If you believe Mexico City is solely about potent mezcal, smog-filled streets, and endless al pastor tacos, think again. While indulging in tacos and enjoying the vibrant nightlife is a must, finding balance through healthy food options in Mexico City is surprisingly easy. The foundation of Mexican cuisine-corn, beans, wild greens, insects, mushrooms, chiles, and fresh fruit-offers numerous opportunities for nutritious meals, from upscale restaurants to street vendors.
Discovering Healthy Havens in Mexico City
Mexico City boasts a plethora of healthy restaurants, ranging from charming cafes to sophisticated dining establishments. Finding these options is easier than you think, particularly in upscale neighborhoods like Hipódromo, Roma, La Condesa, and Polanco. These areas are not only safe but also filled with character, parks, and a diverse culinary scene.
High-End Dining Experiences
Pujol: Featured on Netflix's "The Final Table," Pujol is helmed by Enrique Olvera, renowned as one of Mexico's best chefs. This Polanco establishment has consistently ranked among the world's top 50 restaurants since its opening 17 years ago. Pujol offers a set tasting menu with vegetarian and seafood options, as well as a taco omakase. The service is impeccable, with a welcoming atmosphere and innovative cocktails like the tamarind mezcal margarita. The 7-course menu is thoughtfully curated, with each dish building upon the last, and the restaurant is accommodating to allergies.
Quintonil: Recommended by a chef, Quintonil in Polanco offers a unique and incredible dining experience. The restaurant uses only the best local and organic produce, and its tasting menu showcases classic Mexican dishes and unique ingredients.
Contramar: This popular lunch spot in the Juarez neighborhood offers a lively atmosphere and delicious seafood. Arriving early is recommended to secure a table. While vegan options are limited, seafood lovers will enjoy the tuna tostadas, salads, and pescado al pastor tacos.
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Casual and Affordable Healthy Eats
Ojo de Maíz Offers upscale vegan food in Mexico City. Thin portobellos are breaded to replicate torta de milanesa with eggplant and an avocado sauce. The chile relleno is stuffed with beans and huauzontles.
Por Siempre Vegano: While there are many vegan restaurants in Mexico City, Por Siempre Vegano is an unassuming spot with a menu of Mexican vegan food. Vegan birria is available as a bowl of soup or quesabirria using vegan cheese.
Frutos Prohibidos: This Condesa restaurant has a beachy vibe and doubles as a fruit stand. It offers a variety of healthy options, including vegan, vegetarian (with eggs), chicken, and fish dishes. Breakfast options include gluten-free avocado toast and acai bowls, while lunch features salads, bowls, and sandwiches.
Lardo: Not only will you find the best coffee at Lardo, but you will also find some of the best breakfast and pastries that the city has to offer. If you don’t get to this Condesa hot spot early, you simply won’t get a table! It is packed each and every day. Lardo is apart of an amazing restaurant group, who specialize in using quality and local ingredients in every dish they create.
Rosetta: The sister restaurant of Lardo, Rosetta in Roma, has some of the best vegetable dishes I’ve ever had. They were truly imaginative! Like all the other incredible restaurants we ate at, Rosetta is also based on the best organic and local ingredients Mexico has to offer.
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Pan Gabriel: If you plan to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum, you can come across Pan Gabriel, a gluten-free, sugar-free and vegan bakery with shops all over Mexico. Their menu is vast, and they even have high-quality pictures to see how the dish looks.
Lardo: This cafe offers a French-inspired menu with fresh pastries, egg dishes, classic Mexican breakfast options, and vegan choices. The black rice pudding with coconut milk is a standout.
Tamales Madre: Tamales may be one of my favorite dishes…ever. So when I found out there was an organic tamales restaurant in Mexico City, I knew I had to go. Tamales can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the amazing Tamales Madre is open all day so you can get tamales at any time. What is so amazing about this restaurant is how transparent they are about their ingredients and where they source the different types of corn.
Masala y Maiz: Another favorite restaurant was Masala y Maiz, which is inspired by Mexican, South Asian, and East African culinary techniques, ingredients, cultural food ways and political movements. The restaurant is based on years of research by the chefs to understand the intersections of their respective cultures and the many similarities between their food ways. It was truly one of the best meals I’ve had in years - you could really taste the quality and thought in each and every bite. Not that I could partake, but the restaurant also has an amazing list of natural, organic, and biodynamic wine.
Vegan Options Abound
Mexico City has a thriving vegan scene, with many restaurants focusing on Mexican vegan food. Traditional dishes like tacos and enchiladas can be made vegan using ingredients like beans, corn, avocado, salsas, and fresh veggies.
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Vegan Mexican Street Food: You are looking for something Mexican, something fast. Then that’s the place to go. Here you can get Vegan Mexican Street food, kind of. They have Tacos, Gringa, Medialuna, Torta, Burgers.
