Things To Do

Lauren & Daniel's Mexico City Recommendations

There are a million exciting things to do in Mexico City! 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 with all of these recommendations. Have fun!

𝓝𝓮𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓫𝓸𝓻𝓱𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓼

📍 La Condesa

La Condesa is a cool, laid back, and walkable neighborhood filled with charming cafés, Art Deco architecture, and tons of public green spaces. The neighborhood is centered around Parque México and the tree-lined walkway of Avenida Ámsterdam. La Condesa is particularly safe and walkable and is the perfect spot for a walk or morning coffee. Our hotel block is here!!!

📍 Roma

Roma is one of Mexico City’s most lively and creative neighborhoods, divided into two distinct parts: Roma Norte and Roma Sur. It has a great food scene, tons of independent boutiques, and art galleries. Roma Norte is a bit busier, while Roma Sur has a more residential vibe. The neighborhood is known for it's gorgeous tree-lined streets and eclectic architecture and it's safe and walkable - perfect for exploring on foot.

📍Juárez

Juárez is a small neighborhood just north of Roma Norte, known for its grand 19th-century mansions. Now it’s a cool, young, and diverse area - especially in the Zona Rosa district, where you’ll find a combo of LGBTQ+ nightlife, art galleries, vintage shops, and boutiques. For great local shopping, we especially recommend taking a stroll down Calle Marsella.

📍 Polanco

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

🥐 Churrería El Moro (La Condesa)

A legendary churro and hot chocolate restaurant open since 1935. Great spot for a late night treat. There are multiple locations around the city - this one is 0.3 miles from the Andaz

🥐 ODETTE (La Condesa)

One of the most popular bakeries in the city! We recommend everything, but especially recommend the Kouign Amann frambuesa (Raspberry Kouign Amann) - 0.6 miles from the Andaz

☕ Qūentin Café ( La Condesa)

A great coffee shop with traditional espresso drinks and fun drinks like espresso tonics. It has cute indoor seating and is located along the pedestrian walkway on Amsterdam street - 0.6 miles from the Andaz

🥐 Panadería Rosetta (Roma Norte)

The most famous bakery in Mexico City and a must-visit! We recommend trying their most popular pastry, the Guava Roll (but everything is delicious) - 1.1 miles from the Andaz

𝓡𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓾𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓼 & 𝓒𝓪𝓯𝓮𝓼

🍽️ Lázaro Focacceria (La Condesa)

A cute cafe specializing in focaccia sandwiches, great option for a casual lunch during your stay. 459 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘻 (𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳)

🍽️ PLONK (La Condesa)

A cozy restaurant with a great wine list and patio, serving Mexican-Asian fusion. This was our first dinner in Mexico City and was a great start to our trip. 0.3 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘻

🍽️ Merkavá (La Condesa)

A casual spot serving Israeli-style cuisine with a Mexican twist, shows off the culture of this historically Jewish neighborhood. 0.7 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘻

🍽️ Gaba Restaurante (La Condesa)

One of our favorite restaurants that we ate at in Mexico City (we may or may not have gone back for seconds)! Elevated, sit-down dinner with great food and great vibes. 0.8 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘻

🍽️ Tacos del Valle (Roma Norte)

GREAT taco restaurant in the heart of Roma Norte. Small, casual, and fun sit down restaurant. We recommend EVERYTHING we ate! 1.0 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘻

🍷 Hugo Wine Bar (La Condesa)

A trendy neighborhood wine bar with great small plates. 1.1 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘻

🍽️ Taquería Orinoco (Roma Norte)

A "must try" taco spot with multiple locations around this city, including in Roma Norte. It's best known for its tacos al pastor. 1.1 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘻

🍽️ Fugaz (Roma Norte)

A small, trendy restaurant in Roma Norte serving a fun rotating menu of seasonal dishes. Also check out their wine and mezcal. 1.3 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘻

🍽️ Jenni’s Quesadillas (Roma Norte)

A popular street food stand known for its freshly made blue corn tortillas. Located at the corner of Colima and Mérida - Cash only! 1.3 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘻

🍽️ Contramar (Roma Norte)

One of THE Restaurants to eat at in Mexico City, known for it's seafood and dessert. A reservation is a must. Alternatively, check out their sister restaurant, Entremar. It has a similar menu, but it is much easier reservation to get. 1.1 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘳 & 2.8 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘻

🍽️ Masala y Maíz (Juárez)

A buzzy Indian, African and Mexican fusion restaurant offering fun and unique cuisine. A hard reservation to snag so book in advance! 2.5 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘻

𝓐𝓽𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼

🏛️ Chapultepec Castle (Bosque de Chapultepec)

Chapultepec Castle, located a the top of the hill in Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Park), is the former residence of Mexican presidents. Now it operates as the National Museum and offers views of the city, manicured gardens, and a large collection of art. 2.1 miles from the Andaz

🏛️ 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. 2.2 miles from the Andaz

🖼️ Olivia Foundation (Roma Norte)

Large, private, contemporary art collection housed across 4 stories of a neoclassical townhouse in Roma Norte. Free!

🖼️ La Laguna (Doctores)

An old textile factory now housing artist galleries and cafes. Come for the cool articitecture and courtyard, stay for the art

🛍️ Boutiques & Vintage Stores (Juarez)

Our favorite shopping in Mexico City was in Juarez! The neighborhood is full of small, charming, independent boutiques and vintage stores - the perfect place for a unique souvenir. The street "Calle Marsella" and the side streets intersecting it are full of amazing shops. We recommend 𝑼𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒐 𝑴𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒐 (home good, clothing), 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒂 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒂 (ceramics), 𝑲𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒊 (handmade clothing, homegoods, art), 𝑿𝒊𝒏𝒖 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 (famous perfume store), 𝑪𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒐 (clothing), and all the other amazing stores you can find!

🏛️ Biblioteca Vasconcelos (Buenavista)

A grand mid-century Brutalist 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. 3.1 miles from the Andaz

🏛️ Palacio de Bellas Artes (Centro Histórico)

One of the most famous buildings in the city due to it's palatial size and iconic orange and yellow tiled dome. It's located in the historic city center and is worth the stop to see its amazing architecture. 3.1 miles from the Andaz

🏟️ 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 Mexican culture. 3.7 miles from the Anda

🖼️ Museo Jumex (Polanco)

A small but well curated contemporary art museum showing rotating exhibits in a cool, modern space. As a bonus, it has free admission! 4.1 miles from the Andaz

🖼️ 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. This is the artist's former home and showcases her personal belongings, art, and workspace. Heads up, you must get tickets in advanced as they sell out fast! 4.2 miles from the Andaz

🖼️ Art Galleries

Mexico City is filled with contemporary art galleries! While you're sure to happen upon them while exploring, we specifically recommend visiting the following: 𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑶𝑴𝑹, 𝑱𝑶-𝑯𝑺, 𝑴𝒐𝒐𝒏𝒊, 𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆 𝑵𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒌𝒆, and 𝑴𝑨𝑰𝑨 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 in Roma; 𝑷𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒐𝒅 𝑪𝒐. and 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒂 𝑪𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒐 in Juarez; 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒂 in Polanco, and 𝑲Ö𝑵𝑰𝑮 𝑮𝑨𝑳𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑬 in La Condesa

𝓓𝓪𝔂 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓹𝓼 & 𝓗𝓪𝓵𝓯-𝓓𝓪𝔂 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓹𝓼

🌳 Jardines Flotantes de Xochimilco (Xochimilco)

The Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offer an escape from the city with historic canals, colorful trajinera boat rides, and chinampas (ancient floating gardens). It’s a fun, kitschy spot to enjoy a drink, listen to music, and hang out on a boat - 12.6 miles (30-60 minute drive) from the Andaz

🏛️ Teotihuacán & Pyramids

Teotihuacan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient city known for its the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon and the grand Avenue of the Dead. It offers a glimpse into Mesoamerican history and makes for a perfect day trip outside the city. We recommend booking a tour or guide to get the most out of the experience - 31.9 miles (45-90 minute drive) from the Andaz