Eat · Roma Norte
Contramar
Seafood restaurant in Roma Norte known for a long lunch: reserve ahead or arrive at opening; it fills by 14:00.
- Tuna tostadas
- Fish a la talla
- Book ahead
- Order: Tuna tostadas and fish a la talla
- Table seating
- Walk-in window: at opening
- Queue risk: 13:30–16:00
- Bring cash
Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.
Rules in force · 11Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…Between clusters use a ride-hailing app, hotel taxi or au…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
- Mexico City and central highlands ↗Day trips from the capital start early: go by an early bus or booked driver, and be back before the evening traffic.
- Mexico City ↗The city sits at about 2,240 m: pace the first day, drink water, and skip strenuous climbs (the castle path) if breathless.
- Mexico City ↗The Zócalo is fenced for concerts, marches and national events (notably around 15 September and the Day of the Dead weeks): check the day before and plan a side-street route.
- Mexico City ↗Between clusters use a ride-hailing app, hotel taxi or authorised site taxi; do not hail a cab on the street.
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Map & directions
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Plan
Open now, when you can walk in, what to order
Go now?
Open?
Lunch to early evening (check)
Busy this hour
Estimate by hour below
Easiest walk-in
at opening
Reservations
Reserve ahead
Paying
Bring cash
Per person
MX$600–1,100 (≈ US$35–60)2026 estimate · check
Walk-in windows
Tip
Format
A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.
Your first order
- Tuna tostadastostadas de atúnA signature dish: raw tuna on a crisp tortilla.MX$150–260≈ US$9–15
- Fish a la talla (grilled with red and green sauce)pescado a la tallaSharing plate for two; grilled fish split between two sauces.MX$500–900≈ US$30–50
Menus and prices change; the board on the day wins.
Not checked in the last 12 months (no check date on file).
On the ground
How to order, tip and pay, allergies, and booking
How to order
- Book ahead for lunch, or arrive at opening.
- Ask staff for the day's catch and the price.
Tipping
Sit-down restaurants: about 10–15%, close to US habits.
Allergies and diets
- AskVegetarian · Limited options; ask ahead. · say: “Soy vegetariano.”
- AskVegan · Very limited; ask ahead.
- AskHalal · Seafood; check dishes with alcohol (check). · say: “—”
- AskGluten-free · Many dishes are naturally gluten-free; ask.
- AskNut allergy · Tell staff clearly.
- Not on fileAllergy · Seafood and shellfish allergies are a serious risk; tell staff clearly. · say: “Soy alérgico a ___.”
Paying
Bring cash
- Tip 10–15% unless a service charge is added.
- Cards and cash accepted.
Booking
- Booking
- Reserve ahead
- Note
- Book ahead for lunch; policy not verified.
Not checked in the last 12 months (no check date on file).
Map and nearby
Where this place is, how to get there, and what is around it
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Nearby places
Eat nearby
More detail
Everything else we know about this place
How to order here, in full
How to order here
The order of play at the counter or table, what to say, how much to order and how to pay.
- 1Book ahead for lunch, or arrive at opening.
- 2Ask staff for the day's catch and the price.
No shared language? Tap dishes in the order builder below and show the waiter the full-screen list in the local script. For a printed menu, translate a photo of it.
What to say
| In English | Say or show | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| Good afternoon | Buenas tardes | bway-nas tar-des |
| The bill, please | La cuenta, por favor | la kwen-ta por fa-vor |
| No spicy, please | Sin picante, por favor | sin pee-kan-te por fa-vor |
| Is it spicy? | ¿Pica? | pee-ka |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | kwan-to kwes-ta |
| Hello / good morning | Hola / Buenos días | oh-la / bway-nos dee-as |
| Thank you | Gracias | gra-see-as |
Portions and sharing
- Order tostadas to start and share a fish a la talla.
- Fish a la talla (grilled with red and green sauce): Sharing plate for two; grilled fish split between two sauces.
Paying and tipping
Sit-down restaurants: about 10–15%, close to US habits.
- Tip 10–15% unless a service charge is added.
- Cards and cash accepted.
- Tipping: 10–15% in restaurants unless a service charge is added; small tips for porters, guides and helpers.
At the table
- Expect a long, relaxed lunch; do not plan another sight for 3 hours.
- Eat where the turnover is fast and the food is hot: a busy stand is safer than an empty one.
