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Explore the Best Women-Led Restaurants in Mexico City for 2019

A photo of Red logo
by The OpenTable Team
Updated February 03, 2023
At OpenTable, we love to honor women for their culinary entrepreneurship, and that’s why we’re sharing the love just in time for International Women’s Day. Mexico City brims with innovative chefs like Martha Ortiz at Dulce Patria, cuisine-preserving chefs like Lucila Molina de Merlos at Casa Merlos, and food-sharing chefs like Elena Reygadas at Rosetta and Lardo. Other women like Laura Santander, Gabriela López, and Daniela van Beuren show their exceptional talent through inclusive business management. The women at these restaurants inspire others around them to savor flavors and share stories across culture and time. We invite diners to learn their stories and book a table in support of their dedication to all things food!
A photo of Maximo restaurant
4.7
4.7 (3078)
MXN500 and over
Global, International
Condesa / Roma
About the restaurant
Co-owner Gabriela López is passionate about local food, so when she and husband-chef Eduardo Garcia opened Maximo Bistrot in 2012, they made sure that fresh produce featured prominently on the menu. She also wanted sustainable furnishings and supplies, sourcing out secondhand or Fair Trade finds wherever possible. López works hard to welcome all customers, inviting them to a restaurant that made the list for one of Latin America’s 50 best restaurants in 2018. Maximo Bistrot has simple, chic decor and an international menu offering a taste of French, Spanish, and Mexican dishes.
Top review
Thomas
Dined 1 day ago
So good, thank you for the great lunch! Favorites were the aquachile and the rock crab tlayuda.
A photo of Carmela y Sal restaurant
4.7
4.7 (2277)
MXN500 and over
Mexican
Lomas / Reforma
About the restaurant
A childhood spent in Tabasco surrounded Gabriela Ruiz Lugo with plantains, cacao, tropical fruit, and coconuts. When she opened her first catering restaurant, Gourmet MX, in 2012, she stepped away from hyperlocal cuisine to offer inventive Mexican cuisine on a broad scale. Chef Ruiz Lugo moved to Mexico City in 2017 but couldn’t keep Tabasco off her mind, opening her second restaurant, Carmela y Sal, with Southeastern Mexican cuisine as the focal point. Receiving the award for Best Chef in Mexico 2019 highlighted her immense talent, inspiring her to continue spreading her love of simple yet elegant ingredients.
Top review
StuartVIP
Dined 6 days ago
Lovely experience, the food was delicious and excellent service too.
A photo of Casa Merlos restaurant
3.5
3.5 (93)
MXN310 to MXN500
Mexican
Poniente
About the restaurant
Lucila Molina de Merlos knew from a young age that cooking was in her blood. She ran a sandwich catering service before delving into her true passion — restaurant ownership — in 1985. Merlos was determined not to create cuisine that customers could find in neighboring restaurants. At her restaurant, she would bring back the past, and she asked her father-in-law to guide her journey in creating authentic, 18th-century, Puebla-focused dishes. Merlos’ culinary efforts earned her the 2016 Silver Molcajete and the Universal Excellence Award from the Government of Puebla. Casa Merlos has an upscale yet intimate atmosphere, where herbs and spices bring out depths of flavor, and casserole stews are a meal by themselves.
Top review
Mariela
Dined on Aug 18, 2024
Very nice experience, we would recommend the venue to accept payment with credit cards, having an only cash policy is outdated.
A photo of Casa Virginia Mónica Patiño restaurant
4.6
4.6 (884)
MXN500 and over
Comfort Food
Condesa / Roma
About the restaurant
Mother–daughter duo Mónica Patiño and Micaela Miguel have long shared a love of food and intimate conversation, and that’s why they fell in love with the 1920s building that would become Casa Virginia. Chef Patiño, who trained in France at L’École de Cuisine, wanted to bring European and Mexican cuisines together. Along with Micaela, she created Casa Virginia to celebrate rustic French dishes and local Colonia Roma cuisine, welcoming guests into a bright, airy restaurant with high ceilings and a South France ambiance. Patiño is passionate about local and seasonal ingredients, sourcing some of their fresh produce from the rooftop garden.
Top review
Edgar
Dined 3 days ago
I had an absolutely wonderful experience at Casa Virginia! From start to finish, everything was simply outstanding. The food and service were exceptional – it’s clear that the team takes great pride in what they do. The restaurant itself is truly one-of-a-kind, with a warm and inviting atmosphere that instantly makes you feel at home. As for the food, every dish I tried was a highlight. The flavors were bold, fresh, and perfectly balanced – each bite was a delightful surprise. The drinks were equally impressive, crafted with precision and paired wonderfully with the meals. It’s evident that Casa Virginia is dedicated to providing not only delicious food but an unforgettable dining experience. The service was impeccable as well. The staff was friendly, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, helping me navigate the choices and offering great recommendations. I genuinely felt taken care of from the moment we walked in to the moment I left. Casa Virginia has truly raised the bar when it comes to both food and hospitality, and I cannot wait to return. Highly recommend!
A photo of Meson del Toreo - Parque Toreo restaurant
4.6
4.6 (62)
MXN500 and over
Mexican
Satelite / Naucalpan / Lomas Verdes
About the restaurant
Daniela van Beuren is proud of her family’s history of restaurant ownership, which began when her grandmother, Judith Ortega de van Beuren, first opened Fonda el Refugio back in 1954. Daniela took over ownership before moving on to open her own restaurant, Mesón del Toreo, in 1977. Along with head chef Gabriela Bernal, she creates a menu of traditional Mexican dishes with bold presentation. Guests at Mesón del Toreo can expect authentic flavors as they dine in an elegant, upscale setting.
