Where to Eat in Mexico City: 25 Restaurants You Can’t Miss
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our Disclosure Policy for details.
Last updated on February 22, 2026
Wondering where to eat in Mexico City for an upcoming trip? This guide will help you have the best foodie experience!
Mexico City is a food-lover’s dream. As the world’s eighth-largest city and home to over 23 million people, it has every cuisine imaginable, but its Mexican food steals the show. It’s one of the few cities in the world where you can experience the diversity of Mexican cuisine in such abundance.
From its 62 Michelin guide-recommended restaurants, countless mom-and-pop restaurants, and 24-hour street food on virtually every street, you have access to delicious, often affordable food of all varieties, no matter the time of day.
With so many dining options, it can feel overwhelming to determine where to eat in Mexico City—which is precisely why I created this guide. After visiting Mexico City three times, we put together a list of our favorite Mexico City restaurants for you to visit, along with helpful tips and things to do about dining out in Mexico City.
Table of Contents
Tips about where to eat in Mexico City
Here are a few important things to know about eating in Mexico City.
Do you need reservations for Mexico City restaurants?
You do not need a reservation for street food or more casual restaurants in Mexico City. However, you need a reservation to dine at one of the many Michelin restaurants in Mexico City or at trendy restaurants.
Many Mexico City restaurants will use Resy for reservations, which can be made online. Others will take reservations via WhatsApp. WhatsApp is the primary app used to communicate in Mexico. It’s free to download and will be useful on your trip to Mexico City.
Is it safe to eat street food in Mexico City?
Street food is a huge part of Mexican cuisine. It literally feeds the country, not just chilangos in Mexico City. At all hours of the day, you’ll see street vendors setting up temporary kitchens or selling items out of their bikes or vehicles. Given its importance in their culture, affordability, abundance, and general deliciousness—it should be a part of your dining experience while visiting.
However, I realize eating street food can potentially cause tummy troubles for sensitive tummies or with unsanitary vendors, which no one wants on a trip to Mexico City or elsewhere, for that matter.
To help you reduce your chances of Montezuma’s revenge, look for street vendors with a large line of locals. Also, keep an eye on their sanitary procedures. Does it look fairly clean? Are they using utensils to serve, wearing gloves or have handwashing or hand sanitizer nearby?
We didn’t get sick at all on our last trip to Mexico City, but we have had issues in other parts of Mexico. It can happen, so have some tummy medicine on hand to help address any issues that may arise or stop into a farmacia to get medicine in the city.
➡ Read Next: 3 Days in Mexico City: The Best First-Time Itinerary ⬅
Some of the best food we ate in Mexico City was considered “street food” on our food tour of La Merced and Sonora markets. This market is massive, taking up several square miles and blocks of the city. We highly encourage you to book the exact food tour we did to get a more local experience and try foods you likely wouldn’t have tried without a guide.
🚨Do not go to this market alone! It has sections that are not safe for tourists to visit. The guide has gone through the proper channels to ensure visitors will have a safe, pleasant experience and can help you avoid the sections you shouldn’t visit.
Mexico City restaurants and food costs
One of the best things about choosing where to eat in Mexico City is that you can have your destinations fit any budget. You can easily eat every meal in a given day for under $20 USD, or you could spend $50 USD or more at one of the Mexico City Michelin restaurants. Generally, Mexico City restaurants and food are fairly affordable.
- a cocktail at a fancier bar $11 – $15
- beer $1 – $3
- street tacos $0.50 – $2.00 per taco
- tamale, quesadilla or other street food $1.50 – $2.00 per item
- mid-range meal out $10 – $20 per person
- upscale meal $40+ per person
🪙 Always have Mexican pesos on hand when eating in Mexico City. Most taco stalls, street vendors and even some restaurants will be cash (effectivo) only. Many of the newer restaurants in Mexico City, however, will accept debit or credit cards. Just make sure you use a credit card with no international fees.
