Mexico City is going through an amazing culanary era, and now you’ll be part of it.
Mexico City is having a culinary moment—one of its best ever. The streets hum with hidden gems, the kind you stumble into and walk out wondering how you ever lived without that taco (seriously, don’t skip Califa de León—life-changing tortilla magic).
This list isn’t ranked—it’s personal. A mix of Michelin-starred spots, Infatuation-approved favorites, and street food so good it practically raised me. The food is unforgettable, but it’s also about the vibe: the right music, warm lighting, a crowd that feels like home. That’s why I keep coming back—at least once a week.
Of course, there are plenty of incredible spots I haven’t hit yet but have heard amazing things about. If you’ve got a favorite that’s missing here, I’m sure it’s something special.
Think of this as your starting line. Whether you’re at a white-tablecloth tasting menu or standing on the sidewalk with salsa dripping down your wrist, I can almost guarantee you’ll leave with a full heart, a fuller stomach, and a meal you won’t stop talking about.
Here’s the list (you’re welcome).
Taverna
In my opinion, Taverna may just be the most beautiful restaurant in all of CDMX. It’s housed in a historical, recently restored hacienda from 1905, and most of this place is lit by candlelight. That atmosphere makes it good for a date, a special celebration, or a group dinner that extends late into the night. Most of the Mediterranean-inspired dishes are roasted in a wood-burning oven, with standouts like dates stuffed with chorizo and wrapped in jamon serrano, fried sardines with a sardine aioli, and a beet carpaccio with a pistachio dressing that should be bottled and sold everywhere. Wash it all down with one of their signature cocktails, like the Pin Tonic made with gin from Patagonia and giant olives.
Calle Gral. Prim 34, Juárez
The only taqueria in the world with a Michelin Star.
El Califa de León
There is a reason why El Califa de León has endured for more than half a century. This taqueria may be bare bones with just enough room for a handful of diners to stand at the counter but its creation, the Gaonera taco, is exceptional. Thinly sliced beef filet is expertly cooked to order, seasoned with only salt and a squeeze of lime. At the same time, a second cook prepares the excellent corn tortillas alongside. The resulting combination is elemental and pure. Other options are few but excellent, and include bistec (beef steak), chuleta (pork chop), and costilla (beef rib). With meat and tortillas of this caliber, the duo of house-made salsas is hardly even necessary.
Av. Ribera de San Cosme 56, San Rafael
Pollos Poncho
his is nothing fancy. No fuss, no frills—just urban food at its absolute best. A tight menu, a down-to-earth crowd, and hands down the best Spotify playlist in the city (seriously, look them up and follow—you’ll thank me later).
Chicken is the star here, and in Mexico City, that makes perfect sense. It’s the backbone of so many classics—enchiladas, mole, chilaquiles. But this place gives poultry a few twists. Their grilled chicken sandwich wrapped in a flour tortilla with labneh and Middle Eastern flavors? Unreal. They also do tacos al pastor with chicken instead of pork, and somehow, it works.
But my usual order? A late lunch with the whole roasted chicken. It lands on the table with rice, crispy potatoes, guacamole, and warm, freshly pressed corn tortillas—the kind you tear into before the food even hits your plate.
Oh, and don’t skip the Colima Salad—it’s to die for. Fresh, crunchy, with the kind of bright flavors that balance out all the comfort food.
Fun fact: The team behind this spot is also responsible for El Moro, Mexico’s most famous churro institution, so they know exactly how to deliver simple food, perfectly.
Come hungry. Stay for the playlist. Leave obsessed.
Filigrana
This colorful, sun-soaked address from Chef Martha Ortiz has looks and substance in spades. At the base of a residential building in Roma, find a concrete jungle with purple-cushioned chairs, soaring floor-to-ceiling windows, and fully grown trees woven throughout. And much like the space itself, the cooking is equally stylish with thoughtful, playful interpretations of familiar favorites. Start with the gordita, a delicate, crispy disc packed with tender, shredded tongue and garnished with fried epazote leaves. Is there a prettier tamal around? This one is presented as a toasted cube made with fried portobellos and set in a warm guajillo chili sauce. Another highlight is the pozole brujo, featuring superbly tender chicken and a soulful, spicy broth.
