You’ve probably noticed that we’ve started creating Escape Home itineraries for you (so far we have Washington D.C.; Huatulco, Mexico; and Sedona, Arizona). Today I am going to get a little bit more specific and provide you with a guide to eating some of the best food in Mexico City. Why you might ask? I’ve lived here for more than two years, and during that time, I have watched it become a haven for digital nomads and a rising star on the vacation circuit (time to move over, Cancun). But the city has long been known for its excellent and rising food scene. So when articles are written with titles like “I went to Mexico City & it’s an under-the-radar foodie destination” that list the same five mostly overrated restaurants (sorry, Pujol) are still being published, I sigh. So here we go:
The classics
San Angel Inn: Come for the scenery, stay for the food, and even longer for the drinks. Located in the upscale southern suburb of San Angel, the restaurant is set in an old Carmelite monastery, which features Mexican-colonial architecture and interior decorations, and a vast outdoor dining area with gardens and fountains. The food is a mix of Mexican and European classics. Think caesar salad made tableside followed by French-style escargot. And yes, those dishes do go really well together, paired with one (or two or three) of San Angel Inn’s famous margaritas. Reservations are required.
Contramar: Yes, this one is in every guide and article ever to exist, but in this case for good reason. Contramar is the wildly successful restaurant of chef Gabriela Cámara, which features a fun ambiance and fresh seafood like oh-so-Instagrammable tuna tostadas and the two-colored fish Contramar style — one half red from chili seasoning, the other green from parsley. It’s a place to see and be seen, so it’s advisable to make reservations. If you can’t get in, Cámara recently opened a second location, Entremar, in the upmarket suburb Polanco. It’s easier to get in and has essentially the same menu.
For oyster lovers
La Docena: La Docena Oyster Bar & Grill is one of my go-tos for fresh oysters. They are all locally sourced from the Baja region of Mexico, and starting at about $22 a dozen, they’re a steal. Best paired with some of the natural Mexican wine you will find on the menu.
Where the locals go
El Vilsito: By day it’s an auto body shop, and at night, El Vilsito serves some of the city’s best al pastor, for which it was featured in the Netflix show “Tacos Chronicles.” Being that it’s open until 3 a.m. during weekdays and 5 a.m. on weekends, it can become quite a post-bar scene, in the best way possible. El Vilsito also has what they do down to a science, and regardless of how chaotic and busy it seems, you will have a plate of tacos in front of you within five minutes.
Los Cuates Saloon: At most traditional Mexican cantinas, drink purchases come with some sort of complimentary food, ranging from very basic, to dozens of selections from a three-course menu, like at Los Cuates. So how does it work? At Los Cuates, if customers purchase a minimum of four (slightly marked up) beverages, they can select three courses from the menu. I usually go for a soup, chili relleno and barbecued ribs, but the options are pretty endless. And the vibe, especially if there is a game on TV, is more authentic than most places you will find in the tourist zone of Roma/Condesa. Like most cantinas, Los Cuates doesn’t have a website, but it’s located at Calle Dr. José María Vértiz 823, Narvarte Poniente, Benito Juárez.