One of the best parts about living in Mexico City is the food. We live in the neighborhood of Condesa, which is full of cafes, restaurants, and taco places with food from all over the world. For more information on Mexico City neighborhoods, check out my posts, The Best Neighborhoods in Mexico City. For a Mexico City itinerary, check out my post, A Beginner’s Guide to Three Days in Mexico City. Here are a few of the best restaurants in Condesa, and my go-to spots. These are restaurants my husband and I go to regularly.
El Greco Taqueria ($)
One of the best restaurants in Condesa is this tiny, hole-in-the-wall taqueria. This establishment has been open for over 47 years. One day we went there and noticed that the guy who usually makes the tacos was replaced by a younger employee, and they told us the previous employee had just retired after more than 40 years there. It’s truly an establishment in the neighborhood of Condesa. They make tacos de pan arabe, or tacos with arab bread, which are a remnant of the Middle Eastern immigrants who came to Mexico City at the turn of the 20th century, bringing with them their bread and their popular cooking method of cooking meat on a spit (think gyros). Expect to spend about $20 for two.
Balboa Pizzeria ($$)
This laid-back pizzeria is somewhere we either go to or order from at least once a week. Great for a chill dinner out with friends, their pizza is some of the best I’ve had in the city and we live and die for their chicken guacamole (pollo guacamole) salad. My favorite pizza is the Cantimpalo and my favorite pasta dishes are the penne with mushrooms (penne con hongos) and the pappardelle with meatballs (pappardelle con albondigas). They are busy almost every time we go there, which gives you an indication of how good it is. In addition, the prices are very reasonable for the area. A dinner for two will be about $20 – $30 without drinks.
Merkava ($$$)
This Israeli restaurant between Parque España and Parque México is one of our favorite spots for a date night. Whenever we don’t know where to go and are craving good food this is our spot. Some of our favorite dishes include the Eggplant Hummus, the Khachapuri and the full chicken, but you really can’t go wrong with any of their food. We’ve probably tried close to everything on the menu and it never disappoints. Expect to spend about $60 for a dinner for two without drinks.
La Esquina del Chilaquil ($)
One of the best “restaurants” in Condesa isn’t a restaurant at all, but street food. The Esquina Chilaquil (literally, Chilaquile corner), is another staple of the Condesa neighborhood. The stand pops up early in the morning, and once they’re out of food, usually between 11 AM and 1 PM, they pack up for the day. Almost every day, but definitely on the weekends, you will find a long line of patrons lining up for their “Torta Chilaquil,” or Chilaquila sandwich. Expect to wait at least 30 minutes on the weekend. They only sell 60 peso (~$4) sandwiches (tortas) with red or green chilaquiles (tortillas with salsa) and a choice of breaded chicken milanese or cochinita pibil (slow roasted pork). You can also add crema and cotija cheese if you’d like. My favorita is a torta chilaquil with salsa verde and pollo milaneses (chilaquile sandwich with green salsa and milanese chicken). Don’t wait, just go.
Merotoro ($$$)
This amazing Baja California restaurant is a great place to go for a date night or when you have friends visiting. It is on the pricier side, but the food and ambiance are worth is for a special night. Located right on Amsterdam Avenue in Hipodromo Condesa, this restaurant boasts excellent Mezcal Negronis on top of it’s top-notch Baja Californian food. They also have a tasting menu if you want to simply order their best picks. Expect to spend $50 – $100 for dinner for two with drinks.
Dr. Pizza ($$)
Dr. Pizza is another pizza place we order from regularly. Their location on Plaza Popocatépetl is also a great spot for lunch or dinner. The Dr. Doom with Burrata is my favorite pizza, and their salads are also very good. Expect to spend $20 – $30 for dinner without drinks.
Saint ($$)
Saint is a staple in our household, and in my opinion, one of, if not the best bakeries in Mexico City. Their sourdough is something that is always in our freezer for frequent use, and we also often buy the ham and cheese that they sell fresh in the bakery for sandwiches during the week. Beyond that, their pastries are amazing and their sandwiches are a go-to for us. We often stop by and grab their sandwiches for lunch or almond croissants and quiche for breakfast. Highly recommend.
Deigo Ramen ($$$)
Deigo Ramen is definitely the best ramen I have found in Mexico City. Their locations (they have two) are small, but worth the wait. When you enter, you will order on a screen and then take a seat at their bar, similar to a real Japanese Izakaya. Ramen for two without drinks is about $45, the service is quick, and the ramen is very good.
