15+ Best Places to Eat Brunch and Breakfast in Mexico City
There’s no shortage of places to eat breakfast in Mexico City. The difficulty comes in trying to decide where to go.
Whether you’re craving a Mexican breakfast, a decadent pastry, or the best chilaquiles, these breakfast restaurants in Mexico City have you covered.
I’ll take you through some of the top spots to start your day off right. From some of my favorite places to eat a cheap breakfast to the best brunch in Mexico City.
If you’re not familiar with a typical breakfast in Mexico, make sure to read to the end where I’ve included a list of staple dishes with a quick explanation.
Let’s dive into the local flavors to kickstart your morning.
Best Breakfast Restaurants in Mexico City
If you’re looking for a sit down restaurant serving the best breakfasts in Mexico City, this part is for you.
Most of these are located in the Roma, Condesa, Cuauhtémoc areas. And these areas are known for outdoor seating whether on a patio or street side.
1. Yerba Santa Restaurant
📍Cuauhtémoc Map
Thinking back on all the time I’ve spent in CDMX, I would have to say Yerba Santa was one of my favorite breakfast restaurants in Mexico City. And the cute outdoor dining surrounded by plants is icing on the cake.
The menu features unique uses for traditional ingredients that you don’t often find in other restaurants, such as the eggs with hoja santa and epazote herb in one of the cazuelas.
Yes, there are two cazuelas – one of my favorite things to order for breakfast in Mexico. They are similar to the oh so popular shakshuka, but with Mexican flavors and ingredients.
My friend’s chicken sandwich was perfectly fried and stacked high between two rustic pieces of bread. Located on the western edge of Cuauhtémoc, this is a great spot before exploring Chapultepec Park or the many Mexico City museums in the same area.
2. Nido Taller Culinario
📍Hipódromo Condesa Map
Nido Taller Culinario is located in a prime location at the edge of Parque México, one of my favorite parks in the city.
The menu includes several classic egg dishes as well as various versions of chilaquiles, enchiladas, and specialty plates. It’s quite varied and unique, using local ingredients in ways I’ve not seen before.
Part restaurant, part culinary school you may need to have a touch of patience when dining here. Although the reviews are mixed (mostly because of the slow service by the culinary students), my mom and I had a rather pleasant breakfast here with no issues.
3. El Caimancito
📍Condesa Map
This restaurant specializes in two types of food – Desayunos y Mariscos (breakfast and seafood). An odd combination, I know. But I did eat some of the best chilaquiles in Mexico City at El Caimancito.
The menu items include the classics – huevos rancheros, enchiladas, enmoladas, and the aforementioned chilaquiles, which I should mention comes with a surf and turf option (arrachera and shrimp, yum!)
4. Dave’s Home Bread
📍Escandón (just S of Roma) Map
At first I judged this breakfast spot by its name and assumed it was just a bakery. Then I read about the focaccia breakfast sandwich and knew I had to eat breakfast here. While this isn’t a full on breakfast restaurant, they have a few tables outside.
The focaccia is crispy on the outside, stuffed with fluffy eggs, a touch of cheese, avocado slices, and smeared with a layer of Dijon mustard. I recommend adding a little of the macha salsa for a kick.
Dave’s Home Bread serves breakfast all day. The menu includes other options using their artisanal bread such as molletes, croque madame, and a ham croissant.
5. Ojo de Agua
Ojo de Agua offers a healthier breakfast in Mexico City with some of the same classic dishes of chilaquiles, enchiladas, and molletes.
But they also create some unique egg dishes using local ingredients such as hoja santa. I also love their new addition of adaptogen mushroom shakes.
Next door to their Condesa location is their sister restaurant, Ojo de Maíz, which made my list of the best vegan restaurants in Mexico City. While it opens slightly later for brunch, I did see them bringing food from one kitchen to another.
