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If you’re traveling to Mexico City to watch the Patriots take on the Raiders, you might as well take advantage of the excellent food available throughout the city. We’ve got you covered with breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktail and dessert spots that will have you eating (and drinking) like a local.
Breakfast:
1) On the go
Get started with a classic Mexican breakfast at Pastelería Ideal. This bakery has been around since the 1920s and is famous for their pastry making methods.
2) Substantial breakfast
Check out El Cardenal where chocolate conchas with nata (clotted cream) are a specialty! Omelettes, breakfast enchiladas and house-made hot chocolate are also on the menu.
3) If you’re hungover
After a night of partying in Mexico City, try Los Tres Reyes for barbacoa (yes, that’s barbecue). This destination is a favorite among locals due to the excellent, authentic food and live music.
Lunch:
1) Taco time!
Los Sifones is a popular taco spot with Mexico City locals. The tacos arrachera and molacajetes calientes come highly recommended by our friends at Eater!
2) Culinary tour
One of the best ways to take in the city’s street food is to join a guided tour. Companies like Eat Mexico and Club Tengo Hambre are reputable and affordable, with half and full-day itineraries guided by local culinary experts that include samples at pre-approved vendors.
3) Street food
Mercado de Coyoacán is a street food hotspot located in the south of the city. This market is lined with stalls selling brightly colored confections, bags of mole varieties and salted chapulines (grasshoppers) from Oaxaca. Pavilions are packed with vendors serving up fresh bites such asquesadilla with chicharrones and a variety of agua frescas, from coconut to papaya flavored.
Dinner:
1) Top-notch dining
The award-winning Pujol opened in March 2017 as a casual reimagined restaurant. It features an 11-seat, 12-course omakase taco bar and airy dining room with a six-course tasting menu. Mole Madre is one of the restaurant’s staples. Be sure to make a reservation!
2) John Lennon inspired
Lennon Cocina Libre is an innovative “free kitchen” restaurant concept inspired by John Lennon’s ideology of freedom and inclusivity. The music is the inspiration of innovative dishes in a contemporary and relaxed atmosphere.
3) Award winning
Named to S. Pellegrino & Acqua Panna’s prestigious annual 50 Best Restaurants list, Quintonil uses ingredients grown at the restaurant’s urban orchard. Expect to feast on modern Mexican fare, including some exotic dishes like escamoles (ant eggs)! Sardines in green sauce with pursale, fennel and guacamole is a house specialty. Reservations can be made online.
Cocktails and dessert
1) The speakeasy
Hanky Panky is one of Mexico City’s newest speakeasies, and one of the most exclusive cocktail establishments. The only way to get the address and secure a visit to Hanky Panky is by making a reservation over the phone.
2) Cocktails + sightseeing in one
Set inside a 1900’s mansion, Luciferina bills itself as an “alternative urban tavern.” Luciferina’s team of mixologists uses techniques and ingredients inspired by medieval alchemy to concoct a menu of elixirs that bring virtues such as love and fortune.
3) Churros!
While in Mexico City, you’re going to want to try some churros. El Moro is known for having the best churros in the city. Making it even better is that it's open around the clock. The 80-year-old churro shop also serves eight types of hot chocolate. Bon Apetit recommends the chocolate especial churro.
For more Mexico City food recommendations, check out Eater’s 38 Essential Mexico City Dishes and Restaurants as well as Eater’s Guide to Mexico City.
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