Mexico City:
CDMX is best explored by neighborhood. Some can be combined on foot (La Condesa, Roma, Juarez) but others are best to dedicate a whole morning to (Coyoacan & San Angel, Centro Histórico). Here's a quick rundown of where you should concentrate your time!
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. Home to Parque Mexico, Parque España and some of the leafiest promenades in the city, La Condesa is an incredible place to wander.
Roma
Colorful Roma is the hipster heart of Mexico City. Just west of Centro Historico and hugging the eastern edge of the Condesa neighborhood, Roma is the perfect place to shop at cute boutiques, sip good coffee, and enjoy many of Mexico City's best restaurants. It's frequently hailed as the coolest neighborhood in Mexico City.
Juárez
Built as an aristocratic enclave of 19th-century French-Colonial mansions, this centrally located neighborhood has seen a revival, becoming one of the capital’s most en vogue areas with new bars, galleries, restaurants and cultural offerings appearing every week.
Centro Historico
Home to historic landmarks dating from as far back as the Aztec era, Centro Histórico 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.
Coyoacán
The most famous southern neighborhood in Mexico City, Coyoacán is legendary for being the birthplace of Frida Kahlo. The area has beautiful, colorful architecture and quaint cobblestone streets.
San Ángel
Sometimes overlooked, San Angel is a peaceful and picturesque neighborhood south of the city center, directly west of Coyoacán. It's home to the famous Saturday market, Bazaar Sábado.
Bosque de Chapultepec
Not technically a neighborhood, but worth spending some time here, Bosque de Chapultepec is Mexico City's Central Park. There's a zoo, multiple museums, a botanical garden, a recreational lake, monuments to Mexican patriots and international heroes, and even an archeological site.
Polanco
Fashionable and upmarket, Polanco is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Mexico City. Here you’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants, plus a host of cultural offerings including the Soumaya Museum and Museum of Anthropology. You can find some of Mexico City's best restaurants plus a number of gorgeous boutique hotels.
Most of the best spots in CDMX require a reservation well in advance - make sure to plan ahead if you know there is somewhere you don't want to miss!
**Reservation required/recommended
***Reservation recommended via email - request to be seated outside!
**Buy tickets in advance
Contramar (Lunch)
Boozy lunch, an absolute must.**
Botánico (Lunch or dinner)
Amazing food in a stunning garden from
a former chef at Quintonil.**
Maximo Bistrot (Lunch or dinner)
Farm-to-table. Really good.**
Pujol (Lunch or dinner)
Tasting menu only. Reservation required.**
Los Danzantes (Lunch)
Amazing Mexican, great post-Frida Kahlo museum.**
San Angel Inn (Lunch)
Housed in a former monastery with great margaritas!***
Tetetlán (Lunch)
Innovative restaurant housed in Barragan's Casa Pedregal.**
Lardo (Breakfast or Lunch)
Casual joint, great upscale Mexican cuisine.**
Taqueria Orinoco Or Califa (Anytime)
Great tacos, very casual.
Molino El Pujol (Breakfast)
Pujol’s breakfast spot, great breakfast
Ling Ling (Lunch or dinner)
Asian/Mexican cuisine at the top of the Ritz Carleton.
Great view of the city**
Sartoria (lunch or dinner)
Amazing pasta place in La Roma/Condesa.**
Imbiss (lunch or dinner)
German/Mexican cuisine. Eclectic menu and small, quaint spot.
Masala y maíz (lunch or dinner)
Indian food with a Mexican twist.
Choza (lunch or dinner)
Thai, Vietnamese and Mexian cuisines. Super hipster, super cool. Open only Sat, Sun and Mon. Opens at 1pm, can’t make reservation.
Hanky Panky
Speakeasy.
Hugo
Natural wine bar.
Artemisia
Limantour
Gin Gin
Fifty Mils
In Four Seasons courtyard
Samos
Bar with a great view at the Ritz Carleton
Hotel Condesa DF
Rooftop bar.
Downtown Hotel
Centro Historico hotel with terrace.
Toledo Rooftop
Around the corner from The Four Seasons.
Hotel Condesa Rooftop
Great for sunset drinks.
Leonor
Late night dancing and drinks.
Baltra
Casual drinks in a cool, swanky neighboorhood location.
Museums & Famous Buildings
Frida Kahlo Museum**
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Centro Histórico
Palacio Postal
Centro Histórico
Palacio National
Centro Histórico
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
Centro Histórico
Anthropology Museum
Bosques de Chapultepec
Chapultepec Castle
Bosques de Chapultepec
Casa Estudio Luis Barragán**
Soumaya Museum
The art collection of Carlos Slim.
Bazaar Sabado
Handicraft market in San Angel, open only on Saturday
When you are in La Roma, put “Art Galleries” of “Galerias” in Google Maps and wander around to the many cool independent galeries in the area.
Do this on Saturday and pair with lunch at San Angel Inn and a visit to Bazaar Sabado for an A+ day, but make sure you rest up for the big event!