Where to Eat in Roma Norte: Honest thoughts

Where to Eat in Roma Norte

Where to Eat in Roma Norte: Honest thoughts.

Roma Norte is known as one of the best foodie destinations in Mexico. But when you research “where to eat in Roma” you come up with the same answers over and over again. And the truth is that many of the spots on those lists are overly popular, overrated and overpriced.

I’ve tried out some of the places on those lists, I’ve also experienced places not on those lists (places I’ve researched on my own). I’m going to give you my honest opinions and will hopefully inspire you to try out a few “new” places that you maybe wouldn’t have*.

*Note: there are so many restaurants in Roma Norte and places come and go. But as of March 2025, here are some of my food experiences in the area.

Urban Sushi Wok Ramen Zona (only for the fantastic Ramen soup)

I had just arrived in Roman Norte and had a craving for Asian soup. And this was one of the best Ramen soups I’ve ever had – the “Raman Diablo”. First of all, it’s not that hot, just in case spicy food scares you. Thick Ramen noodles with really tasty tempura chicken in a great broth and with a mix of assorted vegetables. Really, really delicious. I finished all the solids and was left with a whole bowl of broth. “Really, really good soup, just could have used a bit more chicken and noodles” I told the waitress. From that moment on she hated me.

I was still hungry (hadn’t eaten all day) so I decided to have some sushi. I ordered a “spicy tuna roll”. Horrible. Mushy rice, tasteless ingredients, there was no spiciness. And I don’t care if this is Mexico, I want Wasabi, not some diced up jalapenos. I didn’t finish the dish. I actually chose the spicy tuna roll because most of the rolls had the ingredient that I hate the most in current sushi dishes – cheese. In parts of the world it’s Philadelphia cheese, in Mexico it’s queso crema or queso Manchego. I don’t know who started putting cream cheese into sushi but they deserve to die (I’m joking, but just).

But that soup was fantastic and I would have it over and over again if I could.

The restaurant itself is young and cool, with pop music playing on a big screen. A relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere with mostly young edgy people. About a 10 minute walk up from the Fuente de Cibeles.

(556 pesos for the Ramen dish, tuna roll, 2 beers. That’s expensive. Wouldn’t have been so bad if I had just stuck to the Ramen soup).

Note: Urban Sushi Wok Ramen Zona gets a 4.6 on Trip Advisor. So it generally gets very good reviews.

Le Pain Quotidien (avoid…)

“Your daily bread”, this restaurant chain has bread, pastries, breakfasts, sandwiches and baguettes etc. Their menu here. It’s recommended by many people (mostly blogs) but also the aparthotel where I stayed for 3 nights on this trip (which is a very good spot. Recommended).

I ordered the “Eggs made to Order”: it came with 3 eggs, 2 pieces of ham, 2 small slices of bread and a salad. While it wasn’t bad (eggs are eggs and ham is ham) there was nothing “extra” about it. They don’t give you a salsa, they didn’t bring pepper (I had to get up and ask the waitress for it). I ate it in 5 minutes. I didn’t touch the salad. I don’t like salad for breakfast*

*I see now that I had the option of refried beans, whole beans or salad. I was never asked.

The large cappuccino I had was tasteless, the milk tasted a little off.

The cost for this? 295 pesos which is by far the biggest breakfast rip off I’ve ever had in Mexico (breaking that down: 165 for the dish without the ham, 35 for the ham = 200 for the breakfast plate. Plus 95 for the Cappuccino?? Crazy)

On top of that, the waitress came by when I was eating with a selection of pastries. I had just said “the chocolate croissant” when a thought occurred to me. “Is this included in the breakfast?” I asked her. The answer was no. So I said no to the pastry.

Trying to trickily upsell me when I had already paid a fortune for breakfast? No.

I still can’t go over what I paid for what I got. Those prices are 50% more than what you’ll pay in San Miguel de Allende, where you’ll get a full, tasty breakfast with all kinds of little sides to spice up the main components of the meal. I’ve rarely ever been disappointed by breakfast in Mexico. I felt I was screwed over here and nobody should be recommending Le Pain Quotidien. In fact, I should have been tipped off by the fact that the place was mostly empty save for 3 tables…all foreigners.

I have a much better breakfast recommendation further below.

*Note: Roma Norte is expensive compared to other parts of Mexico City. I usually stay in the center where I can get a large breakfast in a place like Café El Popular for about 80 Pesos. You won’t get those prices in most sit-down restaurants in Roma Norte.

