Everything I ate in Mexico City

Tacos et al

There’s a yin and yang to Mexico City. It’s rooftop raves on a Sunday, but it’s also morning strolls through leafy neighbourhoods. It’s starting off the night with a curbside taco and finishing in a swanky cocktail bar. It’s got a rich history, a world-class food scene and an infectious energy. I visited the city back in 2022 and still reminisce on the food I experienced. Here’s the roundup of everything I ate in Mexico City.

Tacos Los Alexis, Roma Norte

I think, and I do not say this lightly, this might be the best meal I’ve ever had.

Tacos Los Alexis is a tiny hole-in-the-wall taqueria, no bigger than a shipping container. It has all the key components of a street vendor - open grill, high stools, drinks fridge - except they’ve been shapeshifted like a transformer into a sleek taco joint. The laid-back vibe of the chefs makes it feel like you’ve walked into their home, immediately putting you at ease. As we perch up on the bar, we’re told “I’ll keep making you tacos until you tell me to stop.”

While the ingredients are unusual for a taco, they make perfect sense. Like watching a painting come together, manchego cheese is crisped up on the grill and then rolled around a slice of fresh avocado to form a perfect cylinder. This dance continues with grilled steak, crispy chicharron… each one wonderfully different from the next.

A man from across the street shouts “best tacos in Mexico!” and it seems the word is spreading; Alexis and his crew have just opened a second location. I can’t wait to visit, but in the meantime, I’ll be gazing longingly at this picture.

Cariñito, Roma Norte & Rio Lerma

At first, the sheer amount of taquerias on every street corner of CDMX is a blessing. But give it a week of al pastor for breakie, lunch and dinner and it starts to feel like a bit of a curse. Once you’ve satisfied the need for authentic Mexican, you’ll want to head to Cariñito for a slightly less traditional taco.

Cariñito introduces flavours from Southeast Asia to the taco scene. From a Cantonese taco with sweet hoisin sauce and fresh cucumber, to a Thai taco with chicharron and mint, this place isn’t afraid to experiment with the country’s most established dish. The team at Cariñito are no stranger to a cool pop-up too, having already hit New York and London. So whether you’re in CDMX or not, keep your eyes peeled!

Panaderia Rosetta, Roma Norte

Back in 2010, Elena Reygadas left London and returned home to Mexico City to develop her culinary career. Over ten years later, Reygadas is now the proud owner of her Michelin-star restaurant, Rosetta, and has been ranked the World’s Best Female Chef. But it’s her quaint neighbourhood cafe, Panaderia Rosetta, that we found ourselves at most mornings.

It’s a cutesy treasure cove of everything from fresh baguettes to empanadas. It soon became our daily ritual to pull up a chair in the sun, dunk a buttery pastry into a cappuccino and listen to the live band playing under the trees. Part of Reygadas’ aim was to bring the neighbourhood together through the simple act of collecting a loaf of bread. If I lived here, I know I’d want this as my local.

Hanky Panky, Juarez

Ranked in the World’s 100 Best Bars, the hype around Hanky Panky isn’t much of a secret. But its location certainly is.

Originally an exclusive members club where founder, Walter Meyenberg, would bring his friends, Hanky Panky is now a speakeasy that is open to all. But they still make sure to keep the location under wraps. The address is only provided once you’ve made a reservation and when you arrive at said location, it still takes some searching… you’ll be getting colder before getting warmer (hint hint).

Once inside, it’s a mixology masterclass, with a cocktail list inspired by top bartenders from across the world, featuring their own inventions as well as perfected classics. Despite the vibe being slightly fancier than our backpacking outfits could offer, everyone is made to feel welcome here. All you have to do is find it!