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Guide to Restaurants and Cafes at AICM: Where to Eat (and Where Not To)
Finding a good place to eat at Mexico City Airport can be a complicated task. The offer is huge, but the quality, price, and service vary drastically. Based on the analysis of hundreds of recent traveler experiences, we have created this guide to help you navigate the dining scene at AICM, showing you the safest options, those you should consider with caution, and how to avoid the most common problems.
Frequently Asked Questions about Where to Eat
Is it very expensive to eat at the airport?
Yes, considerably. It is one of the most universal complaints. The prices of almost all restaurants and cafes are significantly higher than in the city. A simple coffee with a pastry can cost the same as a full meal outside the airport. Be prepared for inflated prices.
Which is the best-rated restaurant by users?
Maison Kayser consistently gets the best comments for the quality of its bakery, its breakfasts, and a pleasant atmosphere. La Mansión is also well-regarded for the quality of its meat cuts, although both are among the most expensive options.
Are there restaurants with a bad reputation or that I should avoid?
Yes. Based on a recurring pattern of very negative experiences, places like Chili's, El Fogoncito, and La Cachondita Pibil accumulate an alarming number of complaints related to food poisoning, bad service, and very low-quality food. It is recommended to proceed with extreme caution.
I have little time, where can I eat something quick and safe?
International chains like Starbucks or McDonald's offer a predictable standard of quality and speed, although with high prices. For a quick Mexican option, Dino Snack Bar has mixed reviews but is often praised for its speed.
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Traveler's Guide: Critical Points of Dining at AICM
The Health Risk: A Serious Matter
It cannot be ignored: a significant number of reviews mention serious problems of food poisoning and gastrointestinal illnesses after eating at certain establishments, particularly those serving Mexican food. Your strategy: to minimize risks, opt for chain restaurants with international hygiene standards, choose freshly cooked dishes that are served hot, and be wary of food that seems to have been on display for a long time (like salads or stews in buffets).
The Inconsistency of Service: From Exceptional to Terrible
Service is a lottery. You can find an incredibly friendly and efficient waiter in the same place where another colleague is rude and inattentive. Complaints about grumpy staff, slowness, and even demanding tips despite poor service are common. Your strategy: moderate your expectations. If you are in a hurry, let the staff know from the beginning. If the service is bad, do not feel pressured to leave a generous tip.
The Price-Quality Factor: Often Unbalanced
The general perception is that the price-quality ratio is poor in most places. You will pay premium restaurant prices for food that, in many cases, is of mediocre or fast-food quality. Your strategy: before sitting down, check the menu and prices. If you are just looking to fill your stomach, convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Oxxo are a much cheaper option for snacks and drinks.
Analysis of Popular Restaurants
User Experience:
The dining scene at AICM is a field of extremes. While some places offer a surprisingly good experience, others have become traps for travelers with low-quality food and poor service. Below is a detailed analysis of the most mentioned places by travelers.
Maison Kayser (Terminal 1 and 2)
✅ Pros:
- Superior Quality: Consistently praised for the quality of its bakery (especially the croissants), breakfasts like chilaquiles, and good coffee.
- Attentive Service: Many users highlight the friendliness and professionalism of its staff (mentioning employees like Emilio, Iván, Esteban, and Ivonne).
- Pleasant Atmosphere: Perceived as a quiet and elegant place to wait for a flight calmly.
❌ Cons:
- Slow Service: Despite the good attention, the food preparation time can be longer than expected.
- Inconsistencies: Some isolated reviews mention poorly presented bread or music that is too loud in the early morning.
La Mansión (Terminal 1)
✅ Pros:
- Excellent Food Quality: Known for its high-quality meat cuts, well-prepared dishes (like the poblano chili cream soup), and good drinks.
- Refined Atmosphere: Offers a cozy and quiet space, a rarity within the hustle and bustle of the airport.
- Professional Service: In general, the waiters are attentive and fast.
❌ Cons:
- Demanding Tips: Multiple very negative reports of waiters chasing customers out of the establishment to demand more tip, an unacceptable practice.
- Health Risk: At least one serious case of food poisoning from spoiled octopus or guacamole has been reported.
- Inconsistencies in Service: Cases of bad attitude, errors in orders, and incorrect charges on the bill.
Chili's (Terminal 2)
✅ Pros:
- Speed (sometimes): Some users report that the service can be fast and the food generous.
❌ Cons:
- Food Poisoning: Reports of customers getting seriously ill after eating chicken and beef fajitas.
- Terrible Service: Widespread complaints about rude, inattentive, grumpy, and even threatening staff.
- Deplorable Food Quality: The food is described as reheated, bland, greasy, and of very low quality.
- Bad Practices: They pressure customers to consume food if they only order drinks and show a hostile attitude.
El Fogoncito (Terminal 1 and 2)
✅ Pros:
- Acceptable Flavor: Some diners consider the food to have good flavor and meet "airport food" standards.