La Casa de Toño (for a good, cheap Mexican meal)

I had read reviews about their pozole – I had been introduced a few years back to Pozole on a vegan food tour of Roma Norte and had loved it.

I got to La Casa de Toño – there were tons of people, all Mexicans, workers from the area on lunch. It was obvious within seconds that this is a very popular local place. Both floors were crowded. There are lots of employees (I was at the Londres branch. Sorry, technically a few blocks outside Roma Norte) and I was instantly taken to my own table.

I told my waitress I wanted Pozole. From there you tell them the meat you want (I wanted chicken), the condiments (I wanted everything: cabbage, radish, onion) and the spices (they ended bringing me red sauce, green sauce, house salsa, and habanera).

It was good. I won’t say excellent as was the case last year when I had the vegetarian pozole at Pan Comido but it was good, tasty, and filling. Like a hearty stew. And Casa de Toño has lots of different Mexican dishes.

Very good value: I paid 142 pesos for a big bowl of Pozole and a bottle of coke. I would definitely come here again if looking for a cheap meal and would recommend it to anyone looking for the same.

And then went back to the aparthotel where I was stuck for an hour in the elevator with a big bowl of Pozole and a bottle of coke in my belly. I was so pissed off…

Panaderia Rosetta (for excellent pastries/bread and coffee)

I started the next morning with the very highly touted Panaderia Rosetta (the calle Puebla branch) for a coffee and pastry.

An elegant little store overstuffed with fresh breads and pastries, even at 7:15 am people were seated outside having pastries and coffee.

They generally don’t do bread and pastries well in Mexico (and Spain), the usual culprit being they don’t use butter. That results in dry, tasteless bread/pastries. Not at Panaderia Rosetta – their pastries are tender and rich. Excellent!!

Their cappuccino was also good although not as strong as I like*. But that’s personal taste. Otherwise very smooth and creamy.

I would not hesitate to recommend Panaderia Rosetta.

Cost: 112 pesos for a pastry and a coffee

*Just two blocks away, right off Fuente de Cibeles, Cibeles Gran Café had coffee more to my liking and their cups both bigger and less expensive. But it doesn’t have the same fresh pastries and bread.

Taqueria El Compita | Birria de res (fantastic and inexpensive tender beef tacos)

A little Taqueria stand among a series of taqueria stands just a block from my aparthotel. But it’s a different kind of taqueria stand – this one specializes in Birria de res, slow-cooked beef simmered with garlic, onions, tomatoes, and a blend of guajillo and pasilla chiles until tender. Traditionally from Jalisco, this Birria stand originates from Tijuana.

Reading up, they gets lots of great reviews. It actually gets a 4.6 on Trip Advisor which is more than the famous Taqueria Orinoco.

I went with their traditional tacos which is the tender beef mixed with onion, cilantro and beans. I had it to go and included with my order was a Consommé (you’re supposed to dunk your taco in for extra taste), hot sauce, sweet red onions.

Excellent and inexpensive: I had 3 tacos and a large Coke and it cost 118 Pesos.

Taqueria Orinoco (for the tacos de trompo)

I mentioned Taqueria Orinoco above. I’ve gone there a couple of times on previous visits. It has somehow become all the rage and I’ve read that people now line up down the street (Avenida Álvaro Obregón) to get their tacos.

They have 3 main types of tacos; the res (beef), chicharron (pork rinds) and the Trompo. This last one is the highlight: it is marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit in middle east style (it was actually inspired by Lebanese immigrants).

*Note: in Mexico City you’ll often see tacos Al Pastor. They are slightly different than Tacos Trompo. Both are pork cooked on that vertical spit. BUT: Tacos al pastor are more common in central Mexico and have a sweeter, spiced marinade that often includes achiote and pineapple. The pineapple isn’t just for garnish—sometimes it’s cooked on top of the meat and its juices flavour the pork as it cooks. They’re typically served with a slice of that grilled pineapple, onion, and cilantro. Tacos de trompo, on the other hand, are a northern specialty, especially in Monterrey (and Taqueria Orinoco has its origins in Monterrey). The marinade is less sweet and more savoury, focusing on smoky and earthy spices. They’re usually smaller, and while pineapple might still make an appearance, it’s not as central to the flavour profile. Thank you internet for giving me that detailed description.

