Raw fish in a landlocked city? Sí, por favor, if it’s Mexico City. Though it may seem odd to newbies, seasoned eaters know the ceviche Mexicano in CDMX is just as good as what you’d find on the coast. Moreover, you can try cooked seafood prepared coctél style, an import from Veracruz that’s popular in Mexico City (and is miles removed from American-style shrimp cocktail). You’ll find these in inexpensive markets and higher-end restaurants alike.

Both ceviche and cóctel de camarón Mexicano (aka Mexican-style shrimp cocktail) are essential eats in Mexico City!

Mexican ceviche vs. cóctel de camarón

First, a note, as it’s easy to get these two confused. For ceviche, as in other Latin American cuisines, raw fish and seafood is marinated and cured in lime juice, which effectively “cooks” it, and then it’s typically mixed with onions, tomato, chiles, and cilantro (see this Mexican-style ceviche from the Yucatán Peninsula). For a coctél, however, already-cooked seafood is covered in a spicy-sweet tomato sauce, often with lime juice, olive oil, and clam juice, along with some vegetables and avocado. Both are served chilled, and both are delicious!

Where to try ceviche and cocteles in Mexico City

The pictured cóctel de camarón is from La Perla Escondida inside the excellent Mercado Coyoacán (three blocks north of Jardín Hidalgo, at Calles Allende and Malintzin, map), which is well regarded for its marisquerías, or seafood vendors.

When: Daily, 11am-6pm

Order: We loved the cóctel de camarón—a delectably bright and fresh-tasting concoction of chopped shrimp, tomato, onion, green pepper, avocado, olive oil, vinegar, ketchup, and a (somewhat) secret spicy sauce called salsa bruja, served with lime and saltines. (Initially we balked at the ketchup, but it tastes wonderful together.) You’ll see why this is a popular hangover cure; it reminded us a little of a Bloody Mary (or Caesar). You can try other cocteles and ceviches here, too, including pulpo (octopus), caracol (snail), and pescado (fish), as well as ceviche-topped tostadas, caldo de camarón, and more.

Alternatively: Also in Mercado Coyoacán is the popular Jardín del Pulpo, a ceviche vendor; in Roma Sur, Mercado Medellín (betw. Medellín, Campeche, Monterrey, and Coahuila, map) is likewise celebrated for its seafood. On the higher end, there’s the excellent Contramar (Durango 200, map) restaurant in la Roma—though expect to pay a lot more for those cocteles de camarón (and the excellent tostada de atún).

Last updated: June 24, 2024