Aleli Rooftop

The story

Aleli Rooftop: Wood-Fired Mexican-Spanish Cuisine in Mexico City's Roma Norte

A Rooftop Garden in the Heart of Roma Norte

Aleli Rooftop is an outdoor grill kitchen hidden in a third-floor garden on Sinaloa Street. The space is relaxed, full of natural beauty, and entirely pet-friendly. Macadamia wood fires the parrilla, and the menu is built for sharing – with plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options, plus cold beer, mezcal, and seasonal cocktails.

The Chef Behind the Fire

Oswaldo Oliva is the creative force here. After a decade cooking abroad – including stints at El Celler de Can Roca and Mugaritz under Andoni Luis Aduriz – he returned to Mexico, inspired by chefs like Enrique Olvera. At Aleli, he channels that experience into an approachable, fire-driven kitchen that earned the restaurant a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026 for its good quality, good value cooking.

What to Eat

Starters like tuna tostadas with shoyu and ginger, or roasted lettuce hearts with pistachio-lemon emulsion, set the tone. The socarrat – a crispy paella filled with pressed chicharrón – is a specialty. Grilled octopus comes with zaranda sauce and beans; wagyu flat is finished over the coals. Don’t skip the famous cheesecake: charred on the outside, creamy within, with a seasonal compote.

A Place to Gather

Beyond the regular menu, Aleli hosts events like “Brasa de otro hogar,” where guest chefs take over the grills to present traditional, fire-based cooking from Mexican regions. The whole experience – secret garden, good food, shared plates – feels like a genuine neighborhood find, elevated by Oliva’s skill and the city’s best ingredients.