Things To Do

Lauren & Daniel's Mexico City Recommendations

In a place like Mexico City, the possibilities for exploration, adventure, and incredible food are endless! Below is just a small selection of our personal recommendations to help kick off your time in CDMX. Here you can find coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, and attractions as well as a few day trip ideas if you want to extend your time in the city! Follow this link to find our Google Maps list - we recommend saving this list in your Google Maps app to reference while in the city.

𝓝𝓮𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓫𝓸𝓻𝓱𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓼

📍 La Condesa

La Condesa is known for its relaxed atmosphere and walkable streets. Centered around the Parque México and the tree-lined walkway of Avenida Ámsterdam, the neighborhood is filled with charming cafés, Art Deco architecture, and public green spaces. La Condesa is particularly safe and walkable and is the perfect spot for a walk or morning coffee.

📍 Roma

Roma is one of Mexico City’s most vibrant and creative neighborhoods, divided into two distinct areas: Roma Norte and Roma Sur. The neighborhood is identifiable by its tree-lined streets and eclectic architecture. Roma is filled with boutiques and art galleries and is particularly known for its food scene. Like La Condesa, Roma is very safe and walkable—the perfect place to explore on foot!

📍Juarez

Juárez, a small neighborhood just north of Roma, is known for its grand 19th-century mansions built during its heyday as an wealthy enclave. Today, it’s a lively, young, and diverse area, especially in the Zona Rosa district. Here you'll find a mix of LGBTQ+ nightlife, contemporary art galleries, vintage shops, and boutiques. We particularly recommend walking down Calle Marsella for some great local shopping.

📍 Polanco

Polanco is one of Mexico City’s most upscale neighborhood. Here you'll find a mix of high-end boutiques, stately homes, fine dining, and cultural destinations such as Museo Jumex. Polanco is across the city from La Condesa and Roma Norte so we recommend taking an Uber, but once you're there it's very safe and walkable.

📍 Centro Histórico

Centro Histórico is the heart of old Mexico City and is home to many of the city's iconic landmarks such as Zócalo (Constitution Plaza), Metropolitan Cathedral, and Palacio de Bellas Artes. Here you'll find a blend of busy plazas, historic colonial architecture, museums, and cultural landmarks. This neighborhood is busy, fast paced, and full of history!

📍 Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Park)

A neighborhood in and of itself, Bosque de Chapultepec is one of the largest urban parks in the world, twice the size of Central Park in New York City. The park is home to lakes, walking trails, and several large museums, including Chapultepec Castle and Museo Nacional de Antropologia.

𝓒𝓸𝓯𝓯𝓮𝓮 𝓢𝓱𝓸𝓹𝓼 & 𝓑𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼

🥐 ODETTE (La Condesa)

This bakery and coffee shop in La Condesa is one of the most popular in the city! We recommend the Kouign Amann frambuesa (Raspberry Kouign Amann) — enjoy it on the patio or take it to-go and eat in nearby Parque México.

☕ Qūentin Café ( La Condesa)

Qūentin Café has great coffee whether you like a traditional espresso drinks or something more fun like an espresso tonic. It has cute indoor seating and is also located along the pedestrian walkway on Amsterdam street.

🥐 Churrería El Moro (La Condesa)

Churrería El Moro has been serving its legendary churros and hot chocolate since 1935. This is spot for a sweet treat any time of the day! There are locations around the city, including our neighborhood, La Condesa!

🥐 Panadería Rosetta (Roma Norte)

This famous bakery in the Roma Norte neighborhood is a must-visit! We recommend trying their most popular pastry, the Guava Roll (but everything is delicious)!

𝓡𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓾𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓼 & 𝓒𝓪𝓯𝓮𝓼

🍽️ Lázaro Focacceria (La Condesa)

Lázaro Focacceria is a cozy and casual cafe specializing in focaccia sandwiches. This is a great spot for a casual lunch during your stay.

🍽️ PLONK (La Condesa)

PLONK is a small cozy restaurant with a great wine list, charming patio, and a fun menu serving Mexican-Asian fusion. This was our first dinner in Mexico City and was a great start to our trip!

🍽️ Merkavá (La Condesa)

Merkavá is a casual spot serving Jerusalem-style cuisine with a Mexican twist, located in the historically Jewish neighborhood of La Condesa. It’s a great place to enjoy classic Jewish-Israeli dishes like hummus, salatim, knafeh, and more!

