30 Best Restaurants in Mexico City

Tell us about your first impressions when you arrived.
One big, buzzy dining room flanked with floor-to-ceiling windows in the front and an iconic blue mural behind the bar. Waiters in black bow ties speed around large tables draped in crisp white tablecloths.

What was the crowd like?
The artsy-upper crust of La Condesa, hanger-ons following the scene, business men on lengthy lunches, and a smattering of tourists. At Contramar, you'll fully understand why lunch is the most important—and longest—meal of the day in Mexico City: By 2 P.M. on Fridays, the brandy and rosé start flowing and lunch turns into multiple rounds of food and drink, smoke breaks on the sidewalk, and an overall place to be seen.

What should we be drinking?
There are margaritas for tourists but otherwise the focus is on mezcal, tequila, brandy, domestic beer, and crisp wine. Order a carajillo—Liquor 43 with a shot of espresso—for dessert.

Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss.
The food is well-executed: tuna tostadas with chipotle mayonnaise and fried leeks, bracing ceviches and aguachiles, whole grilled fish a la talla served with warm totillas and refried black beans. Dessert is exceptional—a waiter will bring over a tray to show you what's available, but just order as many as you can handle/

And how did the front-of-house folks treat you?
The all-male wait staff is polished if a bit pushy (at least with Americans). They're crisply dressed and formal but will sprint to get you what you want.

What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here?
It's best to come here with a group so you can try more dishes, indulge in day-drinking, and fully take in the scene. It's some of the best seafood in Mexico City and definitely a splurge for most locals.