What are the best restaurants in Roma Norte?
Roma Norte is the epicenter of the city's modern dining scene, offering everything from fine dining to exceptional street food. For a landmark meal, book Máximo for its flawless farm-to-table execution or Rosetta for Elena Reygadas’s celebrated Italian-Mexican menu in a stunning townhouse. For seafood, Mi Compa Chava serves massive Sinaloan-style tostadas and aguachiles to a packed house, while Expendio de Maíz builds an incredible, menu-less rural Mexican tasting experience on the sidewalk.
What locals actually do
Chilangos know that Roma Norte’s dining scene is divided into two speeds: the heavily booked destination restaurants and the casual, everyday spots that anchor the neighborhood. While visitors often stack their itineraries with back-to-back tasting menus, locals balance a reservation at a place like Meroma or Blanco Colima with quick stops for tacos at Orinoco or a relaxed breakfast at Lalo! Sunday comida—the late afternoon weekend lunch—is the most important meal of the week here. It is when the neighborhood’s patios fill up, bottles of wine are opened, and lunch stretches seamlessly into early evening drinks before the kitchens close up for the night.
Secure a 14:00 reservation for lunch at Rosetta to experience the indoor courtyard, then walk over to Café de Nadie for an early evening cocktail while listening to their vinyl collection.
Practical notes
- 01Reservations for top spots like Máximo and Rosetta open weeks in advance and fill up quickly, so book before your trip.
- 02Many restaurants in Roma Norte close on Mondays, and some fine dining spots close early on Sundays after the traditional afternoon lunch.
- 03Tipping in Mexico City restaurants is standard at 10 to 15 percent, usually added to the terminal when you pay with a card.
Good to know
- ✗Altitude can affect your appetite and alcohol tolerance during the first few days; pace yourself and drink plenty of water.
- ✗Street food and smaller vendors often operate cash-only, so always carry smaller bills in pesos for casual bites and tipping.
- ✗The dress code in Roma Norte leans smart-casual; you will rarely need a jacket, but most diners dress thoughtfully for dinner.