Pack your bags
Explore Mexico City
Do: Frida Kahlo Museum
YOU MUST BUY TICKETS FOR THE MUSEUM IN ADVANCE. We watched as many people tragically came to this realization upon their arrival - don't be like them. The museum itself is beautiful and informative, but you would be remiss if you didn't explore the surrounding neighborhood, Coyoacan. Visit the stalls of the Coyoacan market, take a walk through Viveros de Coyoacan - an amazing park and tree sanctuary, and explore the main square - Fuente de los Coyotes.
Do: Parque Mexico
This park, and Parque Espana right next door, took our love of the city to the next level. A metropolitan city this size has no business being this green and this beautiful. The parks also serve as a great starting point for exploring Colonia Condesa / Hipodromo and Colonia Roma, our favorite neighborhoods in the city to explore, eat, and drink. More on that later. After walking through the parks, we highly recommend walking the Avenida Amsterdam loop that surrounds the park. The scenery alone is worth the walk but it helps that there are a number of fun restaurants and bars on the intersecting side streets.
Do: Teotihuacan Pyramids
Teotihuacan, an archaeological UNESCO World Heritage Site, has many of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas (source: Wikipedia). Located about an hour to an hour and a half outside the city depending on traffic, we recommend waking up early to avoid the hottest parts of the day and using Uber to get back and forth. Bring water and comfortable shoes! There are a number of guided tours you can take if you want all of the historical context, but you can also self-guide and focus on feeding the 'gram if that's more your speed. Plan to spend roughly half of your day here.
Do: Lucha Libre
Soak up one of Mexico’s most beloved past times, the wrestling style called ‘Lucha libre'. It sounds a bit silly, but the choreography and stunts are actually really impressive to watch with a beer (or 3) in hand. Events are held at Arena Mexico.
Do: Chapultepec Castle
Historic hilltop castle with beautiful views of Mexico City that houses the National Museum of History. The museum is in Bosque de Chapultepec park, an absolutely MASSIVE park with a lake, zoo, and more. This does require a walk uphill of moderate difficulty so keep that in mind and wear comfortable shoes.
Do: Museo Nacional de Antropología
Also in Bosque de Chapultepec park. Popular anthropology museum showcasing artifacts from as far back as the ancient Maya civilization. We haven't visited yet, but we have heard incredible things. Big enough that you could spend all day.
Do: Zócalo - Centro Historico
As one of the largest public plazas in the world, this is a bit like the Times Square of Mexico City. Surrounding the main square, you can check out the Catedral Metropolitana if churches are your thing and the Museo del Templo Mayor if you want to travel waaaaayyyy back in time to when the temple occupying that real estate was the main temple of Tenochtitlan (aka current Mexico City). While interesting, the true highlight is Diego Rivera's murals at Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso, considered to be the birthplace of the Mexican muralism movement. We also recommend popping into the Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico. They have a terrace overlooking the Zocalo where you can drink, rest your legs, and people watch.
Shop: El Bazar Sábado
Take an uber to the San Angel neighborhood to explore the Saturday market. As the name indicates, THIS IS ONLY OPEN ON SATURDAY! This is a great place to buy Mexican art and souvenirs, spices, chocolates, mole sauce, and more. As far as Mexico City markets go, this one leans upscale.
Shop: Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela
This is a sprawling maze of a market in the city center. It's a great place to buy decor, pottery, tchotchkes, art, and more. You could spend all day in here and likely not see everything. For those who are reluctantly brought on the journey, they have a restaurant smack in the middle serving Mexican staples and beer for pennies. They have thought of everything.
Eat: Pujol (FSQ Rating: 9.3)
Put simply, Pujol is special, and short of missing our wedding events, you should do whatever you can to get your foot in the door. Reservations book months in advance so prepare your Resy and OpenTable notifications and be willing to potentially eat at some odd hours.
Eat: Contramar (FSQ Rating: 9.2)
We thought there was a ceiling to how delicious ahi tuna tostadas could be. We were wrong - Contramar resets the bar. Their fish special with 1/2 red salsa 1/2 green salsa is also a must order. This place is so damn good they don't even need to stay open for dinner. Ideally, you will want a reservation, but they're really hard to get. They accept walk-ins, but you should show up right when they open and prepare to wait a bit. If you can't get in, their sister restaurant, Entremar, would be a solid consolation prize.
