Guidebook for Ciudad de México
Food Scene
A classic of La Roma. So much so that you may well find a line forming outside at all hours of the day. It does some of the finest pastries and bread-based products in the city. Perhaps in Mexico! Customers sit at a long bar and order coffees and quiches or delicious sweet things to eat amid the bustle and chat. If waiting for available seats doesn’t appeal, you can order to take away and then eat on the benches outside or in the nearby Rio de Janeiro plaza, one of the nicest in the barrio.
486 locals recommend
Panadería Rosetta
179 ColimaA classic of La Roma. So much so that you may well find a line forming outside at all hours of the day. It does some of the finest pastries and bread-based products in the city. Perhaps in Mexico! Customers sit at a long bar and order coffees and quiches or delicious sweet things to eat amid the bustle and chat. If waiting for available seats doesn’t appeal, you can order to take away and then eat on the benches outside or in the nearby Rio de Janeiro plaza, one of the nicest in the barrio.
There are two “Toscanos” nearby run by the same people: one on the corner of Zacatecas and Orizaba and another on corner of the Plaza Rio de Janeiro and Orizaba. The breakfast menu will have eggs (try the ‘divorciados’), omelettes, Mexican dishes, crepes, sandwiches, good juices, decent coffee and friendly service. Prices are mid-range and portions are decent. They’re usually pretty quick and efficient.
113 locals recommend
Café Toscano
42 OrizabaThere are two “Toscanos” nearby run by the same people: one on the corner of Zacatecas and Orizaba and another on corner of the Plaza Rio de Janeiro and Orizaba. The breakfast menu will have eggs (try the ‘divorciados’), omelettes, Mexican dishes, crepes, sandwiches, good juices, decent coffee and friendly service. Prices are mid-range and portions are decent. They’re usually pretty quick and efficient.
If you’re vegan or vegetarian, this is the place for you. It’s a block from the apartment and does some awesome vegan breaksfast. They also have a wide array of juices and vegan pastries. I have not tried the lunch options, but the place is generally full so I would venture to say it is also very good!
44 locals recommend
Forever
54 Guanajuato If you’re vegan or vegetarian, this is the place for you. It’s a block from the apartment and does some awesome vegan breaksfast. They also have a wide array of juices and vegan pastries. I have not tried the lunch options, but the place is generally full so I would venture to say it is also very good!
We love Mog. It’s a very cool, fast-moving Asian restaurant with unbeatable Gyoza dumplings, Pho soups, dozens of rice and noodle dishes plus decent sushi and sashimi. Finding a table at lunchtime is normally easy enough, although the weekends are busier. But it can get very popular at night so either go early or call ahead and book:
191 locals recommend
Mog Bistro
168 FronteraWe love Mog. It’s a very cool, fast-moving Asian restaurant with unbeatable Gyoza dumplings, Pho soups, dozens of rice and noodle dishes plus decent sushi and sashimi. Finding a table at lunchtime is normally easy enough, although the weekends are busier. But it can get very popular at night so either go early or call ahead and book:
Recently opened Middle eastern restaurant with a great menu. Delicious Arabian and Persian food – or at least very tasty versions of them. The service is good, the staff friendly and the portions ample, particularly if you order lots of smaller ones. A bit like Middle Eastern tapas.
31 locals recommend
Paprika Cocina de Especias
115 OrizabaRecently opened Middle eastern restaurant with a great menu. Delicious Arabian and Persian food – or at least very tasty versions of them. The service is good, the staff friendly and the portions ample, particularly if you order lots of smaller ones. A bit like Middle Eastern tapas.
A lovely indoor courtyard or patio makes a great setting for this stylish restaurant. The menu can vary depending on the whims and interests of the chefs and the owners but the standard fare is great too. Mediterranean-influenced might be a good description but plenty of Mexican beers and mezcal or tequila to wash it all down with too.
58 locals recommend
Broka
126 ZacatecasA lovely indoor courtyard or patio makes a great setting for this stylish restaurant. The menu can vary depending on the whims and interests of the chefs and the owners but the standard fare is great too. Mediterranean-influenced might be a good description but plenty of Mexican beers and mezcal or tequila to wash it all down with too.
Widely considered one of the best fish / seafood places in town. Their fig cheesecake for dessert is amazing too. You can never go wrong with Contramar, it is simple delicious.
338 locals recommend
Contramar
200 Calle de DurangoWidely considered one of the best fish / seafood places in town. Their fig cheesecake for dessert is amazing too. You can never go wrong with Contramar, it is simple delicious.
Corner of Zacatecas and Tonala, popular haunt among Mexican glitterati and politicos.
289 locals recommend
Máximo Bistrot
65 Bis Av. Álvaro ObregónCorner of Zacatecas and Tonala, popular haunt among Mexican glitterati and politicos.
The kitchen is run by top Mexican chef, Enrique Olvera, and Pujol is considered one of the top 50 restaurants in the world by some publications. The Wall Street Journal rated it as the top restaurant in Mexico City a few years ago. Needless to say, book in advance! It’s in the Polanco district so it’s a taxi ride away.
185 locals recommend
Pujol
133 TennysonThe kitchen is run by top Mexican chef, Enrique Olvera, and Pujol is considered one of the top 50 restaurants in the world by some publications. The Wall Street Journal rated it as the top restaurant in Mexico City a few years ago. Needless to say, book in advance! It’s in the Polanco district so it’s a taxi ride away.
Drinks & Nightlife
For mezcal, you can try La Cladestina . Almost opposite the Parque España. Low-lit, funky and fun with beer and mezcal and… that’s it! Beer and mezcal! But so many choices of mezcal. Be warned, mezcal can creep up on you. A few and you think you’re fine. A few more, and your friends are putting you in a taxi and the next day, you’ll never want to drink again. So treat with care.
96 locals recommend
La Clandestina
298 Av. Álvaro ObregónFor mezcal, you can try La Cladestina . Almost opposite the Parque España. Low-lit, funky and fun with beer and mezcal and… that’s it! Beer and mezcal! But so many choices of mezcal. Be warned, mezcal can creep up on you. A few and you think you’re fine. A few more, and your friends are putting you in a taxi and the next day, you’ll never want to drink again. So treat with care.
Shopping
There are scores of small stores and shops selling good food. But a nearby “Sumesa” supermarket for basics can be found on the corner of Merida and Colima, just a few blocks away.
513 locals recommend
Sumesa
266 TlacotalpanThere are scores of small stores and shops selling good food. But a nearby “Sumesa” supermarket for basics can be found on the corner of Merida and Colima, just a few blocks away.