Whenever I mentioned visiting Mexico City to friends and even my manager, their eyes got big with excitement, and the first thing they said was, ‘You have to eat at Pujol! You will love it!’
As a foodie, the excitement about Pujol being one of the top-ranked restaurants in the world piqued my interest. Months before my visit, I stalked the website to make a reservation but had no luck, and I reluctantly gave up and accepted I wouldn’t get to experience eating at Pujol.
However, the foodie Gods are good because we managed to get not one reservation but TWO reservations at Pujol during our trip to Mexico City!
I am sharing my fine dining experience at Pujul in Mexico City and tips on how to snag a reservation at one of the hottest and most remarkable restaurants in Mexico City.
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About Pujol
Pujol is a Mexican restaurant ranked as one of the top places to eat in Mexico City and around the world. Located in the fancy neighborhood of Polcano, top chef Enrique Olvera seamlessly puts together thoughtful and exquisite menu options that celebrate traditional Mexican ingredients. Not to mention the impeccable service makes for an unforgettable dining experience.
How to get a reservation at Pujol in Mexico City
I recommend securing your reservation at Pujol a few months before your trip due to its popularity on the restaurant website.
There are two types of dining experiences you can choose from at Pujol. One is for a traditional tasting menu. You have 4 different timed reservations to pick from in the afternoon and evening; 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm, 6:00 pm, and 9:30 pm. The traditional tasting menu is only available in the seated dining area.
The Omakase Taco Bar Experience is only available at the bar, which seats about 12-15 people. The bar has four seating times: 1:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 9:00 pm.
Both dining experiences can last between 2-4 hours, so be sure to keep that in mind, especially if you make a late reservation!
In the event you aren’t able to make a reservation online in advance, here are a few things I suggest:
- Check the site first thing in the morning for last-minute cancelations.
- Go to the restaurant right when they open and check to see if they have last-minute openings/cancelations.
- Subscribe to their mailing list to stay informed about any special events or updates regarding reservations.
During our tasting menu, we jokingly asked our waitress if reservations were available for the Omakase Bar Experience. As luck would have it, we returned the following day for the bar experience!
Menu options
Both menus at Pujol take you on an incredible journey through Mexico’s rich culinary heritage, skillfully combining traditional ingredients with innovative techniques.
Chef Enrique Olvera’s vision shines through each meticulously crafted dish, beautifully showcasing the flavors and cultural depth of Mexican cuisine.
The menu features a combination of à la carte options and multi-course tasting menus, providing flexibility to suit vegans and vegetarians. The restaurant also takes into consideration if you have food allergies.
Pujol tasting menu
The multi-course traditional tasting menu pays homage to corn, a sacred and essential ingredient in Mexican cuisine. Each course was an artistic masterpiece honoring both ancient and modern techniques.
Our server, Laura, was extremely knowledgeable and took the time to carefully explain each course below.
1. Snacks (Baby corn)
Our first course was the snack. We had the famous baby corn tossed with costeño chile mayonnaise and powdered with chicatana ants.
At first, I wasn’t too crazy about eating ants, but the bite-size treats were out of this world! The smoky combination of flavors complemented each other very nicely.
2. Sea snail ceviches, heart of palm juice, parsnip
Next, I had the snail ceviche with the heart of palm in a parsnip puree with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocados.
The sauce on the top was made with heart of palm. The ceviche was served with seasoned popcorn, which made the flavors of the ceviche pop.
I was pleasantly surprised at how good the ceviche was, and I savored the small bites I had because I didn’t want it to end!
3. Brussel sprouts Tlayuda, almond’s mojo, ant roe
Our next dish was the Brussels sprouts Tlayuda with almond mojo and ant roe. I was impressed with the dish’s presentation; I just admired it for a few minutes.
Each leaf was placed perfectly on top of a crispy tostada with almond mojo. Tlayauda is a traditional dish from Oaxaca, Mexico.
4. Tuna, mussel, squash huatape, asparagus, cacahuazintle
Next was the catch of the day, Tuna, mussels, and a creamy squash sauce with asparagus. The tuna was out of this world.
