Mexico City’s food scene is an experience worth having – from delicious street tacos to world-renowned fine dining establishments pushing culinary boundaries, Mexico City offers something delicious for every palate. Here are four unmissable eateries.
Meroma is a market-driven powerhouse, using local resources to craft dishes such as whey-cooked sweet onion with Comte cheese and orecchiette with butter-roasted stone crab. Their seasonal menu changes frequently; however, escamoles (ant larvae) and cod a la Vizcaina remain firm favourites.
1. Contramar
Contramar is an independent seafood restaurant offering locals and travelers fresh fish delivered daily from around the globe. Housed in what was once a high-ceilinged bodega, its beachy atmosphere features white linen tablecloths with perfect lighting in an expansive dining area – its focus being the daily catch! The menu at Contramar is straightforward and simply features fresh fish selections from around the globe.
Gabriela Camara, the chef and owner of Contramar (and former Cala), is one of Mexico’s most revered chefs. She has written cookbooks, appeared on TV programs, and even served as culinary advisor to Mexico’s president in 2021!
Contramar is an iconic restaurant located in Mexico City serving both signature dishes and unique new offerings to showcase the diversity of Mexican cuisines. Don’t miss a trip there if you enjoy seafood! It is definitely a must visit spot!
At Pescada a la Talla Restaurant in Portland, Maine, their signature dish is Pescada a la Talla; this is a whole grilled rockfish served with parsley sauce on one side and chile colorado on the other. Everybody should at least give this classic Mexican dish a try once. Its simplicity lets the quality of ingredients shine, while being large enough for sharing after several apps. Since this restaurant can get busy fast, reservations should be made beforehand or go before noon or after 5pm to beat crowds!
2. Meroma
As Alfonso Cuaron’s Oscar-nominated film Roma launched Roma Norte onto the global map, its reputation has skyrocketed as a hotbed of tastemakers looking to take Mexican cuisine in new directions. One such tastemaker is Mercedes Bernal, co-owner and co-chef of Meroma restaurant–an effortlessly cool 70s modernist house converted into an eatery that provides an exceptional culinary journey led by Chef Elena Reygadas’ menu that celebrates Mexico’s rich culinary tradition by using local ingredients combined with handcrafted dishes from around the globe.
Reygadas’s connection to the land is evident throughout its restaurant, where heirloom tomatoes and grilled avocado make an eye-catching first impression alongside Peruvian tiradito or New England-style chowder. Even its quesadilla stands out, featuring toasty blue corn filled with earthy-flavored huitalacoche mushrooms – elevating this snack food to fine dining territory.
Meroma’s dedication to sustainable farming and artisanal production can be found throughout its hotel rooms, suites and villas. Designed by Tara Bernerd and Partners–renowned designers of large hospitality projects–these rooms feature warm interior design that feels at one with the natural surroundings; hand-tiled bathrooms feature geometric Mayan designs; handmade tiles line the walkways; wooden elements are strategically used throughout; in fact, most materials were sourced locally when creating this property.
3. Maximo Bistrot Local
Maximo Bistrot Local’s cuisine blends French and Mexican influences seamlessly, from expertly executed dishes such as grilled bass with Creole corn and leeks, or roast chicken stuffed with morels and thyme to expertly executed dishes like its famous Creole corn pancakes or chicken with morels and thyme stuffings. Chef Eduardo “Lalo” Garcia draws upon native Mexican ingredients–such as mushrooms–while applying classic French techniques in creating dynamic dining rooms beloved by both locals, visitors, food media professionals alike.
Maximo Bistrot Local wasn’t always so busy. When first opening its doors in Colonia Roma, Maximo Bistrot Local quickly established a stellar reputation among foodies. When tables became scarcer than ever, people started taking notice and paying closer attention.
Food at this restaurant embodies both local talent and international experience, blending together both worlds perfectly. Led by an apprentice trained at both Pujol and La Bernardin in New York, led by an executive chef with impressive culinary chops who adheres to an ethos that says exquisite cuisine shouldn’t be brutally costly; thus resulting in dishes which are both tasty and affordable – which rank highly on our list of Mexico City restaurants.
4. K’u’uk
Contramar has quickly established itself as one of Mexico’s premier restaurants for authentic Mexican fare with its exceptional seafood offerings and vibrant ambience. Across Mexico as a whole, its dishes have earned great renown from both locals and visitors. Contramar should definitely be on any visitor’s itinerary when in Puebla City as it promises an unparalleled culinary experience!
K’u’uk, located in a renovated colonial mansion near Monumento a la Patria, is considered one of Merida’s top upscale restaurants with Yukatek cuisine. Its high ceilings, original tile floors, and large chandeliers create a dignified club ambience for diners. You can select a nine-course tasting menu or order off their a la carte bill of fare; head chef Pedro Evia combines traditional Yucatan recipes with modern techniques for unique flavors; for instance he presents recipes such as Suckling Pig but uses ingredients such as star fruit and sapote to bring out subtler flavors than what would otherwise be found when cooking cochinita Pibil.
Though K’u’uk had some unfortunate offerings on its tasting menu and service missteps, the dining experience overall was fantastic. Desserts stood out, including an impressive crunchy fried corn tortilla roll filled with pumpkin seeds; Lebanese-Mexican fusion dishes like grape leaves filled with rice and ground lamb inside a tetela; the atmosphere is lively; wine selection extensive.