Another vegan Mexican restaurant: Here they serve Breakfast, Tacos, Tartas and Gringos and even very delicious desserts.
Taco Santo Vegano: Taco Santo Vegano is a cute sidewalk Mexico City taco spot with a fully vegan menu. The tacos are served with homemade tortillas in traditional baskets lined with banana leaves.
A Vegan Taco Stand: You’ll find this vegan taco stand in an underground food court located just outside of one of the main entrances of Chapultepec Park in Mexico City. They also offer burritos with the same fillings and a vegan kafka hamburger that sounds delicious. Plus the vegan food expands to include vegan sushi and onigiri which may seem out of place.
Green Pizza: Green Pizza serves the best vegan pizza in Mexico City, hands down. This is the only vegan restaurant on this list that isn’t fully vegan. But don’t let the mixed menu stop you! The vegan cheese is specially sourced.
Mora Mora: The sign outside of Mora Mora welcomed us to “health heaven” which made my eyes roll. And in fact, I was impressed by the selection of plant based products for sale inside the attached health food store.
Dandelion: Dandelion is known for their incredible vegan desserts that are fluffy and moist. Or they have slices of their most popular vegan desserts to enjoy after lunch or with a cup of coffee.
Other Notable Restaurants
Los Loosers: This small, lovely bakery in Roma Norte has a huge vitrine with cakes. They serve breakfast and offer omnivorous, vegan, gluten-free options, from sweet to savory.
Azul: Azul was highly recommended on Google and Trip Advisor as well as one of our friends here in the city. The food is Mexican style and it's a great brunch and/or lunch spot. It's got lots of seafood on the menu, but there also seem to be some good veg options as well. They've got green juices, homemade tortillas, and a great dinner menu as well.
Cancino Havre: In the heart of Colonia Juárez, one of Mexico City’s most vibrant and historic neighborhoods, you’ll find Cancino Havre. Our space blends the warmth of an old house with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere-perfect for sharing with friends, family, or that special someone. The highlight here is our pizzas, made with thin crust, fresh ingredients, and toppings that range from the classic to the unexpected. We also offer fresh salads, pastas, shareable starters, and vegetarian options. To pair with your meal, choose from our selection of wines, signature cocktails, beers, and coffee.
La Casa de las Sirenas: En una casa que data del siglo XVI y que en los siglos XVII, XVIII y XIX fue consolidando su carácter de monumento arquitectónico -celosamente preservado- se encuentra, desde el año1994, "La Casa de las Sirenas". Ubicada en el corazón del Centro Histórico de la CDMX, en la que fuera la primera calle de América -hoy República de Guatemala-, a solo unos pasos del Templo Mayor y del Palacio Nacional, justo a espaldas de la Catedral Metropolitana, "La Casa de las Sirenas" le invita a vivir una experiencia inolvidable. Nuestra cocina mexicana tradicional y contemporánea, le hará transitar por los sabores, colores y aromas que han dado a la gastronomía de nuestro país su carácter de Patrimonio Intangible de la Humanidad. Nuestro servicio de primera clase, enmarca el entorno ideal para vivir una experiencia única,100% mexicana. La vista desde nuestra terraza es simplemente irrepetible. Por ello es que en "La Casa de las Sirenas"… Very nice!!
En Sushi Batta ofrecemos una experiencia auténtica de gastronomía japonesa. La trayectoria y preparación de nuestro equipo de trabajo, así como el rigor en la selección y manejo de ingredientes de la más alta calidad, provenientes tanto de México como de Japón, garantiza a nuestros clientes una aproximación integral y genuina a una de las cocinas más sutiles y sofisticadas del mundo.
NYC pizza: Somos un restaurante especializado en pizza naturalmente fermentada estilo NYC con sabores napolitanos. Nuestra masa es 100% sourdough la cual aporta textura y sabor. El chef Fabián acuña creo esta receta desde 2020 en su departamento.
Argentina cuisine: Founded in 1986, A benchmark in Mexico for Argentine cuisine, where we stand out for the best quality USDA Prime cuts, fish, and seafood imported from Canada and the USA. Our special grilling technique characterizes us, which, in conjunction with our own wines grown in Mendoza, Argentina, creates an unmatched gastronomic experience for all food lovers.
Chuí opened its doors in the heart of Roma Norte, offering an oasis in the middle of the city. Surrounded by lush vegetation, the kitchen revolves around seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, with wood-fired ovens as the main attraction. The menu features small plates, main dishes, and pizzas that highlight the best of each season. The beverage selection includes boutique winery wines, handcrafted cocktails, and fresh fruit and vegetable juices.
Italian cuisine: Somos una tradicional cucina italiana, sin pretensiones ni complicaciones, solo pizzas al horno, comida italiana fresca y de temporada, elaboradas con ingredientes de la más alta calidad. En un espacio con un ambiente casual y relajado.