$$$$Mexican SeafoodRoma Norte
Contramar in Mexico City is Gabriela Camara's lunch-only Durango Street seafood room in Roma Norte since 1998, the kitchen that made the tuna tostada Mexico.
OrderThe tuna tostada and the pescado a la talla, split red and green down the middle.
TipOpen lunch only; arrive by 13:00 or expect a 45 minute wait. Half the dining room books out for the same lunch every Wednesday.
$$$$Mexican SeafoodRoma Norte
Contramar in Mexico City is the Gabriela Camara-run Durango Street seafood room in Roma Norte since 1998, the lunch-only kitchen that built its name.
OrderThe tuna tostada and the pescado a la talla, half red half green down the middle.
TipOpen lunch only; lines start at 13:00. Walk-ins land easier on Mondays than mid-week.
$$$$Modern Mexican With French TechniqueRoma Norte
Maximo Bistrot in Mexico City is chef Eduardo Lalo Garcia's one-Michelin-star Roma Norte room on Alvaro Obregon, the seasonal Mexican kitchen with a French.
OrderThe seasonal tasting menu; whatever vegetable arrives that morning from the chef's farm.
TipClosed Mondays; book three weeks ahead. The taller dining room moved to Alvaro Obregon in 2021 from the original Tonala location.
$$$$Mexican-italianRoma Norte
Rosetta in Mexico City is Elena Reygadas' one-Michelin-star Roma Norte room in a 1920s townhouse on Colima, the kitchen where Italian technique meets Mexican.
OrderThe hoja santa ravioli; the seasonal pasta of the week.
TipClosed Sundays; sister Panaderia Rosetta is across the street for morning conchas. Reygadas was named World's Best Female Chef 2023.
$$$$Modern Mexican With French TechniqueRoma Norte
Maximo Bistrot in Mexico City is chef Eduardo Lalo Garcia's one-Michelin-star Roma Norte room on Alvaro Obregon, seasonal Mexican cooking with French bistro.
OrderThe seasonal tasting; whatever vegetable arrived that morning from the farm.
TipClosed Mondays; the dining room moved to the larger Alvaro Obregon space in 2021. Book three weeks ahead.
$$$$Mexican-italianRoma Norte
Rosetta in Mexico City is Elena Reygadas' one-Michelin-star Roma Norte room in a 1920s townhouse on Colima, the kitchen that earned the World's Best Female.
OrderThe hoja santa ravioli; the seasonal pasta of the week.
TipClosed Sundays; book the second-floor balcony tables. Sister Panaderia Rosetta is across the street for morning conchas.
Em ★ 4.7
$$$$Contemporary Mexican With Japanese InfluenceRoma Norte
Em in Mexico City is chef Luis Lucho Martinez's one-Michelin-star Roma Norte tasting room on Tonala, the contemporary Mexican kitchen with Japanese.
OrderThe full tasting menu; the wagyu carnitas course is the room's signature.
TipClosed Sundays and Mondays; tasting menu only. Book three weeks ahead via OpenTable. Originally opened as Emilia in 2018 before relocating.
Em ★ 4.7
$$$$Contemporary Mexican With Japanese InfluenceRoma Norte
Em in Mexico City is chef Lucho Martinez's one-Michelin-star Roma Norte tasting room on Tonala, a contemporary Mexican kitchen with Japanese fermentation.
OrderThe full tasting menu; the smoked-fish course is the signature.
TipClosed Sundays and Mondays; tasting menu only. The 12-seat counter is the room.
$$$$Heirloom-corn MexicanRoma Norte
Expendio de Maiz in Mexico City is chef Jesus Salas' tiny no-reservations heirloom-corn counter on Yucatan in Roma Norte, the kitchen that built its name.
OrderWhatever the daily handwritten menu lists; the blue-corn tlacoyo with squash blossoms.
TipNo reservations; only ten counter seats. Open Wed-Sun 13:00-19:00; arrive at opening and bring cash.
$$$$Heirloom-corn MexicanRoma Norte
Expendio de Maiz in Mexico City is chef Jesus Salas' tiny no-reservations heirloom-corn counter in Roma Norte, the kitchen that built its name on native masa.
OrderThe daily handwritten menu; the blue-corn tlacoyo with squash blossoms.
TipTen counter seats; no reservations. Open Wed-Sun 13:00-19:00; arrive at opening with cash.
$$$$Hidalgo BarbacoaRoma Norte
El Hidalguense in Mexico City is the Roma Sur weekend-only barbacoa pit on Campeche, the Hidalgo-style maguey-pit lamb that fills the room from Friday.
OrderThe barbacoa de borrego with consomé; the pancita stew on the side.
TipOpen Friday to Sunday only, 07:00-18:00. Arrive by 09:30 Sunday or the consomé runs out by noon.
$$$$MexicanRoma Norte
Meroma in Mexico City is Mercedes Bernal and Rodney Cusic's Roma Norte room on Calle Colima 150, a converted 1980s motel with oval windows and a rooftop.
OrderThe wood-fired short rib; a pasta plate; a cocktail on the rooftop terrace at golden hour.
TipClosed Mondays. Book ahead via OpenTable for the rooftop. The seasonal tasting changes monthly.
$$$$Hidalgo BarbacoaRoma Norte
El Hidalguense in Mexico City is the Roma Sur weekend barbacoa pit on Campeche, the maguey-pit lamb that fills the room from Friday through Sunday morning.
OrderBarbacoa de borrego with consomé and pancita on the side.
TipOpen Friday to Sunday only, 07:00-18:00. Arrive by 09:30 Sunday or the consomé runs out before noon.
$$$$MexicanRoma Norte
El Parnita in Mexico City is the Roma Norte antojitos kitchen on Yucatan since 2010, a casual modern Mexican room with hand-rolled tortillas and a tight.
OrderTacos de pescado al chipotle; pulpo a la brasa; the tamal of the day.
TipClosed Sundays. Lunch service runs the heaviest; the patio is dog friendly. Walks-ins land most days.
$$$$MexicanRoma Norte
Fonda Fina in Mexico City is the Roma Norte modern fonda on Medellin from chef Juan Cabrera, a daytime Mexican kitchen that updates traditional Mexico City.
OrderSopa de mariscos; whichever guisado fills the chef's plate that day; the daily mole.
TipLunch is the move; the dining room runs more festively on Saturdays. Closed Monday.