By admin Over the past few years, I’ve been asked for tips on visiting Mexico City more than any other place in the world. It has become one of the hottest travel destinations, and for good reason. The food scene is exploding, the people are friendly, the prices are affordable, the weather is mild year-round and there are plenty of cultural activities to interest travelers of all types.
I have visited Mexico City four times: the first time with my brother Jonathan, the second time to celebrate Jonathan’s 30th birthday (he had five of his best friends in tow, so I brought my friend Nina along), the third time on a stopover between San Miguel de Allende and Guatemala, and most recently visiting Jonathan in March 2022. My brother actually moved to the city in 2022 after a stint in Shanghai, which means I’ll likely be visiting more. All of the tips below are based on my own experiences, so this is by no means an exhaustive list. Let me know if there is something else I should check out on my next visit to CDMX!
Where to Eat
The food is truly one of the stars in Mexico City, so be sure that you come ready to eat. From cheap street food to high-end fine dining, the city has it all. In alphabetical order:
Contramar – Sceney lunch spot in Roma Norte that gets packed on the weekends. The first time I ate here I got lucky and was able to walk in and grab two seats at the bar. The second time I made a reservation (highly recommended), and we were rewarded with a table on the sidewalk. Order the tuna tostada, the sopes, and an aguachile to share, followed by the pescado a la talla.
El Parnita – Go for a lunch of tacos and micheladas at this bustling eatery with a hipster vibe. Located in the trendy Roma Norte neighborhood.
El Pescadito – Cheap, fast and casual taco joint in Condesa. Closes at 6pm.
Imbiss – Great veg-friendly spot in Roma Norte for natural wine and creative small plates.
Mercado de Medellin – This large farmer’s market in Roma Sur feels very local and is a great spot to shop for some souvenirs like mole paste and hot sauce. Locals come here for fresh produce and exotic fruits. You can also get delicious fresh juices and ice cream.
Mercado Roma – Large food market with numerous kiosks featuring a wide variety of dining options in Roma Norte. Be sure to go with an appetite. Note that this market is more commercial/touristy.
Pujol – Incredible modern Mexican cuisine by Enrique Olvera, arguably the most famous chef from Mexico City. Currently ranked #9 in the world; located in the upscale Polanco neighborhood. We celebrated my brother’s 30th birthday here and the night easily ranks in the top five dining experiences of my life. Tasting menu only, but they do offer multiple options for most courses. The design is modern, minimalist and sophisticated, making good use of lighting for Instagram-worthy photo shoots, while still maintaining a dim and moody ambiance. Reservations are required and can be made online.
Quintonil – The other fine dining Mexican destination that is consistently ranked in the top 50 in the world (currently #27) and also in Polanco. I went for dinner the first time and ordered the tasting menu and wine pairing, which were terrific but needed about three hours to get through. On my second visit, we went for lunch and ordered a la carte. The ambiance feels more traditional than Pujol, but isn’t too stuffy. Make reservations online.
Rosetta – Romantic Italian restaurant for when you feel like a break from Mexican food. My brother and his buddies decided to have a bro meal here, which I find hilarious, but you definitely don’t need to be on a date to enjoy the delicious pastas and beautiful Roma Norte townhouse location. Reservations available online.
Street Food Bike Tour with Bikes and Munchies – If you want to try some street food but don’t know where to start, this tour is a terrific option. They take you to a handful of spots, allowing you to try a little bit of everything. Getting around on bike is safe and easy and gives you the opportunity to see a few different neighborhoods (Juarez, Condesa, Roma) as well as Chapultepec Park, while also getting some exercise.
Ticuchi – Newer spot by Enrique Olvera of Pujol. Serves inventive Oaxacan-inspired dishes with agave cocktails. Dark, trendy vibe.
Where to Drink
I owe my brother a lot of credit for introducing me Mexico City and its thriving bar scene. He has obviously spent a lot more time in the city and has a more comprehensive list of top bars on his own site, Eluded Coupe. However, you should still read on for my personal favorites first. 🙂
Condesa DF rooftop – Okay, my brother actually did not introduce me to this bar. However, I do love a good rooftop bar and Mexico City does not have many of them. If you’re in the area and the weather is nice, this bar on the roof of the boutiquey Condesa DF hotel is a great choice for a cocktail (or two) and a view.
