Mexico City was made for foodies! I was surprised to find so many different, but equally incredible restaurants (and bars). From world renowned favorites like Enrique Olvera’s Pujol to newcomers like Botanico, there is room for everyone to shine.
Expect to find traditional Mexican flavors along with international cuisines like Italian, Indian, and French. From street tacos to (nearly) Michelin Star status chefs, I am sharing all of my favorite trendy restaurants in Mexico City that have delicious menus and innovative cocktails in a great atmosphere!
Restaurants in Polanco CDMX
Two of the best restaurants in Mexico City and arguably the world, are located in the trendy Polanco neighborhood.
Pujol
Traditional Mexican | Fine Dining | World’s Best Restaurants #5 | $$$$
Wow, Pujol definitely lives up to the hype. It is ranked the 5th best restaurant in the world (per World’s 50 Best) and rightfully so. Enrique Olvera sticks to traditional Mexican style and ingredients, but with an elevated twist to each dish. You simply must go here.
The space is lively with a simple, but trendy design. The cocktails are very creative and they have every type of mezcal you could ever need. The food was divine, truly. I had seen it all on Chef’s Table, but it was better than I could have imagined. The mole seems so simple, but it’s one the best things I have ever tasted.
Note: we had the pescatarian menu and they went over every possible ingredient to make sure we were okay with it from the snails to the insects. Super accommodating to allergies and dietary restrictions.
Also, you need to make reservations months in advance. We booked our dinner reservation and then flights and hotels around the restaurant’s availability. There are seatings at either 6pm or 9pm.
Quintonil
Fine Dining | Tasting Menu | World’s Best Restaurant #8 | $$$$
Quintonil is also on the World’s Best Restaurant List for 2022 at number 8! It’s right around the corner from Pujol in Polanco. The restaurant features a 10 course tasting style menu with wine pairings. You can order off the a la carte menu, but go big or go home in my opinion! We didn’t get to try this place because I didn’t book fast enough, sooo book quickly when they open reservations about 8 weeks in advance!
Restaurants in Condesa
Condesa is a hip, artsy neighborhood with lots of young people and younger families. We saw so many people our age (30s) and new families strolling around their little ones. The fun neighborhood vibes attract a lively and inventive restaurant scene.
Botanico
Outdoor Dining | Modern Mexican Cuisine | $$$
I loved Botanico. It is a new restaurant in Mexico City in a super fun space in the Condesa neighborhood. It was lively with great music and lots of locals enjoying a night out.
The whole restaurant is open-air, so I think it would be a great lunch place to enjoy the sunshine. However, we had dinner there and it was perfect in the moonlight, too. You can order a la carte from the dinner menu and enjoy creative cocktails from their drink list.
We had the mussels that came with french fries, the green salad, tuna tostada, pumpkin ravioli topped with crab, and brie cheesecake. Each dish was amazing and highly, highly recommend.
Mari Gold
Indian-Mexican | Seafood | Vegetarian Friendly | $$
Mari Gold is a Mexican-Indian fusion restaurant tucked in a tiny little space near the Bosque de Chapultepec and Condesa. The space is very off the beaten path – if you don’t know it’s there you would never find it. There is not a big sign outside and it feels like you are walking into a friend’s house. The food is incredible with great vegan options, but meat too.
We had the crudo (with grasshoppers), the most amazing fish quesadilla, a cucumber & grapefruit salad, and the dosa – it looks like a burrito and is crispy on the outside filled with Indian flavors of jitomate, tamarind, pineapple, potato, and chaat.
Tacos Hola El Güero
Street Tacos | Traditional Mexican | Vegetarian Friendly | $
Of course you have to try some street tacos in Mexico! Our driver advised us to only eat tacos from places that we saw have a sink to wash hands.
We went to El Güero in the Condesa neighborhood and it seemed like many locals were popping in for a quick lunch. They have plenty of styles including veggie options like a cauliflower taco. There are 4 small tables along the street so snag one fast!
Ciena
Mediterranean Notes | Brunch | $$
Ciena is a great spot in Condesa for breakfast and brunch. It has a nice patio to enjoy the weather while you try their inventive cocktails. The menu features french toast, mushroom toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, and breakfast sandwiches.
