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French BistroJuarez
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.
OrderThe steak frites; the plateau de fruits de mer to share, weekend lunch only.
TipClosed Mondays. Walk-ins land easier than booking; the deep Loire natural-wine list is the move.
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Heirloom-corn MexicanCondesa
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.
OrderA tlacoyo de haba; a quesadilla de masa azul de huitlacoche; a torta of the day.
TipOpen daily 08:00-18:00. The blue-corn tortillas to take home are sold in stacks at the counter; the public is welcome to watch the milling.
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Modern Oaxacan MexicanCoyoacan
Los Danzantes in Mexico City is the Coyoacan Jardin del Centenario Oaxacan kitchen, the plaza-side room that pairs house-distilled Los Danzantes mezcal.
OrderMole negro with chicken; a flight of the house Espadin, Tobala and Madrecuixe mezcales.
TipTerrace seats face the plaza but get loud weekends; the upstairs interior is the quieter move.
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Traditional MexicanSan 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.
OrderChiles en nogada (July to September); sopa de tortilla year round; the Margarita Sabra.
TipBook two weeks ahead for Saturday lunch on the patio. Mariachi runs Sunday afternoon.
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Regional MexicanPolanco
El Bajio in Mexico City is chef Carmen Titita Ramirez's Veracruz-rooted regional Mexican kitchen with the Polanco branch on Alejandro Dumas.
OrderCarnitas; empanadas de platano relleno de frijol; tamal de mole.
TipOpen daily 09:00-22:00. The Azcapotzalco original is the deeper room for Veracruz regional depth.
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MexicanRoma Norte
El Parnita in Mexico City is the Roma Norte antojitos kitchen on Yucatan since 2010, a casual modern Mexican room with hand-rolled tortillas and a tight.
OrderTacos de pescado al chipotle; pulpo a la brasa; the tamal of the day.
TipClosed Sundays. Lunch service runs the heaviest; the patio is dog friendly. Walks-ins land most days.