Traditional Mexican breakfast$del-valle
Fonda Margarita in Mexico City is the Del Valle morning fonda on Adolfo Prieto since 1948, the open-air breakfast counter that has fed cabbies and politicians the same plates for over seven decades.
Signature: Huevos rancheros, Frijoles puercos, Chilaquiles
Order: Huevos con chorizo; frijoles refritos con asiento; chilaquiles verdes.
Tip: Open Tue-Sun 06:30 to 12:00, closed Mondays. Arrive before 09:00 or expect a 30 minute wait on the street.
Traditional Mexican$$centro-historico
Cafe de Tacuba in Mexico City is the Mollinedo family's 1912 Centro Historico room on Tacuba, the 17th-century palace dining hall that runs every traditional Mexican breakfast format the capital invented.
Signature: Enchiladas de mole, Tamales, Chocolate caliente
Order: Enchiladas de mole verde; tamales served with frothy chocolate caliente.
Tip: Daily 08:00 to 23:00; the strolling student trio on Sunday afternoons is the move for the room's full character.
French bistro$$$juarez
Havre 77 in Mexico City is Eduardo Lalo Garcia's classic French bistro in Juarez, the Maximo Bistrot sister room with a natural-wine list and Loire pours.
Signature: Steak frites, Coq au vin, Plateau de fruits de mer
Order: The steak frites; the plateau de fruits de mer to share, weekend lunch only.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Walk-ins land easier than booking; the deep Loire natural-wine list is the move.
Heirloom-corn Mexican$$condesa
Molino El Pujol in Mexico City is Enrique Olvera's Condesa heirloom-corn cafe on Sinaloa, the daytime molino that grinds native maize for tlacoyos, tortillas and tamales open to the public.
Signature: Tlacoyos, Quesadillas de masa azul, Tortillas de comal
Order: A tlacoyo de haba; a quesadilla de masa azul de huitlacoche; a torta of the day.
Tip: Open daily 08:00 to 18:00. The blue-corn tortillas to take home are sold in stacks at the counter; the public is welcome to watch the milling.
Modern Oaxacan Mexican$$$coyoacan
Los Danzantes in Mexico City is the Coyoacan Jardin del Centenario Oaxacan kitchen, the plaza-side room that pairs house-distilled Los Danzantes mezcal with a black-mole tasting menu.
Signature: Mole negro, Quesillo tetela, Mezcal flight
Order: Mole negro with chicken; a flight of the house Espadin, Tobala and Madrecuixe mezcales.
Tip: Terrace seats face the plaza but get loud weekends; the upstairs interior is the quieter move.
Traditional Mexican$$$san-angel
San Angel Inn in Mexico City is the 1692 hacienda turned restaurant on Diego Rivera, a courtyard-and-garden colonial room where the Margarita Sabra anchors Saturday brunch under the bougainvillea.
Signature: Chiles en nogada, Sopa de tortilla, Margarita Sabra
Order: Chiles en nogada (July to September); sopa de tortilla year round; the Margarita Sabra.
Tip: Book two weeks ahead for Saturday lunch on the patio. Mariachi runs Sunday afternoon.
