10 Places I Ate the Best Seafood in Mexico City (2025)
The best seafood in Mexico City replicates classic coastal flavors that instantly transport you to the ocean. And I bet you’ll be surprised by the variety and freshness.
Despite being inland, the Mexico City seafood scene is varied and fresh. It’s mostly thanks to the fact that the world’s second largest seafood market located about 40 minutes from the heart of the city. But the good news is you don’t have to travel all the way there to find fresh seafood.
When I visit Mexico City, I’m always chasing an aguachile with just the right balance of spicy and citrus. And the result is this guide to the best seafood restaurants in Mexico City—from casual street-style eateries to creative culinary experiences.
Whether you’re craving ceviche, fish tacos, aguachile, or a regional Mexican seafood dish, you can a taste of Mexico’s coastal flavors without leaving CDMX.
Before we dive in, I want to mention two popular Mexico City seafood restaurants not on this list. And the two reasons why. First, I think they’re overrated. And second, you’ll probably discover them elsewhere.
The first is Contramar, one of the most popular seafood restaurants in Mexico City. On my mom’s first afternoon in the city, we were lucky enough to snag a outside table (there’s usually a long wait). But we left underwhelmed with the dishes we ordered. Perhaps because we didn’t try their famous tuna tostada, which our waiter kept pushing.
The second is Mi Compa Chava, a trendy place to eat seafood in Mexico City (pictured above). Honestly I was excited about eating here, but again my friend and I felt it just didn’t hit the mark. We ordered several dishes to share and nothing stood out.
Best Seafood Restaurants in Mexico City
So instead, here are the places I ate the best seafood in Mexico City. I’ve included the neighborhood with a link to the location so that you can easily find them on the go. Save this list so that you’ll always know where to eat seafood in CDMX!
1. Yemanyá
📍Roma Norte Map
Yemanyá is a standout among seafood restaurants in Mexico City, offering creative dishes to rave about—especially the appetizers. I spent a lovely afternoon on their back patio and upon my first taste of the salsas, I knew I was in for a treat. The cacao salsa in particular is unlike anything I’ve tasted in Mexico.
While the cold appetizers, of ceviche and aguachile are fresh and flavorful, it’s the hot appetizers that truly stand out for their creativity. Dishes like crab arepas, fish al pastor, and seafood chicharrones are a delicious twist on traditional dishes.
Whether you decide to sit in the dining room or the back patio, the restaurant’s vibe is both stylish and chill. Reviews echo my experience, describing Yemanyá as one of the best culinary spots in Mexico City thanks to its fresh ingredients and balanced flavors.
2. Don Chalo – Sinaloa Seafood
📍Roma Norte Map
If you’re craving the bold flavors of Sinaloan-style seafood in Mexico City, stop by Don Chalo. It’s known for its authentic taste and fresh ingredients at a great value.
Tostadas piled high with a mix of seafood are their specialty and the Patrón tostada is a crowd favorite. It’s layered with two types of shrimp, octopus, and scallops and topped with red onion, cucumber, cilantro, and avocado.
The menu also features a variety of seafood tacos that creatively go beyond fish tacos. And if you’re in the mood for a michelada, go for the Don Chalo which is served with a shrimp skewer for an extra Sinaloan touch.
3. Gin Chan
📍Roma Norte Map
Gin Chan consistently serves some of the freshest seafood in the city. The thick slices of sashimi and the fried fish collar were both delicious, but the prepared oysters steal the show. Served raw with a quail egg, tobiko, ikura, caviar, and a drizzle of ponzu, they’re a must-try if you’re an oyster lover.
Gin Chan also made my list of the best Japanese restaurants in Mexico City. And reviewers agree, comparing it to top sushi spots in NYC.
The menu offers both an over the top Omakase experience and a variety of à la carte options, from sashimi and nigiri to traditional Japanese dishes. To top it off, the restaurant also has an impressive selection of sake and cocktails.
4. María la Pescadora
This cute corner seafood restaurant specializes in seafood tacos, tostadas, and burritos. I highly recommend the tuna tostada topped with lightly fried onions. The crunch and sweetness of the onions balance the spicy tuna.
They also serve shrimp aguachile Thursdays-Sundays. And paella on the weekends. The only seating is outdoors on the sidewalk, but it’s a pleasant environment. That tuna tostada was one of the best things I’ve put in my mouth lately.
5. La Carreta de Juana
📍 Cuauhtémoc | Colonia del Valle
La Carreta de Juana proudly declares, “This isn’t Sinaloa-style—it’s straight from Sinaloa!” The menu is a true reflection of Sinaloa flavors, featuring a variety of aguachile bathed in your choice of verde, negra, or mango habanero salsa.