Cheap Breakfast Mexico City
If you’re looking for an inexpensive breakfast, the street food and markets of Mexico City are the first places you should look.
From quesadillas and gorditas to tacos de canasta and lamb barbacoa I’ve included some below as well as restaurants for a cheap breakfast in Mexico City.
6. Quesadillas Mari Condesa
📍Condesa Map
When I arrived at this street stand in Condesa for breakfast, there was already a line of locals and more kept arriving.
The setup is simple. One person presses the blue corn and forms your choice of gordita, tlacoyo, quesadilla, or taco to order. And another fills it with your choice from the various guisados (stews) before placing it on the comal.
The flavors are classic, the salsas are spicy, and the food is filling. Quesadillas Mari became one of my favorite Mexico City street food stands.
7. Café La Habana
📍Juárez Map
Café La Habana is an old school diner that has been serving food in the Juarez area since 1952. It’s a bright, open space whose walls are filled with large photos of scenes from Cuba.
And if those walls could talk! Rumor has it that Fidel Castro and Che Guevara sipped cups of coffee at Café La Habana while planning their revolutionary strategy.
But it was also a gathering point for incredible writers from Latin America such as Gabriel García Márquez, Roberto Bolaño, and Octavio Paz (source).
Judging from the old photo of the restaurant hanging above the bar, not much has changed since those times. So it’s fun to sit here eating breakfast while imagining political and literary figures hanging out at Café La Habana.
The menu is full of classic Mexican breakfast dishes such as chilaquiles, huevos motuleños, and enchiladas.
Tip: Monday to Friday from 7 am – 9 am there is a 2 for 1 promo on breakfast packages. It makes this already affordable Mexico City breakfast that much more so.
8. Barbacoa Dani
📍 Condesa Map
My vegan friends were surprised when I was craving lamb barbacoa for breakfast. But it’s a Sunday tradition that I’ve become accustomed to after living in Mexico for five years.
Upon ordering, I was given a choice of costillas, maciza, espadilla, pancita or campechano for my tacos. The variety of options threw me for a moment.
If you’re new to barbacoa, I’d go for the espadilla which is primarily pure meat rather than all the extra bits and pieces. And if you’re hungry, pair it with a bowl of consomé.
Then add some onion and cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and a spoonful of their heavenly green salsa.
If you find yourself looking at where to eat on the weekends, Barbacoa Dani is a casual but delicious place for breakfast in Condesa.
9. Jugos Alex
📍 Condesa Map
This is unassuming restaurant is perfect for a cheap breakfast in Condesa. Jugos Alex offers all the typical Mexican breakfast dishes like chilaquiles, enchiladas, molletes, and more.
Most of the breakfast options come as a package with coffee or tea and fruit or juice included. The flavors were good, the juice was fresh, and best of all, it won’t break the bank.
10. Fonda Doña Blanca
📍 Multiple Locations Map (Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, Centro)
“The most expensive is not always the best.” reads the motto at Fonda Doña Blanca, a great spot if you’re looking for an inexpensive breakfast in Mexico City.
The vast menu features traditional egg dishes from areas throughout Mexico such as Michoacán, Oaxaca, and the Yucatan. It also includes classics such as chilaquiles, enchiladas, and a variety of omelets.
All of the menu items are served as a package with coffee or tea, fresh juice, and bread included, making it an even better value.
Best Brunch in Mexico City
Among locals, brunch in Mexico City is often a weekend affair where families gather to eat at classic restaurants that have been around for ages, such as El Cardenal and Cafe de Tacuba.
To avoid the crowds and wait, I recommend visiting these places during the week instead if you can.
11. Restaurante El Cardenal
📍Locations in Centro and Beyond Map
El Cardenal is one of the most iconic places to eat breakfast in Mexico City. But honestly I was skeptical that the food wouldn’t live up to its reputation.
While I wasn’t completely blown away, the dishes were traditional and flavorful Plus I was able to order my beloved cazuela of eggs in a savory tomato sauce and served with a side of bread.