In any case, Taqueria Orinoco’s tacos are very good and if you come you have to try the tacos de trompo. But the tacos I reviewed above at Taqueria El Compita are also excellent. Really, they’re just different – from a different region using different ingredients and cooked a different way. They’re both worth trying.

Hamburguesa Mataleón (excellent hamburger)

I had actually wanted to try out El Pescadito, a restaurant specializing in fish tacos. They get excellent reviews. But I was a bit tired of tacos after my lunch and it was a bit further than I wanted to go. Note: I eventually went to El Pescadito on my last day and I review it further down.

I ended up going to Hamburguesa Mataleón which was just 2 minutes away.

Hamburguesa Mataleón is right on the Fuente de Cibeles which is the prettiest spot (in my opinion) in Roma Norte. Usually I would say avoid restaurants around the circle because they’re overpriced for what you get (a few years ago I went to Contramar which is right across the fountain and paid a fortune).

Hamburguesa Mataleón is the exception to the above. It’s not overpriced, its hamburgers are tasty (just order the house “Hamburguesa Mataleón”) and substantive. It’s a cool spot, full of young people, and gets filled up fast. And you have the views over the fountain.

I paid 225 pesos for a burger, fries and a beer. Very, very good.

WO café (for a great local breakfast/ coffee spot)

A few years ago we stayed a few blocks west of the Fuente de Cibeles. I had read up on WO café and we had gone out searching for it – and we had loved it so much that we had ended up going there for breakfast every day of our stay.

It’s just a very nice place where most of the customers are locals, Mexicans and expats alike. They come here with their dogs (they have a dog-friendly policy) and chat amongst each other.

It’s typical Roma Norte: some very healthy options (like smoothie bowls) and refined touches (like feta cheese and avocado accompanying your traditional breakfast eggs). And their coffee was excellent and cups large.

I haven’t had time to go on this trip but this is one of my very favorite places in Roma Norte.

If you’re a vegan and even if you’re not – I’m not – there are two vegan places you HAVE to go to.

La Pitahaya Vegana (for their Pink tortilla enfrijoladas)

2 years ago I came here with Lissette and we took a vegan food tour. La Pitahaya Vegana was one of the stops. There we ordered the Enfrijoladas: pink tortillas filled with plantain and almonds covered by a creamy black bean sauce.

Not only was it the best vegan food I had ever had, it was also one of the most delicious and unique dishes I’ve ever experienced. Incredible.

La Pitahaya Vegana is included in most food blogs about Roma Norte. But it really is very good and different than vegan food you’ll find anywhere else.

Pan Comido (for Pozole)

Another stop on the tour that I mention above was at Pan Comido for that Pozole that I keep raving about. No kidding, one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. And the amazing thing is that it is vegan.

where to eat in Roma Norte — Our guide Eduardo enjoying his Pozole

El Pescadito (for fish tacos)

I was in the mood for fish tacos and I ended up coming to El Pescadito on my last day. They have several branches in Mexico City (I went to the one just a few blocks outside Roma Norte).

It’s a simple (but large) restaurant serving all kinds of fish tacos. When I asked him “what are your best tacos?” the waiter recommended 2 tacos: the “Enchilote Enchiloso” and the “Que-Sotote”.

The Enchilote Enchiloso is fantastic: melted cheese with shrimps and some kind of sauce. You put on your toppings and you’re set. Very, very good. Then came the Que-Sotote which were battered shrimps with diced peppers. I found that very bland to be honest, even after adding toppings.

But as I say, the Enchilote Enchiloso was fantastic and I’m sure some of their other offerings were good. I was a bit nervous about having shrimp before jumping on a plane but all was good. Everything was fresh and quality was high.

While I was there there place filled up with office workers coming in for lunch. So it seems to be a popular place.

Recommended: A good place for fish tacos if in the mood for something different.

Summarizing

I’m difficult when it comes to food. I don’t need something high end, but I like tasty food and getting good value for my money (whether paying a lot or eating cheap tacos).

I find the overall food quality in Roma Norte to be very high. There are tons of places all over the neighborhood and I guess all the competition brings up the general level of quality. But really, almost everything I ate above was very, very good. Roma Norte really is a great foodie place.

There are so many places in Roma Norte that the above is just touching the surface. But I wanted to shine the light on a few places that don’t make it on food blogs. I’ll add more to the above on my next visit.