things to do
Mexico City is one of the biggest cities in the world and there are so many neighborhoods to visit and things to do that it would be very difficult for anyone to visit all of them. This list is meant to present you our favorite ones. We want you to make the most our of your trip and we wanted to present to you a competent list of things to do, places to visit, and what to eat! We hope this helps you plan out your visit!
Rooftop at Hotel Condesa
Oli in Parque Mexico
Parque Espana
Oli trying to play pool
This is where Rod used to live
LA CONDESA
Wide, tree-lined avenues, stately art nouveau mansions and well-maintained art deco apartment buildings give chic La Condesa a distinctly European vibe. Hipsters walk dogs in shady Parque España and young professionals browse the fashions in cutting-edge boutiques. Stylish sidewalk cafes, trendy international bistros and casual taquerias dot the area. At night, posh bars and clubs fill with a younger crowd. This is one of our favorite neighborhoods and I would plan to come walk around or eat / go to a bar once at least if I was you! This neighborhood is very international, people from all over the world live here. I also like it because it has a lot of options in terms of what to eat, I believe. There’s Middle Eastern, Japanese, Italian, French, Greek, Dutch, Korean etc. restaurants I have tried here that are interesting and that always have something new to offer. This is where my family and I used to live before we moved to the US.
Food
• Merotoro
• Taqueria El Greco (They have weird hours, but one of the best tacos, gringas, and consomes undeniably)
• El Tizoncito (the classic taqueria here)
• Huset (nice outdoor space)
• Cedron
• La Esquina del Chilaquil (home of the famous tortas de chilaquiles, there’s always a line, but it’s worth the wait!
Desserts & Coffee
• Neveria Roxy (if you are feeling curious, try flavors you haven’t heard of before, like Mamey, Guanabana, or Cajeta! Every flavor is excellent, this is my favorite Ice Cream Shop)
• Maque (this place also offers breakfast, I also see it as a Mexican pâtisserie. You could stop by and then walk around Parque Mexico! Always a solid combo)
• Café Toscano (right at Parque Mexico, bohemian vibes, they have food too)
• El Moro
• Café de la Selva
• El Péndulo (This one is a blend between restaurant, coffee shop and library. Interesting. Sometimes they play live music there, mostly jazz. Great vibes)
• Rococó café (right at Parque España)
• Pasteleria Suiza (Well-known patisserie selling a huge variety of European-style tarts, pastries & cakes, plus breads. FYI Anthony almost passed out when I took him here)
• Bo Patisseria (An absolute delight of a place. Their tarts and banana breads are unmatched, if you stay in La Condesa do yourself a favor and go get that Mamey tart, thank me later)
Bars (and Clubs)
• Hotel Condesa DF (it has two areas, the courtyard and the rooftop, which opens at 2:00pm. Great example of Mexican modernism, solid cocktails, and a vibrant ambiance. Really like this place)
• Mala Fama (a pool bar with artistic photographs on display. Do not hesitate to challenge me at pool, I will be there, and you will regret inviting me. Awesome place)
• Leonor (Night Club. Small but great!)
• La Clandestina (A beautifully cozy bar indoors, with outdoor seating. Great music. Knowledgeable and friendly staff + a world class selection of Mezcal. We like Mezcal, right?)
• Baltra (Cozy but modern. Amazing cocktails)
• Ololo
Culture
• Parque Mexico
• Parque España
POLANCO
World-famous brands and upscale international restaurants line Avenida Presidente Masaryk, the premier shopping avenue at the heart of this prestigious district. Leafy side streets host Spanish Colonial Revival mansions and luxe apartments. To the north, Nuevo Polanco features modern architecture, including the futuristic Museo Soumaya, with its vast Rodin collection, and one of Latin America's largest aquariums. And to the South, Avenida Paseo de la Reforma functions as a gateway to most of the most famous museums in the city and to the Bosque de Chapultepec. You can’t miss getting to know this area! Another favorite for sure!
