Expendio de Maíz in Mexico City: A Michelin Star With No Menu, No Sign and No Reservations
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Highlights
- One Michelin star · 2026
- Roma · Avenida Yucatán 84
- Cash only, no reservations; arrive early.
Quick Links: the official website · Mexico City guide · Michelin · Michelin dining hub
Contents
- A Michelin star at a sidewalk table
- Heirloom corn, cooked to order
- How the waitlist works
- Make it a Roma morning
- Before you go
- Frequently asked questions
A Michelin star at a sidewalk table
Expendio de Maíz may be the most unusual starred restaurant in Latin America. Michelin describes a cash-only sidewalk operation with four communal tables, no sign and no menu. It opened in 2018 on Avenida Yucatán in Roma, received a Bib Gourmand in 2024, a star in 2025, and holds one star in 2026.
Heirloom corn, cooked to order
Everything begins with corn. The kitchen nixtamalizes heirloom varieties in-house and shapes tortillas, sopes and huaraches to order, topped with whatever is in season and a rotating set of salsas. There is no fixed menu: cooks decide what comes next, and the meal unfolds as a series of surprises.
It is one of the best places in the city to understand how much flavor and texture good masa can carry.
How the waitlist works
Reservations are not accepted. You add your name to the on-site list and wait; Michelin notes that the queue can grow quickly. Go early in the day, come with patience and bring cash, as cards are not accepted. Michelin also notes that you can bring your own bottle.
Make it a Roma morning
Because Expendio opens in the morning, it pairs well with a slow day in Roma: coffee, a market, galleries and the shops in our Mexico City concept stores guide. Keep plans flexible in case the wait runs long.
The image on this page shows tortillas on a comal, not the restaurant.
Before you go
Check the official website and social channels for current hours, which Michelin lists as Tuesday to Sunday with Mondays closed. Expect outdoor seating and sharing a table with strangers — part of the charm.
For the rest of the stay, you can compare accommodation through our travel partner. Our ShopMy travel collection offers optional packing ideas. These affiliate links may earn us a commission from qualifying bookings or purchases; they do not reserve a table. Return to the Michelin dining hub to explore other distinctions and destinations.
Frequently asked questions
Does Expendio de Maíz take reservations?
No. It works with an on-site waitlist, so arrive early.
Is Expendio de Maíz cash only?
Yes; Michelin lists it as cash only.
Does Expendio de Maíz have a menu?
No. The cooks serve a changing sequence of corn-based dishes made to order from heirloom nixtamalized corn.
How many Michelin stars does Expendio de Maíz have?
One Michelin star in the 2026 Michelin Guide Mexico.
Verified 12 October 2026. Official sources: Michelin · Restaurant · 2026 selection
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