Mexico City guide
Mexico City, also known as CDMX, is an incredibly exciting metropolis with 22 million inhabitants, making it the 5th largest city in the world. Its tree-lined streets are abundantly full of incredible culture, food, art and architecture.
stay
There are many great neighbourhoods to choose from, each offering its own unique vibe. At the intersection of Mexico City's culinary and artistic worlds, Roma Norte is home to a creative crowd and many young professionals, both on holidays and working remotely. Its leafy central avenue, Avenida Álvaro Obregón, is lined with bustling bars, refurbished mansions and bohemian coffee shops.
Here, you'll find lots of little AirBnB ‘communes’ which are basically bigger houses with private rooms. Think hostel meets minimalist freelancer vibe. At just $30 for a room in one of these, you really can’t go wrong. Try this one with a shared bathroom, kitchen and amazing courtyard- It’s around the corner from the house where ROMA was filmed. For something a little more sophisticated while keeping traditional, try The Red Tree House towards Condesa- a B&B with the most friendly staff, traditional Mexican breakfast each morning and an aperitivo served in the courtyard each evening. Slightly further north is La Valise with stylish rooms, many of which have private terraces.
If you're looking to stay in the Condesa District near the park, consider the Condesa DF hotel which serves an excellent spicy margarita on their rooftop. Though be warned if you’re rushing to dinner, the service is a little slow.
Another great option is the Polanco District, home to Las Alcobas and The Wilde Oscar hotels. While Polanco is a more upscale area, these hotels offer a more laid-back, boutique feel.
Image Credit: La Valise
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You could spend weeks wandering around the city, just taking in the incredible atmosphere, architecture and food stalls. However there’s plenty more to see. Here are a few of our favourites:
Frida Khalo’s house and museum in Coyoacan (south side of the city) is an amazing experience. Many of hers and Diego Rivera’s works are on display as well as their beautifully unique house with her art studio, as they lived in it. The outdoor courtyard is incredibly relaxing. Ensure to book in advance and visit the Atelier de Frida Y Diego at the end of the museum as it’s often missed and gives fascinating insight into their life. Afterwards go across the street to the beautiful San Angel Inn for lunch or refreshments. Head to the nearby mercado de Coyoacan to explore the endless number of market stalls.
Take a boat tour through Xochimilco’s canals. The weekdays are more laid back with weekends including live mariachi music and more lively groups.
The best word to describe the Centro Histórico is ‘hectic’. There’s so much to see everywhere you look. The Palacio de Bellas Artes is an incredibly impressive building whose spectacular roof can be seen from the cafe in the adjacent Telcel Torre Latinoamericana building. Try to catch a performance of the Ballet Folklorico in the palace if you can. Head to the Casa de Los Azulejos for a traditional tea/coffee experience with beautiful cakes, traditional tiled interiors and dress. The Diego Rivera murals in the Palacio Nacional are definitely worth a visit too.
While in the Centro Histórico, why not head to the Lucho Libre for a very different evening activity! Local families and friends gather here to cheer on their favourite fighter and enjoy drinks and snacks. The Coliseo seems to be one of the most popular venues.
Walk up to the castle along the inclined path through the park to experience an amazing view of the city and attempt to grasp the vastness of it. The gardens are stunning and well worth an explore. The castle also sometimes has performances of the symphony. Explore some of the upscale cafes and restaurants in the nearby Polanco afterwards.
For architecture enthusiasts, the Luis Barragan house is a must-visit. It's a unique example of modernist architecture in Mexico City and its fuschia pink walls are very aesthetically pleasing.
Vintage Shopping
Mexico City has an eclectic style scene. Many of the best vintage shops are concentrated around C. Querétaro in Roma Norte.
Teotihuacan
This ancient city, is a popular day trip destination. It's home to some of the most impressive pyramids in Mexico, and you can end your day with a visit to the touristy yet spectacular La Gruta restaurant. For a more unique view of the pyramids, opt for a hot air balloon tour at sunrise. Flying Pictures includes accommodation pickup, coffee, refreshments and a buffet breakfast afterwards.
