Eat in Mexico City: Brujas

Hummus with Peanuts made with roasted eggplant, charred cucumber, jicama, and chile de árbol


Left: The Naked Mask made with Sotol, Bonanto, and citric peel cordial

Right: Amazona made with Chivas Extra Tequila, yucca, honey soda, cinnamon, and pepper tincture

My dining companion and I visited Brujas — an amazing, woman-run cocktail bar located in La Casa de Las Brujas building on Calle Rio de Janeiro in Roma Norte — last March. With its dark interiors, Brujas has a menu of beautifully made, moody cocktails to match, all of which have a story of their own. 

Since we stopped by before dinner, we ordered two drinks and an appetizer to share. The Hummus with Peanuts was made with roasted eggplant, charred cucumber, jicama, and chile de árbol; like much of the food we had in Mexico City, it was as delicious as it looks. It came with lightly baked pita chips that were perfect for the hummus made with fresh ingredients. 

The cocktails were equally impressive. Given my affinity towards sweet drinks, I had the Amazona made with Chivas Extra Tequila, yucca, honey soda, cinnamon, and pepper tincture. My dining companion ordered The Naked Mask made with Sotol, Bonanto, and citric peel cordial. They were both expertly prepared and refreshing in the warm weather.

Beyond the excellent food and drinks, Brujas creates a fun atmosphere worth checking out. (I will definitely be back!) I would highly recommend taking a peek at their Instagram as well. 

Brujas

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La Casa de Las Brujas, Calle Rio de Janeiro 56 Local B Col, Roma Nte., 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Tuesday - Saturday 5pm - 1:30am, Sunday 5pm - 12am

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Dessert in Mexico City: Churrería El Moro, Amorino, and Pazzesca Pizzeria

Churro from Churrería El Moro


Left: Coffee, Mint, and Hazelnut gelato from Amorino

Right: Mango, Tiramisù, and Stracciatella gelato with a Strawberry macaron from Amorino

Tiramisu from Pazzesca Pizzeria


Right: Margarita from Pazzesca Pizzeria

My dining companion and I tried a variety of desserts while exploring Mexico City last March. 

We first tried a churro from Churrería El Moro, a popular churro chain found on Génova in Juárez as well as throughout Mexico City and now in some parts of California. The churro was perfectly sweet, had the crunch we were looking for, and was pretty inexpensive. It is no surprise that churros are a must-try when you're in town. Next time, I might order one with a chocolate or caramel dipping sauce.

To cool off on a warm day, we stopped by Amorino for gelato: a gelato chain on Av. Emilio Castelar in Polanco with locations across Mexico, the US, Europe, and elsewhere. I ordered a cup with three flavors — Coffee, Mint, and Hazelnut — all of which were delicious. My dining companion had Mango, Tiramisù, and Stracciatella gelato, served in the shape of a flower, with a Strawberry macaron on top, which he also enjoyed. They actually have a location near San Francisco's Union Square, which I can easily visit the next time I'm craving gelato.

My dining companion is a big fan of tiramisu, which we tried at a cool pizza spot known as Pazzesca Pizzeria on Calle Marsella in the Juárez neighborhood. This beautifully made dessert was as good as expected, while we also enjoyed a couple of drinks to end the night. I would definitely stop by again the next time I'm nearby. 

Churrería El Moro

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C. Génova 59, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Sunday - Thursday 8am - 10pm, Friday - Saturday 8am - 11pm

Amorino

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Av. Emilio Castelar 107H, Polanco, Polanco IV Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11550 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Monday - Wednesday 8am - 11pm, Thursday 8am - 12am, Friday - Saturday 8am - 1am, Sunday 10am - 10pm

Pazzesca Pizzeria

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Calle Marsella 59, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Monday - Tuesday 1pm - 10pm, Wednesday - Thursday 1pm - 11pm, Friday 1pm - 12am, Saturday 10am - 12am, Sunday 10am - 8pm

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Eat in Mexico City: Wabi Sushi

Fried Tofu made with silken tofu, ginger, scallion, soy sauce, and mirin 


Korean Spicy Tuna made with masago, avocado, and cucumber

Spicy Tuna & Unagi Tempura Maki


Gyu Gyozas made with rib eye


Left: Shiso Sour made with Sake Junmai, shiso, yuzu, ginger syrup, egg white, shochu, and sansho

Right: One Lychee Nigiri Please! made with Tanqueray London Gin, sake, lychee, pixtle syrup, rice vinegar, and orange bitters

Last March, my dining companion and I had a wonderful meal at Wabi Sushi — a sleek sushi and sake restaurant on Orizaba and Colima in the Roma Norte neighborhood of Mexico City.

We started with a couple of cocktails: the Shiso Sour (made with sake Junmai, shiso, yuzu, ginger syrup, egg white, shochu, and sansho) and One Lychee Nigiri Please! (made with Tanqueray London Gin, sake, lychee, pixtle syrup, rice vinegar, and orange bitters), both of which were dynamic and delicious. 

