Roma Sur is Roma Norte's less-photographed, more-eating twin. Same tree-lined streets, same architectural bones, but fewer influencers and more people who actually live here. The result: taco stands that have been running the same al pastor recipe since 1965, a Pakistani BBQ restaurant that belongs on every serious food person's radar, Oaxacan tlayudas done with proper care, and Italian pasta that punches above its price. This is where locals eat when they want something real.
What to Order
The same al pastor recipe since 1965. A vertical spit, a tortilla, a wedge of pineapple, and nothing else. One of the highest-rated taquerías in all of Roma — and most visitors have never heard of it.
Barbacoa Ana Maria slow-cooks whole lamb in a pit overnight. The consomé comes first — a deep, fatty broth with chickpeas — then the meat arrives on handmade tortillas. Weekend mornings only.
Roma Sur's best Italian trattoria: rotating handmade pasta dishes, market-driven antipasti, and a wine list worth lingering over. Warm, unhurried atmosphere. Reserve on weekends.
Tlayudas Metate uses the real thing: a large, crunchy Oaxacan base spread with black beans, asiento, quesillo, and your choice of meat. One of the best representations of Oaxacan street food in a Mexico City sit-down setting.
ZAIQA BBQ is genuinely surprising: Pakistani halal BBQ in Roma Sur, done with the same care you'd find at a Lahore dhaba. Tandoori whole chicken, seekh kebabs, malai boti. A neighbourhood secret worth keeping.
The Vibe
Roma Sur runs south of Álvaro Obregón (the boulevard that marks the boundary with Roma Norte) down to Viaducto. The energy is noticeably calmer: fewer outdoor terraces with weekend crowds, more actual residents eating at their neighbourhood spots. Mercado Medellín — technically straddling both colonias — anchors the area with market food, fresh produce, and one of the best selections of chillies in the city. On weekend mornings, the streets around Medellín feel like what all of Roma Norte used to be before the food media found it.
Taquerías & Antojitos
Roma Sur has some of the best taquerías in the city. Los Parados is the crown jewel — a taquería that has been running since before Roma Norte was on anyone's food radar. La Reyna does carnitas the old way: a pile of maciza, surtido, lengua, and trompa on fresh corn tortillas, eaten standing. La Roma does arrachera and costilla with proper char. These are destination tacos, not convenience stops.
Bars & Wine
Roma Sur has developed a quiet bar scene that feels less performative than Roma Norte. Vigneron is a proper wine bar with a thoughtful list. BACAL centres its entire menu around corn — mezcal cocktails, snacks, and small plates that celebrate the ingredient. Consalero Bar does mezcal and natural wine in a low-key neighbourhood setting. None of these are the spots you'll see on food Instagram, which is exactly the point.
Getting Around
Roma Sur is walkable from Roma Norte (just cross Álvaro Obregón heading south) and from Narvarte (heading north). The nearest metro is Álvaro Obregón (Line 9) on the northern edge. Ecobici docks are scattered through the colonia. Like Roma Norte, there's no reason to drive — parking is scarce and everything worth eating is within a 15-minute walk.
