Our city is known for its vast and diverse culinary scene. While we find delicious international options, nothing compares to the comfort offered by authentic Mexican flavors.
In this list, we’ve gathered some of the best Mexican restaurants in Mexico City. Without a doubt, they’re a perfect stop for locals looking for a homey atmosphere, as well as must-visit spots for those visiting the city.
If your Mexican food tour takes you to the south of Mexico City, Los Danzantes Coyoacán, recommended by the 2026 Michelin Guide, is a must-visit.
Founded in 1995, this spot combines traditional Mexican cuisine with contemporary techniques; standout dishes include hoja santa stuffed with cheese and its Festival de Bichos, featuring dishes where escamoles and maguey worms take center stage. Mezcal is a staple on the menu!
Expendio de Maíz
Expendio de Maíz is a rustic restaurant with an open kitchen located in the Roma neighborhood, which has been awarded a Michelin Star in the 2026 guide. The dishes served here are based on native and heirloom corn varieties from different regions of Mexico.
The service works like this: the staff brings a sequence of dishes to the table—such as tacos, tlacoyos, quesadillas, or stews—until the diner decides it’s time to stop. Keep in mind that the space is small, with communal tables and wooden benches, and they don’t take reservations, so the wait for a table is usually long, especially on weekends.
Azul Histórico
Azul Histórico is a traditional Mexican restaurant located inside the Palacio de los Condes de Miravalle, a beautiful 17th-century colonial building in Mexico City’s Historic Center. The establishment stands out for its architectural design, as the tables are arranged in an open courtyard shaded by large trees.
The kitchen is led by chef Ricardo Muñoz Zurita, featuring recipes from different regions of the country. Among its signature dishes are black mole with duck-stuffed fritters, cochinita pibil, and tamales, in addition to a special monthly menu dedicated to a specific ingredient or state in Mexico.
Arroyo Restaurant
We continue with one of the places where the party and the flavors sit at the same table: Restaurante Arroyo.
The place has a history spanning more than 80 years, so you can be sure there’s plenty of culinary expertise to spare. The house specialty is pit-roasted barbacoa, Hidalgo-style.
The menu also features other Mexican appetizers, carnitas, and mixiotes, all set against a festive atmosphere with mariachi music and live performances.
Nicos
This traditional Mexican restaurant was founded in 1957. Located in the Clavería neighborhood of the Azcapotzalco district, the establishment is renowned for its efforts to preserve the techniques and ingredients of 20th-century Mexican home cooking, which has earned it a consistent spot on the list of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants and the Michelin Guide’s recommendations.
The menu focuses on traditional Mexican cuisine, using ingredients from local and sustainable producers in line with the slow food philosophy. Among its most iconic dishes are sopa seca de natas, pato en mole, chiles en nogada (in season), and the café de olla or mezcal served directly from a cart at the table in front of the diner.
Limosneros
This is a high-end Mexican restaurant located in a 16th-century mansion in Mexico City’s Historic Center, whose original walls are built with a traditional mixture of tezontle stone, basalt, and ceramic fragments. The concept focuses on reinterpreting pre-Hispanic and traditional recipes and ingredients using modern culinary techniques.
The menu offers à la carte options and a tasting menu, featuring dishes such as their canasta tacos, preparations with seasonal insects (such as escamoles and chinicuiles), and main courses based on the catch of the day. Additionally, the restaurant offers a beverage selection focused on pairing with national spirits, including a wide selection of artisanal mezcals and Mexican craft beers.
Still looking for authentic Mexican restaurants in Mexico City?Angelopolitano will steal your heart! Led by chef Gerardo Quezadas, this restaurant will delight you with traditional dishes from the state of Puebla, such as Arab tacos and chalupas.
From July to October, the menu welcomes the chiles en nogada season. Here you can choose from 11 chile recipes, ranging from the classic version to vegetarian options with quinoa.
La Poblanita de Tacubaya
If you’re in the mood for food from Puebla, then be sure to try the delicacies at La Poblanita, a restaurant where the star of the menu is mole; whether red or green, it’s a true delight.
They also offer other traditional dishes: rice, chicken broth, enchiladas, enfrijoladas, beans, and taquitos. They also have a meat section featuring: arrachera, pork ribs, chicken, and even cecina. Don’t miss out on the chance to savor the classic chalupas!
If you’re looking for a more formal restaurant and a fine-dining experience, then you’ll love Chapulín. It’s an iconic restaurant in Mexico City that aims to share more about the richness of Mexican cuisine.
On the menu, you’ll find breakfast, lunch, and dinner; no matter the time of day, you’ll be treated to great flavors. There are huaraches, enchiladas, sopes, enmoladas, ceviches, aguachiles, tacos, escamoles, and an endless array of succulent dishes.
Now let’s travel to the northwest of the country—the flavors of Tijuana in the heart of Mexico City! El Compita is a birria restaurant that has become a favorite. It currently has two locations in the Roma neighborhood.
But why is it so highly acclaimed? Simple: it’s a master at making Tijuana-style birria! In addition to consomé and quesabirrias, you’ll find asada and tongue tacos, as well as the famous “mulitas” topped with meat, cheese, and plenty of guacamole.
