Mexico City is a culinary artist collective specializing in a myriad of things. However, I argue that their vegan food scene is part of that top 5. Every step, every corner, every burrow carries with it a series of chefs that celebrate food in a way that seems rarer in the United States. Even though people would assume these restaurants wouldn’t offer any vegan alternatives, the truth is there are many options for the vegan traveler. Even though I didn’t go to every vegan restaurant in Mexico City, I went to some, and I have some thoughts. While some of these restaurants and eateries were outstanding, some were just ok. In my opinion, following this post would lead to a guaranteed culinary euphoria.
1. La Pitahaya Vegana- La Pitahaya Vegana was one of the closest restaurants to our hotel, and it was labeled as an “Instagram-worthy restaurant” by bloggers and vloggers. They are famous for their colorful choices for meals and more, especially their colorful pink tortillas. My husband Charlie and I were stoked to make it our first restaurant. We had ordered the nachos and one of each taco and were greeted with a concoction of vegetables and tofu. I was excited when the meal appeared because ordering at Pitahaya is really ordering a rainbow. While I agree everything looks impressive, the flavor palate was just ok. Maybe there needed to be more spice, or maybe there needed to be a bit more cumin, but all of the tacos were bland, and that really shouldn’t be said about a taco place in Mexico City. I think I would have been more impressed with the restaurant 10+ years ago, where various food concoctions were more of a rare idea and tended to be flavorful. Still, in the end, La Pitahaya was an ok experience. Out of 5, I would give it a 2.5.
2.5/5
2. Vegamo Bakery- I went to Vegamo Bakery for breakfast the next day, and it was absolutely amazing. Ordering the ham and cheese croissant and a latte, I felt like I fell into a romantic film. Drinking coffee and eating the sweet and savory mixture of well-made food, I felt like I could enjoy the cool breeze of the Mexico City air, appreciate the sounds of the living city, and love the moment I was in. Despite the years of vegan food growth, vegan croissants are still a rarity. People have a hard time making them, but the baker at Vegamo Bakery isn’t one of those people. This croissant is fluffy and doesn’t feel like wet uncooked sweet bread, but a flakey outside and soft inside treat. The top is flakey, and with the vegan ham and jam, I felt like I had a meal I absolutely loved. Vegamo Bakery is a great place to calm down and appreciate a meal. It is an excellent breakfast introduction for those that want to take a breath. Out of 5 stars, I would give it a 4.5.
4.5/5
3. Gracias Madre- I have already written an article about Gracias Madre Taqueria. Still, this place was probably the best vegan restaurant in Mexico City, hands down. The food is savory and rich with flavors of spices and sauces that are out of this world. The atmosphere is punk and rock and roll with badass-er-y of strong, fabulous, looking women chefs creating a product that is delicious and addicting. Gracias Madre hits all the requirements wanted in experiencing an authentic Mexico experience. Even though there are taquerias all over Mexico City, the truth is this one presents a one-of-a-kind personality. Try everything at least once, don’t hesitate to put cilantro, onion, and sauces on it. Gracias Madre isn’t popular, but it is quality. It is a small taco stand with a lot of heart and passion. Out of 5 stars, I would give Gracias Madre a 10+.
10+/5
4. Forever Vegano- Forever Vegano is a charming restaurant with good food; however, I feel conflicted because my husband Charlie believes he got food poisoning here. Clearly, Forever Vegano is a restaurant that was backed by big money, hosted in a massive upscale building that sits in the populated area of Roma Norte. The swirly cosmic sign stands boldly on the corner door beaconing the focus of everyone within eye line. Forever Vegano reminds me of a Los Angeles restaurant with its clean look and high-end style. It provides food that seems delicately made using high-end ingredients. There is foliage everywhere, and each crook and cranny screams fancy. I had the avocado toast and shared a plate of nachos with my husband. Everything tasted clean and fresh, with flavors that amplified the vegetables used to make the meal. This is a very good restaurant, but right after eating there, my husband got sick for about a month. He believes he got food poisoning there, and even though you can’t exactly know when you get food poisoning, I have to stand by him. Out of five stars, I would give it a 4.5 for flavors and feel, but for my husband, that got food poisoning, I would give it a 1.