Museums
If you're interested in contemporary art, check out the Soumaya Art Museum, Jumex Art Museum (both of these are located beside each other so perfect for a rainy or extra hot day in the city) and Kurimanzutto Art Gallery.
Alternatively the Museo Nacional de Antropología is a great option to learn about the ancient Aztecs and Mayans, while the nearby Museo Tamayo showcases contemporary paintings, sculptures and photography. Get some mango with hot sauce afterwards from one of the many nearby stalls in the park!
restaurants
Mexico City is a culinary destination, and with so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming. Here are some of the top, more refined (although still much less than what you’d be paying in Europe or the US for some incredible food!) restaurants to try..
Contramar is a must-visit restaurant in Mexico City. This is where the famous Tuna Tostada was invented. A bright, white table clothed bustling room is often filled with stylish people and groups enjoying long weekend lunches at the weekend. Try the ceviche, tuna tostadas, red clam ceviche, octopus tostada, prawn aquachile and the Carajillo for your digestif.
Pujol is another must-visit restaurant, famous for its creative Mexican cuisine. The tasting menu is a must-try, and the atmosphere is upscale yet casual, with beautifully neutral interiors.
For seafood lovers, Mi Compa Chava Marisquería and Entremar are excellent choices.
Santo is a tiny spot in Roma Norte with amazingly fresh hand rolled sushi and Japanese food, all cooked in front of you as you sit around the large communal table. Head across the street to the Blanco Colima hotel bar for a spicy margarita in a gorgeous setting.
Masala Y Maiz is a vegan and vegetarian-friendly option.
Image Credit: Contramar
street food
It’s generally hard to go wrong with casual streetfood in CDMX and the value is truly hard to believe! Some key things to try in the city are tacos al pastor (pork with pineapple), tortas (big Mexican sandwiches- get an egg, cheese, chorizo and avocado one for breakfast!) and elotes (grilled corn on the cob). Here are some of our favourite spots:
El Vilsito Tacos: Located in a repurposed car repair garage, this taqueria is a bit far from Roma Norte, but definitely worth the trip. The tacos al pastor here are some of the best in the city.
Taqueria Orinoco: With multiple locations around the city, Orinoco offers a variety of delicious tacos and amazing potatoes in a diner style setting. Don't miss out on their chicharron tacos.
Tortas al Fuego: This spot not only has great el Pastor tacos, but their tortas are also a must-try. Sit outside in the casual street chairs and watch the mesmerising ‘pineapple flick’ as they slice off a thin piece of pork meat and pineapple flesh all in one swiftly impressive movement.
Tacos Hola el Guero: Located in Condesa, this hole-in-the-wall taqueria serves up tasty and authentic Mexican tacos.
El Moro: Multiple locations around the city, this classic spot is known for its crispy churros and rich hot chocolate.
coffee/bakeries
Panadería Rosetta is a must do bakery in Roma Norte. It’s a gorgeous experience but very busy. Leave your name with the hostess for an outside table (worth it for the people watching and random mariachi performances!) then take a look at all of the pastries inside. If it’s a long wait you could stroll around the nearby park Plaza Rio de Janeiro which often has weekend markets. There are many freshly squeezed orange juice stalls for 30c lining the streets of Roma Norte so get one of these to keep you going ahead of your coffee! The Rosetta restaurant is a romantic evening dining option also.
Cafe Milou is another beautiful option for coffee in Condesa- it has a very relaxing vibe filled with light and marble countertops and beautiful trinkets for sale.
Cafe Nin in Juárez is great for a more substantial breakfast or brunch - you can’t go wrong with their avocado toast or churro waffles.
Image Credit: Panadería Rosetta
drink
Av. Álvaro Obregón is home to a plethora of cool bars both at street level and rooftop. Licorería Limantour was named one of the top cocktail bars in the world- sit at the bar to get the full experience and chat to the mixologists about the different signature drinks as well as putting in requests for bespoke flavours. Supra Roma Rooftop is a great spot to have a view out over the city in the afternoon or early evening.
Later in the night, head to Mama Rumba, a traditional salsa bar with live music across two floors. This high energy spot is one of the best places to experience authentic Latin dance in the city and give it a go yourself, hopefully not standing out too much amongst the locals!