A Foodie Guide to Mexico City: Where to Eat in Mexico City

Last Updated on 3rd May 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

One of my favourite things about Mexico City was the abundance of amazing food. For all my friends out there who plan trips around meals and think about dinner while eating lunch, here is a foodie guide to Mexico City and where to eat in Mexico City!

It seemed like around every corner was another amazing spot for tacos, fusion food, or mouthwatering drinks. Simply put: I didn’t have a bad meal in Mexico City! 

This list is just a few of my personal highlights – those meals I can’t stop thinking about. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and it doesn’t include the street vendors who truly serve some of the best food.

If you’re planning to visit more of Mexico than just its capital city, be sure to check out our suggestions for how to spend 2 weeks in Mexico.

First things first, if you’re planning a trip to Mexico City, then know that you’ll need more than a day or so in the city in order to simply scratch the surface of what’s on offer. We recommend spending at least a long weekend in Mexico City or even 4 days in Mexico City if you have more time to spare.

As well as this, after you’ve explored some of the more popular destinations and attractions that the city has to offer, be sure to check out some of Mexico City’s lesser-known hidden gems. After all, you surely won’t be disappointed!

Contramar, Durango 200, Colonia Roma, Mexico City

There is a reason that this restaurant continually tops the “best of Mexico City” lists, and why it is a destination in of itself – the food is just that good. The meal at Contramar was my favourite meal during my Mexico City stay.

If you’re a “foodie” this restaurant has to be at the top of your list. However, be sure to reserve far in advance, as the restaurant gets booked u^ quickly. Due to last minute booking, I snagged a reservation at Contramar right when it opened for lunch at noon.

This ended up being a very happy turnout as we were able to have our pick of seating (the patio of course!), very attentive waitstaff (who will even take your picture) and the fresh fresh seafood. While Mexico City is situated inland, Contramar still delivers some of the best seafood I’ve ever had.

The menu highlights are probably the tuna tostadas and the Pescado a la talla, the house speciality of a whole grilled fish served with half chili rub and half parsley rub. I also ordered the soft shell crab, some oysters and the coconut flan for dessert.

Aside from the food, I also appreciated the amazing wait staff and the general friendly atmosphere – we even made friends with the table next to us! Pro tip: order everything and share! For more information, check out this Mexico City restaurant’s website.

Broka, Zacatecas 126, Colonia Roma, Mexico City

I had my first meal of my trip to Mexico City at Broka, and it set the bar very high! The restaurant is tucked away in a courtyard, giving the feeling that you are eating in a secret garden. We had amazing craft cocktails at Broka.

I also had rabbit tacos that I still dream about. The menu was inventive and fun, combining traditional Mexican dishes with modern flare. For more information, check out this Mexico City restaurant’s website.

Páramo, Av. Yucatan 84, Roma Norte, Mexico City

Go for the food but stay for the ambiance. This spot is favoured by young locals and boasts an impressive menu. However, I felt the decor was one of the best parts of the whole place. Go if you want to feel like you’re dining in a barn that also happens to be a speakeasy and oh also your bohemian best friends apartment. 

La Clandestina, Address/ Av. Alvaro Obregon 298, Colonia Condesa, Mexico City 

Now technically La Clandestina is actually a bar. And, if we’re going to be more specific, a bar specializing in mezcal, the smoky cousin of tequila. When there we did a tasting of mezcal, which included one that even had a chocolate aftertaste!

I’m putting La Clandestina on the list because of the unique bar menu. We were looking for a pre-dinner little snack (as foodies are want to do) and found crickets on the menu! I had never eaten crickets before and was a little hesitant, but more excited for the new foodie experience.

We ordered the spicy crickets on guacamole with blue chips and chicharron. The chips helped me with the crunchy texture of the crickets but the spicy flavour was great! We really enjoyed the dish and were full for the rest of the night.

So full in fact that we forewent our dinner plans! It turns out crickets contain 65% protein, making them an excellent food source. I have a feeling crickets will start to become more popular in Western cuisine as people look for sustainable alternative food sources, and now I look forward to it! 

Hotel Condesa, Avenida Veracruz 102, Colonia Condesa, Mexico City

Technically a hotel rooftop sushi bar, this bar makes it onto everyone’s list for the fun rooftop ambiance. The rooftop boasts incredible views of Parque Espana and Chapultepec Castle. The decor is super interesting and the cocktails provide the perfect companion for admiring the view. 

Lalo!, Zacatecas 173, Roma Norte, Mexico City

Lalo! is a fun, funky, and fantastic spot for all your culinary desires. The bright mural and open concept welcomes you instantly. The spot serves as a restaurant, cafe and pizzeria. Being from California, I always appreciate a menu focused on fresh ingredients.

Lalo! serves these up big time – we went for breakfast several times and I always ordered one of their house pressed juice blends. You can also order food to go – perfect for those night when you just want to eat on your terrace. For more information, check out this Mexico City restaurant’s website.

Forever Vegano, Guanajuato 54, Roma Norte, Mexico City

Forever Vegano takes vegan cuisine to new heights. This restaurant recommendation came by way of a friend who lived in Mexico City for four months. This was the spot she had to eat at during a layover. For those who are hesitant to acknowledge the beauty of vegan food, let Forever Vegano change your mind! 

Máximo Bistro, Tonalá 133, Colonia Roma, Mexico City

Máximo Bistro is a Mexican-French fusion restaurant with a decidedly European flare. Of all the places on this guide on where to eat in Mexico City, take care to book in advance because reservations fill up regularly. 

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A passionate and frequent traveler, Johanna loves walking tours, bookstores and eating her way through any new place. When she is not traveling, Johanna works for gender justice, does a lot of yoga and can often be found in either a library or a cafe. A storyteller in her spare time, Johanna is always looking for the next adventure to write about.