El Tapeo Condesa
Spanish Cuisine | Sidewalk Seating | $$
El Tapeo is a great place to stop for a drink and appetizers. They have a cute little open-air space with sidewalk seating. The menu is perfect brunch with Mexican favorites like huevos rancheros and chilaquiles.
Restaurants in Roma Norte
Roma Norte is home to some of the top and trendiest restaurants in CDMX.
Restaurante Rosetta
Italian and Mexican | Vegetarian Friendly | World’s Best Restaurant #9 | $$$
Rosetta is also ranked on the World’s Best List at #9! It is an Italian style restaurant with elements from Mexican cuisine. The restaurant space is one long, thin building with floral painted walls and plants hanging throughout. The food was incredible – we had the ravioli that was lemon-y and refreshing, cabbage tacos with pistachio pipián, sweet potato tamal, and one of the most unique desserts! Our dessert looked like a salad, but was actually a rosemary ice cream with fresh herbs – I felt healthier with every delicious bite!
Note: This is a great place to eat vegetarian in Mexico City. Lots of great veggie options!
Maximo Bistrot
Mexican & French | Brunch | $$$
There were so many places on my list, but unfortunately not enough time for everywhere on a long weekend trip. Maximo Bistrot is one of those places. It is located in Roma Norte offering a tasting menu or a la carte menu. There is something for everyone from fried bbq chicken to roasted cauliflower to oysters. I’ve read they make an amazing brunch option!
How trendy is this space? I love how light, bright and airy it is!
Meroma
International | Mexican | Vegetarian Options | $$$
Meroma is a super trendy restaurant in Mexico City located in Roma Norte. I’m honestly surprised how vegan/vegetarian friendly Mexico is. This menu has so many good options like roasted mushroom risotto, fennel & celery salad, and more. They also have ceviches, crudos, roasted half chicken, grilled lamb, soft shell crab, several pasta dishes, etc.
Contramar
Seafood Focused | Outdoor Seating | $$$
Contramar is a mainly seafood focused restaurant with a menu that changes daily. Expect things like tuna filets, fish tacos, tostadas, seafood pasta, and more. The inside has a nice ambiance, but I would go for lunch and enjoy the sidewalk seating.
Restaurants in Reforma
Paseo de la Reforma is the main street in Mexico City and the Reforma area is home to the financial district. You’ll find bustling streets, luxury hotels, and international business.
Fifty Mills (Cocktail Bar)
Cocktail Lounge | Mezcal | World’s 50 Best Bars List | $$
I had to include Fifty Mills since it is voted one of the best bars in the world. You can sit inside the dark and moody lounge area or outside in the vibrant courtyard of the Four Seasons Hotel. They have amazing cocktails, wines, and tons of mezcal to choose from.
Zanaya Restaurant
Mexican Pacific | Open Air Seating | $$
Zanaya might be one of the most peaceful places to have breakfast in Mexico City. Also located at the 5-star Four Seasons hotel, this vibrant restaurant sits along the courtyard with major secret garden vibes. They have all kinds of options from chilaquiles to acai bowls to oatmeal.
Mexico City Restaurants FAQ
Mexico City offers all types of international cuisines and traditional Mexican favorites. Expect to find creative dishes blending the flavors of Mexico with ingredients from India, France, Italy and beyond!
Yes, the street tacos are safe in Mexico. However, our driver gave us a helpful tip to only eat food from somewhere that you know has a sink (for hand washing). Look for places with a local clientele as well.
Pujol is easily the most popular restaurant in Mexico. In 2022, it is ranked the #5 restaurant in the world according to the World’s Best Awards. Head chef Enrique Olvera blends traditional Mexican ingredients to create an out-of-this world tasting menu. He is well known for his mole, which is a blend of nuts, spices, and chocolates. When I dined, it had been going for almost 3,000 days! It’s a living thing kind of like a sourdough starter.
There are not any Michelin star restaurants in Mexico City, but that is only because Michelin does not go there yet. It is thought that several restaurants would be Michelin Star quality.
NO! Do not drink the water in Mexico City straight from the tap. Make sure you get bottled waters and when dining at nice restaurants, it should come in a bottle or filtered.
Mexico City can be very expensive when dining at the top restaurants. However, there is a great blend of fine dining, causal, and mid-range options when choosing where to eat in Mexico. The ones on this list are mostly more high end for the luxury traveler.
If you go to Mexico City
Also, check out my other luxury travel guides for helpful tips.
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