There are so many great restaurants in Coyoacán. For such a small neighborhood it’s packed with great street food and top-notch cocktail bars.
Coyoacán is one of Mexico City’s most magical neighborhoods. Tucked in the southern part of the city, Coyoacán was once it’s own city entirely. It has been the home of Aztec nobles, Spanish conquistadors, and famous Mexican artists.
Now it is a colorful colonial neighborhood with a beautiful plaza, historical church, and some of the best restaurants in the city.
This is a particularly popular spot with locals on a Sunday when families come to enjoy shopping at the market, sitting in the sunshine, and dining out at one of the many restaurants in Coyoacán.
Many of these places are easy to get a table during the week, but if you are visiting on a Saturday or Sunday, you may want to consider making a reservation.
There are so many things to do in Coyoacán to keep you busy in between meals. Whether you want to explore Frida Kahlo’s House, learn about why Leon Trotsky also called this neighborhood home, or you want to go shopping at the artisanal market, you can easily fill an afternoon here.
As you head back to the center of the city, don’t miss the best restaurants in Condesa, the best restaurants in Polanco, or the best tacos spots in Mexico City.
Best Restaurants in Coyoacán
1. Los Danzantes
Los Danzantes is a staple in Coyoacán’s dining scene, known for its sophisticated take on traditional Mexican dishes. The elegant ambiance, complete with a stunning courtyard, makes it perfect for a special night out.
This is without a doubt one of the most popular restaurants in Coyoacán, so be sure to book a table in advance if visiting on a weekend or holiday.
A few of their top dishes include their rich mole negro served with chicken and rice as well as the mezcal marinated pork. Wash it down with a cold michelada or one of their mezcal cocktails.
2. Corazón de Maguey
Right across from Los Danzantes, Corazón de Maguey offers a more casual yet equally delicious dining experience. The restaurant has some fantastic traditional Mexican dishes as well as an extensive mezcal list.
If you just want a nice place to have a drink head here for their mezcal tasting. You can have a selection of different artisanal mezcals alongside a few of their specialty snacks.
Alternatively, order their tlayudas, a Oaxacan specialty made with a large grilled tortilla that is stuffed with beans, cheese, and meat or vegetables.
The center of Coyoacán is so easy to fall in love with. It has cute trolleys, street vendors, and historical architecture.
3. La Casa de los Tacos
As the name suggests, the house of tacos is all about, you guessed it, tacos. They have a huge selection of different meat and vegetarian options to choose from, making this a great affordable option for groups with different dietary requirements.
In addition to some fantastic grilled tacos, you can also get soups, salads, and seafood tacos, too. I am partial to their simple carne asada, grilled beef tacos. The meat is tender and the salsas are just the right level of spicy.
4. El Beneficio Café
This upscale eatery is perfect for those that want to take a break from meat, cheese, and tortillas.
They are open for breakfast, lunch, and early dinners (they close at 8pm). I prefer the breakfast options here which include eggs benedict with smoked salmon, omelettes, fresh corn tamales, and indulgent chilaquiles.
The lunch options are a little bit more international with options like baba ganoush, vegetable carpaccio, sandwiches on freshly baked bread, and Spanish-style rice dishes like arroz meloso.
The streets that branch off from the main plaza are quiet and colorful. Be sure to wander around to walk off those tortillas!
5. La Ruta de la Seda
For those with a sweet tooth, La Ruta de la Seda is one of the best restaurants in Coyoacán. It is both a bakery and café and is known for its organic and artisanal pastries. This charming spot is perfect for a leisurely breakfast or afternoon treat.
In addition to top quality pastries and cakes, they also have a full breakfast and lunch menu. You can enjoy buttery croissants, an omelette, or and chilaquiles.
For lunch they have different sandwiches on stunningly fresh organic bread. They also have savory pastries like Greek spanikopita or French-style quiches. There are also a few salad options to choose from as well.
6. Tostadas Coyoacán
Located within the Mercado de Coyoacán, Tostadas Coyoacán is hard to miss.
Everything is yellow. The signs are yellow, the tables are yellow, the staff are dressed in yellow.
And thank goodness it’s so easy to find because you will not want to miss this place. In fact, I would go as far as to say, if there is only one place you eat while you are in Coyoacán, it should be at this market stall.
The ordering system is simple. They will bring you a piece of paper and a pen. The paper has a list of all of the different tostadas that are one the menu. If you aren’t sure, look up at the signs and you will see that there are photographs of all of the options to help you see what it is.
I highly recommend the ceviche as well as the mole. There are vegetarian options like the perfectly cooked mushrooms or the nopales. Just note that all of the tostadas are served cold, so don’t expect a hot plate of chicken or pork if you order one of those.
Chilaquiles are one of the most delicious and least nutritious breakfast options you can have in Mexico City. Try them at least once while you’re here!
7. Taqueria Los Parados
Los Parados is a bit of a local chain. It’s one of my favorite taco spots in Roma Norte as well as here in Coyoacán.
They are known for their grilled meat tacos. They have sirloin steak on a charcoal spit as well as some of the juiciest pastor tacos in town.
They also have pork chops, nopales, mushrooms, and several other meat and vegetarian-friendly options. The salsa selection here is also top-notch.
8. Antojitos Mexicanos Market Juanita
Antojitos Mexicanos Market Juanita is a hidden gem offering a variety of traditional Mexican snacks. This market is perfect for trying a wide range of delicious and authentic street foods in a friendly, local setting.
If you are only in Coyoacán for one day, I recommend having a tostada at Tostadas Coyoacán (number 6 listed above) and then heading here for a few more antojitos or Mexican-style snack foods.
The best thing to have here is the deep-fried quesadillas. There are a few stalls inside the market here, but the one labeled #14 is my personal favorite.
They will hand you a piece of paper and a pen and you should write down your order. The menu is listed on the sign above the food stall.
Personal favorites include the huitlacoche which is a mushroom that grows on corn, as well as the flor de calabaza or zucchini flowers. If you want to have it with cheese, put con queso and if you want to have it without cheese (a common request in Mexico City only), then put sin queso.
Then put your name on the piece of paper and hand it back to the woman who gave it to you. She will call your name once the order is ready. You can fill the quesadillas with cream and spicy salsa. Pay once you are done eating.
The church in the main plaza is surprisingly ornate inside. From the outside you would never guess of the grandeur that sits within those walls!
9. Centenario 107
Centenario 107 is a trendy spot that combines a relaxed atmosphere with gourmet dishes. This restaurant is known for its innovative take on traditional Mexican cuisine, offering a modern dining experience in the heart of Coyoacán.
I went here for the first time because I heard that they make their own craft beer. They don’t in fact have their own craft beer, but they do have a huge selection of craft beer from around Mexico and the world.
But the main reason I come back to this place again and again is the top-quality food. They have sublime burgers and housemade sausages. They have vegetarian and vegan options (for more options, check out our guide to the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Mexico).