The chocolate de agua to start is a must. While it was a tad sweet for me, it was full bodied, which I found hard to find in Mexico City.
Tip: With several locations throughout the city, I recommend dining at the Palma restaurant in downtown Mexico City for the ambiance. When you arrive you may be given your choice of floors. I found the 2nd floor and its abundance of stained glass windows to be the most beautiful.
12. Café De Tacuba
📍Centro Map
Café De Tacuba is another iconic restaurant in Mexico City. And with over 100 years of history, eating here is like dining in a museum as one reviewer summed it up.
The menu features classic Mexican dishes such as chilaquiles, enchiladas, chicharrón en salsa verde, and various egg dishes. The flavors are traditional but sometimes fall short. And that’s why the history and the ambiance is part of the reason to eat breakfast here.
In the afternoons and evenings, this is one of the places to see mariachi in Mexico City.
13. Terraza Gran Hotel
📍Centro Map
The Gran Hotel is one of my favorite landmarks in Mexico City. When my mom visited, I took her here just to see the incredible Tiffany glass ceiling of the lobby.
In the mornings, the upstairs terrace has a buffet brunch with all the classic Mexican breakfast dishes from chilaquiles and enchiladas to tamales and gorditas.
It comes at a hefty price tag (450 pesos for adults and 350 pesos for children up to 11 years old). But it also comes with one of the most incredible views in Mexico City.
The rooftop terrace features landscape views of the Cathedral, National Palace, and the Zocalo with the giant Mexican flag mounted in the center.
I’m not going to say this is the best brunch in Mexico City but the views make up for any shortness with the food. Alternatively you can come up here for an afternoon cocktail and snack if that’s more your style.
14. Superette
📍Condesa Map
This cute French corner cafe specializes in sweet and savory crepes.
If you go for a late brunch in Mexico City you’ll be presented with the afternoon menu in addition to breakfast so that you can choose between the two.
The breakfast menu includes fruit, pancakes, and several creative egg dishes. Pesto eggs, Turkish eggs, and their decadent twist on a bao bun stuffed with eggs Benedict to name a few.
The savory crepes, called galletes, are paired with savory ingredients such as camembert cheese with serrano ham, goat cheese with chorizo, ricotta with gravlax, and many more.
15. Mendl Delicatessen
📍Hipódromo Condesa Map
This breakfast spot reminds me of a New York Jewish deli with an updated design.
When I entered Mendl Delicatessen, the fresh bagels and slabs of salmon drew my attention to the chrome trimmed display case as I made my way to a table in the back.
The back dining area opens up to navy and cream colored bench seating that wraps around the cutest patio filled with lush plants.
Let’s talk about the food. I was drawn to Mendl Delicatessen by the promise of bagel and lox. And while a bagel and lox may not be what you thought of for a Mexico City breakfast, hear me out.
The biggest influx of Jewish inhabitants in Mexico City is recent to the 20th century. And while I would say their influence isn’t a heavy presence, Mexico recently elected their first Jewish and first female president (she was previously the mayor of CDMX). Plus, sometimes you just want something a little different.
Tip – If you’re also drawn here for the bagel and lox, order the plate of salmon which is served with the bagel of your choice, cream cheese, and accompaniments (capers and onions). It has almost double the amount of salmon as the already prepared bagel and lox. Plus you can create your bagel just as you like.
Coffee and Pastry Breakfast
To imply that all of these Mexico City bakeries only serve coffee and pastries would be misleading.
The first two have a breakfast menu in addition, but the baked goods are really where they shine in my opinion.
16. Panadería Rosetta
📍Roma Norte Map
With over 7,000 reviews, you know this is one of the most popular places for breakfast in Mexico City.
So you also know that if you don’t want to wait for a table, you need arrive when they open. I opted for a spot at the coffee bar which is another option if you’re one or two people.