Eat: La Casa de Toño (FSQ Rating: 8.8)
A favorite spot for locals and the two of us, we like to think of this as Mexico City's version of a diner. They serve every essential Mexican dish you would want to try, they do it for shockingly low prices, and it's delicious. There are many locations, but we have linked the one in the Juarez neighborhood since it's worthy of a visit. There is always a wait but the line moves quickly - you will be given a numbered ticket at the door deli style.
Eat: El Tizoncito (FSQ Rating: 8.0)
They created the al pastor taco (or so they claim)! Very inexpensive, great any time of day, but particularly special as a 4th meal and last-call beer after a night out wandering Condesa or Roma. Al Pastor is thinly cut shawarma style grilled pork, but if that's not for you, there are plenty of other menu options. There is a location in Coyoacan as well, but the one in Condesa is most accessible.
Eat: Hit the Streets!
The street food scene in Mexico City is next-level. Don't be afraid to take a seat at one the stalls you see parked on the sidewalk or at the various markets, particularly ones where you see local workers taking their lunch breaks. You can usually count on the owner treating you like gold and ensuring you have the full experience, even if a word of English isn't spoken.
Drink: Tlecan Mezcalería
Run by veterans of Pujol, this is a bar specializing in mezcal and mezcal cocktails only. The staff is friendly, and the setting is beautifully unique. They also have snack mixes they serve with your drinks in either green or red varieties. Whichever color you're served, ask for the other one too.
Drink: Baltra Bar (FSQ Rating: 8.8)
Great cocktails in a perfect location off Avenida Amsterdam in Colonia Condesa. You will need to make a reservation!
Drink: Licorería Limantour (FSQ Rating: 8.7)
Listed as one of the world's 50 best bars. In addition to this location in Roma Norte, there is another in Polanco for convenience. Reservation recommended.
Drink: Cicatriz (FSQ Rating: 8.6)
Another great spot for cocktails or wine. It's in the up and coming Juarez neighborhood, which we suspect will compete with Condesa and Roma for 'coolest' place to be in the not too distant future. They also have a nice menu of small plates that serve as a good break from your classic Mexican food if needed.
Eat: Panadería Rosetta (FSQ Rating: 9.4)
One of the best bakeries in the world. A carb lover's paradise. Get as many things as you can and share.
Eat: Churrería El Moro (FSQ Rating: 8.7)
These are not the mediocre churros from your cousin's Bat Mitzvah. These are churros as they were meant to be. Many locations across different neighborhoods but the one in Roma Norte is on point.
Eat: El Cardenal (FSQ Rating: 9.2)
This is the spot to be for breakfast or brunch. The highlight is the pastries, which they bake onsite and serve to you straight out of the oven. There is another location in San Angel, which could be a good option to tie into a visit to the aforementioned Saturday market.
Eat: Tamales Doña Emi (FSQ Rating: 8.6)
Tamales rocketed up our list of favorite foods during our visit, supported heavily by this spot. It is a small, family owned operation with traditional options as well as many unique, gourmet takes. Stop in for lunch or get one as a snack to share.
More restaurants and bars we know you will love!
Expendio de Maiz (Roma): Incredibly creative Mexican lunch spot. No menu - served Omakase style. Tortas al Fuego (Condesa): Classic hole in the wall. Late night, post drinks. Hanky Panky (Juarez): Speakeasy in the back of a non-descript taco restaurant. Make a reservation. La Nuclear (Roma): Dive bar. Must try traditional Mexican Pulque - fermented alcohol from agave sap La Coyoacana (Coyoacan): Cantina with Mexican classics. Put your name in and wait for patio seats. Rosetta (Roma): Upscale Mexican with Italian influences. Delicious food, gorgeous setting. Maximo (Roma): As seen on Bourdain's Parts Unknown. Post-hype, still delicious. Taqueria el Califa (Multiple): It's a chain, but a good one with a big menu of tacos, etc. El Parnita / Paramo (Roma): Bottom floor is El Parnita, open for lunch and early dinner. Top is Paramo, good food, better vibes/courtyard. Jalapa 141 (Roma): Great spot for ceviches, aguachiles, and other seafood