MEXICO CITY: Eat and Drink
The world’s best bar, a green garden for lunch, and my favorite café to bask in the sunlight.
Table of Contents:
First Visit
Second Visit
Third Visit
Google Map with pinned locations
I previously published a comprehensive guide to Mexico City, which you can find linked below.
If you’ve already been and want something a little more tailored, this guide is for you. I’ve broken the dining scene down by how familiar you are with the city and what kind of experience you’re going for. Whether it's your first trip or your third, here are the best places to eat and drink in Mexico City.
⭐ = My personal favorites
FIRST VISIT
The spots that everyone talks about, and for good reason.
BREAKFAST/COFFEE
Panadería Rosetta - You’ve seen the photos of the guava rolls. They happen to be that good. If you’re going for breakfast, avoid weekends when the line gets long. There is no reason to spend your time in CDMX waiting in line.
LUNCH
⭐ Contramar - The restaurant everyone tells you about in Mexico City—and for good reason. Book your reservation well in advance. Order the: tuna tostadas, whole fish, and fig tart.
⭐ Expendio de Maiz - A unique dining experience where there’s no menu. They don’t take reservations and it’s a little hard to find. Go for an early lunch to avoid long lines.
⭐ Ultramarinos - The freshest seafood in Mexico City. Ultramarinos and its sister Martínez are favorites for my friends who have spent the most time in CDMX.
Taqueria Orinoco - 24/7 taco chain. There are definitely better tacos in the city but this place is kind of iconic.
DINNER
*All of these restaurants will require reservations well in advance.
⭐ Hugo Elwine bar - A Lower East Side transplant in CDMX. Tiny, romantic, and one of those places where you’re more likely than not to make friends with the table beside you. It’s a lovely vibe around 5 PM for a glass of wine and plate of olives.
⭐ Maximo Bistro Local - A playfully romantic long dining room, and definitely one of my favorite Mexico City restaurants. Farm-to-table cuisine in a casual but elevated setting.
Pujol - Michelin-starred and iconic; book months in advance if you can.
Restaurante Rosetta - Sister to the famous Rosetta bakery and equally well-known. Italian-inspired dishes in a colonial mansion.
DRINKS
⭐ Handshake Speakeasy - this place has been dubbed the best bar in the world and if you’re looking to grab a drink, make a reservation far in advance.
686 Bar - Experimental cocktails for a pre or post-dinner drink above Em restaurant.
SECOND VISIT
You’ve been to Contramar and Pujol. You don’t want to plan your entire trip around reservations, but you still want incredible food without the hassle.
BREAKFAST/COFFEE
Lalo! - From the team behind Maximo and Havre 77. A laid-back breakfast spot with Mexican favorites like chilaquiles.
LUNCH
⭐ Entremar - The low-key sister restaurant to Contramar; same menu, no reservations, and a more local crowd in Polanco.
⭐ Botánico - One of my favorite settings for lunch in CDMX — a sun-filled, green garden space for a long lunch of seasonal flavors. You must make a reservation in advance here!
Entremar, Botánico