Primarily a bakery, their unique creations such as the blueberry focaccia and lemon ricotta roll stand out and make Panadería Rosetta one of the best bakeries in CDMX.
The guayaba roll is so popular that they designed a tote bag with an artistic representation of the famous pastry.
Tip – If you arrive and don’t want to wait, check out the next Mexico City cafe on this list which has the same delicious pastries.
17. Café Nin
📍Juárez Map
Located in an old house, this cute bakery and cafe has seating areas in different rooms throughout.
The menu features a few breakfast dishes and a vast variety of pastries. I chose their popular rol de guayaba although the limon and ricotta roll was a close second.
Like Panadería Rosetta, you can expect to wait to eat breakfast here (although not as long). Or try for a seat at the cafe bar.
Typical Breakfast in Mexico
While I included restaurants that serve both non Mexican and Mexican breakfast dishes, I want to go over a few traditional Mexican breakfast foods so that you know what to order.
In addition to this list, you’ll want to keep your ears and eyes out for food stands and mobile vendors selling other tasty foods for breakfast in Mexico such as tamales, gorditas (not the deep fried version you’re probably thinking of), tacos, quesadillas and more.
- Chilaquiles – Crispy tortilla chips bathed in a red or green salsa. Topped with fresh cheese, cream, and onion. With your choice of fried egg, chicken, or other protein.
- Enchiladas – Rolled tortillas stuffed with chicken, cheese, or other protein before being bathed in a red or green sauce and topped with cheese, cream, and onion.
- Enmoladas – Similar to enchiladas but with mole sauce.
- Enfrijoladas – Folded tortillas in a black bean sauce and topped with cheese, cream, and onion.
- Molletes – Open face toasted bread topped with refried beans, melted cheese, and pico de gallo.
- Huevos Rancheros – Fried corn tortillas topped with salsa and fried eggs. Often served with beans, rice, and/or guacamole.
- Huevos Motuleños – A popular breakfast dish from the Yucatan that consists of tortillas topped with eggs, beans, salsa, ham and peas. Served with plantains.
- Egg Cazuela – Eggs in a savory tomato sauce served in a shallow clay dish. Served with hearty bread or fresh tortillas.
- Barbacoa – A weekend tradition in Mexico, lamb or goat is slow cooked overnight. The meat is used to make tacos and the drippings create a broth called consome.
- Tlacoyos – This is one of my favorite street foods in Mexico. Your choice of filling (typically mashed beans or peas and cheese) is folded into a blue corn pocket and topped with a salad of nopal cactus, onion, and tomato.
- Tacos de Canasta – Not egg breakfast tacos. In Mexico City it’s common for vendors to sell tacos from a basket (canasta) attached to the back of their bike.
FAQ About Breakfast Mexico City
What is a typical breakfast for Mexico?
A typical breakfast in Mexico often includes hearty dishes like chilaquiles, enfrijoladas, enchiladas, and huevos rancheros. Street food for breakfast: tacos de canasta, tamales, tlacoyos, gorditas, and quesadillas. Fresh fruit, bread, and coffee are also common, and many enjoy atole, a warm corn-based drink.
What is a traditional Mexican breakfast food?
One of the most traditional Mexican breakfast foods is chilaquiles. This dish consists of crispy tortilla chips covered in green or red salsa and topped with cream, cheese, and a fried egg or shredded chicken. It’s a flavorful way to start the day and is loved by foreigners and locals for breakfast in Mexico.
Do people eat tacos for breakfast in Mexico?
Yes, tacos can be eaten for breakfast in Mexico! A common breakfast in Mexico City is tacos de canasta. Tacos de guisado, which include stews or sautéed fillings, are also popular tacos for breakfast.
What is breakfast called in Mexico?
Breakfast in Mexico is called desayuno. Like many nouns in Spanish it stems from a verb which in this case is desayunar (to eat breakfast).
