Located in Mexico City, in the heart of the vibrant Roma Norte neighborhood, Lina merges sustainability with seasonal gastronomy, offering a memorable dining experience with dishes that combine global influences and traditional Mexican techniques.
Lina celebrates its first anniversary, establishing itself as a space where the senses, experiences, and the art of fine dining converge. Designed as a tribute to sophisticated simplicity, the restaurant has made seasonality its cornerstone and respect for local ingredients its hallmark. Inspired by the multiple meanings of its name—evoking natural softness, nobility, and authentic beauty—Lina embodies the personal vision of chef Mariana Villegas, creating a place where aesthetics, sustainability, and gastronomy intertwine in a unique way, offering diners an experience that transcends food to become a true celebration of the senses.
Lina’s menu reflects Mariana Villega’s extensive international career, having honed her culinary art through training at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America and collaborating with renowned chefs such as Enrique Olvera at both Pujol and Cosme, and Gabriela Cámara at Grupo Contramar. Her experience spans some of the most renowned kitchens in New York, Paris, and Southeast Asia, blending these influences with a deep respect for traditional Mexican techniques. In every dish, Villegas brings together the contemporary with the ancestral. Lina’s menu is an ode to seasonal seafood and vegetables, all prepared on a wood-fired grill—the heart of the restaurant. Every dish is crafted to enhance authentic flavors, with fresh herbs and citrus adding a balanced acidity that enriches the culinary experience.
The culinary offering is a veritable symphony of fresh flavors, with a constantly evolving menu that adapts to what the soil and season provide. The open kitchen allows diners to observe the creative process, where the use of wood and fire plays a central role. Standout dishes include trout tartare with mandarin lemon, jicama, and hibiscus crème fraîche; chocolate clam ceviche with watermelon, xoconostle, and chiltepín; and grilled heirloom squash with pine nut sauce, smoked dashi, black vinegar, and mint, showcasing boldness and authenticity.
Another key attraction is the carefully curated wine list. It features labels that range from emerging Mexican vineyards to biodynamic and natural wines from Europe, always with a focus on sustainability and quality. The Lina team has worked together to create a selection that aligns with the values of the project, favoring artisanal producers. At Lina, each sip complements the menu’s characteristics, offering an experience grounded in respect for the product and the environment.
Lina’s atmosphere invites diners to enjoy a unique experience, where music intertwines with the design of the space. Ash wood tables and chairs and a tzalam wood bar are complemented by clay-crafted lighting and artisanal ceramics—by artisans such as Irina Calderón, Perla Valtierra, and the Ruiz López and La Chicharra workshops from Oaxaca—creating a visual identity that honors Mexican culture without losing sight of modernity. The use of local materials represents not only an aesthetic choice but also a genuine commitment to environmental preservation.
Lina’s dedication to workplace sustainability and team well-being is essential to its success, fostering a respectful and equitable working environment that ensures fairness and transparency. Since its inception, Lina has aimed to become a classic in Mexico City, offering a creative culinary approach in a welcoming atmosphere, where every detail is designed for diners to enjoy memorable moments and always discover something new.
ABOUT LINA
Lina is a restaurant in Mexico City that celebrates the convergence of fine dining and sustainability. Founded in 2023 by chef Mariana Villegas, Lina stands out for its commitment to seasonality and respect for local ingredients, offering a menu that reflects Villegas’ extensive international experience. With an ethical and responsible approach, the restaurant uses local materials in its design and ensures fair and transparent working conditions for its team. Lina’s warm and refined atmosphere, complemented by a carefully selected wine list, invites diners to enjoy a unique sensory experience in a space that honors Mexican culture while looking toward the future.
ABOUT MARIANA VILLEGAS
Mariana Villegas, a native of Monterrey, Mexico, has built an exceptional culinary career, winning acclaim in some of the world’s most renowned kitchens. After graduating from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York, she began her career in the U.S. with internships at the acclaimed Blackbird restaurant in Chicago and Union Square Café under the guidance of Danny Meyer. These experiences provided her with a solid technical and creative foundation, marked by respect for ingredients and precision in every dish. Upon returning to Mexico, she joined Enrique Olvera’s team at Pujol, where she delved deeper into the roots of contemporary Mexican cuisine. She later became head chef and part of the founding team of Cosme in New York, where she solidified her focus on ingredients and techniques that honor the authenticity of flavors. Additionally, she led Verde, a restaurant focused on sustainability, demonstrating her commitment to the environment and local producers.
Villegas has also explored other cultures, traveling through Southeast Asia to immerse herself in new techniques and flavors. In Paris, she served as a resident chef at Fulgurances L’Adresse, a space dedicated to new culinary trends. In Mexico, she also collaborated with Gabriela Cámara at Grupo Contramar and in international projects such as Cala in San Francisco. She currently leads Lina, her restaurant in Mexico City, where she combines her vast international experience with her Mexican roots, offering a cuisine that balances the local and the global.
