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.
Why locals love it: Tiny no-sign counter on Yucatan that serves whatever the chef wants that day, with ten seats and only heirloom corn.
Tip: Wed-Sun 13:00 to 19:00 only; arrive at opening for the day's full menu and bring cash.
Address: Yucatan 84, Roma Norte, Cuauhtemoc, 06700 Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico City
Why locals love it: Weekend-only Roma Sur barbacoa pit from Hidalgo state, off the tourist map and out of consome by noon Sunday.
Tip: Open Friday to Sunday only, 07:00 to 18:00; arrive by 09:30 Sunday before the consome runs out.
Why locals love it: Roma Norte pre-Hispanic agave-spirit bar on Avenida Alvaro Obregon ranked No. 3 on North America's 50 Best Bars 2025, with rare distillates from female mezcal makers.
Tip: Tue-Sat 18:00 to 01:00; the bar manager runs a guided spirit flight if you ask. Walk-ins only.
Why locals love it: Colorful 1902 Centro pulqueria most tourists pass, pouring 45 flavored pulques and one of the city's most painted interiors.
Tip: Friday and Saturday afternoons run seven pulque flavors; Mon-Thu only runs five. Cash only.
Why locals love it: Weekend-only Roma Sur barbacoa pit from Hidalgo state, off the tourist map and out of consome by noon Sunday.
Tip: Open Friday to Sunday only, 07:00 to 18:00; arrive by 09:30 Sunday before the consome runs out.
Why locals love it: Roma Norte pre-Hispanic agave-spirit bar on Avenida Alvaro Obregon ranked No. 3 on North America's 50 Best Bars 2025, with rare distillates from female mezcal makers.
Tip: Tue-Sat 18:00 to 01:00; the bar manager runs a guided spirit flight if you ask. Walk-ins only.
Why locals love it: Seven-seat no-laptop Coyoacan espresso bar on Higuera that pulls some of the most precise Mexican single-origin shots in the city.
Tip: The room is no-laptop; arrive for an espresso flight and a conversation with barista Geovanni Salas.
Why locals love it: Speakeasy-style velvet-curtain mezcaleria on Luis Moya in Centro that pours 50-plus artisanal Oaxacan mezcales without a sign on the street.
Tip: Tue-Sat 18:00 to 02:00; the red curtain on Luis Moya is the entrance. Ask the bartender for a Tobala flight.
Why locals love it: Centro torta counter on Luis Moya owned by Super Astro the luchador, with a kilogram free-if-you-finish Gladiador torta challenge.
Tip: Closed Sundays; the Gladiador is free if you finish it in 15 minutes. The walls are covered in lucha libre masks.