- Ask if it is spicy (¿pica?) before you bite: salsa is often served separately.
- Choose purified water and ice; fruit should be peeled or washed in purified water.
Price and paying
- Typical spend
- MXN 600–1,100 (≈ US$35–60) per person
Paying, diet and allergies
Paying
Accepted.
Cards accepted.
Not expected.
Diet and allergies
Yes means there is something for you; ask means possible with care; no means go elsewhere.
- Vegetarianask
Limited options; ask ahead.
Show: Soy vegetariano.
- Veganask
Very limited; ask ahead.
- Halalask
Seafood; check dishes with alcohol (check).
Show: —
- Gluten-freeask
Many dishes are naturally gluten-free; ask.
- Nut allergyask
Tell staff clearly.
- Allergynot on file
Seafood and shellfish allergies are a serious risk; tell staff clearly.
Show: Soy alérgico a ___.
What is in the dishes
- Tuna tostadastostadas de atúnfish
- Fish a la talla (grilled with red and green sauce)pescado a la tallafish
- Shrimp or octopus dishcamarones / pulposhellfish
- Dessert (pastel de chocolate or ice cream)postredairy
Read from the menu names and notes; recipes vary and cross-contact is not tested. Check with the kitchen.
Who it suits, booking and the kitchen
Who it suits, booking, closures
- How to book
- Book by phone or through your hotel.
- How far ahead
- A few days to a week for weekends
- No-show / cancel fee
- Check the restaurant's policy.
- Dress code
- Smart-casual.
| When | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Evenings and some days | check before you go | Known mainly for lunch; check the hours. |
Show the kitchen
Tap a need to get a large screen you can hold up to staff. The wording is the guide’s; a helper who reads the language should confirm it if your allergy is serious.
Hour by hour, with queue times
Quietest listed hour: 18:00 (quiet).
- 13:00busya short wait is possible
- 14:00heavyexpect a linePeak lunch
- 15:00heavyexpect a line
- 16:00busya short wait is possible
- 17:00lightlittle or no wait
- 18:00quietlittle or no wait
Desk estimate for a weekday. Not live data. No line length is on file, so waits are in words.
Comfort, facts and cons
Hygiene and comfort
- Restrooms
- Restroom on site
- Air
- Air-conditioned
- Seating
- Chairs at tables
- Kids
- Lively and busy; simple dishes for children
- Access
- step-free: check · Check the entrance and toilet
Hygiene
- High standards; ask about the day's fresh fish.
- Use purified water.
Facts
- Reservations
- Not on file — Book ahead for lunch; policy not verified.
- Capabilities
- food · ac · toilet
- Getting there
- Durango street, Roma Norte · ~10 min walk
Cons
- Pricier than street food.
- Queue without a booking.
Dish glossary
| On the menu | What it is | Order it how |
|---|---|---|
| A la talla | Grilled fish with two sauces, one red and one green. | Shared between two. |
| Tostada | A crisp tortilla topped with seafood. | As a starter. |
| Aguachile | Raw shrimp in a spicy lime sauce. | For heat lovers. |
Price check
- locals pay
- Prices are the same for everyone; this is a special-occasion lunch for many residents.
- tourist price
- No markup; the setting and fame add to the price.
- rule
- Tip 10–15% unless a service charge is added.
Deep dive
Questions, alternatives, and where our facts come from
Questions and answers
Questions and answers
Is it expensive?
It is a splurge by local standards; MXN 600–1,100 (≈ US$35–60) per person.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
Do I need to book?
Yes for lunch at busy times; walk in at opening for a better chance.
What should I order?
Tuna tostadas and fish a la talla to share.
Is it good for a long lunch?
Yes: plan on 2–3 hours.
If it is closed or full
Nearby alternatives
If it is closed or the line is too long
All places to eat in Mexico City, with filters →
Used as a seated rest node in Mexico City in 4 days.
Sources
- secondaryWikivoyage — Mexico City
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Source: Price per person
Draft
Written from desk research. Not yet compared with the official source.
No official source is recorded for this figure.
Prices are 2026 estimates from the menu or the price line on file. Check on the day.
Source: Opening hours
Draft
Written from desk research. Not yet compared with the official source.
No official source is recorded for this figure.
Source: Best time
Draft
Written from desk research. Not yet compared with the official source.
No official source is recorded for this figure.
The easiest walk-in window or the quietest hour in this guide. Crowd levels are desk estimates, not counts.