Hiya Wine Bar — Restaurant in Mexico City

This is a food preparation issue, and an actual problem with the technical skills coming from the kitchen and the development of their recipes.

I’ll start with the positive: The vibes are immaculate, the service is friendly and attentive, and the concept is super cool, but the food lacks refinement and the portions are too small for the mediocre quality coming out of the kitchen. If you do not like small plates, mid quality, and high prices, don’t come here. However…

Come to this place for the vibes, but not because you’re hungry and want to have an amazing meal.

Here’s my take on specific food:

The octopus was way too chewy (which means it was overcooked). The truffle ramen relied too heavily on the truffle for its taste (while its sauce was a bit on the bland side) The carrots were overly sweet (also a bit mushy and overcooked) and missed a punchier acidic component to balance its flavors. The burger was yummy, but the patty didn’t taste like wagyu. I’ve had much better and cheaper smash burgers (without the premium beef cut) in NYC, one of the most expensive cities in the world.

We tried other dishes as well, and none actually wowed us except the pickles.

The funny thing is that had they not priced the food so high, I would’ve given them a better review. Nonethelesse, while the concept is fun, the food lacked balance and technical skill. Price to quality ratio is hugely important, and while the quality of the ingredients is there, their preparation left a lot to be desired.

Nonetheless, the sushi restaurant outside, Yoru, is absolutely phenomenal (a bit overpriced too, but the quality of the fish and the friendliness of the service makes it worth it).

If you’re going to Hiya, then, stick to temakis and wine and save yourself a nice chunk of cash for better restaurants...

Hiya Wine Bar was unassumingly amazing! Tucked away with a trendy chic vibe, this spot delivered on all fronts. The Japanese-style hand rolls and grilled skewers were fresh, flavorful, and perfectly executed. We loved the eclectic mix of natural wines, mezcals, and craft beers—everything felt thoughtfully curated.

Service was warm and attentive. While it’s definitely best to have a reservation, we walked in just before the evening rush and were graciously seated. The music selection was on point, adding to the cool, cozy ambiance. Seating is a bit tight, but it just adds to the charm.

Absolutely loved it here. Can’t wait...

I rarely leave negative reviews, but this place was a real letdown. The atmosphere was chaotic and uncomfortable from the moment we arrived. It was so loud that we could barely hear each other talk, and the space was incredibly cramped. I was bumped and pushed multiple times while trying to eat, which made the whole experience frustrating and unpleasant. It felt like the tables were packed in with no consideration for comfort or space. The crowding took away any chance of enjoying the evening. Even if the food had been amazing, the environment alone would be reason enough...