Mexico City doesn't mess around when it comes to food. National Geographic named it a top food destination for 2025, and after eating my way through Condesa and Roma, I understand why. The city received its first Michelin Guide in 2024, adding stars to what locals already knew—CDMX has some of the most exciting eating on the planet. The food is delicious, the neighborhoods are walkable, and travelers fit right in.

1. Surrender to the No-Menu Experience at Expendio de Maíz

Expendio de Maíz earned a Michelin star in 2025 for doing something radical: no menu, no reservations, cash only. You sit at one of four communal tables in Roma Norte and the kitchen keeps serving dishes made from heirloom corn until you physically can't eat anymore. Each plate costs 150-250 pesos, making this a Michelin-starred meal for around $50 USD for two people. The whole experience feels like eating at someone's backyard comal that happens to be staffed by culinary geniuses.

2. Book Months Ahead for Contramar's Legendary Seafood

Contramar has been packing tables since 1998, and chef Gabriela Cámara's pescado a la talla—grilled snapper with half-red, half-green sauce—gets copied by restaurants worldwide. The tuna tostadas are the real move though: thin-sliced raw tuna on crispy tortillas with chipotle mayo. Reservations fill up months in advance, but some people score walk-in tables at lunch if they arrive right when doors open at noon. Expect to pay around $100 USD for two.

3. Start with Oysters at La Docena

La Docena in Roma Norte treats oysters like an art form. Chef Tomás Bermúdez sources fresh shellfish daily and serves them raw or grilled with parsley butter. The restaurant's Guadalajara location ranked #42 on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants in 2022, but the Roma spot has the same energy—casual, buzzing, packed with people washing down tostadas with Mexican wine from Baja. The grilled octopus and ceviche are solid, but come for the oysters.

4. Taco-Hop Through Condesa and Roma

Every block in these neighborhoods has a taco spot worth trying. Tacos los Caramelos hits the mark for classic street tacos, while upscale spots serve Michelin-recommended versions. The key is walking between them—the tree-lined streets make it easy to burn calories between stops. Most taquerías open late afternoon and stay busy until after midnight, so you can build an entire evening around hopping from stand to stand.

5. Hit Odette Condesa for Pastries

Odette bakes French-style pastries that sell out by mid-morning. The croissants are laminated properly—crispy outside, buttery inside—and the pain au chocolat doesn't skimp on the chocolate. Get there early or accept that the best stuff will be gone. It's the kind of bakery that makes you understand why people in Condesa walk everywhere: you need the exercise after eating here three mornings in a row.

6. Eat Your Way Through Walkable Neighborhoods

Condesa and Roma are built for food crawling. The areas around Parque México have 275+ Art Deco buildings and restaurants every few steps. You can start with coffee, walk to a market for lunch, grab afternoon tacos, and end at a mezcal bar without ever calling an Uber. The neighborhoods feel European—leafy, pedestrian-friendly, safe even at night—which makes eating four meals a day feel totally reasonable.

7. Try Mizaho's Omakase-Style Approach

Mizaho was one of my favorite meals in CDMX. The restaurant focuses on letting ingredients speak without overthinking presentation. The chef's approach feels closer to Japanese omakase than typical Mexican dining—trust the kitchen, eat what arrives, appreciate the quality. Reservations help, but the restaurant keeps some bar seats for walk-ins.

8. Browse Tierra de Ancestros Between Meals

Tierra de Ancestros sells traditional Mexican crafts, textiles, and artisan goods that make better souvenirs than anything in tourist markets. It's located in a walkable part of Roma, so you can stop in between restaurant reservations. The shop specializes in items from Indigenous communities across Mexico, and everything feels authentic rather than mass-produced for tourists.

Mexico City treats food seriously without taking itself too seriously. The Michelin stars matter, but so do the anonymous taco stands that have been perfecting al pastor for decades. Condesa and Roma make it easy—walkable, safe, packed with options ranging from $2 tacos to $100 tasting menus. Just come hungry.