- Fast Service: It is a quick option if you have little time before your flight.
❌ Cons:
- Very High Health Risk: Multiple and serious reports of food poisoning (typhoid) specifically associated with the consumption of their chicken broth.
- Excessive Prices and Minimal Portions: The prices are very high for the very small size of the portions.
- Poor Service: Complaints about racist, dismissive, and slow staff.
- Poor Quality of Ingredients: Reports of raw shrimp and poor-quality meat.
Toks (Terminal 1 and 2)
✅ Pros:
- Reliable Option for Breakfast: It is seen as a comfortable and predictable place for a traditional breakfast.
- Good Quantity-Price Ratio: Some users consider the portions to be fair for the cost in the context of the airport.
❌ Cons:
- Food Poisoning: A case of serious illness in a group of diners has been reported.
- Very Slow and Bad Service: Recurring complaints about waiters who ignore customers and get annoyed if reminded of the order.
- Inconsistent Food Quality: Many report poor quality, bland dishes, or with dry ingredients.
Dino Snack Bar (Terminal 1)
✅ Pros:
- Good Quality-Price Ratio: Considered one of the best places in terms of cost-benefit, with tasty food and reasonable prices for an airport.
- Fast and Friendly Service: Several reports highlight the speed and friendliness of the staff.
- Ideal for Waiting: It is a small and intimate place, good for waiting calmly.
❌ Cons:
- Inconsistent Service: There are also complaints of staff with a bad mood, who demand tips or try to pressure customers to consume more.
- Questionable Hygiene: Some users doubt the quality and hygiene of the place.
La Cachondita Pibil (Terminal 2)
✅ Pros:
- Some isolated users mention good flavor in the tacos and pozole.
❌ Cons:
- Widespread Food Poisoning: Multiple reports of entire groups of travelers getting sick with vomiting and diarrhea after eating here.
- Terrible Hygiene: Serious complaints about lack of hygiene of the staff (cook eating from the ingredients) and hairs in the food.
- Terrible Food Quality: Described by many as "the worst food in Mexico," with cold tortillas, raw meat, and sour soup.
- Poor Service: Rude and slow staff.
Options by Terminal
Terminal 1: Dining Options for All Tastes
🍔🍟 Fast Food
- McDonald's
- Burger King
- Subway
- Domino's Pizza
- KFC
- Carl's Jr.
- The Urban Deli & Cafe
- Taco Inn
- Pronto Ginos
- Tacañon
- La Buena Tierra
- Sbarro
- La Baguetelle
- La Tía Goyita
☕ Cafes
- Starbucks
- Caffè Rituelles
- The Italian Coffee Company
- Maison Kayser
- Dino Snack Bar
- Krispy Kreme
- Cinnabon
- El Globo
- Café Punta del Cielo
- Juan Valdez Café
🍽️ Restaurants (More Formal)
- Wings
- Johnny Rockets
- Bistro Mosaico
- Sushi Itto
- La Mansión
- Urban Corner
- Casa Avila
- Italiannis
- Sushi Roll
- Restotal
- Asador Bariloche
- Nagaoka
🌮 Mexican Food
- Tacos Don Manolito
- Tortas Brava
- El Fogoncito
- Tasca Don Quino (Las Tortas del Aeropuerto)
- Taco Grill
- Taba Bar
- Gastro Hub
- Las Juanas Tortería
🥗 Healthy Options
- Berry Smoothies
- Nutrisa
🛒 Other Options
- Baskin-Robbins
- Círculo K
- Oxxo
- 7-Eleven
- Helados Santa Clara
- Tere Cazola
Terminal 2: Culinary Delights Before Your Flight
🍔🍟 Fast Food
- McDonald's
- Burger King
- Subway
- Quiznos
- Papa John's Pizza
- Carl's Jr.
- Tortas Don Polo
- China King
- Sbarro
- Garabatos
- Poxo
- Potzollcalli
- Farolito
☕ Cafes
- Starbucks
- Caffè Rituelles
- Gloria Jean's Coffees
- Enomoto Coffee
- La Vieja Molienda
- El Globo
🍽️ Restaurants (More Formal)
- Chili's
- Italiannis
- Sushi Roll
- La Destilería
- Vuela Carmela
- Le Pain Quotidien
- Salute Food & Bar
- Loma Linda Grill
- Wings
- Sushi-itto
- La Taba Sport Bar
- Toks
🌮 Mexican Food
- Tortas Hipocampo
- Tacos & Grill
- Sopes y Tacos "El Mexicanito"
- Taquería El Nuevo Rincón
- La Cachondita Pibil
- Modelo Cocina Urbana
- Casa Avila
- Taco Beef
🛒 Other Options
- Dairy Queen
- Krispy Kreme
- Oxxo
- 7-Eleven
- Iwashi
- El Gran Pastor
- Chilim Balam