Sala Gastronómica
About This Spot
Stepping into Sala Gastronómica is like finding a quiet pause tucked within one of Mexico City’s busiest cultural treasures. Nestled on the lower level of the Museo Nacional de Antropología, this warmly inviting restaurant feels less like a typical museum café and more like a thoughtfully curated refuge—a space where the city’s rich culinary heritage breathes alongside its ancient artifacts.
The atmosphere moves at a gentle, unhurried rhythm, offering a moment to linger and connect amidst your exploration. An indoor-outdoor layout blends effortless comfort with a touch of greenery, creating a subtle boundary from the museum’s flow without losing the sense of place. It’s a calm pocket where conversation unfolds naturally and the pace shifts to savoring.
Here, the menu unfolds like a map of Mexico’s diverse flavors, inviting curious palettes to journey across regions without leaving their seat. Dishes reveal a deep respect for tradition and local ingredients, from vibrant moles to unique bites that might include playful touches like chapulines or rich, comforting soups. Each plate tells its own story, designed to be experienced more than simply tasted—an invitation to pause and appreciate the textures and aromas shaped by generations of culinary craft.
The service quietly supports this journey with attentiveness that never feels intrusive but gently ensures you’re taken care of, enhancing the warmth of the space. Whether you’re stepping in for a quick, satisfying meal or settling down to reflect on the museum’s wonders, Sala Gastronómica offers a grounded, thoughtful experience—a welcoming moment of connection to Mexico’s living food culture, surrounded by timeless history.
What’s Available Here
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Outdoor seating
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Dine-in
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Delivery
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Great cocktails
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Great coffee
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Great dessert
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Rooftop seating
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Cocktails
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Coffee
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Organic dishes
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Quick bite
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Small plates
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Spirits
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Wine
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Breakfast
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Brunch
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Catering
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Bar on site
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Toilet
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Wi-Fi
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Wi-Fi
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Casual
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Cosy
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Quiet
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Trendy
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Family friendly
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Groups
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Tourists
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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Credit cards
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Paid parking lot
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Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | Closed | |
| Tuesday | 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM | |
| Friday | 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM |
Ian DSa 19 Dec 2025
What an amazing experience in food. It was well presented and very VERY GOOD. They offer food from different regions of Mexico and at great prices. The mole is highly recommended. The service was excellent, but watch out for the servers trying to upsell you on ridiculously expensive items. I unfortunately got conned into buying water that was 3x more expensive because they were "sold out" of regular bottled water. It was my own fault for not asking for the menu back to choose something else. As I was leaving I noticed another table had the regular bottled water so yeah.....all I can do is caution others.
Steven Paul 03 Dec 2025
Sala Gastronómica (inside the Museo Nacional de Antropología) is the rare museum restaurant that doesn't feel like an afterthought--it feels like a point of pride. The food was fantastic across the board: fresh, deeply flavorful, and clearly made by people who care. Service was impeccable--attentive, professional, and warm without hovering. We ate extremely well, then went right back into the museum feeling like the day had somehow gotten better instead of interrupted. Everything we had tasted fresh and properly made. The guacamole de la casa was straightforward and satisfying, the carnitas estilo Michoacán had real depth, and the esquites hit that sweet spot between snack and comfort food. Close it out with a carajillo and the flan de cajeta and you'll walk back into the galleries feeling better than human. I left thinking: a lot of US restaurants--especially museum restaurants--could learn a thing or two from our neighbors in Mexico. If you're at the museum, don't settle for a snack and a shrug. Sit down and eat here.
J C 28 Nov 2025
Not many museums have an on-site restaurant, so this was a nice break during our visit. We were seated right away, and the service was prompt and friendly. The food was solid and did the job before we continued exploring the museum.