Fifty Mils – Located in the Four Seasons hotel, Fifty Mils is an example of a hotel bar done right. The design is classic yet modern. The bar program boasts a menu that is inventive and witty. The hospitality is on point. One of my favorite cocktails is the Inside Out Manhattan, which is served in a hollowed-out sphere of an ice cube. You then get to break the cube (housed safely in a tumbler glass) and drink the perfectly balanced contents.
Handshake Speakeasy – This is a newer, speakeasy-style bar that makes excellent cocktails in a beautifully-designed space. Currently #25 in the world–definitely make reservations.
Hanky Panky – If you’re into hard-to-find speakeasies, this bar is for you. Hanky Panky has the added challenge of being a members-only bar. I’d recommend chatting up some in-the-know bartenders at other bars on this list and using your charm to hook yourself up. We wanted to go here after my brother’s birthday dinner and my Uber still got lost, despite (not very good) directions from Jonathan. Fortunately, we eventually made our way through the secret freezer door into the sleek bar and were rewarded with some Ferrari shots. Update: Looks like you can now make a reservation at Hanky Panky through OpenTable and call for directions. Takes a bit of fun out of things, but there is certainly something to be said for convenience sometimes.
Licoreria Limantour – Or just Limantour for short, this bar may be last on my list, although it’s definitely not least. There are actually two locations (one in Polanco and one in Roma), but the Roma location is the original and the real deal. Currently #11 on the World’s 50 Best Bars List, Limantour makes a mean Mezcal Negroni, but you should also absolutely order a cocktail from their award-winning menu. The Polanco location is also a lot of fun and a perfect stop for a pre-dinner drink before dining at Pujol or Quintonil.
Rayo Cocktail Bar – This high-end bar in Roma Norte offers a great open-air ambiance and terrific cocktails. When we arrived we were greeted with a gin martini trolley in the elevator. Yes, please!
Rico – This multi-level gay bar is a packed, sweaty scene on weekends. We also had to wait in line to get in, which is usually a dealbreaker for me. However, the drag queen show was so much fun and totally worth it.
Where to Stay
Mexico City features many options at both ends of the accommodations spectrum, and you typically get very good value for your money, although prices have started to tick up over the years. Some of my friends have stayed in stunning Airbnbs, and I would say that is a terrific option, especially if you’re traveling with a group. Due to my loyalty and status with Marriott (well, SPG in those days), I chose to stay in different properties in their portfolio during my first two trips to the city, and have also stayed at the Four Seasons twice.
St. Regis Mexico City – Conveniently located on the central Reforma avenue, the Mexico City branch of my favorite Marriott brand delivers everything you’d expect from a St. Regis: understated elegance and luxury, impeccable service (butlers!) and of course, those famous Bloody Marys. Rates are high by Mexico City standards, but low for a St. Regis. My agency is part of Marriott’s STARS program, so if you book with me I can get you perks such as complimentary breakfast, a $100 hotel credit for F&B, plus early check-in, late check-out and a room upgrade based on availability. I stayed here on my second trip to the city and found the location more central than the hotel I selected for my first visit, which was the…
W Mexico City – Eclectic, funky design as you’d expect from the W brand and a location in the swanky Polanco neighborhood, this hotel offers lower rates than the St. Regis and is a solid option if you want a Marriott property with character. I cashed in Suite Night Awards for my stay and was upgraded to a bi-level Marvelous Suite on the top floor with a private balcony. The location is convenient to the posh restaurants and bars in Polanco, but a bit farther away from the hipster Roma Norte neighborhood if that’s more your scene. Similar to the St. Regis, I can get you perks like complimentary breakfast, a $100 hotel credit for F&B, plus early check-in, late check-out and a room upgrade based on availability if you book with me.
