El Mayor · Rooftop Bar · Mexico City
A terrace table right over the Templo Mayor excavation
El Mayor has the single most unusual view in Mexico City. The terrace sits above the Porrua bookshop on the corner of Republica de Argentina and Justo Sierra, and it looks straight down into the open excavation of the Templo Mayor - the stacked platforms, the serpent heads, the archaeologists working the trenches. Lift your eyes and the Metropolitan Cathedral fills the middle distance, with the roofs of the old city and the Torre Latinoamericana behind it.
The deck is a calm modern room laid over granite and timber, planted with cactus and agave, with a mural along one wall and a glass canopy pulled over the tables when the sun is hard. Half the terrace is open to the sky, half shaded, and the noise of the Centro never quite reaches it.
The kitchen belongs to chef Begona Perez-Porrua Suarez, who opened El Mayor in 2008 as a food-and-culture project sourcing state by state: chapulines, cochinita pibil, Sonoran ribeye and moles. Drinks stay regional and easy, with mezcal, michelada, sangria and Aperol spritz.
This one is for daylight - breakfast, a long lunch or a late-afternoon drink before it closes at 18:30.
Address: Republica de Argentina 15, Centro Historico, Cuauhtemoc, 06020 Ciudad de Mexico, CDMX, Mexico City
El Mayor takes its own reservations direct in Mexico City. This MyRSVP guide covers the room, what it is known for and when to go.
Hours of operation
- Monday: 09:00 - 18:30
- Tuesday: 09:00 - 18:30
- Wednesday: 09:00 - 18:30
- Thursday: 09:00 - 18:30
- Friday: 09:00 - 18:30
- Saturday: 09:00 - 18:30
- Sunday: 09:00 - 18:30
Frequently asked about El Mayor
How do I book a table at El Mayor in Mexico City?
El Mayor is an open-door rooftop: walk in, or book a table with the venue directly. The hours and location are on this page. Your host opens the door on arrival so you walk straight to a ready table.
How much is a table at El Mayor?
A table at El Mayor depends on the night (weekends and event dates price highest), your group size, and where the table sits relative to the DJ booth and dance floor. Rather than a price that changes weekly, our Mexico City partner quotes your exact minimum spend in writing when confirming, so you know the cost before you arrive.
What is the dress code at El Mayor?
El Mayor keeps an upscale nightlife dress code: stylish, dressed-up attire. Avoid athletic wear, gym shoes, and overly casual looks. Your host manages the door with your table, and we confirm the current policy with your booking.
What time should I arrive at El Mayor?
Table guests generally arrive as the room fills, with the peak on weekends. Your MyRSVP host coordinates a specific arrival window so you are not waiting in line.
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