The combinations of flavors did backflips in my mouth. It took all my self-control not to lick the plate, remembering that I was in public and at a fancy restaurant!
5. Swiss chard wrap, rice, bulgar, chile-ajo, chickpea puree
Our main course was the swiss chard wrap filled with bulgar, rice, mushrooms, and beef. Topped with chili-ajo, a sauce made with the ashes of onion, garlic, and corn leaves. The dish was served with warm blue corn tortillas on the slide.
While the main course was tiny, the 5 bites to finish it were better than the last! Chef Enrique Olvera took his time with the execution of this dish; I could tell!
6. Mole madre 2892 day, mole nuevo
Our last savory course was the mole madre, Pujol’s signature dish. The light-colored mole was spicy and a bit sour; the darker mole is the famous mole made; the mole had over 2892 days of life, about 7 years alone.
We started with the mole in the middle and moved to the darker mole. The mole came with a special tortilla, Santa leaf; it tasted like licorice with a hint of almond. The mole mixed with the tortilla was out of this world!
Trying the Santa leaf with the mole filled my mouth with traces of chocolate, nuts, and cayenne!
7. Sinaloa mango
The Sinaloa mango was my FAVORITE! I love mango and have never had a delicious, sweet, and ripe dessert as the Sinaloa mango. I still think about how yummy the mango tasted!
8. Conchas
For our second dessert, we had mini conchas, a soft Mexican sweet bread. I took a bite to discover they were filled with banana cream. It was such a lovely treat and nothing I’d ever tried before.
9. Prickly pear sorbet with dragon fruit
We told our server we were celebrating my birthday, and she graciously sent over another dessert for us to share. It was a prickly pear sorbet served with dragon fruit. Talk about a party in my mouth! That was another dish I savored!
Pujol Taco Omakase experience
The next day, we returned for the taco Omakase bar experience.
The Japanese Omakase style of cooking inspired Chef Olvera to create the taco Omakase experience, where guests can sample a varied tasting menu. The taco Omaskase is a 10-course meal featuring snacks, tacos, desserts, and your choice of paired drinks.
Here is the rundown of our Taco Omakase bar experience at Pujol in Mexico City.
1. Snacks
Our first course was the signature baby corn coated with costeño chile mayonnaise and powdered with chicatana ants. The corn was crunchy, and I loved how the mayonnaise brought out the coffee flavor.
2. Lobster, celery, herbs, mayonnaise taco
This dish was served with chunks of lobster from the Baja region, with celery and pieces of samphire. The medley of flavors complemented one another.
3. Tuna taco, shiso
Next, the tuna came with a shiso leaf on top of the taco. While it wasn’t the freshest tuna I’ve ever had, I did enjoy the bite-size morsel.
4. Butter beans taco, peanut sauce
The following dish was a butter beans taco. At first, I was surprised to see the big blob of peanut butter, but I was in heaven when I took my first bite. I loved the creaminess mixed with the veggies on top of the taco.
5. Chorizo fish tacos
The chorizo fish tacos were a mix of minced fish, chorizo, and macadamia nuts. The flavors complemented each other very well. My taco was finished in 2-4 bites, and I was ready for the next dish!
6. Abalone huarache, black beans, cherry tomato
The abalone was thining sliced, accompanied with black beans and cherry tomatoes. While I appreciate how the food was presented, admittedly, it wasn’t my favorite dish. It needed a little more seasoning for my palate.
7. Crab chilpachole, sea urchin
When the waiters brought this dish out, I stared at it for a few minutes because of the stunning presentation. That and I’ve never tried sea urchins before. This dish was fantastic! The flavors were magic in my mouth, and the crab was tasty.
8. Mole madre
Our final course was the signature mole madre. We knew what to expect because we had tried the mouthwatering dish the day before. Although this time, the mole madre was 2893 days old and served with seasonal fruits. My favorite part was eating the mole with the licorice tortilla.
Desserts
After dinner, we were escorted to the meticulously decorated courtyard, seated beneath heating lamps, and enjoyed our desserts.
9. Mango jicama
Our first dessert was a Mango jicama. The same Sinaloa mango from the traditional tasting menu, but this time it was served on a thinly sliced piece of jicama.