Tipping is customary in Mexico City restaurants and is not included in the bill. 10% is standard. You can leave up to 15% if you really enjoyed the service. However, tipping is not customary with street vendors or mom-and-pop shops. If you really loved the meal, you can leave up to $1 – $5 pesos, but make sure your tip does not exceed the cost of the item.
I’ll share pricing expectations for each Mexico City restaurant with the following icons:
$ – Under $5 per item/plate
$$ – $5– $15 USD per person
$$$ – $20 – $45 USD per person
$$$$ – $50+ USD or pre-fixe menu
A * indicates local or organic products.
Looking for cool things to do in Mexico City while you’re there? Check out some tours below.
Our list of the best places to eat in Mexico City
If you’re wondering where to eat in Mexico City for an upcoming trip, here are 25 spots you can’t miss! I have them organized by style of food. For example, the best tacos, Michelin-recommended restaurants, and other restaurants worth visiting.
Get our custom
Mexico City Map
Access our personalized Google Map with 150+ pins to Mexico City’s best restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, musuems, and sites.
This Google Map will save you hours of planning and help you have the best trip Mexico City.
Best tacos in Mexico City
Tacos deserve their own post entirely, but for ease of sharing where to eat in Mexico City in one easy location—I’m including some of the best tacos in Mexico City below.
- El Califa de León: Mexico City’s first Michelin-star-awarded taqueria. Get their costilla tacos cooked simply with salt and lime. Don’t skip out on their green salsa, which truly makes the dish.
- Taquería Selene: Known for their pastor tacos (a specialty of Mexico City), this spot is constantly packed with locals. We went twice since it was next to our Kindred home stay.
- Maizajo: They have a more formal upscale restaurant upstairs, but their taqueria serves standing guests with delicious tacos and the freshest tortillas. The Campechano is recommended here, although you can’t go wrong with anything.
- Tacos El Güero: Amazing pastor tacos, but also loved their suadero.
- Tacos de Valle: Michelin-recommended taco restaurant known for serving three types of pork trompo (arabe, pastor, negra). I recommend getting one of each.
- Tacos Tony: Known for super delicious suadero tacos.
- Taquería Orinoco: This chain taqueria has several locations across the city. You can’t go wrong with any of their tacos, which are popular with tourists and locals alike.
- Birria Estilo Jalisco: Located in Roma Norte, this taco stand has been here for more than 35 years. Specializing in birria, this is a great option for delicious birria tacos with drool-worthy consumé.
- Tacos Jaime: These were our favorite tacos on our latest trip. While it’s popular for tacos pastor in the Roma Norte neighborhood, we recommend the longiniza (chorizo) tacos. If you come early enough, you can try a variety of other tacos from tripa (tripe), suadero (brisket).
🏡 Looking for a place to stay in Mexico City? Try Kindred home swap. We stayed in someone’s home while they were away for an extremely affordable rate. Use code ELI.BRU5 for extra stay credits when signing up!
Mexico City’s best restaurants
Fonda Margarita
Google map location | Website | Price $-$$
Fonda Margarita is a super local breakfast spot that’s been serving incredible, affordable, and fast breakfast for decades. Which is precisely why it’s been featured on several food travel shows, including Anthony Bourdain and Somebody Feed Phil.
Located in the Tlacoquemecatl del Valle neighborhood, about a 20-minute drive south from Roma or Condessa, a lot of tourists skip this spot. But they shouldn’t! The huevos con frijoles (black beans and eggs) served with tortillas is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten for breakfast.
Máximo*
Google map location | Website | Price $$$$ | Reservations Required
Máximo by chef Eduardo ‘Lalo’ Garcia has been widely considered one of the best restaurants in Mexico City since its opening in 2011. The menu, which is heavily influenced by the fine dining scene, celebrates the traditions, flavors, and ingredients of Mexico.
The restaurant got a stunning overhaul post-pandemic, making the high-quality, formerly somewhat stuffy dining experience far more inviting.
