Fabiola Escobosa teamed up with Isabela Freydell, former beverage manager at Enrique Olvera’s hospitality group Casamata, to welcome diners to their vision of Italian American cuisine at Gia. Inspired by the New York-style red sauce joint, Gia’s menu offers several saucy options, including pappardelle Bolognese, bucatini pomodoro, and meatballs with focaccia, as well as an array of thin-crust pizzas, ranging from classic pepperoni and margherita to mortadella and Italian sausage. Be sure to include the tangy green goddess salad, generously topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano. Vibe check: Casual and unpretentious, with sidewalk seating and a chill atmosphere.