Fónico is one of Mexico City’s most exciting new destinations. Located in the fashionable Roma Norte neighborhood, Rayo and Fónico have quickly become essential stops for visitors eager to experience the best of CDMX’s bar and restaurant scene. Housed in a restored heritage mansion, the venues combine inventive cocktails with refined contemporary Mexican cuisine.
Since opening just over a year ago, Rayo and Fónico have attracted wide attention across the industry: they have been recognized on North America’s lists for outstanding restaurants and bars, and their team has traveled to top U.S. cocktail bars to showcase their approach. With support from local partners they have staged pop-up events that invite discerning diners and cocktail enthusiasts in the United States to plan a visit to Mexico City and explore the neighborhood.
© Courtesy of Rayo and Fonico
Roma Norte is widely regarded as one of CDMX’s most vibrant districts. Over the past decade it has drawn young professionals, expats and international visitors who stroll along Avenida Álvaro Obregón to enjoy its lively bars, cafés, street art and restored architecture. The area also hosts cultural landmarks such as Casa Lamm and casual dining hubs like MERCADOROMA (Mercado Roma), alongside a plentiful scene of street food vendors.
Fónico occupies the lower level of a multi-story mansion shared with Rayo Cocktail Bar upstairs. The interior blends period details with contemporary furnishings, creating an eclectic, inviting atmosphere. Guests can reach Fónico using one of the building’s historic elevators, adding to the venue’s character and sense of place.
© Courtesy of Rayo and Fonico
The kitchen is led by executive chef Billy Maldonado, who previously cooked at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and at Jean-Georges in New York. Maldonado developed Fónico’s concept and menu, helping the venue grow into a culinary hotspot. The menu evolves with the seasons and emphasizes sustainably sourced seafood and locally grown produce from regions surrounding Mexico City.