Mexico FINALLY has Michelin Star Restaurants — Here’s the Full List

The highly anticipated Michelin Star Awards in Mexico took place on the evening of May 14, 2024, igniting excitement and a renewed sense of camaraderie within the culinary community.

From the hidden corners of the country to the bustling big cities, the top Mexican chefs and restaurants eagerly awaited the verdict of the prestigious Michelin Guide Mexico 2024.

The honorees, both well-known names and emerging culinary talents, were honored for their culinary excellence — though some of results were a shock!

From classic perfection to daring innovation, each awarded chef has demonstrated unwavering commitment to quality and creativity in every dish, so let’s take a look at the winners.

What is the Michelin Guide?

The Michelin Guides are a series of guidebooks that have been published since 1900 by Michelin, the French tire company.

The guide awards up to three Michelin stars to select restaurants in certain geographic areas — with Mexico just added for the first time in 2024.

There were two restaurants in Mexico awarded two stars; 16 awarded one star; and no restaurants received three stars.

Considered among the most prestigious culinary awards, the acquisition or loss of a Michelin star (or stars) can have dramatic effects on a restaurant’s success.

The Michelin star awards in Mexico not only recognize the individual talent of each chef, but also celebrate the diversity and richness of the traditional Mexican cuisine.

The Complete List of Michelin Star Restaurants in Mexico

1. Pujol, Mexico City

Perhaps the most-obvious winner of a Michelin award was Enrique Olvera’s Pujol. The famed Mexico City restaurant actually took home two Michelin stars.

The restaurant serves two tasting menus; one with reimagined takes on traditional Mexican dishes, including their famed mole madre (mother mole), and the 12-course Taco Omakase tasting of various Mexican tacos.

Though Head Chef Enrique Olvera owns several well-respected restaurants, including Cosme in New York City, this was his first Michelin Star win.

Since 2000, Pujol Mexico City has been a gastronomic benchmark in Mexico, and worldwide. I’ve eaten there twice, and it lives up to the hype!

2. Quintonil, Mexico City

Before Jorge Vallejo (along with his wife, Alejandra Flores) opened Quintonil Mexico City, Vallejo worked under Chef Enrique Olvera at Pujol.

Quintonil, a fine dining spot serving clever dishes made with native Mexican ingredients, also nabbed two stars. (🌱 Fun Fact: Quintonil is an herb native to southern Mexico.)

This might be a controversial statement, but I actually preferred Quintonil to Pujol — though they were both exceptional and deserving of Mexico’s Michelin Stars.

3. Sud 777, Mexico City

Known for being a place where good food and architecture meet in southern Mexico City, Sud 777 made the list with one Michelin star.

A favorite high-end Mexican spot, and one of the 50 Best Latin America restaurants, it is led by Chef Edgar Núñez.

Formerly of Noma in Copenhagen and El Bulli in Barcelona, he combines his knowledge of international cooking techniques with local ingredients.

The prestigious guide Michelin Guide says this: “Chef Edgar Núñez offers a multi-course tasting menu, along with a wide menu featuring appetizers like kampachi tostada with fermented tomatoes or Oaxacan tamal soup.”

4. Restaurant Rosetta, Mexico City

Rosetta is one of the most beautiful restaurants in Mexico City, and yet another entry on this list that’s also on the 50 Best Latin American Restaurants list.

Mexican Chef Elena Reygadas serves up contemporary Mexican food, hand-made pasta dishes and other international fare at this popular Colonia Roma restaurant.

Chef Elena Reygadas is clear: “My number one goal has always been to make our guests happy by offering simple food based on Mexican ingredients. We try to be pure and respect the ingredients as much as possible…” (quote from Vogue Mexico)

5. EM, Mexico City

An intimate restaurant in Mexico City’s hip Roma neighborhood, Chef Lucho Martínez named EM after his daughter, Emilia.

Both the a la carte and the tasting menus overlap well enough, so you can’t go wrong with either since both have refined, bold flavors that come through clearly.

Don’t skip the signature dessert which celebrates the mamey fruit. Layered with flavor, this thin, delicate tart, has light tiramisu, and a refreshing ice cream.

🥂 Pro Tip: Head upstairs to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail at 686 Bar. Chef Lucho Martínez and his wife, Fernanda Torres, also own the bar.