Four Seasons Mexico City – My third visit to Mexico City was technically just a stopover in between trips to San Miguel de Allende and Guatemala. It was also on a Sunday, when many bars and restaurants were closed. I needed to stay somewhere convenient and stocked with amenities, and the Four Seasons didn’t disappoint. I was able to walk to the Museo Nacional de Antropología and I could enjoy drinks and dinner at the world-class bar 50 Mils (see above). In fact I loved it so much that I decided to return for my fourth visit to the city. We are preferred partners with Four Seasons so I can get you some great perks here as well!
What Else to Do
I’m a little embarrassed that this list is so short, but this post is called “How to Eat Your Way Through Mexico City,” so I wasn’t advertising the content falsely. 😉 That being said, there are WAY more things to do in the city than just eat. However, if you are like me and plan your trip around dining, there are a few activities that I’d recommend to round out your experience.
Casa Azul – Also known as the Frida Kahlo Museum, this vibrant blue house is where the fascinating artist was born, spent her childhood and later lived with her husband, Diego Rivera. It is not a stuffy museum where you walk from work to work while being shushed by the disapproving museum docents when you crack a joke. Instead, you get to walk through room to room of the house and its courtyard, which feature many of Frida and Diego’s personal effects, as well as artwork by many artists. It does not contain a significant amount of Frida’s works, but it does provide a rare and authentic glimpse into the sometimes tortured lives of a famously dynamic artist couple.
Museo Nacional de Antropología – If you have any interest in indigenous history of the Americas, this museum is a must. I only had a few hours to spend here, but could have easily spent a few days. The exhibits mainly focus on the history of the Mexica, or Aztec, people, but also includes details around the Maya and Oaxaca peoples.
Teotihuacan Pyramids – I booked a tour through Airbnb Experiences led by two brothers, Hugo and Gabriel. They provided transportation from Parque Mexico, an informative and interesting tour of the pyramids, and an incredible lunch at their family home–cooked by their grandma! We also got to taste plenty of homemade pulque (a local spirit). It was such a unique and authentic experience. Highly recommend.
Dog Watching – I admit, dog watching may seem like a strange topic to include on a list of activities in a foreign city. However, I love dogs and my lifestyle unfortunately does not support dog ownership, so I must get by with living vicariously through people who do own dogs. And Mexico City is a great place for dogs! You’ll see people walking expensive purebred dogs through the streets of ritzy Polanco (I spotted a St. Bernard and a Newfoundland one day; giant breeds are my weakness). Then you can watch the dogs all playing joyously at the dog park, which brings me to the next item on my list.
Parks – Mexico City is a terrific city for parks. This is especially important when you’re going to be indulging in so much good food and need to walk around to work up an appetite again.
- Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Forest) is the largest park, bordered by multiple central neighborhoods. It features museums, a castle, a lake, a zoo and much more. I love meandering through this park without a plan, stumbling upon succulent gardens and angel wing statues.
- Parque España is in the Condesa district, close to Roma. I like to wander here after a filling lunch at one of the aforementioned Roma Norte restaurants, enjoying all the dogs, architecture and foliage.
- Parque Mexico is also in the Condesa district, very close to Parque Espana. It features curving walkways covered by lush greenery, Art Deco architecture, a duck pond and, of course, lots of dogs.
Other Things To Note
A few final points to keep in mind when planning your culinary adventure in Mexico City:
- Ubers are plentiful, very affordable and a safe, convenient way to get around. Just note that Mexico City is a sprawling, congested metropolis, and it may take much longer than expected to drive to your destination. Plan accordingly.
- Most restaurants and bars will take credit cards, but be sure to get some pesos for street food and casual restaurants.
- Don’t expect everyone to speak English if your only exposure to Mexico has been resort destinations overrun by Americans. Be sure to know some basic phrases in Spanish. The Google Translate app will always come in handy in a pinch.
- Tipping is a thing in Mexico. Gratuity is sometimes included in the check, but if not, it is customary to add 10-20%.
- And a last note on safety. Many people still have a perception of Mexico City as a dangerous and violent place to visit. However, it is not deserving of that reputation in this day and age. You should always exercise caution when traveling, avoiding unsafe neighborhoods, not taking public transportation at night, etc. Just use common sense and make the most of your time in a colorful and friendly city!
