Department, Studio Type Excellent Location

With only four communal tables, no sign, and no menu, this cash-only, sidewalk operation in Roma Norte offers a surprising experience that prioritizes food over fuss. In place of typical creature comforts, find a bustling kitchen that cooks and cooks until diners tap out. It is anyone’s guess as to what’s coming but know that heirloom corn nixtamalized and ground in house serves as the foundation for many of the dishes. Tortillas, sopes, and huaraches alike are molded and griddled to order and then dressed in a dazzling variety of seasonal ingredients and sauces. Tableside salsas pack lightnin

A pre-dinner cocktail at the moody 686 Bar upstairs is a smart way to start an evening in the capable hands of Chef Lucho Martinez. Named for his daughter Emilia, the intimate restaurant on the ground floor suits couples well, while the handsome kitchen takes a contemporary look at Mexican ingredients, many of which are seafood. Think grilled young corn served in a sauce made of coffee, browned butter and yuzu or a tostada bearing Veracruz-style fish stew topped with shaved avocado and caviar. The signature dessert celebrates all things mamey, arriving as a Swiss roll and frozen tartlet. Refin

While the bones of its industrial past are present, this chic Roma Norte restaurant's gorgeous space boasts whitewashed brick, mesquite wood furnishings and soaring ceilings. It's breezy and beautiful—and you'll want to linger for hours. Chef Eduardo Garcia's French and globally influenced Mexican cuisine draws attention. Order à la carte or try their tasting menu; either way you will be delighted by the intentional cooking here. Aguachile is given a glow-up, featuring sweet sea scallops and a bright dragon fruit sauce spiced with green chile. Seared fish is gorgeously seared and plated with a

Chef Elena Reygadas's Rosetta is a perennial favorite, packed with a crowd that comes here for creative cooking that is decidedly Mexican but is inflected with global influences. Dishes are designed for sharing, ideal for those who want to sample more of her ingenious creations like the cabbage tacos with two small rounds of Savoy cabbage, served warm with pistachio puree and romeritos. Blending interesting flavors and textures, this dish is a great play on expectations, and its different shades of green are visually arresting. A sweet potato tamal over toasted pumpkin seeds with a buttermilk

Chef Alexis Ayala's taqueria is located next door to his sister spot, Pargot, and the set-up is similar, with a thoughtfully done interior prep area and a handful of tables arranged under a covered sidewalk.Tacos Los Alexis offers a short list of varied preparations that include volcanoes, costras, as well as delightful tacos. The vegetarian taco is an elegant preparation featuring an excellent yellow masa tortilla topped with huitlacoche wrapped in crisped cheese.

Chef Alexis Ayala's Pargot features a short list of impressively prepared items arranged from small to large. His cuisine displays a Mexican foundation enhanced by creative flourishes. Case in point? Very fresh fish, sourced from Baja California, is transformed into the likes of kebbe crudo dressed with grasshopper XO sauce; or a tostada layered with creamy leek pate, chili ash and avocado puree. Heartier plates have featured a blue crab bisque risotto; or lamb terrine.

It's just a sliver of a space in Roma Norte, but Vigneron makes a big impression. It's dark and moody with just a sprinkling of tables (plus a communal table). These dishes are best shared for a deeper exploration of the contemporary, French-punctuated cuisine. Roasted matchstick carrots plated with creamy stracciatella may seem simple at first glance but showcase a clever use of flavor and texture. Crispy polenta topped with stone crab salad made with miso mayo is another winning dish before tucking in to a pasta course or hearty roasted chicken. To finish, the walnut cake layered with semi-d