Contramar
7.0Friend Score / 10#9 of 20 Restaurants in Mexico City
Known fortostadas de atúnpescado a la tallaaguachiletuna tostadas
Gabriela Cámara's Roma seafood temple, running since 1998 — the tuna tostadas and the half-red, half-green grilled fish are modern Mexico City classics, served in a big sunlit room that turns weekend lunch into a party. Lunch-focused hours (closes 8pm). Book days ahead or show up at opening; it's expensive by CDMX standards and worth it.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon–Fri 12:00–20:00 Sat–Sun 11:00–20:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Metrobús Durango (Line 1); Metro Sevilla or Insurgentes (Line 1), about 10 minutes on foot |
| Time needed | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Best time to go | Weekday 1pm for a civilized lunch; Friday afternoon if you want the famous long-lunch scene |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.0/10- Value7.5
- iconic8.0
- Freshness9.1
- Crowd level4.0
- Authenticity8.0
- Accessibility8.0
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a reservation at Contramar?
- For Friday through Sunday, absolutely — book several days ahead via OpenTable or phone. Weekdays you can sometimes walk in right at noon opening. Showing up at 2pm Saturday without a booking means a long wait or a polite no.
- How expensive is Contramar?
- One of the pricier meals in the city: figure around 800-1,200 pesos per person with drinks, and a full spread for two can approach 100 USD. For the quality and the scene, most people leave feeling it was fair. The tostadas alone are a relative bargain.
- What are the must-order dishes at Contramar?
- Three non-negotiables: the tuna tostadas (raw tuna, chipotle mayo, crispy leeks, avocado), the pescado a la talla — a whole fish split down the middle, half red adobo, half green parsley — and the fig tart for dessert. Everything else is a bonus.
- What if I can't get a Contramar reservation?
- Try a weekday at noon sharp as a walk-in, or book its sister spot Entremar in Polanco, which serves much of the same menu with easier tables. Same tuna tostadas, less scene.
- What are Contramar's hours? Why does it close so early?
- Roughly noon to 8pm weekdays and 11am to 8pm weekends — it's fundamentally a lunch restaurant, in the grand Mexico City tradition of the long afternoon comida. Plan it as your main meal of the day, not dinner.
- How do I get to Contramar?
- It's at Durango 200 in Roma Norte, about ten minutes' walk from Metro Sevilla or Insurgentes on Line 1. From most tourist bases in Roma, Condesa, or Juárez it's an easy walk or a short ride.
- Is Contramar overrated now that it's so famous?
- The food has stayed remarkably consistent for a place this hyped — the kitchen executes the classics as well as ever. What's changed is the crowd: weekends skew heavily international. Go weekday lunch and it still feels like the beloved local institution it is.
- What's the vibe — is it fancy?
- Lively, not stuffy: a big bright room, waiters in white, tables of friends settling in for three-hour lunches. Smart casual is plenty. Friday afternoon is the legendary scene — loud, festive, and long.
Nearby in Ask Mexico City
- Tierra Seca - MEZCALERIABar0.11 km · 1 min walk
- CUMBÉ Coffee RoastersCafé0.15 km · 2 min walk
- Expendio de Pulques Finos La PiqueraBar0.21 km · 3 min walk
- TlecanBar0.26 km · 3 min walk
- Panadería RosettaCafé0.4 km · 5 min walk
Where to stay near Contramar
Compare hotels & stays on Booking.com · doesn’t affect the Friend Score