Where to Eat in Mexico City's Historic Center: Breakfast, Dinner and Bars near the Zócalo
Breakfast spots, Mexican classics, tacos, historic cantinas and Cathedral-view terraces: a practical guide to eating well in the Historic Center.
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Hotel Catedral
FoodHistoric centerGuides
The Historic Center is one of the best places to eat in Mexico City: century-old dining rooms, stand-up taco counters, historic cantinas and terraces facing the Cathedral all sit within a few blocks. This is what we recommend to our guests, by time of day. Everything is less than 15 minutes on foot from the Zócalo.
Breakfast
| Place | Why go |
|---|---|
| Buffet Luxe (Hotel Catedral) | Mexican breakfast buffet: chilaquiles, eggs your way, handmade tortillas and fruit. See Buffet Luxe. |
| Breakfast on the terrace (Hotel Catedral) | Continental breakfast facing the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the best views in the center to start the day. |
| Café de Tacuba | A 1912 classic on Tacuba street, with tiled dining rooms and enchiladas. |
| El Cardenal | Known for hot chocolate, conchas with cream and traditional Mexican cooking. |
| Casa de los Azulejos | The Sanborns inside the tiled palace on Madero street; its courtyard is a breakfast classic. |
Lunch and dinner
- Restaurante Catedral: Mexican and international food at Donceles 95, open 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, a minute from the Cathedral.
- Hostería de Santo Domingo: one of the oldest restaurants in the city, famous for chiles en nogada.
- Tacos al pastor and suadero: the center is full of taco counters; the ones on and around Bolívar street stay open late.
- Dessert: churros and chocolate at El Moro (Eje Central) and pan dulce at the traditional bakeries on 16 de Septiembre and Madero. See also our Gourmet Bakery.
Not sure what to order? Read our Mexico City food guide.
Bars, cantinas and terraces
- Terrace Bar: cocktails and snacks looking straight at the towers of the Metropolitan Cathedral, in the hotel itself.
- Bar La Ópera: an 1876 cantina on 5 de Mayo with a carved wooden ceiling and a Pancho Villa bullet-hole legend.
- Traditional cantinas: many bring free snacks (botana) with each drink; ask before ordering.
- Mezcal and pulque: the Garibaldi area and Regina street have mezcal bars and pulquerías.
Tips
- The classics fill up at lunchtime (2:00 to 4:00 pm); go early or book.
- Carry some cash for taco counters and street stalls.
- On Sundays the center is crowded and several streets are pedestrian-only: walk.
Sleep a step from all of it
Hotel Catedral is at Guatemala 16, behind the Cathedral, with a restaurant, Terrace Bar, café and bakery in the same building. See our rooms and book direct for the best rate.
