When most people think of Mexican food, they imagine basic Tex-Mex dishes like tacos and burritos. While these dishes can be delicious, they don't come close to representing the true diversity of Mexican cuisine. There are many amazing restaurants in Mexico that will make you rethink your perception of Mexican cuisine. In this blog post, we will list nine of the top restaurants in Mexico, each with its own unique take on Mexican cuisine.
With websites like nicelocal.com, you can discover fun places to visit when in Mexico. The country is famous for introducing the world to tacos and burritos. Traditional Mexican cuisine has a lot more to offer. When in Mexico, here are some restaurants nearby you can visit to try the tasty meals the beautiful country has to offer:
Caesar's
Address: Av. Revolución 8190, Zona Centro, 22000 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Phone number: +52 664 685 1927
Let's start our list with one of the most famous restaurants in all of Mexico. Caeasar's is the home of the Caesar Salad that is now an iconic menu item at restaurants around the world. Don't worry though, Caesars is more than just a salad restaurant and they offer some of the absolute best fine dining in Tijuana.
Restaurante Nicos
Address: Av. Cuitláhuac 3102, Claveria, 02080 Ciudad de México, CDMX, México
Phone number: +52 55 5396 7090
Restaurante Nicos, one of the most popular restaurants in Mexico City, strikes a perfect balance between traditional and modern Mexican cuisine. For a refreshing breakfast meal we highly recommend this restaurant. From their rancheros to the encamisados, you are bound to find something that will ignite your taste buds. Their coffee selections like the cafe filtrado and expreso are quality and finely brewed.
El Cardenal
Address: Calle de la Palma 23, Centro Histórico, Centro, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, México
Phone number: +52 1 55 5521 8815
This landmark at the heart of Mexico city will transport you to another era with its beautiful interior decor. El Cardenal combines fine dining with affordability, making it an excellent location for date night and special dinners. The mouth-watering chilaquiles, served with a delicious sauce, are all the rage for locals. Their Lomo de robalo a la Talla (grilled snook loin drenched in a mixture of lime juice and dry chilies) is also a must-try when in Mexico.
Cicatriz
Address: Calle Dinamarca 44, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, México
Phone number: 01 55 4041 7931
This restaurant is a mingling pot for the popular and influential people of Mexico City. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean the meals are expensive. The owner, renowned chef Scarlet Lindeman, decided to offer a short menu with well-prepared, delicious meals to make every moment memorable at Cicatriz. The breakfast sandwiches and pies are to-die-for. They also offer a unique selection of cocktails and natural wine that are sure to make every friendly meet-up at the Cicatiz lively.
Masala y Maíz
Address: Calle Marsella 72, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Juárez, CDMX, México
Phone number: 55 1313 8260
For a relaxed weekend brunch with friends, we recommend Masala y Maíz. They offer fine dining with dishes that draw inspiration from South Asia, East Africa and Mexico. The tasty meals are made from organic, locally sourced ingredients. For this reason, their menu changes with every season. However, their Aguachile and Black ceviche, fish-based dishes, stand out the most. They also have a variety of wines and the interior decor is picture-worthy.
Bottega Sartoria
Address: Orizaba 39, Roma Nte., 06700 Ciudad, CDMX, México
Phone number: 01 55 7160 9239
Chef Marco Carboni offers a variety of affordable, European-style cuisines at his popular restaurant, Bottega Sartoria. Their pasta dishes and sweet chocolate desserts are exceptionally good. If you’re in the mood for something else, enjoy Italian charcuterie with something from their diverse bar. Choose between Mediterranean wines and craft beers that are sure to make your dining experience unforgettable. The small sartorial setting is great for romantic dates and special dinners.
Super Tacos Chupacabras
Address: Av Chapultepec 540, Roma Nte., 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone number: 01 55 2270 8685
For unbelievably delicious tacos for breakfast, lunch or late-night snacks, go for Super Tacos Chupacabras. Their famous tacos are served hot and fresh, loaded with meat and condiments. It is rumored that the secret behind their delicious el chupas taco is a 127-ingredient spice formula. The el chupa is a pork sausage and beef dish mixed with stewed pinto beans, mashed potatoes, cactus salad and salsa. They’ve been around for 20 years, so they know how to whip up a tasty taco.
El Sella
Address: Dr. Balmis 210, Doctores, 06720 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone number:+52 5578 2001
This restaurant mainly serves the staff from a hospital nearby. Most of the people you will see enjoying the food here are doctors and nurses suited in lab coats and scrubs. Many of them are there for their famous Chamorro - a braised pork shank served with unlimited tortillas. Be sure to arrive early because the seats fill up by lunchtime.
Tierra Adentro
Address: Av. Nevado 112, Portales Sur, Benito Juárez, 03300 Ciudad de México, CDMX, México
Phone number: 55 1505 3519
We highly recommend this restaurant if you want to try out regional Mexican cuisine. This is Mexico City's hidden gem. Away from the bustle of the central city area, this restaurant offers a fixed-price three-course menu that features traditional Mexican dishes like pork belly torta, Jalisco-style beef cheek barbacoa, and huitlacoche cob served with bone marrow. The environment is calm and relaxing, and the food is just as good.
Mexico is a beautiful country, filled with rich culture and friendly people. The local cuisines are a must-try when visiting the country. Many Americans only associate the country with what they see during spring break and relegate Mexican cuisine in the United States to simply tacos and enchiladas. True foodies know though, that Mexico has a rich and diverse culinary scene that rivals any other country in the Americas.