Favorite Eats in Mexico City
Mexico City is home to dozens of Michelin-starred restaurants, casual eats, street food, and of course, all the tacos you can eat. There’s a food vendor on almost every corner and is as beloved as the award-winning eats. So which spots made my top list?
Best Dinner
This Michelin-Guide pick was exquisite. This restaurant came highly recommended from a friend, and I was so glad I listened. My meal at Sarde was my favorite thing I ate. I started with a light hamachi crudo paired with a bitter orange puree, followed by the Flat Iron steak and the corn salad. My friend recommended the mackarel with sourdough, cacio e pepe, and the strawberry hibiscus tiramisu. Whatever you choose here, you’re in for a treat.
Honorable Mentions:
Cana
Whenever I can order a steak frites, I’m a happy gal. Those thick-cut steak fries were perfection with a little aioli.
Most Unique Tacos
Cariñito Taco
As a foreigner, I’m not nearly brave enough to deem the best tacos in CDMX, but the most creative tacos I ordered were at Cariñito Taco. This unassuming spot also made the 2024 Michelin Guide. Guests order at a walkup counter and eat standing on the sidewalk.
I ordered the Cantones taco, pictured, which is a more traditional pork belly taco with pickled cucumbers. The flavors were delicious and whatever you think about pickled veg on a taco will be disproven. Another standout was the Issan taco, an Asian- inspired taco that must be eaten to be accurately described.
Despite the casual digs, they also offer a good selection of interesting wines. I tried the Toscana Vermintino La Spinetta which had a refreshing yet dry and herbaceous profile.
Best Drinks
Handshake Speakeasy
This cozy speakeasy was recently named #1 Bar in the World. I had good luck and managed to get a reservation for one at Handshake Speakeasy. The small bar conveys an intimate atmosphere with curtained alcoves and a sleek bar. Bartenders greet you in unison as you enter and exit adding to a celebratory atmosphere. The service was impeccable and each drink is crafted with care. My favorite drink was the Lychee Highball. Another popular drink on the menu was the Butter Mushroom Old Fashioned garnished with enoki mushroom stems.
Honorable Mentions:
Licorería Limantour, Baltra Bar, Bar Felix
You can’t go wrong with a stop at any of these bars. For every bar I visited, there were dozens more with a cool drink list and curated aesthetics. Leave a comment below if you’d like a list of where I’d visit next in CDM
Best Views
Ling Ling
Food-wise, Ling Ling’s offerings are decent but not spectacular. However, the views alone make it worth mentioning. Located at the penthouse level of the Ritz Carlton, this restaurant offers the most stunning views of Mexico City. Do yourself a favor and book a table before sunset and order cocktails and an appetizer before continuing your night.
Go To Coffee
The Coffee
I spent most of my mornings with an iced latte from The Coffee in Roma Sur. This clean white coffee shop situated on the corner overlooks passersby. If you’re not feeling confident in your Spanish, it offers an iPad ordering system with different language options. There are endless coffeeshop options in Mexico City, so you’re sure to find your own neighborhood spot.
Finally, here are a few bites that didn’t quite make this list but still left an impression.
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