What To Do in Mexico City
Alright! After many, many requests of getting asked for Mexico City recs, here it is, all in one place. The places I love and send people to.
For the food part, it’s only been in recent years that I’ve started to eat at more fancy restaurants. Part of that is budget but also, it’s because those street vendors have been cooking those meals for generations and are quite literally the best at what they do (I wrote about this for Food & Wine: Tacos Should Cost More, Here's Why). I guarantee your most memorable meal is stopping wherever you see a line of locals, ask what’s being served and order the specialty.
Food & Wine named Mexico City their top culinary destination in the world and I got to write about it. Here are The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Mexico City, According to [Their] Readers
Avoid getting sick from street food is by steering clear of any water adjacent items (ice cubes, cilantro, strawberries, etc.) that could be contaminated unless you’re with a local who vouches for the cleanliness of the stand.
Watch the Taco Chronicles before you go! Here is my itinerary.
Travel Details
Fly into Benito Juarez airport.
For those looking to experience in luxury, the St. Regis or the Four Season Mexico City are your top spots.
La Palomilla is also a great bed and breakfast. The location is fantastic and the place is super cute, clean and charming. There’s only 7 rooms so if you’re going with a group, it’s also a good place to make it feel like you’re renting out a home. The staff there is kind and attentive. Bookings include a fresh fruit breakfast.
The Brick House Hotel and the JW Marriot Polanco are solid mid-tier options.
Uber is great. I walk around everywhere in downtown.
Weekend Trip Itinerary
Friday
I usually make an immediate stop to the La Villita (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe) to pray. You don’t know Mexico if you don’t visit la villita.
La Virgen de Guadalupe receives more visitors a year than the Vatican.
Make sure you go to the original capilla where it’s said La Virgen appeared to Juan Diego. It’s beautiful. It’s located north of the main basilica’s entrance. Enter on the Northwest side, walk down on the northeast side.
The tilma is now located in the main church and displayed under bulletproof glass. To view it, while facing the lectern walk to the left side of the building and head towards the downward tunnel, get on the moving walkway and look up.
Watch the sunset from the St. Regis terrace. It’s the only place in the city where you have a complete view of three of the city’s landmarks - the castle, the angel and the Diana the hunter fountain. The tea service is excellent.
Dinner at Limosneros. This is one of the best restaurants in Mexico City.
Last year I asked Chef Carlos Gaytan (the first chef in Latin America to receive a Michelin star!) who he sees as the next generation of best chefs and he said Atzin Santos Candia, chef for Limosneros.
Saturday
Early day at Casa Azul. Get tickets in advance to avoid the line. Coyoacan is a beautiful neighborhood where its located. Walk around the zocalo. Don’t rush it!
Afternoon drinks at Supera. A bit pretentious but they have great views of the city.
Dinner at Paramo. It’s located on the second floor. Sit in the main room if you can. Grab a drink at the bar while you wait.
The restaurant is named after Pedro Paramo, the book by the country’s prolific write Juan Rulfo.
Late night drinks at Brujas. A witchy bar where all the bartenders identify as witches and consider themselves part of a coven. The building its located in was once home to a famous Mexican witch who was believed to be a healer. The building itself looks like a witch hat.
Sunday
Talk a walk in the Zocalo. Downtown. These are all within a mile radius of each other in the historical district and where the opening scene of Spectre was filmed.
Casa de los Azulejos - you can eat breakfast at Sanborns
Opening for Spectre filmed between in the street outside of the post office.
Estanquillo Museum - a hidden gem! Described as a “diverse collection of artwork, photos & movie memorabilia exploring 20th-century Mexican culture,” the museum is free and has a beautiful rooftop you can catch your breath and look at the city.
Have lunch at Cafe Tacuba.
Food & Wine: This Breathtaking Mexico City Restaurant Is a History Lover's Dream: One of the oldest restaurants in Mexico's capital, Café de Tacuba has remained a shrine to the country's culinary traditions.
Sights
Museo de Antropología - my absolute favorite!!!
Eat at the restaurant there
Castillo de Chapultepec
Followed by a walk through Bosque Chapultepec
Lucha Libre fight
If you’re feeling adventurous go to el mercado de sonora, the witchcraft market. My aunts would take me all the time as a teen. The deeper in you go the spookier stuff gets. Be advised, it can get a little dicey and probably best experienced with a local who knows how to navigate the stalls.
Casa Marie José y Octavio Paz - opened in 2023. He the only Pulitzer winner from Mexico. You need a reservation.
Parque Lincoln
Walk around there and eat/drink at any of the bars/restaurants in the area.
Food
El Moro
The famous churro shop. There’s a few locations around the city.
Mercado de la Merced
Although my mom and I are partial to el mercado de argentina
Four Seasons Mexico City for brunch or a drink.
Hotel Downtown Mexico is the insta famous green wall and bike
Sendero at the JW Marriott - the ribeye taco is fantastic
Bars
The bar at the Ritz Carlton
Supra - it’s super pretentious but has a lovely view and it’s a popular spot in the city.
Handshake - I didn’t love the bar the night I went but it’s a popular place in the city. Reso is a must.
Day Trips
Xochimilco - 43 minutes (south east of the city)
Floating gardens. All you do is float down a river, drink, eat and listen to music. Prepare to chill out. It’s best if you go with a group. The ecological tours of the chinampas are also worth it.
Pyramids Teotihuacan - 1 hour (north of the city)
La Gruta (cave) restaurant is right by the pyramids.
Casa Azul, Diego and Frida's home - 25 minutes (south west of the city)
Make a reservation ahead of time to simply walk up. You don’t want to wait in line.
Coyoacan, the town where this is located, is beautiful and worth exploring. Leave enough time to visit the zocalo and eat nearby.
Casa Luis Barragan - 20 minutes (west in the city)