Sud 777 in Mexico City is chef Edgar Nunez's one-Michelin-star Pedregal room on Boulevard de la Luz, the vegetable-driven Mexican kitchen with a 12-course tasting menu opened in 2008.
Signature dishes: 12-course tasting, Garden vegetables, Tasting menu
Must order: The 12-course tasting; the garden vegetable course built from the on-site greenhouse.
Tip: Closed Sundays; book three weeks ahead. Worth the ride south from Polanco for the courtyard dining room and the in-house farm.
Address: Blvd. de la Luz 777, Jardines del Pedregal, Alvaro Obregon, 01900 Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico City
Masala y Maiz in Mexico City is chefs Norma Listman and Saqib Keval's one-Michelin-star Juarez room on Marsella, the kitchen that bridges Mexican, Indian and East African pantries.
Signature: Garam masala mole, Plantain dosa, Tasting menu
Order: The garam masala mole; the plantain dosa to start.
Tip: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays; the room is small and books out a week ahead via Resy.
Lardo in Mexico City is Elena Reygadas' all-day Condesa room on Agustin Melgar, the Mediterranean wood-fired sister of Rosetta opened in 2015 with a bar-dining vibe.
Signature: Wood-fired flatbreads, Brunch plates, Hand-rolled pasta
Order: The wood-fired flatbread of the day; the brunch eggs with Roma garden tomatoes.
Tip: Open all day from breakfast; the corner-window two-tops fill first. Walks-ins land best at 11:00 weekdays.
El Cardenal in Mexico City is the Briz family's 1969 Centro Historico room on Palma, the traditional Mexican breakfast institution where hot chocolate is frothed tableside with raw-milk nata.
Signature: Hot chocolate, Pan de nata, Chiles en nogada
Order: The hot chocolate with pan de nata; chiles en nogada when in season July to September.
Tip: Open 08:00 to 18:00; the Centro location seats four floors and still queues by 09:30 on Sunday morning.
Cafe de Tacuba in Mexico City is the Mollinedo family's 1912 Centro Historico room on Tacuba, the colonial-palace dining hall that defines traditional Mexican capital cooking.
Signature: Enchiladas de mole, Tamales, Chicken in mole poblano
Order: The enchiladas de mole; the tamales served with hot chocolate.
Tip: Open daily 08:00 to 23:00. The Sunday strolling student trio singing Aztec songs starts around 13:00; mariachi runs evenings.
Loma Linda in Mexico City is the 1924 Mexican steakhouse that claims first-charcoal-grill credit in the capital, with the Plaza Carso branch on Lago Zurich carrying the Polanco service since 2011 with a rooftop terrace facing the Museo Soumaya.
Signature: Cabreria, Arrachera, Cortes de Angus
Order: The cabreria; the molcajete-grilled arrachera with handmade tortillas.
Tip: Plaza Carso location runs daily 13:00 to 23:30; the original Avenida Insurgentes Sur branch is the older sister.
Havre 77 in Mexico City is Eduardo Lalo Garcia's classic French bistro in Juarez, the Maximo Bistrot sister room that pours natural wine and serves a plateau de fruits de mer on weekends.
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. Walks-ins land easier than booking; the wine list runs deep on Loire natural pours.
