The best places to eat and drink in Mexico City
by @tomokas
One thing you’ll never find yourself short on in Mexico City (or anywhere in Mexico) is great places to eat. In fact, I think Mexico is the only holiday I've been on where I've exclusively eaten local foods without craving something international. But then I could eat Mexican food everyday in the UK, too.
We had just three full days in CDMX so our chances to enjoy the restaurants and street food were limited. But these were our favourite places to eat and drink in the city.
Lardo
We walked to Lardo for brunch on our first morning in La Condesa. Covered in greenery and flushed with warm sunlight, it has a slightly vintage vibe which is helped by the wooden flooring and brass bar. We had our first chilaquiles with salsa verde here... And while we went on to eat many more during our trip, I think Lardo's were my favourite.
Hotel Condesa DF
We didn’t actually eat at the Hotel Contessa DF but we had a few mezcal margaritas on the rooftop bar on a hot afternoon. Sushi was on the menu, but we’d already eaten. Although it looked delicious. It’s a high end yet relaxed spot to enjoy quiet drinks and food, and take in the view across the city. You don't need to book a table, but it can get busy with locals, tourists, and hotel residents.
Rifados Taqueria
This streetside taco spot was some of the best Mexican street food we had. Amazingly cheap and tasty, we had three tacos each at Rifados Taqueria. One of which I accidentally doused in the hottest hot sauce I’ve ever tried… And quickly learned the lesson to try Mexican table sauces before putting them on my food. Even with a burning mouth, I'd recommend this as one of the best places to eat in Mexico City if you need a something quick, easy, and delicious.
La Pitahaya Vegana
La Pitahaya might be the most Instagrammable food we ate in Mexico. Almost everything was pink, topped with coconut and flowers, and served in cute wicker baskets. And we were pleased to find that it all tasted as good as it looked… If not better. When you visit, be sure to order the enfrijoladas and cauliflower tacos.
El Mayor
We stopped at the roof terrace El Mayor for a much needed iced coffee. It's not a top destination, but it was a relaxing place to stop after wandering around Templo Mayor and the Zocalo in the sun for a couple of hours. This turned into snacks and margaritas which were accompanied by a brilliant view of the city.
Terazza Gran Hotel
The Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico is one of the most iconic buildings in Mexico city. It’s worth visiting the foyer just to view the stunning art nouveau style stained glass and vintage lifts. But if you take the spiral staircase up to the roof terrace, you’ll find a quiet bar with views over the Plaza de la Constitución and cathedral.
Though slightly dated, the 500ml margaritas were worth the visit. Try the mezcal strawberry margarita, which comes with dried, sugared fruit on top.
Fifty Mils
Named one of the best bars in the world, Fifty Mils was on our way to dinner one night. So we had to stop in. On the ground floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, Fifty Mils has an indoor area but we sat on the outdoor terrace which is covered in greenery and fairy lights. It’s easy to drink for cheap in Mexico, so Fifty Mils felt extra expensive. But for an evening in ‘the best bar in Mexico City’ it was worth it.
Tacos Hola
Another streetside taco spot round the corner from our hotel, the food at Tacos Hola was quick, delicious, and cost less than £1 each! It’s very easy to snack all day long when the street food is this good. Wherever you stay in CDMX you’re sure to have somewhere like Tacos Hola or Rifados nearby. But if you’re in La Condesa or Roma Norte these two are worth the trip.
Paramo
Modern Mexican restaurant Paramo in Roma is apparently the band Interpol's favourite place to eat in Mexico City… And I can see why. It took a while to get a reservation and even then we had to wait for a table, as it's popular with locals as well as tourists. But the food here was well worth the queue. The menu updates quite regularly but we ordered a selection of tacos and tostadas that were all excellent.
Hanky Panky
Another one on the list of best bars in the world, Hanky Panky has a more relaxed vibe than Fifty Mils. But the drinks are just as great. This bar felt more like being in London than any other that we visited in Mexico City… Which isn’t necessarily a good or a bad thing but might give you an idea of the vibe! Think small, dark room with warm lightning, velvet booths, and a small outdoor area.
This bar also had more non-Mexican people in it than others. Which might be due to its accolades, but it also highlighted how many great spots are truly popular with the locals in CDMX and not just tourist hotspots.
La Cocina de mi Mama
On our day trip to Coyoacan we visited the market and ate at this small, unassuming kitchen. Tacos dorados de papa was the perfect mix of fresh, crisp salad and fried potato that felt delicious and hearty yet still slightly healthy. Despite being so low-key, this is one of the dishes that springs to mind when I think about the best things to eat in Mexico City.
There are plenty of similar kitchens within Coyoacan market and I’m sure they’re all delicious. But La Cocina de mi Mama came highly recommended and was definitely worth seeking out.
Looking for more things to do in the capital? Find out how we spent three days in Mexico City.