For visitors from around the world, Mexico City (also referred to as CDMX) is nothing short of a culinary mecca. Mexico City is at once densely populated, with a population size of over 20 million, and sprawling, covering miles of parks, roadways, and neighborhoods. Each of Mexico City’s vibrant neighborhoods, called colonias, is brimming with restaurants and street food offering a rich tapestry of flavors, reflecting the city's culinary diversity at every turn.

For anyone passionate about exploring Mexican flavors, there's an exciting journey ahead, but also a rich complexity considering that the large country is both vast and deeply diverse. Foods and menu offerings are shaped by regions, traditions, indigenous ingredients, methods of cooking, and centuries of a changing landscape. This incredible variety makes Mexico City a great place to explore new foods and discover the magic of the country through a culinary journey.

Whether you want to peruse the markets to snack on a hard-to-find fruit or make a reservation for a world-class Michelin dinner, Ciudad de México has got you covered.

Rosetta

In the heart of Roma Norte, a hip neighborhood packed full of popular restaurants and bars, Rosetta has become one of the city’s most acclaimed dining destinations. At the helm is one of Mexico’s best chefs, Elena Reygadas. Her elevated dishes are rooted in seasonal Mexican ingredients using an Italian lens.

With a menu that reflects the beautiful setting (the restaurant is located in a restored colonial mansion), featuring items like house-made pastas and floral-scented pastries, Rosetta is a romantic hotspot that feels at once luxurious and laid-back.

Shhh

Mexico City is known for its high-end cocktail bars situated in vinyl listening bars. Of this variety, Shhh in La Condesa is the ultimate audiophile’s heaven. Located upstairs from a vinyl record store, the bar features both a small yet cozy rooftop patio with a bar as well as a speakeasy-style bar where listening to high-fidelity records is the main attraction. Neon reds and leather decor make this place feel like an updated 1980s hot spot. Featuring a curated menu of unique cocktails, Shhh is a great way to experience Mexico City’s nightlife in a relaxing yet enticing atmosphere.

Tacos Hola El Güero

At all times of day, Tacos Hola, located on a tree-lined main thoroughfare in Condesa, has a line out the door of locals. This unassuming and very affordable taco stand has perfected the art of street tacos since 1968. Their tried-and-true menu items include the picadillo taco with ground meat and the chorizo con papa taco topped with cotija cheese and salsa. Although the hole-in-the-wall features a menu with staple street tacos in all the most beloved styles, there’s also a seasonal and rotating menu, with everything from spicy mole to rajas con crema. With no sit-down area (besides the curb) to enjoy the tacos, Tacos Hola proves that a great restaurant experience doesn’t always mean fine dining.

Licorería Limantour

Reliable public transportation and walkable neighborhoods make Mexico City a great place to explore on foot. One moment you’re walking past colonial mansions and jacaranda-lined streets in Condesa, and the next you’re in the fruit markets of Roma Norte. Fortunately for travelers, there’s great food to find on every corner. For cocktails, however, there are a few places that rise above the rest. Licorería Limantour is not only one of the best (or arguably, best) cocktail bars in Mexico City, but the place has consistently been ranked as one of the best in all of Latin America. This celebrated cocktail bar features a sleek decor, with marble countertops and moody lighting. Although the space is incredibly fun interiors-wise, the real star of the show is in Licorería Limantour’s drink offerings. Created with incredible detail, the cocktail menu features a variety of classics, such as the Margarita, with a world-class twist. A great way to experience elevated favorites, this cocktail bar exceeds all expectations when it comes to flavor.

Contramar

If you ask enough locals, you’ll find that Contramar is a favorite restaurant for many. Known for its extremely fresh seafood, the light-filled, airy space in Roma Norte is a longtime favorite with everyone from locals enjoying a leisurely lunch to tourists craving freshly-shucked oysters. Known for its pescado a la talla, which is a whole fish dressed in adobo and other salsas, the menu also features a variety of ceviche offerings, tuna dishes, types of oysters, and more. Although the decor is very minimalist, and the restaurant features a casual, lively atmosphere, the incredibly refined and elevated menu at Contramar makes it a great spot that anyone can enjoy.

Quintonil

Although Mexico City’s most popular Michelin-celebrated restaurant might be Pujol, for those who want something a little bit different in the fine dining scene, Quintonil in Polanco offers a deeply memorable experience. At the helm is chef Jorge Vallejo, who was a protégé of Pujol’s chef, making it a similar experience in that both places feature locally sourced ingredients prepared with elegance and innovation. What makes Quintonil different, however, is its celebration of more indigenous-to-Mexico fresh ingredients. The nine-course tasting menu often features ingredients like different types of beans, chiles, mushrooms, and local fruits like squash. Although the interior is understated, the setting is warm and approachable, which allows chef Vallejo’s food to take center stage. Consistently ranked and celebrated to be among the world’s top restaurants, Quintonil is a must for anyone looking to explore the new vanguard of Mexico’s fine dining culinary scene.