CHARCO

Charco was great. It’s located just behind the cathedral in the Zocalo. It’s a bit chaotic walking through ppl at night, but the restaurant is a tranquil oasis amidst that. The restaurant is on the top floor of its beautiful building. The aesthetic is nice overlooking the cathedral. The food and drinks were all elevated and delicious. The squid ink onion “snack” was interesting and yummy. The raw fish crudo with Tigre de leche also was quite good. We had the steak and catch of the day. The steak was particularly perfect. I liked the fish but it didn’t blow me away. (The risotto was too salty but the rest was well balanced.) We also had the OnlyFlans dessert. It was good but nothing special. All in all, the dishes were very good and quite elevated, despite my criticisms. We don’t like particularly pretentious restaurants. Charco was not pretentious at all, despite offering a setting and food that competes with the best of them. The service was also really lovely with everyone involved.

Simply incredible! We arrived there without really knowing what it was (just wandering Centro Historico and wanted to stop for a bite) Needless to say the bite transform itself in a meal. Everything was impeccable from the first to the last second in this restaurant. Friendly but professional service. And the food.. ultimately balanced, fresh and well seasoned. It’s a must! Thanks again to the whole crew!

Charco impressed us from the very first bite. We started with the squid ink tempura spring onions—a true delicacy: light, crispy, and full of nuanced flavor. The local cheese empanadas were another great opening act, comforting and beautifully crafted. For mains, the lettuce salad was fresh and balanced, the perfect lead-in to the highlight of the evening: the grilled catch of the day. The clams beurre monté that accompanies it is a 10/10—rich, savory, and incredibly well-rounded without feeling heavy. It steals the spotlight in the best possible way. For dessert, we had the OnlyFlans—a vanilla flan with a subtle citrus touch. Smooth, fragrant, and not overly sweet; the perfect finish to the meal. The ambiance is another strong point. The best time to go is right before sunset, when the terrace fills with natural light and the whole place feels calm, warm, and almost magical.

Located on a rooftop behind Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Charco is the best restaurant in the Centro Histórico neighborhood right now beside plaza constitution. It’s a very trendy spot w/ the menu playing with alot of unique flavours w/ a core inspiration from Mexican cuisine. Start the meal with the farmer’s market crudite, paired with a gorgonzola dip sprinkled with cured egg yolk, and the empanadas filled with local cheeses and chimichurri dipping sauce. Also had the platter Moriscos which was a ceviche style dish with clams and shrimp, it was good and I enjoyed it but it wasn’t a wow dish. I would SKIP the beef tartare sando as I found it too salty. Cocktails offer some great unique flavour combinations. Great spot for lunch during the day or a sunset meal following a full day of activities in Centro Histórico.)

20 Nov'25: Writing this as I'm waiting for my main dish to arrive 😄 & I 💯 agree with the other review that mentioned Pujol. The service at CHARCO is so warm & personable, right from the moment the host at ground floor welcomes you and personally brings you up to the restaurant. The space is gorgeous, the terrace has the right touch of landscaping and views of the buildings are definitely a bonus! We have had Carlos and Carlos (yes there's 2 of them) attending to our needs and now wish we had more nights in Mexico City to return to Charco. I started with a cocktail and moved onto a Mexican red wine. Food wise: Squid Ink Tempura Spring Onions was delicious (even without the sauce) Heirloom Tomatos (the pickled onions are a ⭐) Sando Tatar - please order this if you take raw beef. The mix of texture and umami notes is simply perfect. Will update again when I have my main + dessert (already planning for ONLYFLANS 😂)

Fantastic! Highly recommend the duck, it was mind-blowing. Did not have a boring dish. The drinks were unique and tasty as well! Well priced for the quality and service. If I lived in Mexico city, I would come back here until I tried everything.

There is absolutely no reason why this restaurant shouldn’t be packed to the brim every night. Charco is one of those rare places that quietly redefines your idea of what great dining feels like. Every single detail — from the music to the plating — feels intentional. The food manages to be both creative and deeply comforting, layered with flavor and balance in a way that stays with you long after you’ve left. We tried the beef tartare sando, the green curry fava bean ceviche, wild mushrooms prepared six ways, the roasted young chicken with nectarines and lemongrass, and the duck magret with ginger-garlic caramel — each dish had its own story. We wrapped up with 2 coffees and the chocolate mousse and famous OnlyFlans. Absolutely incredible. Nothing felt forced or overdone, just perfectly thought-through and beautifully executed. And I have to give special mention to Carlos, the manager. His genuine warmth and attention to detail made the experience unforgettable. You can tell he truly cares about every guest who walks through the door — a level of hospitality that’s increasingly rare. Charco is sophisticated without being pretentious, rooted in flavor and care. If you’re in Mexico City, make the reservation. This place deserves all the attention it gets — and then some.

We happened upon Charco, though we were introduced after reading 36 hours in Mexico City in the New York Times. It swiftly climbed to our top favorite restaurants. Even (especially) after trying Maximo Bistrot which was so disappointing we ended up returning to Charco for our last night. Don’t walk, run! Every dish on the menu is delicious and the service is outstanding. I pray they open a satellite in New York City.