Caracol de Mar
If you schedule a visit to Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral, book a reservation at Caracol de Mar, just a few steps from the iconic landmark. The restaurant sits on the inner patio of the boutique Círculo Mexicano hotel, creating a quiet oasis in the restored colonial architecture away from the hectic energy of Centro Histórico. As a sister restaurant of Mexico City’s ever-popular Contramar, Caracol de Mar has the quality stamp of acclaimed restaurateur chef Gabriela Cámara. Expect a sustainably sourced and seasonal seafood-focused menu executed by Peruvian chef Álvaro Vázquez, who showcases delicate flavors from his city like hoja santa ceviche with leche de tigre and choclo (crunchy Peruvian corn) or grilled octopus with salsa macha and white corn puree. Don’t skip dessert; the citrus meringue is a playful spin on Contramar’s famous strawberry meringue.