Museum Restaurants in CDMX / Fonda del Chocolate, at MUCHO (Museo del Chocolate)
Chocolate is one of the world's most recognized delicacies and originated right here in Mexico. There's a museum dedicated to it and a "very chocolaty" eatery.
By Alejandro Pohlenz
Though the word "cacao" has Greek roots meaning "food of the gods," "chocolate" comes from the Mayan terms "xocol" (bitter) and "atl" (water). The literal translation would be "bitter water"; this was the drink consumed by the Mexica people before Europeans added sugar and milk. What I find fascinating (and I hope you do too) is that "chocolate" is the most famous Nahuatl-origin word in the world: it's "chocolate" in English, French, Italian, German, and Portuguese. In Japanese, it's "chokoreto," and in Russian, "shokolad."
The Chocolate Museum
We open with this delightful prologue to introduce you to MUCHO, the "Museo del Chocolate" (Chocolate Museum), which first opened its delicious doors in 2012. They say that MUCHO "offers a historical and sensory journey (that's the best kind) of chocolate, from pre-Hispanic times to today."
MUCHO's home is a grand 1909 mansion. It delights us with nine rooms, notably the "chocolate room," made, of course, with chocolate bars (it makes you want to lick the walls!). There are chocolate sculptures and a room called "of essences," where you can revel in the diverse aromas of chocolates. "Visitors can experience the pleasure of listening to the history of chocolate like a story: letting themselves be carried away by the narration and admiring simple and beautiful objects, photographs, engravings, strolling through the halls without haste," reads the official website.
The Chocolaty Protagonist
There, at MUCHO, the Fonda del Cacao was established, obviously specializing in the substance that so sweetens us today. Of course, there are hot and cold chocolate-based drinks. And the desserts are wonderful! What I found most delicious were the chocolate tamales: they are pure ecstasy.
- What we love and you must try: The chocolate tamales.
- Address: Milán 45, Colonia Juárez, CDMX.
- Hours and days of operation: Monday to Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Ideal for: Dipping (chopear, implying pastries or bread).
- Payment: Cash and cards.
- Accessibility: Yes.
- Reservations: No.
- Nearby public transport: Metrobús Insurgentes Sur (Calle Dinamarca stop).
- Pet Friendly: No.
- Kid-Friendly: Yes.
- Vegan options: No.
