Neighborhood: San Miguel Chapultepec
Type of Food: Mexican-Indian Fusion
What to Order: Any dish that’s seafood or veggie-forward
Food Score: 8.5 / 10
What To Skip: The desserts. Solid, but there are better options in CDMX.
Vibe / Design: Casual, hip, communal
Crowd: Young, cool
Service: A (English is spoken, certainly try out a little Spanish - it goes a long way)
Mari Gold is this super cool daytime restaurant that brings together the best of Mexican and Indian cuisine in the charming and centrally-located San Miguel Chapultepec neighborhood. Chefs Norma Listman and Saqib Keval of the Masala y Maiz Group are the awesome duo behind this laid-back spot, which is quickly becoming a fave for art lovers and foodies alike.
Situated next to Bosque de Chapultepec and close to some of the city's most impressive art galleries, Mari Gold is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm, Wednesday to Sunday, making it a perfect choice for breakfast, lunch, or brunch. The place is known for its extensive natural wine program, local beers, fermented drinks, and specialty coffee bar.
Plus, there's the worker-owned cooperative store Super Cope, launched next door by the Masala y Maiz group during the pandemic to support food chain workers more sustainably.
I had the pleasure of dining at Mari Gold with a travel and food writer, Cristina Alonso, who happens to be Justin’s (co-founder of Mexico City Social!) girlfriend. We went there for a Sunday brunch and tried a bunch of dishes that showcased the incredible and unique fusion of Mexican and Indian flavors. The restaurant's vibe is light and bright, with communal-style seating including three long tables indoors and one on the back patio.
As for the food, we started our meal by sharing this beautifully prepared hamachi crudo with a rich, oily sauce. It was super fresh and flavorful, making for a perfect start to our meal.
We also tried the vegetarian Molote Tikki, made with plantains, beans, red sauce, and chutney. And to top it all off, fresh cheese and cream were added to give the dish an extra, unctuous layer.
I was pretty hungry, so I went for a giant, fried fish sandwich, which was messy but oh-so-good, featuring high-quality fish and a generous portion size. If you’re hungry, it’s one of the best fried fish sandwiches you’ll ever eat.
For dessert, we ordered pancakes and a doughnut. The pancakes were rich and flavorful, accompanied by bananas and syrup. Although I prefer a thicker, fluffier pancake, the flavor was quite tasty.
The doughnut was thick and doughy, which might not be everyone's preference, but I thoroughly enjoyed the two bites I managed to make room for.
Mari Gold is a solid choice for anyone seeking a change of pace (from the massive amount of tacos you’ve been scarfing down) and exceptional food that combines the best of Mexican and Indian cuisine. While the location might be in a spot not as well-known for some visitors to Mexico City, making the journey is well worth it. You won't be disappointed. Come hungry and adventurous.
-Shawn from Mexico City Social