Mexico City, often seen as a bustling stopover, holds a delightful secret for kosher food enthusiasts: Polanco. This upscale neighborhood, known for its luxury boutiques and vibrant city life, is also home to a thriving Jewish community and a surprising array of kosher restaurants and establishments. If you’re seeking kosher dining in Mexico City, Polanco is a must-visit destination. Prepare to be amazed by the kosher culinary scene that Polanco, Mexico, has to offer.
Our exploration of Polanco’s kosher offerings began at Sinai Deli & Bakery, a cornerstone of the community’s food scene.
Sinai Deli & Bakery
Av. Homero 1443, Polanco, Polanco II Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11540 Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sinai Deli & Bakery was our first taste of kosher Polanco, and it immediately impressed. This spot functions as a meat and dairy café, a small grocery, and a takeout meat section, making it a versatile hub for kosher needs.
For our meal, we opted for a Caprese Panini, the Pasta Rosa, a refreshing lemonana, and a frappachino. Each item was delicious and reasonably priced. The Pasta Rosa, while flavorful, was a smaller portion, so consider ordering an accompaniment if you have a hearty appetite.
Close-up of the Sinai Deli & Bakery logo
Image showcasing Sinai Deli & Bakery's meat section
Image showcasing Sinai Deli & Bakery's dairy cafe area
Image of various food items at Sinai Deli & Bakery
Image of Sinai Deli & Bakery's interior seating area
Image of Sinai Deli & Bakery's takeout counter
A must-try item is the Temini Soup from the meat section. It was rich in flavor, satisfying, and overall an excellent choice, especially if you’re looking for a comforting and authentic kosher meal in Polanco.
Pecorino Kosher – Dairy Restaurant
Jaime balmes 11 local 39 esquina ejercito nacional y lagrange, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX
Next on our Polanco kosher food journey was Pecorino Kosher, a dairy restaurant that left a lasting impression.
My husband was particularly enthusiastic about Pecorino, and his experience truly highlights why this restaurant is a gem in Polanco’s kosher scene:
“Exploring new culinary landscapes can be an adventure, filled with delightful surprises and occasional disappointments. Discovering a dish that’s truly exceptional makes all the difference. At Pecorino Kosher, the Mushroom Alfredo fettuccine was just that – spectacular. The Alfredo sauce achieved a perfect balance of rich flavor, creamy texture, and a delightful lightness. It was a dish where every element harmonized beautifully.”
We also sampled the individual margarita pizza. While it didn’t quite reach the heights of the Mushroom Alfredo, the perfectly cooked tomatoes offered a sweet and zesty flavor. The pizza felt like it was missing a certain something, but the crust itself was impeccable.
For an appetizer, we tried the fried tortilla topped with spicy mayo, cooked tuna, and a slice of avocado. The tortilla’s crispiness was fantastic. The tuna was slightly overcooked for our preference, but we learned that this style is common in Mexican cuisine. If you prefer your fish cooked differently, it’s advisable to specify your preference when ordering fish in Mexico.
Must order: The Mushroom Alfredo Fettuccine. It’s a standout dish that truly captures the essence of Pecorino Kosher.
Auguri Kosher Trattoria
Av. Paseo de las Palmas 340, Lomas – Virreyes, Lomas de Chapultepec, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000 Ciudad de México, CDMX
Our next culinary stop in Polanco was Auguri Kosher Trattoria, a restaurant so impressive that we visited it twice to fully experience its diverse menus.
Owned by a Venezuelan-Turkish native, Auguri embodies the elegance of high-end Italian dining with a unique twist. The restaurant features not one, but three distinct kosher menus: Italian, Chinese, and sushi, offering an unparalleled variety of dining experiences in Polanco.
Our evenings at Auguri began with their signature drinks. The cocktail experience here is exceptional; the staff brings a miniature bar table to your side and involves you in the drink-making process. We highly recommend trying a variety of their cocktails to share and savor. If you must choose just one, the Lychee Gin is an absolute standout.
Auguri Kosher Trattoria cocktail preparation experience
Selection of cocktails at Auguri Kosher Trattoria
Auguri Kosher Trattoria bar setup
On our first night, we indulged in the Italian menu. We started with an artichoke appetizer that was truly exquisite. The ceviche was another highlight, beautifully presented, a testament to Auguri’s attention to detail in plating. For our main course, we chose the imported tomahawk steak, a massive cut accompanied by four sides. While the sides and overall flavor profile of the steak weren’t entirely to our taste, this might be attributed to regional culinary preferences.
Artichoke appetizer at Auguri Kosher Trattoria in Polanco
Tomahawk steak entree at Auguri Kosher Trattoria
Auguri Kosher Trattoria's elegant dining ambiance
Our second visit focused on the Bamboo menu (Chinese). If you only have one opportunity to dine at Auguri, the Chinese menu is the clear winner. We began with a salmon carpaccio and grilled peppers as starters. Then came the Chicken Dynamite – an absolute revelation. This dish offered the perfect balance of crispiness and tenderness, coated in a light, creamy mustard sauce with a subtle hint of spice. It was, without a doubt, the best dish we tasted.
Chicken Dynamite – a must-try dish at Auguri Kosher Trattoria
Grilled peppers starter at Auguri Kosher Trattoria
Variety of dishes from Auguri Kosher Trattoria's Bamboo menu
Despite feeling full, we sampled four different entrees from the Bamboo Menu. The Low Mein was reminiscent of classic Thai or Chinese cuisine, but the flavors were truly exceptional. We also tried the sweet and sour chicken and the orange chicken, eventually ending up with a bowl of seemingly simple rice.