The mango was so creamy and yummy. That baby was gone in 3 bites, even though I tried to savor it because it was just that good!
10. Prickly pear and dragon fruit
Our next dessert was the Prickly pear, dragon fruit. We were so excited when it arrived because it was all we talked about that day. The prickly pear sorbet was sweet and tangy, and the dragon fruit was unreal.
11. Last Dessert
Our final dessert was a surprise! Since I shared, I had recently celebrated my birthday, and our waiter brought a delicious cake with a candle! The cake was a mini birthday cake with ice cream on top and a piece of sheet-like sugar on the side. I felt so special!
Cocktails
Each dining experience offered cocktail pairings. The waiters suggested you stick to one drink for the meal, but you can choose to have another drink.
We tried several delicious mezcal cocktails, but my favorite was the Querétaro, a Mexican sparkling wine similar to Cava from Spain. The Querétaro was light, crisp, and refreshing, making it my clear winner.
Prices
I won’t lie; the prices at Pujol were more than I expected but not outrageous, considering it’s a fancy restaurant.
- The price for the tasting menu was $Mex 2565 plus %16 tax included or $150. The price didn’t exclude the cocktails and tip.
- The Taco Omakase Experience price was $Mex 2900, 16% taxes included or $170 not including cocktails and tip.
Service at Pujol in Mexico City
The service at Pujol on both days was nothing short of exceptional. When we arrived, the staff demonstrated a warm, professional, and attentive approach, creating an inviting atmosphere.
The servers’ deep knowledge of each dish and the stories behind them added an extra layer of appreciation to the experience.
Their attentiveness extended beyond the culinary aspect, as they graciously accommodated dietary restrictions and preferences, ensuring that every guest felt genuinely cared for.
The seamless coordination between the front-of-house and kitchen staff was remarkable. The pacing of the meal was perfectly orchestrated, allowing for a relaxed and immersive dining experience.
Pujol in Mexico City FAQs
Below are a few questions you might have before dining at Pujol in Mexico City.
What is the dress code at Pujol?
The dress code is smart, casual, and trendy. I wore a cute top with jeans on both nights. However, if you prefer to wear something more dressy or a skirt with heels, it works too! For men, jeans or pants with a button-down shirt is good. The restaurant is in Polanco, Mexico City’s posh neighborhood; you want to dress the part!
What time should I arrive at the restaurant?
You want to plan to arrive at Pujol at least 15 minutes before your reservation. The traffic in Mexico City can be unpredictable, so we left our flat in Central Historico 45 minutes before our reservation to allow for unforeseen hiccups.
Is it customary to tip at Pujol?
Yes, tipping in Mexico is the norm. I recommend a 10-15% tip, but that depends on how satisfied you are with the level of service.
What if I have a food allergy or dietary restrictions?
The waiters do a great job asking about food allergies or dietary restrictions at the beginning of the meal and customize your dishes accordingly. My friend who joined me is a vegan. They were incredibly thoughtful about the replacement items they offered her. It was a great touch!
Learn more about Chef Olvera
If you’re interested in learning more about Chef Enrique Olvera, check out these books and cookbooks!
Conclusion – Lady Chin’s Two Cents
Dining at Pujol was an extraordinary experience, and I am grateful for having the opportunity to sample both menus. I’ll never forget it. However, if given the chance to return, I am still determining if I would.
Don’t get me wrong, experiencing Pujol is a MUST, but I couldn’t help but notice that the restaurant was filled with mainly tourists on both occasions. Again not a bad thing, but for the money spent, I could’ve eaten my way through Mexico City and then some.
If you’re visiting Mexico City on a budget, there may be better options for tacos than eating at Pujol.
Still, I recommend it if you want to splurge and treat yourself to an unforgettable dining experience. Just make sure to make a reservation in advance or try going to the restaurant when they first open.
I enjoyed my experiences, but when I return to Mexico City, I will stick to eating at local mom-and-pop restaurants, which are up my alley.
Note: The information provided in this review is based on my experience from Sept 2022. The menu changes every 3 months, and for services and reservation procedures go directly through the official Pujol website.
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