Masala & Maíz

“OMG practically sums it up because the flavors are BEYOND AMAZING! We started with the samosas, which set the tone for a fantastic meal because the flavors immediately brought both Indian and Mexican flavors at their highest level! The chatti had tons of texture and savory/sweet flavors wrapped in a crunchy corn shell reminiscent of pani puri. Now that damn watermelon salad was NEXT LEVEL and probably our favorite dish of the meal: crisp sweet watermelon mixed with a salty dressing that contained mustard seed and tossed with slices of grapefruit, jicama, pickled radish, & celery...it was a full-on flavor & textural experience! The fried chicken w/ ginger sweet potato puree was divine, especially when topped off with the berbere-spiced oil. ❤️ I will be back the next time we visit Mexico City again!”

“Wonderful!!! Norma and Saqib, the owners have out done themselves. The service, servers, food, cocktails, and wines are amazing. I watched them on YouTube talk about other independent restaurants before our trip. I had the Feni Daquiri (2) which were amazing. They bring each table a starter, which when we were there it was boiled peanuts with warm spices. One could eat the shells they were that good. We had Mejillones Balchao as an appitizer. Then the Pesca Khatti Mithi for the main course. Again, amazing..... make sure to make reservations in advance...”

“Masala y Maíz continues to be outstanding. The new location is larger, more modern, and still warm. It’s Michelin-recognized two years running, and it shows. Front-of-house service was exceptional—coordinated, attentive, and confident. We had multiple dietary restrictions, and the team handled everything flawlessly, even having the chef guide our coursed meal. Every dish was excellent, with a smart blend of Indian and Mexican flavors. Pricey, but justified. Reservations and a deposit are required. Truly Michelin-level.”

“Every dish we tried was vibrant and thoughtfully executed. The fusion of Mexican, Indian, and East African influences makes for a unique and memorable meal. That said, the portion sizes felt a bit underwhelming, especially when it came to the proteins, which left us wanting a little more substance for the price. Still, the quality and originality of the food make it worth a visit.”

“Important tip: make a reservation. Even on a weekday (we went on a Thursday), we almost had an issue getting a table. This place fills up quickly. One thing that stood out, and not just to us, was the hostess’s attitude. After reading other reviews, it’s clear many guests have mentioned the same thing, which makes it surprising that this hasn’t been addressed. In contrast, the rest of the staff were genuinely friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Masala y Maíz offers an interesting concept that blends Indian and Mexican cuisine, but the overall experience felt slightly disconnected. The design, the menu, and the food itself didn’t fully align, which felt odd for a restaurant with this reputation. Another unexpected issue was the lack of an English menu. For a restaurant that attracts international diners, it’s surprising that guests have to rely on translation apps (which don’t translate dishes accurately) or depend entirely on staff explanations and personal recommendations, which naturally vary. That said, the food itself was very good. Everything we tried, from the sauces to the starters and side elements, was flavorful and thoughtfully prepared. The chicken was excellent, and while the shrimp dish only included two pieces, the richness of the flavor helped justify it. The table next to us ordered the fish and mentioned the crust felt a bit heavy for their taste (we didn’t try it ourselves).”