A Gourmand’s Guide to Mexico City
Mexico City is a must-visit for any traveler, but especially those seeking a taste of world-class cuisine, rich culture, and stunning architecture — like me. Last year, I journeyed to CDMX alongside my six best friends from home, and it was nothing short of unforgettable…thanks to great planning. From where to stay, what to eat, and where to go, I’ve curated the top spots and sights you’ll want to work into your itinerary.
Stay
Hotel Carlota: Ideally located in Polanco, Hotel Carlota is a renovated Spanish Revival-style mansion that’s outfitted with a sleek, modern aesthetic. It has everything you need, like a restaurant and pool, and nothing you don’t, like the big price tag.
Other accommodations we considered were Nima Local House, Hotel Condesa, and Brick Hotel. All looked like great options for design-focused boutique hotels in prime parts of town.
Eat
Pujol: A must for an Mexico City first-timer. Helmed by world-renowned Chef Enrique Olvera, Pujol offers a plant-forward tasting menu that’s worth every penny. If you have other plans (like we did and cancelled), just know your meal will take about four hours.
Lardo: A hip Mexican-European eatery in Condesa serving delicious salads, wood-fired pizzas, ceviche and more — plus a great wine list. Highly recommend for lunch.
Maximo Bistrot: Located in Roma Norte, this true farm-to-table restaurant is housed in a gorgeous, plant-heavy dining room. The menu takes cues from French cuisine but is teeming with Mexican-grown ingredients. It might sound odd to order a burger in Mexico, but trust me on this one.
Tetelán: We happened upon this healthy bistro while visiting Casa Pedregal (more on that below) and we’re glad we did. Built into stone with a glass floor that reveals its natural landscape, Tetelán pairs great smoothie bowls, avocado toast, and tacos with an eclectic, record-and-book-filled ambiance.
Cariñito: If you’re in the market for on-the-go tacos [read: standing], be sure to add Cariñito to your list. They’re serving up creative Mexican-Asian fusion tacos in a hip little outdoor setting in Roma Norte. The Cantonese and eggplant tacos are a must.
Cafe Nin: You’ll see Panaderia Rosetta on nearly every CDMX guide, but what most people don’t know is that their team runs another bakery and cafe with far shorter wait times. Cafe Nin exudes charm and offers fresh-baked pastries, small plates, and sandwiches alongside a thoughtfully sourced wine list.
Drink
Supra: For an unbeatable city view, head to the rooftop bar Supra — but be sure to make a reservation if you want to sit in the best area.
Gin Gin: A lively club-like bar without having to set foot in an actual club, Gin Gin offers great cocktails and a DJ for after-dinner drinks and dancing.
Marmota: We stumbled upon Marmota after dinner and were immediately taken by its cozy outdoor ambiance where locals were sipping on orange wine. Needless to say we took a seat and did the same.
Cafe de Nadie: This buzzing cocktail bar in Roma Norte comes from the team behind Pujol, so you know it’s gotta be good. It has a chic, minimalist aesthetic and an innovative cocktail menu, offering up an idyllic bar experience.
See & Do
Casa Luis Barragán: If you’re smart (unlike us), you’ll make a reservation for the much-talked-about Casa Luis Barragán, the former home of esteemed architect Luis Barragán and paradigm for Mexican modernism.
Casa Pedregal: After some begging in broken Spanish, the art director at Casa Luis Barragán set us up with a reservation at Casa Pedregal the next morning. It’s yet another Barragán masterpiece and current private residence, affording a very intimate, non-museum like experience.
Museo Jumex: Located in Polanco, Museo Jumex is one of Mexico City’s newest contemporary art museums featuring work profound from the likes of Andy Warhol and Cy Twombly — yet I found Gego’s exhibit to be especially inspiring. Plus, it’s free.
Saturday Market: Every Saturday in San Angel, the plaza comes alive with endless craft stalls showcasing local artists and traditional Mexican arts and crafts. We wandered for nearly three hours, and that was us just touching the surface.
Tips & Tricks
Getting Around:
Mexico City is big (like, LA big) so you’ll have to drive to many of your destinations.
Depending on your group size (we had seven), I highly recommend hiring a driver. Especially if it’s our sweet chauffeur Eric who stuck with us everyday and made our trip what it was. Reach out if you’d like his contact info.
Uber around the city if needed, but don’t hail a cab.
Other Tips:
Cash is king here, be sure to have pesos on you.
Common tip is 10%. And if you don’t tip, some places ask you to.
I had my qualms about safety, but I was pleasantly surprised. Having a driver was hugely helpful so as to avoid walking at night. And if you are going to walk, don’t do it alone.
Traffic is no bueno, so keep that in mind when creating your itinerary. For example, a 10-minute drive could be around 30 during rush hour.
You won’t be able to fit everything in so go with your top picks. You really can’t go wrong.
