Mexico City Eats
Mexico City (CDMX) is a major metropolis with a huge and vibrant food scene. On our previous visit in 2023, we celebrated Steve’s milestone birthday with an epic dinner at Puyol, a world-famous restaurant with two Michelin stars. This time, we focused on less lofty food experiences, choosing places beloved by locals and convenient to our location. Herewith, our favorites:
Breakfast
The complimentary breakfast at our hotel, Downtown Mexico, was served in the airy upper courtyard. There was a buffet with fresh fruit and pastries, freshly squeezed orange juice, and a hot dish of choice made to order. My favorite was huevos divorciados (divorced eggs) - tasty and satisfying. The room service was good, too.
Lunch
La Merced Market was packed with great food - you can read about our tour HERE.
El Cardenal was recommended by Julián, our private chef in San Miguel de Allende, and it was just around the corner from our hotel. This iconic restaurant offered traditional Mexican dishes, executed perfectly. The margaritas were citrusy and icy cold - and so wonderfully refreshing that I had two of them at lunch! We went back to El Cardenal the very next day for more of those outstanding margs.
Dinner
In the open air lobby of our hotel was Azul Histórico. The atmosphere was romantic, with flickering candles hanging from the tree branches, and soft music that allowed for conversation. At the front, women made fresh tortillas. The menu offered traditional cuisine from different regions of Mexico. Every dish was plated with flair, and tasted even better than it looked. For dessert, we enjoyed hot chocolate prepared tableside, using cocoa beans from Oaxaca and our choice of spices - ginger, vanilla, anise. Put Azul Histórico together with Ballet Folklórico, and you’d have a top-notch evening of Mexico’s Greatest Hits.
Honorable Mention
Our tour guide Paulina recommended Coox Hanal, a family restaurant with Yucatecan food. The sopa de lima and tacos cochinita pibil were delicious.