Top review
SophipalateATVIP
Dined on Apr 16, 2019
Long tradition as one of the best Mexican food kitchens in Mexico, superb service! Capt. Martin is awesome!
A photo of La Taberna del León restaurant
4.8
4.8 (891)
MXN500 and over
Mexican
Altavista / San Angel / San Jerónimo
About the restaurant
As the first restaurant of Chef Mónica Patiño, La Taberna del León opened in 1978 to unveil a menu of traditional Mexican cuisine with a hint of international flair. In 1994, Patiño moved her restaurant to a 1916-era house, completed with dark wood paneling and European charm. After opening La Taberna del León, Chef Patiño went on to experience a successful culinary career. She later took part in several international gastronomic festivals and authored a cookbook that won the Gourmand World Cookbook award in 2004. The menu at La Taberna del León celebrates Mexican cuisine, but Patiño’s French training makes European dishes likewise plentiful.
Top review
Glenn
Dined 2 days ago
First-class in the South of the city. Beautiful house, excellent food.
A photo of Eloise restaurant
4.7
4.7 (1149)
MXN500 and over
Contemporary French
Altavista / San Angel / San Jerónimo
About the restaurant
Partner and certified sommelier Laura Santander is a vibrant part of the Eloise team. She brings superior wine knowledge to the restaurant, which opened in 2014, and is proud of her 2012 award for Best Nose in Mexico. Santander loves sharing her wine recommendations with guests, helping bring their dining experience to a new level. She invites guests to dine on haute French cuisine in a dining room reminiscent of upscale New York City. Eloise Chic Cuisine has earned the Mexico Food and Travel award for Best New Restaurant in 2014 and Restaurant of the Year in 2014, 2015, and 2017.
Top review
Mariana
Dined on Nov 16, 2024
Amazing food, outstanding service. I had a really great time celebrating my wedding anniversary.
A photo of Loretta Chic Bistrot restaurant
4.7
4.7 (908)
MXN500 and over
Mediterranean
Altavista / San Angel / San Jerónimo
About the restaurant
As the second restaurant Laura Santander opened with her two business partners, Loretta Chic Bistrot — which took shape in 2017 — takes a dramatic swing away from French cuisine to highlight elegant Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. Traditional Greek, Turkish, and Israeli dishes enter a dining room clad in stark contrasts — white, black, and copper. Santander once again displays her wine knowledge, proving why Wine Spectator bestowed her with the Award of Excellence in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Top review
TatianaVIP
Dined on Oct 6, 2024
Perfect. I loved it. I highly recommend the chicken was delicious.
A photo of Lardo restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1454)
MXN310 to MXN500
Mediterranean
Condesa / Roma
About the restaurant
A childhood cooking with her grandmother taught Elena Reygadas the basics she needed to delve into a fruitful culinary career. After training at NYC’s International Culinary Center, she moved back to Mexico City with endless enthusiasm for Italian cuisine. Lardo, which opened in 2015 as her second restaurant, puts its focus on sharing plates full of Italian and Mediterranean fare. Reygadas wants to inspire guests to share not only food but conversation as well, and she often stops by to inquire how they liked each dish.
Top review
Susan
Dined 6 days ago
We made a reservation more or less last minute and the only available time was 1 PM and that was for a table outside. We decided to go for it, and were very happy we did. I don't know how long we would have had to wait if we didn't have a reservation. Food and service were excellent. We shared 3 dishes (ceviche, squash blossoms, and tomato salad with burrata) and we also ordered a burger, which the waiter kindly offered to have cut in half before bringing it to the table. All the dishes were very good, but the squash blossoms filled with ricotta were especially wonderful. The house bread is fabulous. We had a mille feuille carrot cake for dessert, which is kind of like a deconstructed slice of cake - different and delicious.
A photo of Suntory Del Valle restaurant
4.9
4.9 (526)
MXN500 and over
Japanese
Del Valle / Nápoles / Narvarte
About the restaurant
First opened in 1970, Suntory now has several locations around Mexico City that create fine dining experiences rich in traditional Japanese cuisine and culture. As director of the Suntory restaurant group, Yoko Kase stresses the importance of authenticity for every diner who comes to a Suntory location. In addition, she took the lead in introducing Healthy Life, a lighter menu for guests interested in eating a reduced-calorie diet. At Suntory, diners experience an intimate connection with the food, watching chefs prepare their dishes at the table.
Top review
RichardVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Great service ! Food is high quality and prepared to perfection. Nice variety of choices. Very reasonable prices for the high quality you get.
A photo of Shu - Santa Fe restaurant
4.9
4.9 (300)
MXN500 and over
Japanese
Santa Fe / Bosques
About the restaurant
A modern take on Japanese cuisine, Shu is an intriguing addition to the Suntory Group’s restaurants in Mexico City. Yoko Kase, as director of the restaurant group, takes a hands-on role in Shu’s operations as well. As at Suntory, she incorporated Healthy Life menu options to help guests make healthy dietary choices. Shu is a bold departure from Suntory’s warm color scheme, with glamorous lounges and dining areas, decorative lighting, and a water feature. Guests experience a fusion menu featuring haute cuisine of an international and Japanese blend.
Top review
Rodolfo
Dined on Dec 6, 2024
Excellent service and food as always delicious. Overall very good experience.
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