Mexico City Restaurants and Dining
(Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico)
When it comes to dining in Mexico City, restaurants are everywhere. Dining out in Mexico City is often a true highlight of a holiday and it is possible to sample many of the country's finest dishes. Other restaurants and eateries in Mexico City cater very much for the booming tourism industry and specialise in cuisine from around the world, including Chinese, French, Italian and Spanish restaurants, all of which are represented in good numbers around Mexico City.
Everything from taco stands to exclusive restaurants can be found within Mexico City, with many of the best dining venues being surprisingly cheap. However, if you are prepared to spend a little more, you will likely be able to enjoy better views and surroundings.
What to Eat
Chilli is usually an integral ingredient at many of the restaurants within Mexico City, meaning that some of the tasty dishes can be spicy. Cooling guacamole and sour cream is often served with many meals, contrasting well with the chillies. A glass or two of tequila is also a good way to wash down any Mexican meal and tequila is especially popular in Mexico City, together with 'mezcal', a fiery cousin of tequila.
Many of the classic Mexican dishes served at the city's restaurants are pre-Hispanic in their origins and regional favourites include:
- Tlacoyos - stuffed turnovers, made with fragrant corn dough and cooked on hot griddles
- Sábana - extremely thin tenderloin steaks which are pounded to resemble pancakes
- Crepas de flor de calabaza - resembling a French crepe and filled with squash blossoms
- Barbacoa - a Mexican-style barbecue often featuring lamb wrapped in agave leaves
- Torterias - sandwiches unique to Mexico City and often known locally as 'tortas'
Where to Eat
Central Mexico City is a great place to sample traditional Mexican Fare, while an array of other dining venues are to be found within the districts of Condesa, Polanca and Zona Roma, including restaurants specialising in Asian and European cuisine. The Historic Centre (Centro Historico) area of Mexico City contains a number of top restaurants, often housed within restored colonial buildings and offering good views of the Zócalo (Plaza de la Constitucion), close to the cathedral.