The first thing any visitor to the Mexican capital will take in — probably while staring out the window in awe as their airplane descends over the intense, urbanity-on-steroids sprawl — is the sheer size of this town, 573 square miles in total. It’s densely populated and patchworked with distinct neighborhoods, each with its own culinary identity. It would take several lifetimes to get to know all of the street stands, holes in the wall, neighborhood favorites, and high-end destinations in this city.
Yet this list — 38 restaurants, dishes, and culinary experiences that define Mexico City’s gastronomic identity — should offer a comprehensive starting point for any visitor. It includes the obvious and the overexposed; it also includes hidden gems. It covers longtime buzzing neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa, as well as newer destination districts like San Miguel Chapultepec and Juarez. There are tacos, tortas, tasting menus, and tamales. There are enough sweets to satisfy the most dedicated concha enthusiast and some old-school breakfasts for the nostalgists. Whatever the type of place, it provides standout food and a taste of something visitors can’t get back home.
Updated, March 2024:
Spring is the loveliest season to visit Mexico City. The jacaranda trees bloom, crowning the city purple, while the nights are temperate and lively. As Avenida Bucareli — located at the edge of Juárez neighborhood and Centro Histórico — has welcomed art galleries, cafes, and developers, aspiring restaurateurs have eyed the avenue too; in the avenue’s iconic Reloj Chino roundabout, spots like Makan and Supplì are attracting diners (who might have otherwise stayed in Polanco or Lomas) to their Singaporean and Italian cuisine, respectively.
Perhaps the most discussed opening in the last few months, Ultramarinos Delmar by chef Lucho Martínez, has caught some ire for its prices, but the seafood concept (with a distinctive European flair) brings quality ingredients from the faraway ocean into Mexico’s capital. A splurge lunch is entirely worth it for the grand seafood platter and the lobster roll. Meanwhile, women-led projects, like restaurants Plonk and Lina and cocktail bar Brujas, are occupying more space. Finally, hidden, IFYKYK pastry shop Panadería Gala, from chef Lalo García, is giving Panadería Rosetta some competition.
Eater updates this list quarterly to make sure it reflects the ever-changing Mexico City dining scene.
Natalia de la Rosa is a Mexican food writer, mezcal collector, and culinary guide based in Mexico City.
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