While the menu is inspired by the food and flavors of Mexico, don’t expect basic Mexican dishes. Instead, the restaurant takes a hyper-local and seasonal approach to its menu, changing it to reflect what’s best for the season. It also adds a modern twist, think Black salted cod (Bacalao negro) in a miso blanc or beer-braised beef tongue in a homemade mole (so delicious).
Reservations at Máximo can be hard to get. So, if you want to dine here, book early.
La Hidalguense
Google map location | Website | Price $$-$$$
Most of the places on this list are upscale spots. But there are plenty of mom-and-pop restaurants in Mexico City worth visiting, like La Hidalguense. This two-story restaurant in Roma Sur is known for barbacoa de borrego (sheep).
The owners have a farm outside of the city to raise their own sheep with quality and care. They use agave leaves to make a pit (pib) where they slowly roast the lamb for over 24 hours to get tender, juicy, barbacoa. Sheep can be a gamey meat for some, but we loved every bite. The barbacoa is only served on the weekends, and there is almost always a wait. But the line moves quickly!
Baldió*
Google map location | Website | Price $$$-$$$$ | Reservations Required
Baldió is Mexico City’s first and only zero-waste restaurant. Using local ingredients cultivated from the local chinampas in Xochimilco and circularity principles, it takes sustainable practices to an entirely new level. We learned about the ancient agriculture practices of the chinampas, which are the islands that formed Tenochtitlan, the Aztec City that later became Mexico City on this eco-tour—which was truly so fascinating.
It really excited us to be able to enjoy the produce being grown there and cooked with such unique ingredients. Everything we had was excellent, but our favorite dish was the grilled onions served on a butter made with chapulines (grasshoppers), topped with a tart hibiscus sauce. It was incredibly savory while still having a sweet finish and truly like nothing we had ever tasted before!
Hugo
Google map | Website | Price $$
Hugo is a wine bar and restaurant in the Condesa neighborhood. It’s unpretentious vibe with indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a small bar, punches way above it’s belt in terms of food and creativity. We loved every dish which got, ranging from beef tongue with a mustard aioli, grilled prawns, crudo, and their famous gnocchi.
The best part was the price. Definitely not as economical as other Mexico City restaurants or street spots, but very approachable and would be a spot we went to regularly if we lived nearby.
Plonk
Google map | Instagram (no website) | Price $$-$$$ | Reservations Recommended
Plonk is one of the newer Mexico City restaurants to join this incredible dining scene. Run by Chef Flor Camorlinga, Plonk is a spin on Mexican-Asian fusion. The food, which pairs impeccably with wines curated by Sommelier Romina Argüelles, ranges from spicy shrimp udon (so good) to Marlin tamales, and one of the best pork tenderloin (lomo) dishes we’ve ever had.
It’s a really small restaurant, with a few outdoor tables and a narrow bar that gives you a perfect view of the chef hard at work. We got lucky with a spot at the bar during our visit, but reservations are recommended given its limited space. While you won’t see this spot pop up on a lot of lists sharing where to eat in Mexico City, I think it’s well deserving of a visit.
Panadería Rosetta
Google map location | Instagram (no website) | Price $-$$ | Walk-in (expect a wait)
Panadería Rosetta is by far the most popular place to eat in Mexico City. If you’ve searched ‘where to eat in Mexico City’, I can guarantee Panaderia Rosetta made the list. Made viral on social media and featured on countless TV shows, including Somebody Feed Phil, you can guarantee there will be a wait to eat here.
We ordered the mamay berlinesas, which is like a custard-filled donut made from the local mamay fruit, a vanilla concha, the most emblematic pastry in Mexico and their guava and cheese pastry. The guava and cheese pastry is what made this bakery go viral and is a must-order item if you’re visiting.
We always skip the long 1-hour wait for their sit-down restaurant and grab our pastries to go, walking to the nearby Plaza Rió de Janeiro to enjoy them in the shade of the trees. Although the breakfast menu looks outstanding!