🍷 Hugo Wine Bar (La Condesa)

A trendy neighborhood wine bar that also serves great small plates. An ideal spot for a relaxed drink and bit to eat during your stay.

🍽️ Tacos del Valle (Roma Norte)

Great taco restaurant in the heart of Roma Norte. Small, casual, and trendy sit down restaurant. Great for a quick bite. We recommend EVERYTHING we ate.

🍽️ Fugaz (Roma Norte)

A small, low-key, and trendy restaurant in the Roma Norte neighborhood. Serves a rotating menu of seasonal dishes with a Mexican base and international flair.

🍽️ Taquería Orinoco (Roma Norte)

Taquería Orinoco is a "must try" taco spot and has multiple locations around this city, including in the Roma Norte neighborhood. It's best known for its tacos al pastor.

🍽️ Contramar (Roma Norte)

One of THE Restaurants to eat at in Mexico City. Contramar is known for it's seafood and dessert. The perfect spot for a nicer dinner when you are in town. A reservation is a must. You can also check out their sister restaurant, Entremar, in the Polanco neighborhood. Also a nicer sit down restaurant, it has a similar menu with all the popular dishes from Contramar - as a bonus it's a much easier reservation to snag and walk ins are also possible.

🍽️ Jenni’s Quesadillas (Roma Norte)

Jenni's Street Quesadillas, located at the corner of Colima and Mérida, is a beloved street food stand known for its freshly made blue corn tortillas. This no-frills spot offers a taste of Mexico City's street food scene and is a great spot for a quick and casual bite. Cash only!

𝓐𝓽𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼

🏛️ Chapultepec Castle (Bosque de Chapultepec)

Chapultepec Castle, located atop the hill in Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Park), was once the residence of Mexican emperors and presidents. Now it operates as the National Museum and offers views of the city, manicured grounds, and a large collection of art.

🏛️ Museo Nacional de Antropología (Bosque de Chapultepec)

This massive, modern museum in Chapultepec Park is home to the world's largest collection of ancient Aztec, Mayan, and Indigenous Mexican artifacts.

Museo Jumex (Polanco)

Museo Jumex is a small contemporary art museum in Polanco, showing rotating exhibits in a bold, modern space. As a bonus, it has free admission!

🏛️ Palacio de Bellas Artes (Centro Histórico)

The Palacio de Bellas Artes, located in Mexico City’s Centro Histórico one of the most famous buildings in the city due to it's iconic orange and yellow tiled dome. It's situated in the heart of the historic city center and is worth the stop to see its amazing architecture.

🏟️ Luche Libre at Arena Coliseo (Centro Histórico)

Lucha Libre is Mexico’s iconic masked wrestling spectacle! A fun and unique form of entertainment and another way to immerse yourself in Mexico's unique culture.

🏛️ Museo de Arte Popular (Centro Histórico)

Housed in a restored Art Deco building, Museo de Arte Popular celebrates Mexican folk art traditions with exhibits of textiles, pottery, and more. This a great stop for art lovers or anyone wishing to experience the cultural history of Mexico.

🏛️ Biblioteca Vasconcelos (Buenavista)

Biblioteca Vasconcelos is a grand modern library that feels more like a work of art than a public building. With its soaring architecture, floating bookshelves, and a suspended whale sculpture, it’s a hidden gem worth visiting.

🏛️ Frida Kahlo Museum (Coyoacán)

The Frida Kahlo Museum, aka La Casa Azul, is located in the Coyoacán, a short drive south of our hotel block. The museum is the artist's former home and showcases her personal belongings, artworks, and the spaces where she lived and worked. Heads up, you must get tickets in advanced as they sell out fast!

𝓓𝓪𝔂 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓹𝓼 & 𝓗𝓪𝓵𝓯-𝓓𝓪𝔂 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓹𝓼

🌳 Jardines Flotantes de Xochimilco (Xochimilco)

The Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, located in the southern borough of Xochimilco in Mexico City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a fun escape from the city center with historic canals, lush chinampas (floating gardens), and trajinera boat rides. Grab a drink or listen to some music when you visit! This is a short 40 minute drive south of the city, so perfect for a half day trip.

🏛️ Teotihuacán

Just an hour drive northeast of Mexico City, Teotihuacan is an ancient city known for its massive Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, and the grand Avenue of the Dead. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a glimpse into Mesoamerican history and is a perfect day trip for those looking to explore beyond the city.