6. Esquina Común, Mexico City

Created by Chefs Ana Dolores and Carlos Pérez-Puelles, this restaurant began in a secret location in Mexico City.

With food that speaks for itself, Esquina Común (literally meaning “Common Corner”) got popular by word of mouth alone.

While the address is no longer a secret (it’s located in the trendy Condesa neighborhood), reservations at Esquina Común are hard to come by — and only available via their Instagram.

Provided you can get one, their cozy terrace offers great options with the catch of the day and colorful presentations with fresh seasonal ingredients.

If you’re a foodie looking for unique things to do in Mexico City, this is your spot.

7. Taquería El Califa de León, Mexico City

This list wouldn’t be complete without an authentic Mexico City taquería.

The one chosen by the Michelin Guide Mexico 2024 was Taquería El Califa de León, located at Avenida Ribera de San Cosme 56, in Colonia San Rafael.

Michelin notes its 70-year history and its famous taco de gaonera, as well as options for bistec (steak), chuleta (pork chop), and costilla (ribs).

8. Levadura de Olla, Oaxaca City

One of the best restaurants in Oaxaca City, Levadura de Olla is run by Head Chef Thalía Barrios Garcia.

Famous for traditional Oaxacan foods with a twist, standout dishes include the tamal de requeson and heirloom tomato salad, which Mexican-American actress Eva Longoria called the “perfect dish.”

Chef Barrios grew up helping her grandmother in their kitchen in their small pueblo of San Mateo Yucutindoó, one of the municipalities in Oaxaca state.

She said her family recipes and dishes from her childhood that incorporate flavors of Oaxaca’s Sierra Sur inspired the menu at Levadura de Olla.

9. Los Danzantes, Oaxaca City

At first glance, Los Danzantes can feel a bit fussy for laid-back Oaxaca City — but once you try the food, you’ll see why this is one of the top Mexico restaurants.

Combining contemporary Mexican flavors with traditional dishes from Oaxaca, Los Danzantes provides an exceptional sensory experience.

Melding the past and present, the restaurant offers a new take on traditional dishes in a fusion of old meets new.

Along with a delicious menu, the restaurant has a unique outdoor space that’s perfect for dining al fresco — and they have amazing mezcal cocktails made with their own Los Danzantes mezcal.

10. Animalón, Valle de Guadalupe

Nestled under a centuries-old oak tree in Valle de Guadalupe, which is Mexico’s wine country, Animalón is one of its top foodie destinations in the country.

🥶 Note: This part of Mexico does get cold at night, so there is indoor seating when needed.

Led by Chef Javier Plascencia and Executive Chef Oscar Torres, the restaurant has received significant accolades for its commitment to sustainability.

The Mexican cuisine they’re preparing pulls influences from every corner of the country, with standouts like the beer-braised barbacoa that gets wrapped in a banana leaf and smoked in a pig’s bladder.

Casa de Piedra (meaning “House of Stone”) is one of the best wineries in Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe Valley, and the restaurant brings together what both places do best — seafood and sparkling wine.

With communal tables, the outdoor dining area is warm and inviting, and Michelin recommends the clam ceviche and crispy oyster taco.

12. Damiana, Valle de Guadalupe

Chef Esteban Lluis pays homage to the products of Valle de Guadalupe through his multi-course tasting menu.

Located on the beautiful Viñedos de la Reina estate, Damiana has a contemporary Mexican menu that will wow you with creative presentations as much as taste.

Standouts include the crispy duck served over pickled cabbage, duck confit wrapped in Swiss chard, and pumpkin crème brûlée.

13. Cocina de Autor Los Cabos

Cocina de Autor is an outdoor dining restaurant in Grand Velas Los Cabo All-Inclusive Resort, one of the AAA 5 Diamond Resorts in Mexico.

This Mexican fusion fine dining experience is led by Chef Sidney Schutte of the Netherlands, who has two Michelin stars, and Chef Francisco Sixtos.

Their multi-course tasting menu takes risks with flavors — as evidenced with dishes like the miso butter sea scallop with a tempura-fried shiso leaf.

14. Cocina de Autor Riviera Maya

Cocina de Autor loosely translates to “Creative Cuisine,” and as its name indicates, the food reflects the creative vision of Chef Nahúm Velasco.