And the selection doesn’t stop there. You’ll find twice as many seafood tacos, nearly as many tostada options, and a variety of hot seafood dishes to choose from.
6. Nacú
📍 Juárez Map
Nacú brings the vibrant seafood dishes of Veracruz to Mexico City, making it a top spot for exploring the coastal cuisine of one of the best cities in Mexico.
The tuna tostada is a must-try, topped with thin fried leeks that add a unique flavor. The menu also features a variety of seafood carpaccio and ceviche, but the signature dish is the arroz a la tumbada—a classic Veracruz dish of red rice and a mix of seafood, similar to paella but more brothy.
I highly recommend their mezcalitas (mezcal cocktails) in a variety of fruit flavors. They also have a range of Mexican craft beers, from IPAs to stouts and sours. For a taste of Veracruz seafood in Mexico City, add Nacú to your list.
7. El Turuleto – Seafood Tacos
📍Juárez Map
Located just two doors down from Nacú, El Turuleto Tacos Del Mar is a low-key seafood restaurant in Mexico City that specializes in mouthwatering tacos piled high with seafood.
Highlights of the menu includes the Galan taco—creamy shrimp with beans wrapped in a lightly crisped flour tortilla balanced with a smoky chipotle bite. The Vallarta taco is another must-try for pulpo lovers. This crispy taco features pan-fried octopus over a smear of beans and topped with bits of chicharrones.
El Turuleto originally started as a street food stand, the roots of which are still evident in its bold flavors and casual vibe. I also included it on my guide to the best tacos in Mexico City.
8. Balandra – Cocina de Puerto
📍Roma Norte Map
I stumbled upon Balandra after being told there was a two hour wait at Mi Compa Chava, another top seafood restaurant in Mexico City. Spoiler alert: I returned to the other one the next day and it was disappointing.
The menu at Balandra immediately caught my attention with its creative marinades and the use of various chiles. The ceviche and tuna tostada are both excellent choices, while the octopus with pork rinds adds an unexpected but delicious crunch. I also loved the salsas, which were both flavorful and spicy.
While looking at the reviews, I noticed many people mention the chilaquiles. So I’m thinking I need to return to see if they’re good enough to make my list of the best places for brunch in Mexico City.
9. El Saladito Marisquería
📍 Centro Map
El Saladita Marisquería is located inside one of the best markets in Mexico City, Mercado de San Juan. It’s known for fresh seafood, unique meats, and other gourmet ingredients. The extensive menu of this marisquería includes ceviche, tostadas, aguachile, seafood tacos, and main dishes featuring fish, shrimp, and octopus.
The market setting adds an authentic but casual atmosphere, so it’s best if you’re looking for a low-key seafood restaurant in Mexico City. Most of the seating is around the bar which allows you to watch the chef prepare each dish.
Tip: While the decor draws visitors to El Saladito, there’s another seafood spot just across the aisle that also looks quite good.
10. El Mercadito Peruano – Peruvian Seafood
📍Centro Map
Also located inside San Juan Market, El Mercadito Peruano brings the flavors of Peru to the Mexico City seafood scene. Specializing in Peruvian classics, this spot serves up dishes like ceviche with tiger’s milk, lomo saltado, and causa limeña.
Again the market setting allows you to watch as the chef prepares each dish. Portions are generous and the flavors are authentic, making it one of the best spots for Peruvian food in Mexico City. If you’re looking for a different flavor of seafood at San Juan Market, El Mercadito Peruano is the spot.
Is the Seafood in Mexico City Fresh?
Yes, the seafood in Mexico City is quite fresh. Even though the closest beach is hours away, Mexico City is home to the second largest seafood market in the world—right behind Tokyo. This market supplies seafood throughout the city, ensuring that the seafood restaurants in Mexico City always have access to fresh fish.
In addition to the access to fresh ingredients, Mexico City is a melting pot for Mexican cuisine, bringing coastal flavors into the heart of the country. From Sinaloan-style aguachile to Veracruz dishes served hot, Mexico City seafood restaurants showcase a diverse range of flavors. Whether you’re craving ceviche, fish tacos, or a spicy aguachile, Mexico City seafood doesn’t disappoint.
Eating Seafood in Mexico City
There’s a surprising range of fresh and flavorful seafood in Mexico City. With options from Sinaloan-style aguachile to classic Veracruz seafood dishes, you can taste the diverse flavors of Mexico’s coastal cuisine right in the capital.
And with this article as your guide, you’ll be eating at the best seafood restaurants in Mexico City in no time.