Av. Veracruz 62, Roma Norte
Maximo
Once an auto repair shop, then a pool hall, the bones of its industrial past are ever-present at this chic restaurant in Roma Norte. Though Maximo has only been here for a handful of years, they're making a mark, both for the chef and his fascinating life story and for his internationally influenced Mexican cuisine, offered as a tasting menu and à la carte. Bread with roasted eggplant with a pleasant charcoal essence arrives after you take a seat, then slices of kampachi with avocado cream have just a hint of spice. French leanings are evident in the duck breast with crispy skin and jus with a touch of sherry, while the goat cheese ice cream with a drizzle of oil and a guava sauce with sprinkles of pumpkin and nuts is a very pleasant finale.
Av. Álvaro Obregón 65 Bis, Roma Norte
Hugo
Relaxed and casual, with a great vibe, this friendly place that reminds many of a Parisian bistro is still undoubtedly one of the most popular hot spots in the area . Its main success lies in the wine list (mostly natural wines with a great variety of orange wines) and in the small menu designed to accompany it, whose dishes - apparently simple - are very well done by chef Michael Crespo. Jovial and friendly service (distracted when the place is full). Closed on Mondays.
Veracruz 38, Roma Norte
Sartoria
Sartoria, with its terrace outside and its industrial-chic interior, is always buzzing with a crowd of young diners and couples, here to enjoy a night out. The kitchen turns out typical Italian offerings, ranging from antipasti and pasta to entrees. The menu may not be large, but there's something for everyone. Great care is taken with the presentation in dishes like tortellacci with a creamy burrata that tastes as good as it looks, and entrees highlight quality products. To finish, you'll never go wrong with a classic tiramisu.
Orizaba, 42, Roma Norte
Lardo
With Lardo, celebrated chef Elena Reygadas (Rosetta, Panadería Rosetta, Bella Aurora, Café Nin, Mesa) brings her signature style—simple dishes, featuring quality ingredients, made with integrity—to the hip Condesa neighbourhood. Located a few blocks from Chapultepec park and with a focus on Italian-Mediterranean cuisine, the casual space feels reminiscent of old European cafés thanks to an abundance of reclaimed wood and vintage café chairs. Due to Reygadas’s mastery of baked goods, Lardo is busiest (and best) for breakfast and lunch when pastries and crusty sandwiches steal the show - pastries are also available for quick pickup at the bakery counter near the entrance. But, sitting at the bar with a glass of wine during aperitivo hour, where you can get a front-row view of the action happening in the open kitchen as wood-fired pizzas and fresh leafy salads are assembled, is never a bad idea.
Agustín Melgar 6, Condesa,
Panuco 36
Pánuco 36, a recently opened restaurant nestled at the end of a charming courtyard, offers a welcome respite from Mexico City’s hustle and bustle. Attached to the Mariane Ibrahim Art Gallery and the associated bookstore, the whole space feels like a tranquil oasis. I would highly recommend combining your visit to the restaurant with a visit to the gallery (or vice-versa) for a fun afternoon experience.
The menu boasts a fusion of elevated Mexican fare with Mediterranean influences, with a strong focus on vegetable-forward dishes. The menu is creative and the presentations are simple yet elegant, but the flavors can be hit or miss.
The ceviche de frutos rojos, for example, was a revelation. This dessert combines macerated strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, along with a raspberry sorbet and mezcal. The raspberry sorbet and mezcal flavor combination was novel and delicious.
Río Pánuco 36, Cuauhtemoc, 
Cicatriz
If I had to pick one spot in Mexico City I keep coming back to, it’s Cicatriz—hands down, my favorite bar with food in the city. It’s the kind of place that works just as well for a lazy coffee in the morning as it does for cocktails that turn into “oops, I stayed all night” dinners.
The food? Think vegetable-forward, fresh, but nothing trying too hard—exactly what you crave after one too many tacos (it happens). The “big salad” is iconic—a tahini-drenched bowl of kale, beets, sprouts, egg, and pepitas. The roasted carrots come with a spicy kick that somehow makes you order them every time. And if you’re there at night, the fried chicken sandwich is the move—crispy, perfect, and worth the wait.
Scarlett and Jake Lindeman, the sister-brother duo behind the place, brought a bit of Brooklyn with them, but the menu blends it beautifully with local ingredients. It’s comfort food, but with personality—and greens that finally feel right in a city that often cooks the life out of them or drowns them in dressing.
