12 Best Restaurants in Mexico City Foodies Are Obsessed With (With Rating)

Mexico is a destination that knows how to surprise travelers. Beyond its stunning beaches, colorful colonial towns, and ancient ruins, it surprises visitors with exciting food scenes in the world.

From humble taco stands serving recipes passed down for generations to award-winning dining destinations, your every meal feels like a discovery.

If you’re searching for the best restaurants in Mexico, you’re in for an unforgettable culinary journey. This Mexico travel guide takes you beyond the usual tourist spots and into restaurants that locals love, food critics praise, and travelers remember long after they return home.

If you’re craving authentic street food, fresh seafood, regional specialties, or fine dining experiences, these handpicked restaurants showcase the incredible diversity of Mexican cuisine. Get ready to explore 12 must-visit restaurants that prove some of Mexico’s greatest attractions are found around the dinner table.

Best Restaurants in Mexico You Shouldn’t Skip

The best restaurants in Mexico offer a taste of the country’s rich culture, history, and culinary creativity. But, to make the most of your trip, consider the best time to visit Mexico, which is generally between November and April when the weather is pleasant and ideal for exploring the country’s vibrant food scene. 

Scroll down to find a list of A-class restaurants along with their pricing and ratings. 

1. Pujol

Address: Tennyson 133, Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo, 11550 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Rating: ⭐ 4.6/5 (Google Maps) / 2 Michelin Stars / Top 50 in the World

Booking Pujol felt like trying to score concert tickets. But, since I wanted to try its food, I set a calendar reminder weeks out. There was dark lighting, mid-century chairs, that maintained the vibes. The tasting menu gave me a little heart attack because it was about  $3,495 MXN ($180–$200 USD) before drinks and tip. But it was worth every peso. Every dish felt like a scene in a play, but the finale — a chocolate dessert with corn ice cream — was the moment that made the price feel completely justified.

Must-Try Dish: The Mole Madre, Mole Nuevo was  my favorite dish of the evening. The contrast between the aged mole and the freshly prepared one was fascinating. Eating them side by side with warm tortillas really showed how much flavor can develop over time.

2. Rosetta

Address: C. Colima 166, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Rating: ⭐ 4.2/5 (Google Maps) / 1 Michelin Star / No. 46 World’s 50 Best

I have seen so much hype that I wanted to try this one. I showed up for lunch to see if it actually matched its 1 Michelin Star rating.  The place is inside this gorgeous old mansion, sunlight pouring through big windows. You absolutely need a reservation just trust me. The menu mixes Italian pasta tricks with Mexican ingredients. I started with their rye sourdough and chicatana ant butter. This weird but delicious item ran about $260 MXN ($14 USD).

Must-Order Dish: Corn Tamales with Celeriac and Smoked Cream. This dish costs around $330 MXN ($18 USD). The tamales were much lighter than the traditional versions I had tried before. The smoky cream added richness, while the celeriac brought a subtle crunch that balanced everything nicely. 

3. Quintonil

Address: Av. Isaac Newton 55, Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Rating: ⭐ 4.7/5 (Google Maps) / 2 Michelin Stars / No. 7 in Latin America

After Pujol, I had to see how the rival measured up. It has totally mixed vibes of sleekness but warmth. Led by Chef Jorge Vallejo and his wife Alejandra Flores, this spot holds 2 Michelin Stars.

They serve a multi-course seasonal tasting menu that costs around $4,950 MXN (roughly $250 USD) per person. Chef clearly love pushing boundaries, think avocado tartare with ant larvae (escamoles). It was weirdly good.

The tasting menu is around $4,950 MXN ($250 USD). It was a bit expensive . But then came the oxtail.

Must-Order Dish: Braised Oxtail in Traditional Black Recado Sauce. You will dream about this dish. The meat fell apart like it had given up on life and the black Mayan sauce was so smoky, spicy, and deep that I wanted to eat the plate.

4. Bakea

Address: Sierra Ventanas 700-5, Lomas de Chapultepec, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Rating: ⭐ 4.6/5 (Google Maps) / 50Best Discovery

After all the corn and chiles, I needed a break. So, Bakéa felt like finding a secret French-Basque hideaway. Quiet street, romantic dining room, lots of business dinners and couples celebrating something. And there was no tasting menu pressure, you can  order à la carte. Dinner with wine cost me about $1,200–$1,600 MXN ($65–$85 USD).

