The Best Casual Restaurants in Mexico City

Contramar is a bustling seafood restaurant, known for its authentic dishes and excellent flavours. The menu is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to fresh, seasonal seafood, with items like the iconic tuna tostada, aguachile, and the signature red and green fish. The atmosphere is vibrant and busy, reflecting the restaurant's strong connection to the local community.

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JR Ryall

Head Pastry Chef – Cork, Ireland

An essential first stop for anyone visiting CDMX. Beautiful simple food, authentic dishes and excellent flavours. Fun, bustling and atmospheric. The service is always excellent - the tuna tostada is iconic, but the fresh tasting aguachile is what I dream about, essential.

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At Expendio de Maiz Sin Nombre, the culinary experience is an immersive journey into Mexico's rich food culture. The open kitchen allows you to watch as the chefs expertly prepare a variety of corn-based dishes, from tacos and tamales to innovative soups and stews. There's no set menu, so each visit offers a unique dining experience where dishes are served until you are full, making it a true exploration of authentic, organically driven flavors.

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Gilberto Briceño Gómez

Cook – Costa Rica, Costa Rica

In the bustling heartbeat of Mexico City, you might stumble upon a sidewalk sanctuary: Expendio de Maíz Sin Nombre. Here, the theatre of an open kitchen unfolds before you, orchestrated by culinary alchemists dancing with wood fire, prime ingredients, and boundless imagination. This establishment defies tradition. There's no menu to peruse; instead, you're invited to surrender to the maestros at work. With every dish, you're drawn deeper into their narrative, beckoning more with just a raised hand until satiety sets in. Many inquire about my frequent sojourns to Mexico City, and it's places like this - where raw passion and talent stoke my own creative fires - that I hold up as my reasons. Expendio de Maíz Sin Nombre is not just a dining spot; it's an immersive tale of Mexico's culinary tapestry.

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Known for its cool atmosphere, La Docena serves fresh seafood products, including impressive ceviches and tostadas. The restaurant is also renowned for its shellfish and quality meats sourced from Durango. Open from midday until late, it's a spot where you can enjoy a leisurely meal in a relaxed setting.

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Pía León

Chef-Restaurateur – Lima, Peru

La Docena is a really nice place, it has a very cool atmosphere. There you will find super fresh products from the sea, really nice ceviches and tostadas.

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This restaurant, Meroma, offers a unique blend of dishes inspired by global cuisines, all prepared with fine Mexican ingredients. The establishment is led by chefs Mercedes Bernal and Rodney Cusic, who bring their experience from renowned kitchens such as Café Boulud and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. The space is divided into a lobby for snacks and cocktails, a small dining room with striking interior design, and a terrace that provides a tranquil view of the neighborhood.

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Ali Kurshat Altinsoy

Brand Director – Mexico City, Mexico

Superb choice of dishes inspired from across the world. Absolutely delightful restaurant atop the gorgeous street that is Colima. A superb choice of dishes inspired from across the world made with wonderful Mexican ingredients.

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Specializing in European cuisine with a subtle Mexican twist, CANA offers a variety of dishes that are simple yet incredibly tasty. The menu includes delicacies like oysters with a habanero mignonette, prawn cocktail, tartare with buckwheat, and brioche with sea urchin. The restaurant's ambiance resembles a fine French bistro, complete with Thonet chairs and an excellent playlist, ensuring a pleasant dining experience.

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Olle Cellton

Chef/restaurateur/author – Stockholm, Sweden

Chef-owner Fabiola Escobosas restaurant is one of those places I wish were my own. Furnished like a fine French bistro with Thonet chairs. Food is simple but absolutely delicious, it’s European but with subtle hint is Mexico. We were served excellent oysters with a habanero mignonette, prawn cocktail, a perfect tartare with buckwheat, brioche with sea urchin, croquetas, kale with salmon caviar, clam rice and more. Everything was absolutely fabulous. Excellent service and the best playlist I ever heard! Plus amazing desserts.

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Known for its classic chilaquiles, Chilpa is a popular spot for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. The restaurant is a go-to choice for those who enjoy Mexican cuisine. Unfortunately, more detailed information about Chilpa is not available at this time.

Recommended by

Ali Kurshat Altinsoy

Brand Director – Mexico City, Mexico

This Mexican breakfast / brunch / lunch spot is one of our go-to restaurants for classic chilaquiles. Located in la Condesa, this Mexican breakfast / brunch / lunch spot is one of our go-to restaurants for classic chilaquiles

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This eatery is known for its wide selection of natural wines and comforting food. It's open from breakfast until late, with an excellent torta de huevos as a standout morning dish. Cicatriz also offers a variety of menus throughout the day, ranging from daytime meals to desserts, beverages, and even a selection of agave spirits.

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Gennady Jozefavichus

Food Writer – Ulcinj , Montenegro

The City’s watering hole Great list with natural wines (Gabrio Bini for instance) and very good comfort food. Open for breakfast (excellent torta de huevos, a kind of frittata with potatoes and a herb known as quintonil, in a burger bun) and till late.

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This restaurant, CIENA, serves meals throughout the day, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is known for its fresh pastries, tortilla chips with fried egg & salsa verde, and delectable French toast with ricotta. One standout item is their chocolate cookie, which remains enjoyable even the next day.

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Olle Cellton

Chef/restaurateur/author – Stockholm, Sweden

Beautiful little restaurant in the Condesa district of Mexico City. Open breakfast, lunch & dinner. I hade a wonderful breakfast of fresh pastries, tortilla chips with fried egg & salsa verde. The French toast with ricotta was excellent and the chocolate cookie I saved for the next day was still one of the best I’ve had!

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With a strong focus on natural wines and well-crafted cocktails, Imbiss is a place where you can enjoy a laid-back evening. The menu offers a variety of flavorful dishes, with the fried chicken being a standout favorite. As the evening progresses, the establishment transitions into a lively wine bar, frequented by industry professionals.

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JR Ryall

Head Pastry Chef – Cork, Ireland

An industry favourite. Natural wine and delicious flavourful food. Excellent selection of natural wines and well made cocktails. The fried chicken is a staple on the menu and not to be missed. Later in the evening the restsursnt takes on a fun wine bar vibe and becomes a popular spot for those working in the industry - you’ll often see chefs from around the city here.

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With a focus on seafood, La Jefa is a hidden gem nestled in La Florida's streets. The establishment offers a variety of dishes, with recommendations including shrimp soup and fresh fish tostadas, each providing a unique taste experience. In addition, they have a carefully selected range of special mezcals to complement your meal.

Recommended by

Peter Meng Sapper

Charcutier/Restauranteur – Guatemala City, Guatemala

A hole in the wall with great food! La Jefa is a small place hidden in La Florida’s streets. Specializing in seafood, we tried a shrimp soup and several fresh fish tostadas. All great and different from the usual, but good. They have well selected, special mezcales to conplement the offer. Recommended for lunch, be wary that there are many places sharing the same name nearby, so make sure you get to Calle Ajusco!

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