Nicos

Mexico City, Mexico

• No.31 Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2019
• Lifetime Achievement Award 2018

This family-run culinary leading light has notched up more than 60 years of service. María Elena Lugo Zermeño opened the popular spot in an industrial neighbourhood of northern Mexico City in 1957, starting out by only serving coffee. Her son Gerardo Vázquez Lugo, who grew up in the restaurant, joined the team as head chef in 1996 and the mother-and-son team have garnered a loyal following for their friendly service and impeccable traditional Mexican cooking. Indeed, the pair were the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award at Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants in 2018 for their contribution to Mexican cuisine. The menu spins around traditional family cooking and how Gerardo once ate at home in Mexico City. A meal might start with a traditional guacamole made tableside, followed by goat's cheese soup with wild herbs, then pork marinated with chilli, chocolate and brown sugar. Plus, there are moles, enchiladas, enmoladas and heirloom corn tortillas to savour, not to mention a roving mezcal cart.

Key Information

• Average price per person $47
• Breakfast, lunch: Sun – Sat Dinner: Thurs – Sat
• +52 55 5396 8539
• Visit Nicos's Website

Location

Av. Cuitláhuac 3102, Clavería, Mexico City, 02080