Food
Asian
• Tori Tori
• Hoon Korean BBQ
• Asai Kaiseki Cuisine
• Iwashi Sushi
• Oku
• Ryoshi
Mexican
• Comedor Jacinta
• Pujol (really good! If you wanna go you have to reserve NOW, if you attempt two months prior your trip you may not get a table)
• Dulcinea
• Lampuga
• Sylvestre (Mexican Grill)
• Bellinghausen (Located in our former Sports club “Mundet”. Blend between Mexican and Spanish cuisine)
• Tortas Las Margaritas
• Quintonil
• Sylvestre (fancy, steak cuts)
• Ofelia
• La Unica
• Fisher’s
International
• Emilio (Spanish food)
• Prosecco (Italian food)
• Casa Portuguesa
• Mythos (Greek Food)
• LUR
• KO MA
• Noso
• Villa Azur
• Blanco Castelar
Brunch & Breakfast
• Maque (you can get coffee and a snack too if you are not too hungry. I see this place as a Mexican pâtisserie)
• Maison Belen
• Quesadillas Maria Isabel
• Snob
• Ivoire (really good and next to Parque Lincoln)
• Matisse
• Lardo (super good, super popular, reserve now!)
Desserts & Coffee
• Cafe Toscano
• ENO
• Joselo Café
• El Moro (Churros)
• Amorino (ice cream)
• Neveria Roxy (if you are feeling curious, try flavors you haven’t heard of before, like Mamey, Guanabana, or Cajeta! Every flavor is excellent, this is my favorite Ice Cream Shop)
Bars (and Clubs)
• Ticuchi
• Dirty Dandy Bar (Above Ivoire)
• Jules Basement
• Living Room Bar (at W hotel)
• Gin Gin
Culture
• Museo Antropología
• Museo Tamayo
• Museo Arte Moderno
• Castillo de Chapultepec
• Museo Jumex
• Museo Soumaya
• ESPACIO CDMX, Arquitectura y Diseño
ROMA
Colonia Roma, also called La Roma or simply, Roma, is a district located in the Cuauhtémoc borough of Mexico City just west of the city's historic center, and in fact is no longer a single Colonia but now two officially defined ones, Roma Norte and Roma Sur, divided by Coahuila street. Great restaurants and bars in this area!
Food
Asian
• Sesame
• Mog Bistro
• Izakaya Kura
• Kiin Thai-Viet Eatery
• Galanga (Thai food)
Mexican
• Contramar (One of my favorite restaurants in the city! This is a blend of all the Mexican seafood in the country in an airy dining room with an expansive plant-filled patio. Also plan ahead to come here as it is super popular these days!)
• El Jarocho (Tacos)
• Pato Manila (Tacos)
• Rosetta
• Campobaja (Seafood)
• Pasillo de Humo
• Bistro 99 (inside Casa Lamm)
• Casa Virginia
• Orinoco (Tacos)
• Lorea
• Nudo Negro
• Maximo Bistrot
• La Zaranda
• El Parnita
International
• Bowie
• Huset
• Palmarés (Rooftop)
• Purveyor 46
• Broka
• Sartoria (Italian food)
• Soul la Roma (Burgers)
• Aurora
• Blanco Colima
• Meroma
• Macelleria
• Madre Cafe
Brunch & Breakfast
• Ojo de Agua
• Lalo! (try the "omelette de escamoles"!)
• Delirio
• Freims
• Belmondo
• ENO
• Cafe Milou
• Juana Juana
Desserts & Coffee
• Helados Cometa
• Churrería el Moro
• IceCream Nation
• Helado Obscuro
• Buna Café
• Dosis Café
Culture
• Casa Bosques (Bookshop)
• Casa Lamm
• Museo del Objeto (MODO)
• Galería OMD
• LIGA Arquitectura y Diseño
• Proyectos Monclova
• Cafebrería el Péndulo (Bookshop)
Bars (and Clubs)
• Tokyo Music Bar (There’s a DJ playing vinyls, normally 80’s music from around the world. Cocktails are decent)
• Cafe de Nadie
• Casa Awolly
• Xaman
• Parker and Lenox
• Hanky Panky
• Limantour
CENTRO HISTÓRICO / ZOCALO
Home to historic landmarks dating from as far back as the Aztec era, Centro Historico is the city's beating heart. Centered around the massive Zócalo plaza, the area draws tourists to museums and iconic buildings like the art nouveau Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Street vendors and basic taquerías exist in harmony with high-end restaurants along the bustling, pedestrian-only Calle Madero.