We then had the delicately Fried Tofu, made with silken tofu, ginger, scallion, soy sauce, and mirin, and beautifully pan-fried Gyu Gyozas with rib eye. We shared a couple of sushi rolls: the Korean Spicy Tuna, made with masago, avocado, and cucumber, and the Spicy Tuna & Unagi Tempura Maki. Although it's been a while, I remember that everything was as flavorful as it is photogenic.

I would definitely stop by again in the future, perhaps trying another amazing cocktail, the Tuna Drum, or the Mango Sticky Rice.

Wabi Sushi

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C. Orizaba 76, Centro Urbano Pdte. Juárez, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Daily 1pm - 10:30pm

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Eat in Mexico City: Mux Restaurante

Tender Nopales Salad made with avocado, queso criollo, artisan cream, and regional fruit, served with tostadas




Chicken with green pipian mole


Tamal and rice


Left: Berry mocktail

Right: Lemon mezcal spritz

Along with Pasillo de Humo, Mux Restaurante served one of our favorite meals during our trip to Mexico City in March 2024. Located on Jalapa and San Luis Potosí in the Roma Norte neighborhood, Mux features cuisines from across the country. 

My dining companion and I started with a couple of drinks: a fruity, berry-infused mocktail and a lemon mezcal spritz, both of which were refreshing. We then shared the Tender Nopales Salad made with avocado, queso criollo, artisan cream, regional fruit, and tostadas. Although it looks like the most beautiful take on "chips & guac," it also had a dynamic flavor profile and showcased the diversity of fresh, local ingredients in which Mux is known. We then had the Chicken with green pipian mole — another mouthwatering mole that we made sure to finish every bite of. I remember the chicken being perfectly tender. We also enjoyed the fire-roasted tamal and rice.

Considering this night of wonderful food and service, we would definitely visit Mux the next time we're in town. Their menu changes seasonally, but we'll be sure to order another mole dish, stop by for brunch, or try something fun like the gordita bandera. 

Mux Restaurante

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Jalapa 189, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Cuauhtémoc, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Daily 9am - 11pm

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Eat in Mexico City: Pasillo de Humo

Tortilla chips and salsa

Tlayuda de Chorizo y Chapulines made with chorizo, tiny grasshoppers, fresh cheese, avocado, chile de agua, and purslane




Pato en Mole Negro de Chilhuacle made with roasted duck, black mole, corn and bean tamal, and roast sweet plantain


Chepiche Mezcal cocktail made with house mezcal, chepiche, lemon juice, cucumber, and mineral water

My dining companion and I had one of our favorite meals at Pasillo de Humo, a Oaxacan restaurant serving beautiful, rustic dishes, on Av. Nuevo León between Av. Vicente Suárez and Av. Michoacán in Condesa. (Note: It seems like they closed in May 2024, a couple months after our visit.)

We started our meal with tortilla chips and a couple salsas to share. I had a refreshing Chepiche Mezcal cocktail, made with house mezcal, chepiche, lemon juice, cucumber, and mineral water. Since we wanted to try grasshoppers, a food Mexico City is known for, we ordered the Tlayuda de Chorizo y Chapulines for our appetizer. This was made with chorizo, tiny grasshoppers, fresh cheese, avocado, chile de agua, and purslane. Similar to a huge tostada, it tasted as good as it is photogenic and was a highlight of our trip. 

We then shared the Pato en Mole Negro de Chilhuacle: roasted duck, black mole, corn and bean tamal, and roast sweet plantain. The duck was perfectly juicy, while it was bathed in a wonderful mole — another item on our Mexico City bucket list. (Condé Nast Traveler shared an overhead shot of the dish in their review that gives it more justice.)

While I'm disappointed to hear that this restaurant is no more, I would definitely have stopped by to try the same dishes or even another one of the exciting things on the menu, like the octopus or Chiles en Nogada. (Seriously take a peek at their Instagram for mouthwatering photos...)

Pasillo de Humo

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Av Nuevo León 107, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Closed

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Eat in Mexico City: Cariñito Tacos

Cantones taco made with confit pork belly, flour tortilla, hoisin, sriracha, and house pickles

Coliflor Pibil taco made with tempura fried cauliflower, adobo, spiced black beans with fermented chili, and pickled red onions

Cariñito Tacos is a trendy, hole-in-the-wall taco spot located on Guanajuato and Merida in the Roma Norte neighborhood of Mexico City. With placement in the 2024 Michelin Guide, they're serving interesting meat and veggie tacos to a very satisfied fan base.

We tried a couple tacos while we were there: the Cantones taco (made with confit pork belly, flour tortilla, hoisin, sriracha, and house pickles) and Coliflor Pibil taco (made with tempura fried cauliflower, adobo, spiced black beans with fermented chili, and pickled red onions). One of several pork belly taco options, this one married Vietnamese and Mexico flavors beautifully with its fresh ingredients and an even fresher take on taco fillings. As a big fan of veggie tacos, I remember I very much enjoyed the cauliflower one with its dynamic slate of hearty and tangy flavors.

If I'm in the area, I would definitely try a few more tacos on offer at Cariñito Tacos.