➡ Read Next: 3 Days in Mexico City: The Best First-Time Itinerary ⬅
Tetetlán*
Google map location | Instagram (no website) | Price $$-$$$ | Reservations not required
Tetetlán is an Oaxacan-inspired restaurant in the suburbs of Jardines del Pedregal, in the south of Mexico City. Most tourists miss this restaurant due to its location, but if you’re headed toward Xochimilco or potentially to the Frida Kahlo museum in the Coyoacán neighborhood, this can be a great pit stop.
The restaurant is also a collective for artists and creatives. There’s a shop on site selling locally handmade products from skilled artisans, and it frequently has music and other art events or pop-ups in its relaxed restaurant.
Michelin restaurants in Mexico City
Restaurante Rosetta*
Google map location | Website | Price $$-$$$ | Reservations Recommended
We first dined at Rosetta restaurant in 2020, before this intimate and charming restaurant in a restored mansion in the Roma Norte neighborhood received its first Michelin star. Brought to you by Chef Elena Reygadas, the same chef behind Mexico City’s trendiest bakery, Panadería Rosetta. Rosetta restaurant is a celebration of Mexico’s unique flavors and dishes.
We ordered homemade sourdough bread with mantequilla de chicatanas, or ant butter. This ant has been used in Mexican cuisine since Aztec times and has a special, nutty flavor. Liz also ordered a pasta dish with Chiton articulates, a unique mollusk people often refer to as the “cockroach of the sea”.
While it sounds like the menu is filled with odd ingredients, everything is truly exceptional, with plenty of “normal” fare for less adventurous eaters to enjoy.
Want more help planning your trip to CDMX? CHECK OUT OUR OTHER MEXICO CITY GUIDES BELOW.
- The Chinampas of Xochimilco: Mexico City’s Floating Gardens
- 3 Days in Mexico City: The Best First-Time Itinerary
- Teotihuacan Pyramids: Must-Do Day Trip From Mexico City
Pujol*
Google map location | Website | Price $$$$ | Reservations Required
Pujol was the fine dining restaurant that helped change the perception of Mexican cuisine from being just a casual, cheap meal to a Michelin-award-winning cuisine. Chef Enrique Olvera brought the diversity of Mexican cuisine to the mainstream in an upscale, elegant space.
Their pre-fixe menu that finishes with its famous mother mole sauce, which is added to each day for as long as one year—is a show-stopper. It was truly so rich and delicious and unlike you’ve anything you’ve ever tasted.
In 2024, Pujol received two stars, becoming one of the first Michelin-starred restaurants in the country. On our last trip to Mexico City, we finally snagged a hard to book reservation. And while we certainly enjoyed our meal, we felt the service and storytelling was lacking.
For the price, which was close to $700 for two people with wine, I would have preferred other dining experiences in Mexico City. But for many it’s and outstanding meal. If you’re unsure of the tasting menu price, go for the taco menu served during lunch which is a bit more economical.
Quintonil*
Google map location | Website | Price $$$$ | Reservations Required
Quintonil is currently rated the third best restaurant in the world by the 50 Best Awards and is Mexico City’s only other two-Michelin-starred restaurant. Located in the upscale Polanco neighborhood, this fine dining establishment is, without a doubt, one the best fine dining restaurant in Mexico City.
Chef Jorge Vallejo and his wife, Alejandra Flores, have created a tasting menu that is anything but stuffy fine dining. They put an elegant spin on Mexican flavors using ingredients inspired by the globe. While we haven’t been lucky enough to score a hard-to-book reservation here, it’s at the top of our list for where to eat in Mexico City when we return.
Expendio de Maíz
Google map location | Instagram (no website) | Price $-$$ | Cash-only, walk-up seating
Expendio de Maíz may be Michelin recommended, but this Bib Gourmand spot is far from the fine-dining you expect from a Michelin restaurant. In fact, this tiny outdoor restaurant only has four communal tables, has no set menu, doesn’t take reservations, and is cash-only.