4.5/5 and 1/5
5. Por Siempre Vegana- If you are looking up great vegan restaurants in Mexico City, every blogger under the sun sings the praises of Por Siempre Vegana. The eatery is a taqueria close to the Roma Norte burrow. It is a simple eatery with a grill, fold-out chairs, and a line of loyal fans or interested patrons hoping to try the vegan food. We had ordered a series of things like a torta (sandwich) and various cheesy concoctions watered down by jicama juice. Coming here, you are greeted with an extensive menu offering a series of dishes for the hungry traveler. Everything looks good; however, compared to Gracias Madre, I was confused with its popularity. It’s ok. The food is just ok. I didn’t think the food was revolutionary, as many people can attest. Truthfully, I thought it was a little more than bland but pretty dull. I would say the food we got was aromatic, but I didn’t taste any of the flavors of the ingredients. It felt like every ingredient used was competing together to make something so-so. I didn’t think this place was worth all the hype; however, I also didn’t hate it. I think it would be good to go to if you’re a bit scared of the Mexican food experience. While the experience and food might be good for a first-timer vegan, I wouldn’t say this place is a place to suggest for those that want to be wowed by Mexico City. Out of 5 stars, I would give it a 3.
3/5
6. La Merced- I also wrote a longer blog about the absolute wonder, which is the La Merced and various other market experiences. IF YOU GO TO MEXICO CITY, YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THE MARKET. Not only is it a welcoming gift into the cultural background of Mexico City, but it is also very vegan-friendly. Quesadillas, tacos, mole, you name it, they have it, and it is vegan-friendly. The whole place is a sensory overload with aromatic smells and unprecedented sounds that pull your attention wherever you go. The food is delicious, crafted with love and care by chefs and stall owners alike. If you want to know more, check out my article on Trippers MX. They hosted the event and are very welcoming if you are a vegan. Out of 5 stars, I would also give this a 10+.
10+/5
7. El Moro Churreria- El Moro is a famous churro eatery founded in 1935. Any blog under the sun talks about the wonders of this place, and all of those comments are warranted. This place is fantastic. I went here almost every day to have some churros or hot chocolate. This is an establishment, so you will find an El Moro wherever you go. The churros are made fresh, and the chocolate is rich and heavenly. At the Moro eatery, we went to, they had signs directing the customer to know which items contained milk and eggs and which didn’t. El Moro is a must for the vegan traveler coming to Mexico City. Coming here, you feel fully planted in the town’s culture, witnessing people’s daily lives. The whole atmosphere feels like a particular spot was carved out for you to experience and enjoy everything Mexico City has to offer. Out of 5 stars, I would give El Moro a 10+.
10+/5
8. V-Ramen- V-Ramen was suggested by blogger Liz Miu on the Youtube account Loud Noodle, and even though she didn’t care for it, I actually enjoyed it. The Japanese restaurant caters to meat and vegan eaters, offering a relaxed atmosphere where people come to the establishment for a good time. We ordered the bento box plate, which showed a small concoction of their best meals. The sushi tasted fresh, and the ramen carried chewy noodles, which I especially enjoyed. They offered vegan okonomiyaki, which I had never had before, and I thought it was rich and savory. Even though Liz Min stated hers wasn’t properly cooked, I thought the pancake was delicious. I don’t know if it is supposed to taste like that, but if not, I am fortunate to experience something good and wait for something better. Even though V-Ramen sits at a corner of a street intersection, I found it cozy and comfortable in our seats. If you want a break from Mexican food, I suggest coming to V-Ramen. Out of 5 stars, I would give it a 4.
4/5
9. Fat Vegan- Fat Vegan is another place that offers an excellent alternative to Mexican food. Whoever the chef is at Fat Vegan, you can tell that he/she/they generally love what they make because the food is well crafted. Located in a cozy little street close to one part of the park, the happy little burger logo draws in the focus of any passerby. The location is colorful, and it has a dedicated patio and alleyway filled with foliage of all sorts. Fat Vegan mainly offers burgers and burritos, but their milkshakes were the first to stand out to me. I love a milkshake, and I sometimes think that milkshakes are hard to make. They need to be in that sweet spot between thick and watery, but most institutions choose one side. Fat Vegan’s milkshakes sit in an excellent sweet spot, topped off by a flavor combination that was well thought out. I had the banana peanut butter chocolate milkshake, and I loved the sweetness of the banana mixed with the richness of the chocolate lightly touched with the salty-savory feel of the peanut butter. My husband and I were infatuated with their breakfast menu, finding their breakfast sandwiches of a bagel, avocado, hash browns, vegan egg, and vegan cheese to be satisfying. The flavors are rich, gooey, and savory pleasing all cravings I would have. Fat Vegan is good. It is an excellent place to eat. Out of 5 stars, I would give it a 5.
5/5
Mexico City offers so much for the vegan traveler that it might take a lot of work to focus on where to go. However, even if you experience a couple of duds, plenty more mouthwatering options will greet you the next day. Out of the nine establishments, I enjoyed 6-7, which speaks highly of the originality and satisfaction of the eateries. There are still many restaurants in Mexico City that I still want to try, one of which is Los Losers. This restaurant screams artistry and craft. I know next time I go to Mexico City, I will be enjoying more. Figuring out where to eat might be challenging, but hopefully, this post will guide you to some great experiences.