Cariñito Tacos

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Guanajuato 53, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Monday - Saturday 1 - 10pm, Sunday 1 - 8pm

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Eat in Mexico City: Tacos La Chula

Taco al Pastor made with corn tortilla, cilantro, onion, and al pastor

Left: Chicken Taco

Right: Pastor Volcane with cheese

Queso con Champiñones: cheese with mushrooms and flour tortillas

Horchata and Michelada

Reminiscent of 1950's style diners or even In-N-Out, Tacos La Chula is a fun, brightly lit taqueria with a red and yellow sign welcoming customers in. They serve a variety of tacos, soups, and other items on their expansive menu. With a few locations in Mexico City, we stopped by the Juárez spot on Liverpool and Calle de Niza.

We tried a few of their tacos on offer: al pastor, chicken, and Pastor Volcane with cheese. These came with several salsas to try (!!), while we also ordered a Horchata and Michelada to drink. As happens on many vacations abroad, I misunderstood the menu and ordered Queso con Champiñones, which was a bowl of thick cheese with sliced mushrooms and three flour tortillas on the side. I'm not sure if I thought there would be less cheese or more of something else.

Tacos La Chula is a great place to try if you're looking for great, quick service in a lively atmosphere.

Tacos La Chula

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Liverpool 102, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: 24/7

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Eat in Mexico City: Pizzería della Madonna

Diavola pizza made with tomato, mozzarella, spicy salami, and pepperoni




Insalata Verde made with Grana Padano, avocado, green apple, French lettuce, and Castilian walnuts

Looking for a dinner we could bring back to our room after a busy first day in Mexico City, we picked up a pizza and salad from Pizzería della Madonna — a sleek pizza spot on Orizaba and Puebla in the Roma Norte neighborhood.

We enjoyed the Diavola pizza, made with tomato, mozzarella, spicy salami, and pepperoni, and a green salad, made with Grana Padano, avocado, green apple, French lettuce, and Castilian walnuts. I remember the pizza hit the spot with its dynamic flavors, while we enjoyed the fresh salad and its crunch.

Next time I'm in the area, I would try another one of their pizzas, like the Parmigiana with eggplant or the Proscuitto e Fichi, featuring fresh figs, balsamic vinegar, and prosciutto. 

Pizzería della Madonna

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C. Orizaba 37, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Daily 1 - 11:30pm

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Coffee in Mexico City: Café Tilia and Kiyo Café

Left: Cappuccino from Café Tilia

Right: Salted Mocha, made with 70% cacao, espresso, and black salt, from Kiyo Café

We liked a couple of cafes when we visited Mexico City last March. Café Tilia — located on Colima and Tonalá in Roma Norte — is a cute spot with plenty of tables for catching up with friends or working solo. We tried a Flat White and a Cappuccino there, which we enjoyed in their plant- and light-filled space. Next time, we may stop by for their photogenic savory or sweet breakfast options.

Kiyo Café is a trendy cafe with locations in Oaxaca and Mexico City; we visited the pour-over counter on Calle Marsella and Nápoles in Juárez in the latter. I tried the Salted Mocha made with 70% cacao, espresso, and black salt. I remember it being quite a treat. Next time I'll try another one of their specialty coffees like a Lavender or Sesame Latte. What's your go-to coffee spot in Mexico City?

Café Tilia

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Colima 226, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Monday, Thursday, & Friday 7:30am - 9pm, Tuesday - Wednesday 7:30am - 8pm, Saturday - Sunday 8:30am - 8pm

Kiyo Café

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Calle Marsella 59, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Monday - Saturday 8am - 7pm, Sunday 9am - 5pm

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Eat in Mexico City: Mini Marsella

Croque Madame

Enchiladas Suizas


Right: Flat White and Latte

On the hunt for breakfast, my dining companion and I were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful meal we had at Mini, a small cafe and bakery on the corner of Marsella and Nápoles in Juárez. 

We tried the Croque Madame and Enchiladas Suizas, which I remember being as tasty as they were photogenic. We enjoyed our expertly made espresso drinks, a flat white and a latte, too.

Next time we're in the area, I would stop by for coffee and one of the many pastries they have on offer.

Mini Marsella 

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Calle Marsella 57, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Monday - Saturday 9am - 4pm

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Eat in Mexico City: Clara y Ema

(Both) Clara sandwich made with smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, cheddar, and chipotle mayo

Left: Latte

Right: Cappuccino

We stopped by Clara y Ema, a cute breakfast spot located on Calle Marsella and Berlin in Juárez, a couple times during our Mexico City trip last March. 

Given that they're mostly known for their breakfast sandwiches, we both tried the Clara made with smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, cheddar, and chipotle mayo, along with our espresso drinks of choice. I remember the sandwiches being a hearty start to the day, while the coffee provided a nice lift.

We'll be sure to try one of their sandwiches or other entrees the next time we're in the area.

Clara y Ema

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Calle Marsella 14, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Open: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 3pm, Saturday - Sunday 8am - 3pm

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