Not only does it allow us to try local flavors that may be new to our palate, but it also lets us know a little more about the culture and traditions of the place we visit.
Mexico is a country with an immense gastronomic diversity. From north to south and from east to west, the flavors, ingredients and preparation techniques change completely. That is why we have a great variety of soups, stews, desserts, antojitos and all kinds of dishes.
Of course, in Mexico City’s historic center there are many options to eat the culinary wonders of the country. Some places are much more worth it than others and we strongly recommend trying them on your visit to the city.
This restaurant belongs to the renowned chef Ricardo Muñoz Zurita, who has worked hard to rescue the culinary traditions of Mexico. Because of this, he is known as the anthropologist of Mexican cuisine.
Azúl Histórico’s menu offers specialties from all over Mexico and promotes the “slow food” gastronomic movement that gives importance to the products with which food is cooked, the way it is prepared and the way it is tasted.
It is installed in the courtyard of an old palace that is part of the architectural jewels of the historic center, so this restaurant is not only worth it for its delicious proposal of authentic Mexican cuisine, but for the atmosphere in which it is immersed. In addition, it is only a 5-minute walk away from the hotel.
It has two brothers: Azul Condesa –located in the Condesa neighborhood- and Azul y Oro –located in UNAM’s Centro Cultural Universitario.
Address: Isabel la Católica #30, centro histórico.
Website: azul.rest
La Casa de Toño has become one of the city’s favorite places to eat garnachas and Mexican antojitos. Pozole rojo is its most famous dish, but its menu extends to many other popular foods such as quesadillas, sopes, tostadas, tacos dorados, molletes and chilaquiles. Desserts are also a delight, in particular the very famous “flan de la abuela” (grandmother’s flan).
This casual-style restaurant with homemade flavors has been such a success that it is now a chain with more than 50 branches throughout the city. One of them is located 5 minutes away walking from Hotel Canada, so we recommend visiting it to try some of the delicacies that are served here.
Don’t worry if you see a huge line of people waiting to enter the restaurant, the service is quite fast so you won’t wait too long for your table.
Address: Madero #20 (adentro de Plaza Madero), centro histórico.
Website: lacasadetono.com.mx
This restaurant is one of the few in the city that has rescued pre-Hispanic recipes. It combines them with contemporary Mexican cuisine ingredients and presents them to the table in a stylish way. It is a great option if you like to try everything, because, on its menu, you will even find some dishes with insects.
It is housed in a 16th-century building that is said to have been built with the help of alms (or limosnas in Spanish) in kind such as bricks, quarry and paving stones, hence its name “Limosneros”. A quick 5-minute walk from the hotel will take you to this restaurant.
Address: Allende #3, centro histórico.
Website: limosneros.com.mx
This is one of the most traditional Mexican cuisine restaurants in the city. It has a short, but excellent menu with typical delicacies. Although it is a good option for lunch and dinner, we recommend you visiting it for breakfast. Their freshly baked sweet bread is heavenly and accompanied by a delicious hot chocolate will make your day start off the best.
El Cardenal has several locations in the city, but the most emblematic is that of Palma street, which is located just 100 meters (328 feet) from Hotel Canada.
Address: Palma #23, centro histórico.
Website: restauranteelcardenal.com
To visit Mexico City and not going to an authentic taquería is unforgivable. You are in the historic center and here there are plenty of good options. But, there are 2 spots in particular that we want to recommend you:
1. Tacos Arandas: This small taqueria is almost in front of Hotel Canada and its tacos are irresistible. All the options they offer are good, but you should definitely try tacos al pastor (pork) and tacos de birria (goat).
Address: 5 de Mayo #43, centro histórico.
2. Los Cocuyos: This place that barely is a couple of meters long has become a true temple of tacos de suadero. People from all over the city come to this spot to eat its delicious tacos. It is even said that when Anthony Bourdain visited Mexico City, he returned every night to eat some taquitos here. A 10-minute walk from the hotel will take you to this little corner that every foodie should know in the city’s historic center.
Address: Bolívar #57, centro histórico.
We hope you enjoy your gastronomic tour in Mexico City’s downtown. All these restaurants are just a few minutes walk from Hotel Canada, so it will be very easy for you to visit them. Enjoy!