5 Breakfast/Brunch Spots in CDMX
I visited Mexico City for the first time in November, and the food was so incredible that it inspired me to finally start this blog. (It's been a year in the making). Over our 5-day stay, my girlfriend, Gabriela, and I tried a new breakfast/brunch spot each day—this post profiles all five of our picks. 
1. Tr3s Tonala
A sunny and charming corner-spot restaurant that we stumbled upon by chance! They accommodated us very quickly, which was a blessing since it was 1pm, we hadn’t eaten, and the restaurant down the street had just asked us to wait for an hour. The outdoor seating area at Tr3s was my favorite of all the restaurants we visited - it had the perfect balance of sunlight and shade, and the mini-park across from it provided a mellow vibe with the same gorgeous greenery that flourishes throughout the city. The air was just as fresh as the food and drinks. Tr3s Tonala is known for locally sourcing their ingredients, which is apparent in the quality of their food and drinks. I started out with a green juice and Gabriela had a mimosa (there are, indeed, two types of brunch girlies). They also offer bottomless mimosas, which we considered but ultimately passed on since we had a full day of museum hopping ahead of us. For food, we started with a shrimp tostada with a salsa rojo, avocados, tomatoes, aioli, and fresh sprouts - the dish photographed beautifully and tasted as good as it looked. For entrees I had birria tacos and the meat inside was incredibly juicy, tender, and savory - the type of dish you need a bib to eat. Gabriela had chilaquiles with Oaxacan tasajo (thinly sliced marinated beef), eggs, fried tortilla chips, avocado, and queso fresco - the type of dish where you steal a few bites when nobody’s looking. Overall, what stuck out to me about this spot is the attention to detail - the unique glassware, the exterior design, the fresh flowers and hanging plants, and the playlist - it was all very thoughtfully curated.
2. The Breakfast Restaurant
This cozy corner-spot served the best breakfast we had in CDMX. For me, an open and sunny ambience is essential in terms of a wholistic brunch experience, and The Breakfast Restaurant provides just that + delicious food with full portions. Upon entering you’ll notice the charming architecture - a wooden spiral staircase, open-face brick, floor to ceiling windows with French doors allowing natural light to flood the space, hanging spherical light fixtures, potted tropical plants - synergizing to create a relaxed, tranquil space. Additionally, since TikTok hasn’t found this spot yet (knock on wood), it’s not overly crowded, which makes the space feel even more open and authentic. Whoever was on the aux knew what they were doing - the playlist consisted of early 90s r&b and neo soul - definitely my vibe. The ingredients were incredibly fresh. The maracuya (passionfruit) juice I ordered tasted and looked like sunshine in a glass. For our meal, Gabriela and I both had eggs benedict - hers with salmon, mine with bacon - served with roasted potatoes and a fresh salad. Everything was flavorful and fulfilling. Even though we came in slightly hung over from a night of bar hopping (nightlife guide soon come), we walked out with full bellies and incredible energy, ready to take on our first full day.
3. Panadería Rosetta
Everybody and their momma knows about Panadería Rosetta. It popped up multiple times in my research, but I was curious to see if the hype was worth it. There’s multiple locations throughout the city, but we went to the one in Roma since it was close to our Airbnb. Panadería Rosetta is actually the first place we visited upon arriving in CDMX - we took an Uber there directly from the airport and even at 8:30am there was a line to sit down. We waited for about 30 minutes to be seated, and took in some fresh air while admiring the freshly plastered Beyonce x Levi’s add. The fresh pressed green juice was an incredible start to an amazing trip. We both also ordered iced coffees and let me tell you those things were like the caffeine equivalent of a crushed-up cigarette. It wasn’t nasty (I don’t think nasty coffee exists anywhere in Latin America), but it was definitely strong asf. 3 sips had me shaking. But maybe that’s a vibe for some? The breakfast menu is extensive, but Gabriela and I both opted for sandwiches - I had poached eggs with hollandaise sauce and spinach on a freshly baked croissant, and Gabriela opted for a fancy ham and gouda. The bread was delicious and fresh, as is typical in Mexico City, and you can even see them baking it in the back. One charming detail was the fresh bouquet of flowers in the bathroom—a thoughtful touch I noticed in several other restaurants throughout the trip. The cafe is located near Plaza de Río de Janeiro - a beautiful park centered around a Statue of David fountain. After we finished eating, we strolled to the park and enjoyed a sunny, laid-back morning in the city until our Airbnb was ready. 
4. Balcón del Zócalo
I wish I hadn’t been dealing with tummy issues when we visited this spot because I couldn’t fully enjoy it, but it did what it had to do. The vibe leans boujie - it’s a rooftop terrace restaurant and bar perched above a hotel in the city’s center. Even on a Monday, it was bustling, so I’d definitely recommend making a reservation if you’re visiting on a weekend. In my opinion, the scenery at this spot is its most distinguishing feature and slightly outshines the food. The balcony boasts a nearly 360-degree view of Zócalo - Mexico City’s historic main square. The square has great historical significance - it was once the ceremonial center of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán, and it is also home to Catedral Metropolitana. In terms of food, we started with freshly baked bread and Gabriela and I went our separate ways: she chose traditional pan dulce (sweet bread) with a Oaxacan hot chocolate, while I opted for sourdough with a side of what tasted like homemade butter. One nice feature is that they bring a variety of pan dulces out on a tray for you to choose from—a temptation that I deeply regret passing on. Overall, I would say the food is pretty standard - I had a grilled chicken sandwich with fries, which was light enough for my sensitive tummy. If I went back, I’d go to try the cocktails and probably chill at the bar and take in the view. 
5. Kaaj
Kaaj is an intimate hole in the wall restaurant and bar with a robust menu and organic aesthetic. Although their menu offers a variety of traditional Mexican dishes, I ordered off-menu and got a consome (birria broth). The soup was extremely flavorful, and tasted like it might’ve been the recipe of someone’s abuela. It came with shredded birria meat and had just the right amount of spice. It warmed me from the inside out. The drinks at Kaaj seem to be a highlight - Gabriela’s paloma had a dark, pigmented color and came with a dried grapefruit and a black salt rim - an absolutely stunning cocktail. If you can handle your liquor, my recommendation would be to try at least 3 cocktails from their menu. The overall design of the restaurant is earthy, organic, and subtly pays homage to tradition. When we visited, there was an alter with family pictures which was heartwarming. The furniture and decorations look hand crafted with integrity - you’ll notice carved wooden tables, benches, and stools, woven placemats, and bamboo stalks that adorn the walls. The back features an indoor terrace with a sky roof, beautifully tiled floors, and overflowing greenery - definitely my favorite part of the space! 
