Things To Do
Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul)
Kahlo's birthplace and childhood home, and where she and Diego Rivera lived for a number of years. Contains artwork by Kahlo and Rivera, as well as the couple's collection of Mexican folk art, pre-Hispanic artifacts, photographs, memorabilia, personal items, and more. Wonderful display of Kahlo's recently discovered clothing collection as well. Advance tickets strongly advised (unless you want to line up for an hour +) (Open Tues & Thurs-Sat 10am-5:30pm, Weds 11am-5:30pm)
Museo Anahuacalli
Designed by Diego Rivera to house his massive collection of pre-hispanic art. Admission is free with your ticket to Frida Kahlo House and is a 5-minute uber from there. (Open Tues – Sun 11am – 5:30pm)
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Contains the world's largest collection of ancient Mexican art and also has ethnographic exhibits about Mexico's present-day indigenous groups. (Open Tues-Sun 9am-7pm)
Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporáneo
Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporáneo: Founded in 1981, The Museo Tamayo produces original exhibitions of the most representative aspects of international contemporary art. In addition, it exhibits its modern and contemporary art collections as well as the oeuvre of its founder, the artist Rufino Tamayo. (Open Tues -Sun 10am-6pm)
Museo de Arte Moderno
Features a large collection of works by the greats of 20th-century Mexican art. Nice sculpture garden outside that provides a calm place to take in the beauty of Chapultepec Park.
Museo Mural Diego Rivera
Small museum that primarily houses Diego Rivera's masterpiece mural Sueño de una Tarde Dominical en la Alameda Central. (Open Tues-Sun 10am-6pm)
Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo
Twin house compound connected by an elevated bridge, formerly shared by the two artists. Designed by famed painter and architect Juan O'Gorman in the 1930s, the stunning and airy spaces are filled with works by Rivera and Kahlo. Be sure to have a leisurely meal at San Angel Inn across the street. (Open Tues-Sun 10am-5:30pm)
Museo Jumex
Private art collection that includes works by Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol, Gabriel Orozco, Cy Twombly, Jeff Koons, and Marcel Duchamp, among others. (Open Tues-Sun 10am-7pm)
Palacio de Bellas Artes
An absolute must-see in the city, from both inside and out, it was the first art museum in the capital. This Art Deco masterpiece houses some of the most famous murals by Diego Rivera, David Siqueiros, Rufino Tamayo, and José Clemente Orozco. (Open Tues- Sun 10am-5pm)
Biblioteca de México
This "City of Books" holds a museum, library, and the complete personal book collections of some of Mexico's greatest thinkers. (Open daily 8:30am-7:30pm)
Luis Barragán House and Studio
Built in 1947-1948, the Luis Barragán House and Studio located in a working class suburb of Mexico City represents an outstanding example of the architect’s creative work in the post-Second World War period. Barragán created a regional adaptation of the International Modern Movement in architectural design. The building was inducted to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. (Tours by appointment only, Mon-Fri 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:00pm. Sat and Sun 10:30am and 11:00am)
Chapel and Convent of the Capuchinas Sacramentarias
If you don't believe in god you might after visiting this nunnery designed by Luis Barragán.
Casa Gilardi
Casa Gilardi: Another of Luis Barragán's masterpieces. Built in 1976, it was the last project he completed before he died. James Turrell once spent a month living in the house, taking black and white photos to study Barragán’s use of light. Now privately owned, tours must be booked through the family who lives there. (Tours available Mon-Fri 10am-1pm, 3-4pm, Sat 10am-1pm, Sun closed)
Patricia Conde Galería
Opened in 2009, the gallery is dedicated exclusively to photography. It shows a number of Mexican and international photographers including Alejandro Cartagena, Flor Garduño, Dulce Pinzón, and Mary Ellen Mark. (Open Mon-Thurs 10:30am-6pm, Fri-Sat 11am-4pm. Closed Sun)
Kurimanzutto
This iconic gallery represents a number of important national and international contemporary artists. Housed in an expansive, airy space with a lovely bookshop. (Tues-Sat 11am-6pm)
Contramar
Seafood!!!
Entremar
Basically exact same menu as Contramar just easier to get a reservation :)
Pujol
Try now for a reservation!! Close to impossible to get.
Rosetta
Located in an old house in the Roma neighborhood. This cuisine is based on a deep respect for the Mexican ingredient. The menu changes according to the availability of ingredients. Chef Elena Reygadas's homemade breads are so good she has opened two bakeries in the city and the guava jam is to die for :) (Open Mon-Sat 1:30-11:30pm)
Panadería Rosetta
NOM NOM NOM NOM
Le Tachinomi Desu
Japanese speakeasy standing-only restaurant and natural wine bar. Only 2-3 dishes are offered nightly, menu changes daily. (Open Mon-Sat, 7pm-1:30am.
