Em — Restaurant in Mexico City

My girlfriend and I decided to dine here for our anniversary.

FOOD I appreciated the attempt at innovation in the dishes. However, as we made our way through the first few courses, we found that the flavors just didn’t deliver. We didn’t want to feel pressured to enjoy the meal just because the restaurant holds a Michelin star — we genuinely didn’t enjoy the taste. My girlfriend had trouble finishing her food, and after the fifth course, we decided to discontinue the tasting.

I normally don’t write reviews based on taste, since I believe it’s subjective. But in this case, my girlfriend began to feel uncomfortable and nauseous — which was very unusual for her. We're avid foodies and have tried a wide variety of cuisines from simple street stalls to michelin star fine dining establishments, so this reaction was not typical. I informed the staff that we’d be leaving early to get her home and that it wasn’t due to poor service.

SERVICE The service, in my opinion, was attentive and professional throughout our visit. Even though we didn’t complete the tasting menu, I fully intended to pay for what we had and told the staff that our early departure had nothing to do with them.

However, at the end of the meal, our server asked how much I’d like to tip. I told him “10%,” which I felt was fair given the circumstances — they did a fine job, but we didn’t stay for the full experience. He nodded in acknowledgment.

Once we got home, I realized the server had entered a 20% tip instead of 10%. That’s on me for not checking the receipt at the time, but I trusted the establishment — especially being a fine dining, Michelin-starred restaurant. A mistake like that feels dishonest and unacceptable. “Ten” and “twenty” are clearly different, and our communication throughout the night had been clear and in English.

This was the only time during our entire trip to CDMX that we encountered something like this, and it's disheartening that it happened at one of the restaurants we were most looking forward to.

After reaching out to Em, they did verify the situation and refunded the tip difference — which I appreciate. We may never know whether it was a genuine misunderstanding or something more intentional, but the overall experience was disappointing. One of our more expensive and "highly regarded" meals of the trips became our largest headache experience. What should have been a highlight of our trip turned out to be the only letdown.

AMBIENCE I don’t typically comment on ambiance, but the space we were seated in felt cramped, with tables placed very close to one another. There wasn’t much of a sense of privacy, which may or may not matter depending on your...

An Unforgettable Michelin Star Experience at Em

As someone who has been exploring tasting menus across different countries for a couple of years, I can confidently say that Em in Mexico City delivered the best experience I’ve ever had. From the moment we arrived to the very last bite, everything was nothing short of exceptional.

We visited Em to celebrate our anniversary, and as is customary for us, I requested a non-alcoholic pairing while my husband opted for the wine pairing. Typically, non-alcoholic pairings in other places consist of juices or mocktails that, at best, complement the meal. However, Em took this concept to a whole new level. Some pairings were beautifully crafted mocktails, perfectly balanced and bursting with flavor, while others featured non-alcoholic wines that I absolutely loved. The attention to detail in the non-alcoholic pairings made me feel just as indulged as my husband, who thoroughly enjoyed his wine pairing.

What made the experience even more special was the use of their carefully selected crystal glassware, designed for wine tasting. Even without alcohol in my drinks, the presentation elevated the experience, making it feel as luxurious as a traditional wine pairing.

Now, onto the food — the true highlight of the evening. A tasting menu should be an adventure of flavors, textures, and surprises, and Em nailed it on every front. While I don’t typically enjoy seafood, I decided not to mention my preferences because I wanted to fully immerse myself in the chef’s vision. I was blown away. Every dish told a story and showcased a masterful balance of creativity, technique, and flavor. It was nothing short of extraordinary.

The service was another standout aspect. It wasn’t just attentive; it was beyond excellent. The team anticipated every need and provided a level of care and professionalism that made us feel truly special. My husband and I both agreed that it was the best service we’ve ever received.

Em has set the bar incredibly high for tasting menus. It’s a place that understands how to create a memorable dining experience that lingers with you long after the meal is over.

We will absolutely be back and cannot recommend it enough. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for an unforgettable culinary journey, Em is...

There is a reason Em is recently Michelin rated as one of the best in Mexico. From service to food, Em is excellent annd exceptional. Our Omakase tasting menu experience at Em was superb, creative and a visual masterpiece.

Our meal started with a palate pleasing and cleansing dashi broth. Next was a trio of tomato and caviar tart, croqueta de escamoles (ant larvae) and trout infladita topped with burnt onion powder. Beautiful to look at and beautiful individual flavor profiles.

The next course was truly a piece of art of tuna cruda and salsa soya coupled with a tuna tostada topped with scalloped avocado and caviar. To simple a description here but truly amazing and complex in their own right.

The following course was truly THE crown jewel of this amazing meal. The carrot and crab filled buñuelo topped with caviar sparkled under the light. We both took a moment to marvel in its beauty before devouring this jewel. Truly gorgeous to look at on the plate.

Next course was a fine piece of roasted lorvina fish on a bed of creamy white carrot puree and garnished with black garlic foam. The corn shoot and spinach garnish added color and texture to a superb dish. This protein course could not have been any better in clean taste and presentation.

Served on the side was their famous roasted baby corn in a clarified butter and soy sauce. The flavor of this dish transported my husband back to when he first tasted roasted corn in Potrero. He mentioned this to Chef Lucho Martinez and he smiled in acknowledgement that it evoked a memory which food does from time to time.

Our final protein course were two fine beef medallions on an enoki mushroom Demi glacé and huitlacoche puree. This course was devine!

The first of two desserts were palate cleansing and the second was a delicious mame tarts and a scoop of mame cake. Dessert was accompanied by our selection of a distilled pulque.

Rather than add the wine pairing to this meal, we chose a beautiful Rose that paired with all courses.

Our experience at Em was by far THE BEST meal we have ever experienced and cannot wait to head back on our next trip to Mexico City. We are forever fans of Chef...