Caracol de Mar — Restaurant in Mexico City

I was really looking forward to visiting this place after seeing the stunning photos on Google and reading that it was featured as a Bib Gourmand spot. Like most tourists, I was intrigued by the hype. Unfortunately, it turned out to be just a pretty place for tourists—definitely not for Mexicans or Latinos who know their seafood. To be clear, I’m not judging anyone’s taste, but the reality is… the only good dish was the oyster ceviche.

Everything else either lacked salt or had way too much of it. You could easily spot the locals—they were the ones asking for salt. The presentation was beautiful, but out of everything we ordered, the only thing we actually liked was the oyster. We ended the meal with the risotto, which was overly salty and looked pretty basic, considering the effort they put into plating everything else.

As a ceviche lover, I felt genuinely let down. There was nothing interesting or unique about the seafood dishes, and honestly, you can find much better aguachiles and fresh fish at a fraction of the price elsewhere. The service was excellent, though. We didn’t even dare try the desserts—it felt pointless at that stage.

One thing that really stood out to me was the wine pricing: a single glass for 8 to 10 euros, which is about the price of a whole bottle in most countries. That felt a bit off.

In the end, I think the place is designed more for the tourist looking to sip on a “mezcal margarita” and snap an Instagram photo rather than for someone genuinely interested in great seafood.

One last thing—I swear—the spiciness has been toned down so much that it didn’t even register. My stomach appreciated it, but it’s not what I was expecting.

Honestly, I...

4.5*

Booking was easy to make on opentable- flight was delayed and was able to push reservation back half an hour.

Walked over from the hotel and was greeted by staff and then sent on upstairs. We were seated in between two couples (I agree- it’s a little cramped) and took me back to eating in a neighborhood cafe people watching in Paris.

Food was so good. The couple next to us recommended the fish. So we got the Contramar Pescado a la talla fish. If you don’t know- Caracol is part of the same group as Contramar/Entremar. The fish was good! A bit pricey the whole fish dish came out to be $50 usd. The tuna and octopus tostada were so good to start with! We ordered one piece each because the couple next to us said they ordered too much. Clam ceviche- wow this was yummy! Bits of fresh clam diced and in this citrusy juicy ceviche

I wish the tables were more comfortable and bigger. And maybe just a bit more space away from neighbors. Our server was very attentive and so were the other servers that helped dropped food off!

One note: the sauces, avocado cilantro and the pumpkin seed( this one tasted like Chinese dandan noodle sauce) were both so yummy.

Do yourself a favor: the tres leches OMG. This was amazing.

Drop by if you have time and want to “splurge”on tasty food. Came out to be $150 usd for the two of us. 2 drinks 3 apps and 1 main to...

Mexico City has always been a mecca for street tacos and the usual fare on the corner. I've never thought "mariscos"whenever I have visited. That changed last week at Caracol. We started with an artisan beer (Monopolio) a mildly hoppy lager from San Luis Potosi--A growing trend in mexico, it seems.

We started with tuna tostadas and shrimp filled avocado. Both extremely fresh and unctious. My mouth rejoiced and only the fine beer could complement the umami therein.

We moved on to the mezcal based cocktails (cucumber, celery, hibiscus) which only called for a second round of seafood delicacies. Dorado fish Ensenada style street tacos followed. Good sized and flavorful . All was well finely complemented by their homeade spicy sauces and my own twist on a theme. I sprinkled drops of soy sauce and sprigs of cilantro.

I could not contain my ecstasy at the onslaught of delicacies and taste sensations wracking my brain (truth be told the mezcal was also shaping my frantic state of mind as well). I asked to speak to the devilish fiend in the kitchen whose culinary talent had so me enthralled.

Presently before me was Alvaro Vasquez (my tocayo) the master mind and the author of our euphoric bliss. A Peruvian by birth but a denizen of the world and a friend of mine earned by his talent and humility in the face of wilting praise.

My best wishes to him in his new endeavor but I'm sure they are not needed since his sheer talent and personality will win over those lovers of quality seafood and flawless execution in the presentation of his fare.

I need to be honest about my selfish desire that I hope nobody reads this review so that I will not have to wait too long to seat at his table next time I'm in el DF. But that is wishful thinking and hopeless since Caracol de Mar deserves not only my praise but all those yet to cross its threshold into the bliss that is its menu and relaxing surroundings.

Viva Callao!

La Ciudad de México siempre ha sido la meca de los tacos callejeros y los antojitos.. Nunca he pensado en "mariscos" siempre que los he visitado chilangolandia. Eso cambió la semana pasada cuando tropeze con Caracol de Mar cuando el taxi no pudo dejarnos en el Hotel porque unos querian pasar por boxeadores (vaya vida social).

Comenzamos con una cerveza artesanal (Monopolio), una lager ligeramente lupulada de San Luis Potosí, una tendencia creciente en México, al parecer.

Comenzamos con tostadas de atún y aguacate relleno de camarones. Ambos extremadamente frescos y untuosos. Mi boca estaba regocijada y solo la buena cerveza podía complementar el umami que contenía. Pasamos a los cócteles a base de mezcal (pepino, apio, hibisco) que solo requerían una segunda ronda de delicias de mariscos. Le siguieron los tacos callejeros estilo Ensenada de pescado dorado. Buen tamaño y sabroso.

Todo estaba bien complementado con sus salsas picantes caseras y mi propio toque en un tema. Espolvoreé gotas de salsa de soya y ramitas de cilantro. No pude contener mi éxtasis ante la avalancha de delicias y sensaciones gustativas que sacudían mi cerebro (a decir verdad, el mezcal también estaba moldeando mi frenético estado mental). Pedí hablar con el demonio diabólico de la cocina cuyo talento culinario me había cautivado tanto. Presentemente ante mí estaba Álvaro Vásquez (mi tocayo) la mente maestra y el autor de nuestra dicha eufórica. Peruano de nacimiento pero habitante del mundo y amigo mío ganado por su talento y humildad ante los elogios marchitos. Mis mejores deseos para él en su nuevo proyecto, pero estoy seguro de que no son necesarios, ya que su talento y personalidad conquistarán a los amantes de los mariscos de calidad y la ejecución impecable en la presentación de su comida. Necesito ser honesto acerca de mi deseo egoísta de que nadie lea esta reseña para no tener que esperar demasiado para sentarme en su mesa la próxima vez que esté en el DF. Pero eso es una ilusión y es inútil, ya que Caracol de Mar merece no solo mi elogio, sino también todos aquellos que aún deben cruzar el umbral de tan lindo lugar y...