Tokyo Music Bar
Records + Martinis
San Ángel Inn
Next door to Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo. San Angel Inn restaurant opened on June 1963. They've preserve the beauty of the original gardens, as well as the hacienda’s physical structure. Also serves a modern Mexican cuisine. (Open daily 8am-1am)
Nicos
Quintessential neighborhood restaurant with traditional Mexican food. (Open Mon-Sat 8am-12pm and 1-7pm, closed Sunday)
Restaurante El Cardenal
Located about a block away from the Zocalo, this local institution, which originally opened in 1969, serves arguably the best breakfast in the city. Before looking at the menu, order the nata, which is clotted cream created from boiling raw milk. Pair it with a concha, a soft sweet pastry bread with a sugar crust for a breakfast appetizer. Arrive early or be prepared for a wait. (Open daily 8am-6:30pm)
Tlayotitlán
FOR THE ADVENTUROUS TYPE! Pre-Hispanic cuisine, featuring ants, larvae, and grasshoppers. Try the escamoles (ant eggs) tlacoyo! (Open daily, 9am-8pm)
Nevería Roxy
The first Mexico City location of Neveria Roxy opened in Condesa in 1946. The original ice cream recipes and artesanal methods are still used – with classic regional flavors like guanábana (soursop), zapote (black persimmon), arroz con leche (rice pudding), and Rompope (eggnog). (Original Condesa location open daily 11:30am-8:30pm.
Churrería El Moro
Has remained a family business, passing from generation to generation until today, remaining as a place of coexistence and meeting, as well as a historical and cultural point of Mexico City. ( multiple locations)
Dulcería de Celaya S.A. de C.V.
Dulcería de Celaya: An art nouveau stained-glass sign welcomes you into the 140-year-old Dulcería de Celaya, a family-owned sweets shop near the Zócalo. Mexican treats such as aleluyas de pistache (dulce de leche sweets studded with pistachios) and buñuelos (tortilla shaped pieces of fried dough sprinkled with sugar, cinnamon, and sugar cane syrup) pile high on aluminum trays. (Open daily 10:30am - 7:30pm. Multiple locations: Roma Norte: Orizaba 37, Roma Norte, 06700. Downtown: Avenida 5 de Mayo 39, Centro Histórico, 06000)
Pastelería Ideal
A traditional bakery, founded in 1927. (Open daily, 6:30am-9:30pm)
Almanegra Café
For the coffee nerds: they use a La Marzocco GS3 for espresso drinks and also have manual brewers including the Eva Solo, Chemex, Japanese syphon, and Hario V60. (Open Tues-Sun 8am-9pm, Mon 3-9pm)
Buna - Café Rico
A small espresso bar directly off the Plaza Río de Janeiro. Try the macadamia latte. (Open daily 8am-7pm)
Loups Bar
Natural wine bar in Roma. (Open Mon-Sat until 1am)
Pulquería Las Duelistas
Go here for the roots of Mexico City drinking culture. Dozens of varieties of pulque (a slightly alcholic fermented drink) are available. Begin with a taste of the unadulterated “blanco,” which is tart and funky, or one sample various “curados,” naturally-flavored pulques (the guava, peanut or celery are awesome!)
La Nacional
Mezcaleria with an incredible selection and a laid-back vibe. It’s a great place to get a mezcal education—the menu is an intersecting web that connects agave varieties to over 100 mezcals. If you’re more fan than aficionado, just tell one of the helpful waiters what you like (smoky, sweet, or smooth), and they’ll bring over a few bottles to sniff and sample. They also have some rarer distillations filtered through chicken breast or a whole snake. (Open Mon-Sat 5pm-late)
Los Cocuyos
Street Food: It’s a tiny stand in the Centro with no seating.
Taquería Orinoco
Northern-style tacos from Monterrey with your choice of al pastor, bistec, or chicharron. (Open daily, 1pm-4am) Multiple locations.
El Tizoncito
Creators of Taco al pastor which are made with the highest quality meat, which has the TIF Quality Certification. (Open daily, 12:00 pm – 3:30 am)
El Farolito
Since 1962 El Farolito have distinguished ourselves by being the pioneer in preparing charcoal with a rich variety of sauces.
Taquería El Jarocho
An institution when it comes to tacos de guisado (stewed meats), this sit-down restaurant has been around for over 30 years.
Mercado De San Cosme
Located in the city’s San Rafael neighborhood, this sprawling market is populated by local vendors selling everything from produce, traditional candies, and flowers, to meats and spices. (Open daily, 8am-8pm)
Mercado de San Juan
Lamb intestines and edible scorpions---need we say more.
Mercado Coyoacan
If you find yourself strolling this historic neighborhood after a visit to the Frida Kahlo museum, dip into the mercado, which has been open since 1921. Like most of Mexico City’s markets, it carries a wonderful selection of fresh, exotic meats and produce. It also has some exceptionally good tostada joints and the best carnitas in the city! Don't miss a stroll to the cathedral and town square just a block away.