Mexico City is an international metropolis with everything from Korean barbecue to top-class Japanese sushi. You can enjoy homemade pasta at a little Italian restaurant or amazing burgers on just about every street corner. However, the surprisingly difficult thing is finding a Mexican restaurant where you can sample local delights in a family-style setting.
Here’s a collection of the best Mexican restaurants in Mexico City.
Pujol
Pujol is perhaps the most well-known Mexican restaurant around the world. Head chef Enrique Olvera has modernized Mexican cuisine, daring to serve food that was previously only found at street vendors in his fine dining restaurant.
In 2013, Restaurant magazine named Pujol the 17th best restaurant in the world. Therefore, it’s nearly impossible to get a last-minute reservation, so if you want to dine here on your trip to Mexico City, be sure to secure your reservation at least two months in advance.
Merotoro
To nab a reservation at Merotoro, you better plan ahead. Located in one of the busiest restaurants in the upscale suburb of Condesa, the only way to get in is to call (don’t worry, they speak English).
Merotoro serves food and wine from the Baja California region of Mexico. Think huge plates of seafood and perfectly sweet Sauvignon Blancs.
Yuban
If you’re coming to Mexico City, but want to sample the famous cuisine of the state of Oaxaca, Yuban is the place to go. You may be surprised by the variety of mole sauces that exist here.
Moreover, for the brave of heart, try chapulín tacos. These little crickets are a specialty of the Oaxaca region and, when fried and served in a spicy sauce, you might just forget you’re eating a bug.
Cafe de Tacuba
In operation for over 100 years, Cafe de Tacuba must be doing something right. From the outside, the restaurant looks like a little hole in the wall, but once you’re inside, you’ll wonder why you haven’t heard more about this hidden gem.
This Mexico City institution’s breakfast enchiladas will set you up for the day, and their beef with mole sauce will have you scraping your dish clean with fresh corn tortillas.
Nico’s
Nico’s is a restaurant beloved by locals, but it’s not in chic Polanco or hipster Roma. You’ll need to trek out to the local neighborhood of Claveria to enjoy the delights of Nico’s. It’s worth the metro trip or taxi ride, we promise.
It’s featured on the San Pellegrino list of Top 50 Restaurants in Latin America. This is where you can sample classic Mexican dishes in a family-style setting, with all meat dishes accompanied by rich sauces and a pile of piping hot, handmade tortillas.
El Bajío
Although this family-style restaurant has a few locations in the city, their Polanco spot is the most convenient if you’re staying in the city center. It’s a casual place where you can sit down and sample all of the best antojitos (snacks/appetizers).
What keeps locals returning to El Bajío is the carnitas or braised pork. The pork is made daily by experts from the state of Michoacan, where the dish originates. They prepare their carnitas with tequila and beer, and after hours of braising, the meat melts in your mouth.
La Casa de Toño
When it comes to its pozole, a traditional Mexican soup usually made with pork, La Casa de Toño offers two options – meat or vegetables. If you order the meat version, be prepared to find every part of the pig in your bowl. The vegetable version comes with corn and zucchini flowers.
If you want to sample a few more dishes, this popular Mexico City chain also serves tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, and enchiladas. Don’t leave without having the flan de la abuela (grandma’s flan) for dessert. It’s the best in the city.
El Cardenal
To sample some traditional Mexican breakfast foods, join the locals and head to El Cardenal. While the restaurant is open all day and serves classic Mexican fare that’s worth the wait in line, it’s the breakfast that makes it so beloved around the city.
Enjoy a Mexican-style hot chocolate with nata bread to dip into it, and that’s just the appetizer. You can dig into huge plates of chilaquiles, enchiladas, or an omelette cooked with ant larvae, which is considered a delicacy.
Quintonil
Quintonil combines its fine dining reputation with a laid-back atmosphere. Only a few blocks away from the upscale Pujol in Polanco, Quintonil serves food that is just as spectacular, but you won’t need to book a table four months in advance.
Furthermore, the menu changes every season, allowing you to taste fresh Mexican produce at its peak. You’ll always find plenty of seafood, mole sauces, and nopales (flat cactus) on the menu.
Fonda Fina
Looking for a fresh take on Mexican flavors?
Fonda Fina’s menu is broken down into three sections. First, you choose which type of meat you’d like – options include roasted chicken, beef cheeks, or octopus. Next, select your sauce. If you’re uncertain which mole to choose or what level of spice is right for you, the waiters are happy to help as their English is excellent.
Finally, you choose your side. I personally recommend the garlic-roasted potatoes, as they complement everything well.
Fonda Fina is tucked away down a side street in Roma Norte, and it fills up throughout the week, so making a reservation is recommended.