Must-Order Dish: Duck Confit with Fruit Compote. This dish costs around $520 MXN ($28 USD). The skin cracked like glass. The meat was juicy. And that tart fruit compote cut right through the richness. I ate way too slowly, trying to make it last. If you ever visit Bakea , don’t skip this dish.

5. Guzina Oaxaca

Address: Av. Pdte. Masaryk 513, Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Rating: ⭐ 4.6/5 (Google Maps) / Michelin Guide Selected

I wanted real Oaxacan flavors without hopping on a plane. So, we headed to Guzina Oaxaca. Opened by acclaimed chef Alejandro Ruíz, this spot holds a Michelin Guide Selected Distinction for its exclusive, very authentic take on Oaxacan classics. The vibe is bright, modern, and chill. For me it was a nice break from Polanco’s busy streets.

They use fresh ingredients and restock it twice a week, and you can feel  it immediately in the complimentary handmade tortillas and salsas ground right at your table. I ordered lunch with a mezcal cocktail, a main dish, and an appetizer, which cost around $950 MXN ($50 USD) in total.

Must-Order Dish: Duck Breast with Black Mole (Mole Negro). This costs around $490 MXN ($26 USD). Perfect medium-rare duck draped in that very popular mole negro which was sweet, smoky, spicy, all at once. I wiped up every last drop with my tortilla.

6. Almara

Address: Hamburgo 195, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Rating: ⭐ 4.5/5 (Google Maps)

I almost walked past this one, because Almara is hidden in a hotel lobby. But Chef Guy Santoro is doing something special. They call it Mediterranean fusion, and luckily this place is not crowded at all.

I ordered a whole  à la carte here, and a massive meal with wine cost me around $1,100 MXN ($60 USD). They started me off with fresh baked bread, but the real star of the night was their creative blend of local seafood and European technique. Tasting a blend of different cuisines is one of the unique things to do in Mexico. 

Must-Order Dish: Seafood Risotto. This dish costs around $420 MXN ($23 USD).  Creamy, al dente, with a sneaky kick of local chiles. Shrimp and octopus perfectly seared. I didn’t expect to find such good risotto in CDMX, but here we are. 

7. Sud 777

Address: Blvrd de la Luz 777, Jardines del Pedregal, Álvaro Obregón, 01900 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Rating: ⭐ 4.3/5 (Google Maps) / 1 Michelin Star

Jardines del Pedregal is a mid-century residential neighborhood in southern CDMX. It’s one of the most famous cities in Mexico for its volcanic rock landscapes and eye-catching mansions. I wanted to explore the culinary scene in the southern part of the city, so I headed down to Sud 777. Owned  by Chef Edgar Núñez, this beautiful, multi-level architectural masterpiece holds 1 Michelin Star and  ranks among Latin America’s best restaurants. The interior of this restaurant was very dramatic, complete with moody lighting and beautiful open-air terraces.

They are famous for a hyper-seasonal multi-course tasting menu based on  local vegetables and  ingredients, which costs around $2,850 MXN ($150 USD) before drinks. Chef Edgar Núñez clearly loves experimenting. The order of the dishes felt very experimental, but the absolute highlight was a popular seafood course.

Must-Order Dish: Octopus in Crust of Ashes. 

I know that it will sound insane. But the octopus was very tender, coated in smoky charred pepper ash, served with a piquillo-chile mayo. 

8. Yoshimi

Address: Campos Elíseos 204, Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Rating: ⭐ 4.5/5 (Google Maps) / High-End Authentic Japanese

After days of eating  tacos, I really  needed something different. So, I checked out Yoshimi inside the Hyatt Regency. It is  considered one of the most authentic, traditional Japanese dining rooms in the city. Yoshimi felt like stepping into Tokyo, minimalist, and zen garden vibes. My meal with hot sake and an entree cost me around $1,800 MXN ($95 USD).

Must-Order Dish: Traditional Shabu Shabu. This costs around $1,490 MXN ($78 USD).  They bring out a steaming pot of kombu broth, thinly sliced ribeye, tofu, greens. You swish the meat around yourself. It’s fun, satisfying, and the beef melts in your mouth.