The vibe? Airy, open, with double-height ceilings and a lofted upper level where you can people-watch an effortlessly cool mix of creatives, journalists, and off-duty chefs. By night, it shifts from daytime cafe into the kind of bar that hums with easy conversation and just the right amount of buzz.
Koku
Casual Japanese foodies and purists alike will agree on the deliciousness of the tempura tacos at Koku and if you’re here, it’s likely that you’re not worried when you spot corn fungus and teriyaki in the same dish as Chef Yakeya Matsumoto expresses his Mexican and Japanese influences fluidly on his menu.
The meticulous detail is evident not just in the menu but in the design of the space. With wood sharing the spotlight with cement and greenery executed in minimalistic perfect harmony evident in many Asian restaurants. Koku is both contemporary and borderline formal and sort of homey depending on your perspective with the highlight being the closed terrace that’s perfectly sun kissed by day and candlelit by night.
Río Lerma 94C, Cuauhtémoc
La Casa de Toño
This is amazing street food without the street. La Casa de Toño is a popular restaurant chain located in Mexico City, Mexico. It is known for serving delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine in a casual and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant offers a wide variety of traditional dishes, including tacos, enchiladas, pozole, and mole. La Casa de Toño is a favorite among locals and tourists alike, who flock to the restaurant to indulge in its flavorful and satisfying meals.
Rio Neva 18, Colonia Cuauhtemoc,
El Minutito
By WALLPAPER El Minutito is not just a café and bar; it is a tribute to universal moments of kinship and draws inspiration from the conviviality of Italian standing bars, the communal spirit of sharing tapas, and the warm embrace of old-school Mexican cantinas. Designed by Mexican architect and co-founder of Tezontle studio, Lucas Cantú, the space was envisioned as a sanctuary where locals and travellers could come together to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
BY THE INFATUATION If you’re looking to have a quick, light bite in a design-y space, the road leads to Minutito. It’s a Spanish-style coffee and tapas bar, serving everything from smooth cortados (Oatly is on hand) to fig kombuchas. For breakfast, zero in on their incredible baked goods like banana bread. At 5pm, the vibe shifts to a lively tapas bar with a menu of things like manchego, jamón, and olives, which you can pair with Hercules beer or an espresso martini. Adding to the charm of it all are ’80s and ’90s hits from Julio Iglesias and Juan Gabriel playing in the background, and a VW van parked outside that doubles as a “terrace seat.”
Londres 28, Juárez
La Barrita
Don’t expect a fancy place or an instagram moment. La Barrita, a very modest counter-style café, is redefining seafood dining with a menu that surprises and delights at every turn. Known for its fresh ingredients and bold flavors, this hidden gem is quickly earning a reputation as a must-visit spot for seafood lovers.
One standout dish is the Pique Amarillo de Ani Amarillo, a refreshing, citrus-forward cold soup that manages to be both creamy and vibrant. Packed with fish, calamari, and shrimp, this inventive starter is a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that leave a lasting impression. Paired with a Mexican-style shrimp cocktail, it’s a winning combination that sets the tone for the meal.
The Sepia Pappardelle is another highlight, showcasing perfectly al dente pasta paired with tender calamari in a dish that’s equal parts rustic and refined. The balance of flavors and textures is remarkable, elevating a simple concept into a memorable plate.
Don’t miss their Paella Fridays, a weekly event that has become a favorite among regulars. La Barrita may not flaunt its charm, but its commitment to quality and creativity speaks volumes, making it a rising star in the city’s culinary scene.
Dinamarca 50-B, Juárez
Arango
Perched high above the bustling streets, Arango isn’t just a meal—it’s a front-row seat to the most spectacular sunset in Mexico City, with unmatched views of the iconic Monumento a la Revolución.
As the sun dips behind the skyline, the sky ignites in shades of gold and crimson, casting a warm glow over one of the city’s most beautiful landmarks—all visible from your table. Inside, art deco elegance blends with early-20th-century Parisian touches, setting the stage for a seven-course journey through modern Mexican flavors. Each dish draws inspiration from Puebla’s rich culinary heritage, celebrating the country’s biodiversity in every bite.
Whether you’re sipping mezcal as the city lights flicker on or savoring a dessert as the last sliver of daylight fades, Arango offers more than a meal—it’s an experience where flavor, history, and a sunset like no other come together perfectly.
Fun fact: When Metallica is in town, this is where they ask to eat. And yet—it’s still an incredibly affordable place.
Av. de la República 157-piso 7, Tabacalera
