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 dishes: Mole negro, Quesillo tetela, Mezcal flight
Must 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.
Address: Plaza Jardin del Centenario 12, Coyoacan, 04000 Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico City
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.
El Bajio in Mexico City is chef Carmen Titita Ramirez's Veracruz-rooted regional Mexican kitchen with the Polanco branch on Alejandro Dumas, the dependable daytime stop for tamales and mole.
Signature: Carnitas, Empanadas de platano, Mole de Xico
Order: Carnitas; empanadas de platano relleno de frijol; tamal de mole.
Tip: Open daily 09:00 to 22:00. The Azcapotzalco original is the deeper room for Veracruz regional depth.
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 chipotle-fish taco menu.
Signature: Tacos de pescado al chipotle, Pulpo a la brasa, Tamales
Order: Tacos de pescado al chipotle; pulpo a la brasa; the tamal of the day.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Lunch service runs the heaviest; the patio is dog friendly. Walks-ins land most days.
El Hidalguense in Mexico City is the Roma Sur weekend barbacoa pit on Campeche, the maguey-pit lamb that fills the room from Friday through Sunday morning with Hidalgo-style platefuls.
Signature: Barbacoa de borrego, Consomé de borrego, Pancita
Order: Barbacoa de borrego with consomé and pancita on the side.
Tip: Open Friday to Sunday only, 07:00 to 18:00. Arrive by 09:30 Sunday or the consomé runs out before noon.
Expendio de Maiz in Mexico City is chef Jesus Salas' tiny no-reservations heirloom-corn counter in Roma Norte, the kitchen that built its name on native masa from Oaxaca and Tlaxcala.
Signature: Heirloom-corn tortillas, Tlacoyos, Quesadillas de masa azul
Order: The daily handwritten menu; the blue-corn tlacoyo with squash blossoms.
Tip: Ten counter seats; no reservations. Open Wed-Sun 13:00 to 19:00; arrive at opening with cash.
Casa de Tono in Mexico City is the citywide pozole and antojitos chain that opens daily and hands out free atole de arroz at the door; the Londres branch in Juarez is the closest sit-down room from Roma and Reforma.
Signature: Pozole blanco, Tostadas, Enchiladas suizas
Order: A bowl of pozole blanco with all the garnishes; a tostada de tinga on the side.
Tip: Open 24 hours at many branches; cash and card accepted. A reliable late-night pozole stop after a long Roma or Centro night.