9. Azul Historico

Address: Isabel La Católica 30, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Rating: ⭐ 4.4/5 (Google Maps) / Renowned Traditional Mexican

I heard a lot about this restaurants on Instagram and obviously booked a dinner table. It’s an open-air restaurant, in the inner courtyard of 17th-century palace shaded by a massive canopy of trees lit with fairy lights. Chef Ricardo Muñoz Zurita acts like a culinary historian here, preserving forgotten regional recipes. A full dinner with mezcal cocktails cost me around $1,250 MXN ($65 USD) per person.

Must-Order Dish: Buñuelos Rellenos de Pato con Mole Negro. This costs around $360 MXN ($19 USD) making it a top eating spot for budget travelers. Crispy airy pastries stuffed with rich duck confit, swimming in dark mole. The crunch + sweet smoke combo was mind-blowing. 

10. Campobaja

Address: C. Colima 124-E, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Rating: ⭐ 4.3/5 (Google Maps) / Michelin Guide Recommended Seafood

If you’re in Mexico and haven’t tried any seafood, check your priorities again. I had gone two full days without seafood, which felt criminal in Mexico, so I headed straight to Campobaja. It is a wood-accented second-story terrace. 

The seafood come directly from fishing camps in Baja California, so the menu changes regularly depending on what was caught. It’s away from the traffic area, therefore instantly calmed my nerves. The tasting menu runs around $4,950 MXN ($250 USD) — expensive, but the oxtail alone made the case for the price and seafood plates that cost around $850 MXN ($45 USD).

Must-Order Dish: Tacos de Atún Asado (Grilled Tuna Tacos). This costs around $280 MXN ($15 USD). They serve thick cuts of freshly caught yellowfin tuna seared over open flame so it stays rare in the middle, served over warm corn tortillas and charred chile mayo.

11. Masala y Maiz

Address: C. Artículo 123 116, Colonia Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06040 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Rating: ⭐ 4.3/5 (Google Maps) / Michelin-Starred Afro-Indian-Mexican Fusion

I heard “crazy food philosophy” and immediately made a reservation. And that owes to the chefs Norma Listman and Saqib Keval who mix Indian, East African, and Mexican food traditions on one table. I ordered à la carte, a dinner, and wine that cost about $1,100 MXN ($58 USD) per person. 

Must-Order Dish: Samosas de Suadero. Since there’s indian option on the menu, I have to order one. I asked for Samosas de Suadero which was for $205 MXN ($11 USD).  The samosa was crispy, but instead of its usual filling, there was slow-cooked Mexican suadero beef in it. The meat was rich, juicy, and full of flavor that instantly uplifted my mood. 

12. Comal Oculto

Address: Calle Gral. Gómez Pedraza 37, San Miguel Chapultepec I Sección, Miguel Hidalgo, 11850 Ciudad de México, CDMX

Rating: ⭐ 4.4/5 (Google Maps) / Michelin Bib Gourmand

I had tried every Instagram recommendation during my visit, and now I wanted something where locals actually go. And Comal Oculto stands out for this. The restaurant has won a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for offering great food at reasonable prices, and let me tell you they earned it. The place is small with communal tables. The freshly prepared food which the chef cooks in front of you is the best experience. 

I stopped by for breakfast and ordered several dishes along with a warm cup of café de olla, a traditional Mexican coffee flavored with cinnamon. The entire meal cost me around $220 MXN ($12 USD), which felt like excellent value considering the quality and portion sizes.

Must-Order Dish: Gordita de Chicharrón Prensado. This costs around $65 MXN ($3.50 USD) and became the highlight of my visit. The corn dough was nicely crisp on the outside but soft and fluffy inside. It was filled with slow-cooked pork, and after the first bite you could see why this dish is so popular among locals. 

Street Food in Mexico 

Mexico is known for its street food but if you don’t know what to eat and from where, you might end up wasting a lot of money. Here’s what I eat in a day from streets of Mexico only and you can try to. It’s a perfect $8–$10 USD ($150–$185 MXN) daily food itinerary organized as a step-by-step walking food day.

Total Cost for the Day: $185 MXN / $10.00 USD exactly.

Conclusion

Here our guide to the best restaurants in Mexico comes to an end. No matter if you’re a budget-traveler or want a luxury eating experience, Mexico will offer everything that you crave for. But the best food scenes are always in the streets of Mexico where everything is insanely cheap but tasty. 

So, if you’re planning to visit Mexico, make sure you check these restaurants. Let us know which one you will try first. 

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