Low Mein dish at Auguri Kosher Trattoria
Orange Chicken dish at Auguri Kosher Trattoria
Coconut Rice dish at Auguri Kosher Trattoria
The unassuming rice dish turned out to be a major surprise. The coconut rice was incredibly soft, with a perfect coconut flavor that wasn’t overpowering or too sweet – possibly the best rice dish we’ve ever had. And almost as an afterthought, we must mention the exceptional bread served at Auguri.
Bread service at Auguri Kosher Trattoria
Dessert options at Auguri Kosher Trattoria
Chocolate Lava Cake and Ice Cream dessert at Auguri Kosher Trattoria
To conclude our Auguri experience, we indulged in a dessert that was simply divine: the chocolate lava cake paired with a scoop of crumb-coated ice cream. It was the perfect ending to an exceptional meal.
Overall, Auguri Kosher Trattoria is poised to be one of the best, if not the best, dining experiences you can have in Polanco. The impeccable service, the meticulous attention to detail, and the delectable Bamboo menu all contribute to an unforgettable culinary journey. Even if you’re just seeking a place for expertly crafted cocktails, Auguri stands out as the best option in town. The owner’s passion for detail is evident in every aspect of the restaurant, creating a truly outstanding dining experience. In fact, the service at this kosher restaurant surpassed that of any other restaurant we’ve ever visited, solidifying Auguri as a must-visit in Polanco, Mexico.
Gaucho Grill
Temístocles 37, Polanco, Polanco V Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX
For a taste of Argentina in Polanco, we headed to Gaucho Grill, an Argentinean kosher restaurant with a beautiful interior.
The restaurant’s ambiance immediately charmed us. We started our meal with a clericot, also known as sangria. We were presented with fresh, warm, and wholesome bread accompanied by flavorful dips as a delightful beginning.
Clericot Sangria at Gaucho Grill in Polanco Mexico
Bread and dips appetizer at Gaucho Grill
Interior ambiance of Gaucho Grill in Polanco
We also sampled the meat soup, an empanada, and their house-made sausage. The sausage is highly recommended for sausage enthusiasts – it was packed with flavor. The soup was a personal favorite, standing out as the best item we tried on the menu. The empanada was also a hit.
Meat soup at Gaucho Grill Argentinean Restaurant
Empanada selection at Gaucho Grill
House-made sausage at Gaucho Grill
While we found meat in Mexico City generally to be somewhat lacking, Gaucho Grill did an excellent job with their parillada, a mixed grill platter.
Overall, dining at Gaucho Grill was a very positive experience. While not groundbreakingly innovative, the food was satisfying, wholesome, and reasonably priced. Our entire bill, including tip, was under $100 USD, making it an accessible option for kosher dining in Polanco.
Quesadillas Ascencio
Av Moliere 340C, Polanco, Polanco II Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11550 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
For a truly authentic and budget-friendly kosher experience in Polanco, Quesadillas Ascencio is an absolute must-stop. This unassuming, “hole-in-the-wall” eatery may not offer a fancy dining atmosphere, but the dairy Mexican food is incredibly delicious and remarkably cheap. It’s a cash-only establishment with a limited menu, but the value and taste are unbeatable. On a mere $10 budget, we enjoyed a generous and satisfying meal for two.
Quesadillas
We sampled a variety of quesadillas; my personal favorite was the mushroom (champignon), while my husband favored the bean (frijol).
Mushroom Quesadilla from Quesadillas Ascencio in Polanco
Bean Quesadilla from Quesadillas Ascencio
Selection of Quesadillas at Quesadillas Ascencio
Tamales
We also tried their tamales, steamed in a corn husk or banana leaf, which offered a unique and interesting culinary experience.
Tamales being prepared at Quesadillas Ascencio
Corn husk tamale at Quesadillas Ascencio
Banana leaf tamale at Quesadillas Ascencio
Plantanos Asados
For dessert, we enjoyed the plantanos asados – grilled plantains drenched in caramel. They were absolutely delicious, offering a sweet and satisfying end to our incredibly affordable meal.
Plantanos Asados – grilled plantains dessert
Assortment of dishes from Quesadillas Ascencio for
All of this for just $10! Quesadillas Ascencio proves that delicious kosher food in Polanco doesn’t have to break the bank.
Wendy’s Kosher Bakery
Av. Homero 1526, Polanco, Polanco II Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11550 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
For a sweet treat, we made a quick stop at Wendy’s Kosher Bakery. This small bakery and grocery store is perfect for grabbing a pastry. We tried the halva rugguleh, and it was absolutely delicious!
Emet Kosher Grocery Store
Av Moliere 331, Polanco, Polanco III Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11550 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
For all your kosher grocery needs in Polanco, Emet Kosher Grocery Store is the place to go. They have multiple locations, but this one conveniently serves the Polanco neighborhood.
That concludes our kosher food tour of Polanco for now. If you’re willing to venture slightly outside Polanco, consider exploring Tecamachalco (or Teca), just a 15-20 minute drive away. Tecamachalco also offers excellent kosher food options, expanding your culinary horizons in Mexico City.
Read more about kosher food in Tecamachalco: https://www.kosherfoodworld.com/post/kosher-food-in-tecamachalco-mexico-city
For easy access to all these kosher locations and more, check out this Google Maps list: https://www.google.com/maps/placelists/list/MiyZ0pkI9QxfNejS-MBOyZevezlw_Q
Polanco in Mexico City has truly surprised us with its rich and diverse kosher culinary scene. From elegant dining to budget-friendly eats, Polanco offers something for every kosher traveler and food lover. Make sure to explore these incredible kosher spots on your next visit to Polanco, Mexico!