Wendy Noreña 21 Oct 2025
I had an unexpectedly amazing visit to Sala Gastronómica during my visit to the museum. I had originally planned to leave the museum to eat, but the tour guide from the museum recommended this place, and I was not disappointed at all. It's tucked away on the lower level of the museum, off in a side courtyard that feels like it's own little world and a lovely place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the museum itself. From the moment I arrived, the staff were super attentive to me and kind. I am a solo traveler and was seated immediately on the inside of the restaurant at a table that could seat 6. The restaurant seems to be primarily set up to accommodate groups, so this is a great place to come with your family or traveling group. Most of the tables could seat 6 or more. Upon being seated, I put my items in the very convenient coat rack next to my table (so nice to have this after carrying my stuff around the museum for hours). Two wait staff came up to me also immediately to ask how I was doing and take my drink order. The highlight of my lunch here was Claudia, my waiter. She was so lovely and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. She suggested some very enticing cocktails that sounded delicious, including a seasonal option. I wanted a non-alcoholic drink though, and she was immediately able to list several fresh fruit juices. I ordered a green juice which I was amazed they had. She also suggested a Oaxacan hot chocolate which I immediately said yes to because it sounded amazing. I also ordered water. All three beverages came out minutes later. The hot chocolate was served in a gorgeous black mug and saucer and was absolutely fantastic. It was a bit chilly during my visit so it was very nice to get warmed up this way. Then - the menu. It's huge! And features five regions of Mexico's incredible cuisine, by geography. I was honestly a bit overwhelmed by the menu as everything sounded delicious and emblematic of its region. Claudia came by very soon to take my order and I had no idea what to do and, bless her, she immediately suggested the ceviche de atún, from the Baja region. I said yes then settled in to wait. Staff came by every couple of minutes to chat and check up on me, and as I finished my drinks they would remove the no longer needed cups and items. The staff, especially Claudia, were amazing, knowledgeable, and so attentive. They also speak English if you are concerned about your Spanish and the menu is bilingual. My meal came and it was delicious and a great portion - I was a bit stuffed by the end eating by myself. Claudia came by again with a menu containing a gorgeous selection of desserts. I was having such a grand and peaceful time at the restaurant that I couldn't say no. After some chatting with Claudia as she walked me through the options, I settled on the chocolate bomb with guava sorbet. It was excellent. I left very full and very happy. If you are at the museum and wanting a break from the crowds or a delicious bite to eat, I absolutely recommend the Sala Gastronómica. It was my favorite place I dined in Mexico City.
Scott Laine 18 Oct 2025
You are planning to visit the Museo Nacional de Antropología and wonder if this restaurant is a good place for lunch. Well, you are in luck, it's fantastic. Located on the lower level down a large flight of steps, this indoor/outdoor restaurant offers a wide array of Mexican specialties organized by region, making it a fun culinary adventure and a lesson in Mexican food. The full menu is not available till 1 pm, if my memory serves correctly. Still, they will seat you before, and you can enjoy an order of guacamole, with or without Chapulines (smoked grasshoppers), and a beverage until the kitchen is fully open. I will caveat this review with two statements: one, the servings are large, so be mindful that one order of tacos will feed one starving guy or two normal humans. Second caveat: there is exceptional food in CDMX; this is a great place, but not a destination for food. If you are already at the museum, you are in luck. We ordered guacamole, a carne asada taco platter, chicken Tinga, and elotes. This was way too much food for the two of us, and we could have shared the carne asada and the guacamole and called it a day. The surprise and delight for me was the fresh lemonade they make, which is so good. This spot does get crowded, as it's a big museum with many guests, so if you are adding this to your itinerary, make your way here around 12:45 to ensure you get a table outside. Enjoy a lemonade for me.
Nilay Yuce 20 Sep 2025
An absolute culinary gem hidden inside one of Mexico City’s greatest landmarks. The menu is brilliantly organized by ethnic cuisines across Mexico — a true eye-opener that reveals the country’s extraordinary diversity beyond tacos and enchiladas. Each dish feels like a journey through the many cultures that shape Mexican gastronomy, and it’s impossible not to be amazed by the depth and creativity on display. Our waiter was one of a kind — exceptionally attentive, warm, and knowledgeable. He carefully suggested both dishes and desserts based on our tastes and food sensitivities, and every recommendation was spot on. It was nothing short of a festival for our bellies — one of the best $60 we’ve ever spent anywhere in the world. A must-visit experience for anyone who wants to taste the real Mexico.
Melissa A Martinez 18 Sep 2025
We are here for lunch while at the museum and we were blown away by the food and service. Elias our waiter was very nice and attentive, providing us with recommendations on what to order. We started with the tortilla soup, which was one of the best we’d ever had. We shared maduros and ordered cochinita pibil and the tampiqueña as our main plates. It was a bit pricey but so worth it given the quality of the food.