Located in Grand Velas Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort, another Mexico AAA 5 Diamond Resort, his sophisticated tasting menu focuses on novel flavor combinations.

As you might imagine, the menu changes regularly — so diners will always get an element of surprise when enjoying Chef Velasco’s culinary artistry.

15. HA’, Playa del Carmen

In 2013, Chef Carlos Gaytán became the first Mexican chef to earn a Michelin star for Mexique, his French-Mexican fusion restaurant in Chicago.

Awarded a Michelin Star Mexico 2024 for HA’ Restaurant in Hotel Xcaret, the cuisine here has a French twist — no surprise given the chef’s training, but the Mexican flavors and ingredients shine through.

If you’re looking for a fine dining restaurant serving contemporary Mexican cuisine in the Riviera Maya, look no further.

🍷 Pro Tip: Opt for the wine pairing so you can learn more about Mexican wines while you eat.

16. Le Chique, Puerto Morelos

Chef Jonathan Gómez Luna is behind this exclusive restaurant, which is located at the posh Azul Beach Resort in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo.

Michelin praised Gómez’s journey through Mexico’s culinary regions, surprising diners with creativity, excellent ingredients, technique, and impactful flavors.

Oh, and if you haven’t heard of Puerto Morelos — it’s one of the most up and coming Mexico beach destinations, and located just south of Cancun.

17. KOLI Cocina de Origen, Monterrey

Created by brothers Rodrigo, Daniel, and Patricio Rivera-Rio, KOLI is located in San Pedro Garza García, Monterrey, and has received many great distinctions.

The Michelin award highlights their focus on traditional Norteño cuisine from northern Mexico, with local recipes and ingredients on display in dishes like the suckling pig with mole neolonés.

Their signature cocktail pairings are a must — but they also do a non-alcoholic Mexican drink pairing with mocktails for those who don’t imbibe.

18. Pangea, Monterrey

Also located in San Pedro Garza García, Pangea has been serving contemporary haute cuisine in Monterrey, Mexico for more than 25 years.

Thanks to Chef Guillermo González Beristáin and Cristina Arechavala’s mastery of Mexican food with French and Asian influences, they will likely go another 25 (or more).

With à la carte offerings and a tasting menu, guests will include in dishes like the squash tamal with crème fraîche and caviar, and the crispy-skinned quail with foie gras mousseline.

Additional Mexico Michelin Awards & Accolades

There Were 97 Restaurants Recognized by the Guide

In all, the Michelin jury recommended 97 restaurants from various Mexican states for the guide — with these standouts:

• Quintonil (CDMX) and Pujol (CDMX) both earned two Michelin stars
• 16 restaurants earned one Michelin star
• 42 restaurants earned Bib Gourmands
• 6 received Green Stars

On a personal note, I’ve been to about 15 of the 97 restaurants, including Arca in Tulum, Contramar and Máximo Bistrot in Mexico City, and Itanoní in Oaxaca City.

Of those, I’ll say Michelin knows what they’re talking about — and foodies will want to add as many of these restaurants to their Mexico itinerary as possible.

Special Awards in the Michelin Guide Mexico 2024

• Young Chef Award: Thalía Barrios García (Levadura de Olla in Oaxaca)
• Service Award: Marcelo Hisaki and Reyna Venegas (Amores in Baja California)
• Best Sommelier Award: Lauren Plascencia (Animalón in Baja California)
• Exceptional Cocktails Award: Felipe Acevedo (Koli in Nuevo León)

Michelin Green Guide Award

This category includes restaurants and initiatives committed to sustainability in the kitchen:

• Acre (San José del Cabo)
• Conchas de Piedra (Ensenada)
• Deckman’s en el Mogor (Valle de Guadalupe)
• Flora’s Field Kitchen (Ánimas Bajas)
• Los Danzantes (Oaxaca)
• Lunario (Valle de Guadalupe)

Frequently Asked Questions About Mexico Michelin Star Restaurants

This includes 16 restaurants that earned one star, and two restaurants that earned two stars (Pujol and Quintonil, both in Mexico City).

In addition, 42 restaurants earned a Bib Gourmand award, and six received Michelin Green Stars. No restaurants in Mexico have a three Michelin star rating.