Food
• Azul Histórico
• Casino Español
Culture
• Palacio de Correos
• Torre Latinoamericana
• Alameda Central
• Antiguo Palacio de Iturbide
• Templo Mayor
• Catedral Metropolitana
• Biblioteca de Mexico
• Biblioteca Vasconcelos (Buenavista)
• Museo Universitario el Chopo (Sta Maria la Ribera)
• Los Cocuyos
• El Torito
COYOACAN
The leafy Jardín Centenario park sits at the center of bohemian Coyoacán, known for its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. The bright-blue Museo de Frida Kahlo, showcasing her life and work, is here, as are the well-preserved former home of Leon Trotsky, art galleries, and colorful artisan markets. Upscale sidewalk cafes sit side by side with laid-back ice cream parlors along the tree-lined streets.
Food
• Cafe Ruta de Seda
• Quesadillas Mercado Coyoacán
• Los Danzantes
Culture
• Casa Azul (Frida Kahlo)
• Museo Arte Contemporáneo (MUAC) (Ciudad Universitaria)
• Espacio Escultórico
• Viveros de Coyoacán
SAN ANGEL
Once a rural hamlet far outside the city, San Ángel today is a charming neighborhood of cobblestone streets and bougainvillea-covered colonial homes. Sidewalk cafes and upscale restaurants line leafy Plaza San Jacinto, and the 17th-century El Carmen monastery is now a major museum. The area also offers galleries, popular Saturday art markets and the side-by-side homes of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, now a museum.
Food
• L’Encanto de Lola
• Mercado del Carmen
• Fiesole (altavista)
• Sud 777 (pedregal)
• San Angel Inn
• Saks
Culture
• Mercado del sábado
SANTA FE
Santa Fe, dominated by corporate skyscrapers, is Mexico City's most modern district. The streets are bustling during working hours and quieter by night, and are home to international restaurants ranging from fast food to upscale. The area features several college campuses and global chain hotels, as well as the Centro Santa Fe, a sprawling 500-store shopping mall, which is among the largest in Latin America. This area is a bit far from the center of the city (POLANCO - CONDESA), but it’s nice.
Food
• Cascabel
• Central Central
• Comrade
• Jin San Shabu Shabu
• Piacevole
• Aida
• Toro
• Becco
• Porco Rosso (parque la mexicana)
• Sakai
JUAREZ
Built as an aristocratic enclave of 19th-century mansions, Juárez today is a dynamic area that draws both punks and young professionals. The area is home to the Zona Rosa, a gay-friendly district of busy streets, sidewalk bars and lively nightclubs, as well as a thriving Korean immigrant community. Dining options include international fast food and trendy eclectic restaurants, as well as low-key Korean eateries.
Food
• Niddo
• Rokai
• Terraza Cha Cha (this is restaurant / bar in a rooftop with a pretty cool view)
• Toledo Rooftop (fancy rooftop bar, pretty cool too!)
Culture
• Aeromoto (Library)
• Pabellón del Eco
TACUBAYA
Residential Tacubaya is marked by faded colonial-era buildings and 19th-century mansions around the wooded paths and political monuments of Alameda Park. Neighboring convent Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria dates to 1590, with carved inscriptions to native tribal people who helped build it, while the nearby Casa de la Bola Museum occupies a former villa with lavishly decorated rooms and European-style gardens. That’s where the wedding will take place!
Culture
• Archivo Diseño y Arquitectura
• Casa Gilardi (Barragán)
• Casa Estudio Luis Barragán
Note: You can choose one of the two Barragán houses
• Galería Kurimanzutto