Inside Mexico City’s thriving fine dining scene

You still can’t leave Mexico City without eating your body weight’s worth of tacos al pastor and crunchy chicharrón. But CDMX is increasingly recognized for its innovative fine-dining.

Just across the street from Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s Museo Casa Estudio, start your dining journey at San Ángel Inn, a former monastery that’s been a Mexico City institution since the early 1960s.

You’ll find mid-century classics like lobster thermidor and shrimp Rockefeller still on the menu here, along with live music and a line out the door.

Grab a spot on the bougainvillea-laden patio and don’t skip the margaritas, chicken mole poblano and escamoles (Mexican caviar, otherwise known as ant larvae) with guac.

All roads inevitably lead to Roma, where trendy chilangos mix it up at some of city’s best eateries.

Come lunchtime, the stalwarts continue to swear by Contramar, whose seafood centric menu of ahi tuna tostadas, whole grilled snapper and homemade tortillas still slap after all these years.

Nearby, Eduardo “Lalo” Garcia’s Máximo Bistrot’s life-affirming mole verde, handmade pastas and seasonally inspired degustation menu along with a solid local wine list are all served up in an airy and Insta-famous setting.

For dinner, chef Lucho Martinez’s newly opened Em is a fine-dining fusion that blends the best of Mexican and Japanese ingredients along with an out-of-this-world omakase menu.

After dinner, head directly upstairs to 686 Bar for some of the city’s best cocktails and elevated bar bites.

It’s all mead all the time at newly opened Colonia, a cozy Juárez-based meadery offering 13 varieties on tap along with elevated bar bites to wash it all down.

Meanwhile in Condesa, NIV is the best place to sip some of Mexico’s best locally sourced wines in a sexy speakeasy.

Before you go, cap it all off with a walk-through Chapultepec Park before stopping by Comal Oculto for homemade flautas, chicharrón gorditas, and crunchy maiz tortillas that you’ll be dreaming about until your next visit.