How do I actually get a reservation at Pujol or Quintonil?
The two-month rolling window, the exact clock time to log in, and the six alternatives that never make it into the guidebooks.
Pujol (Enrique Olvera) and Quintonil (Jorge Vallejo & Alejandra Flores) are the two restaurants that anchor Mexico City on the World's 50 Best list. Both are hard tables, but not impossible if you understand the release windows and have the exact playbook.
- •Both restaurants open reservations on a rolling two-month window — for October 15, log in on August 15.
- •Log in at 9:00 a.m. Mexico City time on the release day. Prime Fri–Sat slots go in under 15 minutes.
- •Expect 3,900–4,600 MXN per person for the tasting menu, before beverages, tax, and service.
- •Dress: smart casual. Jackets appreciated at dinner but not required. No shorts or athletic wear.
- •If they're full: check for same-day cancellations at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or pivot to Rosetta, Máximo, Contramar, or Baldío.
The two-month rolling window, explained
Both Pujol and Quintonil use a rolling reservation window: on any given day, they open the calendar exactly two months forward. This is a hard rule, not a suggestion.
Practically: if you want dinner on October 15, your one shot is to log in on August 15. The system typically opens at 9:00 a.m. Mexico City time (CST). Prime Fri–Sat dinner slots for parties of two disappear within 10–15 minutes. Weeknight and lunch slots hold on longer, sometimes for hours.
Quintonil — the release-day playbook
Quintonil's platform is their own site, not OpenTable. Create an account before release day so you're not fighting the sign-up form during the 90-second window that matters.
Before release day
Create the account. Save your card. Confirm your party size — solo tables are almost impossible; pairs and fours book fastest. If you're a group of six or more, expect to email directly.
On release day
Log in at 8:55 a.m. CST. Refresh at 9:00:00 a.m. exactly. Click through as fast as the form allows; the system holds your slot for a limited window while you confirm.
If you miss the window
Check the site again at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. daily until your date. Cancellations happen — especially inside 72 hours.
Pujol — the release-day playbook
Pujol also uses a two-month rolling window and their own platform. The taco omakase counter (a separate, smaller experience) releases separately and is often easier to snag than the main tasting-menu dining room.
If the main dining room is closed the day you want, always check the taco omakase before giving up — it's a genuinely different, arguably more fun experience, and locals often prefer it.
If they are full — the six alternatives we send our own guests to
Same-day cancellations happen. Refresh the reservation platform at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. the day of your target date. Concierge services (SevenRooms Concierge, or a hotel like Las Alcobas or the Four Seasons) can also work the phones on your behalf, sometimes successfully.
If you strike out entirely, these are the six kitchens our editors book their own friends into — none as hard to reserve, all deeply loved by locals:
- Rosetta (Roma Norte) — Elena Reygadas' Italian-Mexican, one of the most personal kitchens in the city.
- Máximo Bistrot (Roma Norte) — modern seasonal, tasting-menu depth without the two-month clock.
- Sud 777 (Pedregal) — vegetable-forward, garden-driven, often a table available inside a week.
- Contramar (Roma Norte) — the definitive lunch table in CDMX. Tuna tostadas, whole fish al pastor.
- Baldío (Juárez) — newer, more experimental, our editors' current dark horse.
- Meroma (Condesa) — Mediterranean-Mexican tasting, one of the most technically sharp rooms in the city.
The night itself — what to expect
Both restaurants run tasting menus of roughly 7–10 courses over 2.5–3 hours. Pace is deliberate — this is not a quick dinner. Book the earliest slot if you have a morning flight; the latest if you want to linger.
Both kitchens handle dietary restrictions well with 48 hours notice. Note them at booking, and reconfirm by email 72 hours out.
Getting there: Polanco (both restaurants) is a 15–25 minute Uber from Roma/Condesa, 200–300 MXN. Metro is possible (Auditorio or Polanco stations) but not practical in tasting-menu clothes.
Common mistakes
- ✕Trying to book 3 months out. The window is exactly two months — a day too early gets you nothing.
- ✕Logging in at 9:00 a.m. your local time instead of Mexico City time. Set your phone to CST for the morning.
- ✕Skipping the taco omakase at Pujol because "that's not the real thing." It is a real thing, and often easier to book.
- ✕Not reconfirming dietary requests. "Noted at booking" is not the same as "communicated to the kitchen 48 hours out."
Pick a date two months out. Create the account this week. Set an alarm for 8:55 a.m. Mexico City time on release day. If you miss, book Rosetta or Máximo without regret — both are genuinely as good, just less famous.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book Pujol or Quintonil?
Two months to the day. Both restaurants open a two-month rolling reservation window, and prime slots (Thursday–Saturday dinner) are typically gone within 15 minutes of release.
What is the dress code at Pujol and Quintonil?
Smart casual. No shorts or athletic wear. A collared shirt for men is expected; jackets are appreciated at dinner but not required.
How much do Pujol and Quintonil cost?
As of 2026, expect roughly 3,900–4,600 MXN per person for the tasting menu, before beverages, tax, and service. Wine pairings typically add another 2,000–3,500 MXN.
Are Pujol and Quintonil worth it?
For diners already invested in tasting-menu restaurants, yes — both are technically flawless and deeply rooted in Mexican produce, corn, and technique. If you only have one splurge, Quintonil currently edges Pujol on service warmth and pace.
What's easier to book than Pujol or Quintonil but nearly as good?
Rosetta, Máximo Bistrot, and Meroma are the three our editors most often recommend. All book within a week or two, all are among the best kitchens in the country, and none require the two-month reservation clock.
Can I get a same-day reservation at Pujol or Quintonil?
Rarely, but yes — cancellations happen. Refresh the reservation platform at 10 a.m. and again at 4 p.m. the day of. A hotel concierge (Las Alcobas, Four Seasons, St. Regis) can also work the phones on your behalf.