Masala y Maíz

Masala y Maíz is a fusion restaurant in Mexico City known for blending Mexican, African and Indian cuisines. Founded by chefs Norma Listman and Saqib Keval, the restaurant defines its approach as mestizaje rebelde ("rebellious mestizaje"), a concept that, according to its founders, acknowledges the complex legacies of colonization by naming systems of oppression while also celebrating the diverse cultures that have shaped their culinary influences. The restaurant was opened in 2017 in the neighborhood of San Miguel Chapultepec, and despite bureaucratic challenges and a temporary closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has gained recognition for its innovative dishes. Masala y Maíz later relocated to the neighborhood of Juárez, near the city's historic center. Dishes sold at the restaurant have included uttapam topped with chickpeas and chutney; jumbo shrimps grilled with masala; or gordita with za'atar raita. It has received acclaim from local and international food critics and was awarded one Michelin star in the second Michelin Guide covering restaurants in Mexico.