Open for breakfast and lunch, the line for Expendio de Maíz gets long, but it’s worth the wait. Once you sit down, they will serve you whatever they have cooking on the comal, which can be any variation of Mexico’s famed maiz, from tortillas, sopes, memelas, tetelas and huaraches, among others. It’s an incredible way to try a variety of Mexican dishes and the food is always executed beautifully.
Esquina Común*
Google map location | Website | Price $$$-$$$$ | Reservations Required
Escquina Común may be the restaurant I’m most excited about dining at on our next trip to Mexico City. This small but charming restaurant had humble roots, being located in the home of Chef Ana Dolores González. This once-secret, pop-up style restaurant now welcomes guests regularly with a gorgeous rooftop gallery. The menu is tasting menu style, with several small plates using fresh, local ingredients.
After receiving its first Michelin star, reservations are hard to secure. Bookings are at least a month or two out. So, plan ahead if you want to dine here.
Comal Oculto
Google map | Instagram (no website) | Price $-$$
Comal Oculto is another Bib Gourmand Michelin recommended restaurant in Mexico City. Formerly located in a tiny spot in the San Miguel Chapultepec neighborhood, it recently opened a larger indoor restaurant just around the block. The original location now serves to-go food only with the same delectable menu.
This is truly one of the best Mexico City restaurants for affordable, delicious classics. Think chilaquiles in the most incredible rojo or verde salsa. Gorditas with chicharron prensado (a must), a cheese flauta served divorciado style and enmoladas in a rich, complex mole sauce.
We got four incredible dishes in addition to a café de olla, coffee with piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar) and cinnamon, and our bill with tip was under $25 for two people. We’ve been twice now, and it’s one of the few restaurants we will go to every time we visit Mexico City.
Caracol de Mar*
Google map location | Website | Price $$-$$$ | Walk-ins okay, reservations recommended
While Contramar is often revered as one of the best restaurants in Mexico City, it’s also a very difficult restaurant to get a table at. Caracol de Mar is the sister restaurant to Contramar both of which are the creative offspring of chef Gabriela Cámara.
Many dishes overlap between the two restaurants, including their iconic two-toned grilled fish, Pescado a la talla de Contramar. However, there are several dishes unique to Caracol de Mar’s menu.
We got aguachile de camarón, which was perfectly fresh and spicy, a ceviche in a beautiful orange sauce, baja fish tacos and the best octopus tostada we’ve ever eaten. The space is beautiful and airy, with full wall windows letting the natural light peek in. Open mostly for lunch and early dinner, this is where to eat in Mexico City if you want great seafood.
Masala y Maiz
Google map location | Website | Price $$$-$$$$ | Reservations required
Masala y Maiz is one of Mexico City’s trendiest restaurants. Reservations are being booked weeks in advance after receiving the Michelin’s Bib Gourmand award and its feature on Chef’s Table and Somebody Feed Phil. Run by Chef and life partners, Norma Listman and Saqib Keval, Masala y Maiz is a blending of cultures using influencers from Africa, India, and Mexico into one-of-a-kind dishes.
We ate at loads of fantastic restaurants during our trip to Mexico City, but this was our favorite dining experience. The food was not just creative but well-balanced, full of flavor and like nothing we had ever eaten before. The spicy vanilla prawns, which take three days to prepare before serving, were the highlight of our meal. However, we also thoroughly enjoyed the samosas, lamb gordita, and roasted chicken over a sweet potato puree.
While these are some of the best restaurants to eat at in Mexico City, I want to emphasize that a lot of the best cuisine is in unassuming street carts that disappear as quickly as they pop up. Make sure you try stalls that look popular among locals in your neighborhood. Chances are, the food will blow you away as much as the Michelin-rated restaurants in Mexico City will.
I hope this post has helped you know where to eat in Mexico City on your next trip. While there are hundreds more amazing places to enjoy delicious food, this certainly will help you have a food-packed trip to the city. Let me know if you have future recommendations for restaurants in Mexico City to try on our next trip, or if you tried any from this post in the comments below!
