So, You’re Going to Mexico City

I’m not going to call Mexico City my second home, but I’m lucky enough to have visited for multiple weeks exploring and pretending I live in the biggest city in Mexico.

Once you’ve been able to experience the mundane parts of life, you can really understand the feel of a place, not just the magic that “vacation” shows you. After a week or two of adjusting to the high altitude, I’ve been lucky enough to eat at Michelin star restaurants and taco stands on the side of the road, I’ve been to ancient ruins and luxury department stores that rival Parisian malls, and of course, like any good Mexico City tourist, I’ve spent a lot of time in parks. I’ve been on long leisurely walks, gone to grocery stores, had midday lunches between meetings, and even gone to the dentist.

I acknowledge that I’m a visitor. I acknowledge that my presence makes the city more expensive to live in. I acknowledge the gentrification in the areas that I talk about below. I acknowledge that this list features mostly places around the tourist-centric areas of Condesa & Roma, which leaves out a vast majority of Mexico City. But you’re here because you’re planning to visit CDMX, so we’re going to acknowledge that all of these things can be true, and you’re probably looking for an experience like what you’d have in NY, LA, or SF.

This list of tips for visiting Mexico City is four years in the making, based off multiple stays there.

Where to stay in Mexico City

Search for places in these neighborhoods for a walkable, lush, gentrified version of Mexico City.

Condesa
Roma
Jaurez

One unique feature of this area in Mexico City are the greenways with pedestrian walkways down the median. In a busy city, it’s a more pleasant stroll amongst trees and people walking their dogs. Some of my favorites are Amsterdam Hipódromo, Avenida Mazatlan/Durango, Avenida Alfonso Reyes, Avenida Alvaro Obregon, and Avenida Nuevo León.

I like being in the Condesa area—close to Parque Mexico or Parque España—both parks with off-leash dog areas in them. Because I’ve traveled to Mexico City with my mini schnauzer, pet-friendly activities and restaurants are necessary. Below are some of my favorite restaurants in CDMX that also happen to allow dogs.

Favorite Restaurants in Mexico City

MaizAjo might be the best tacos you’ll eat in CDMX. They’re known for their tortillas and tacos. I love their ribeye with little fries on top and their saudero with langonesa (that’s confit pork + spicy sausage). Put your name down at the door to eat at the standing room only taco bar or make a reservation in advanced for their restaurant upstairs. Either way, the experience is delicious.
Molino Pujol is the fast casual spot, owned by Michelin star winner Pujol. Known for their mole sauce, Molino Pujol offers small plates like avocado quesadillas, mole chilaquiles, and carrot tamales. I really like their cafe de olla, too. It’s a sweetened cinnamon coffee.
Contramar (in Roma) or Entremar (in Polanco) or Caracoal (in Condesa) are part of the same restaurant group serving up some of the best seafood in the city. Expect to wait if you’re going to Contramar, while Entremar in Polanco is usually less busy. Order the tuna and shrimp tostadas. If you’re hungry, order their whole fish with red and green sauces. Caracoal in Condesa has a slightly different menu but still delicious.
Tacos del Valle recently got a Michelin mention so they’re very busy but for good reason. You’ll definitely have to wait in line for these tacos. Get the trompos mixta to try three different kinds of their tacos.
Taqueria Orinoco has locations throughout the city. It’s a quick, delicious meal. They offer just three proteins: pastor (trompo), steak (res), or chicharron (fried pork) prepared in different ways. Plus they serve their tacos with really good fried potatoes.
Siembra Taquería offers delicious tacos in the Polanco area.
Em is one of my favorite fine dining experiences in Mexico City.
Maximo Bistrot just got a Michelin star so take that as you will.
Mariscos Mi Compa Chava offers really fresh seafood with inspiration from the pacific coast. If you love Seafood, this is a great place to go. Zareando shrimps are my favorite. Lots of people love the tuna tower here. It’s usually pretty busy because people love to drink and eat here, so be prepared to wait.
Zanaya is the restaurant in the courtyard of the Four Seasons. The ambiance is really nice and the food is delicious.
La Once Mil in Polanco offers higher-end tacos (including wagyu!!).
FRITANGUITA tacos is by the same people from MaizAjo. They have a little cart serving up confit tacos with several different kinds of sauces on them.
El Tigre Silencio in Roma offers northern Mexican seafood and meat dishes from a mansion and courtyard. Order the mussels in chimichurri (mejillones) and carnitas de lechon .

Maizajo Campechano Ribeye and Loganiza (spicy sausage) Taco

Cafes & Not Mexican food in Mexico City

After a few days of tacos, you might want some other kinds of food. Mexico City is full of all different kinds of cuisine from all over the world. And has an excellent cafe culture too.

Mendl is one of my fave non-Mexican restaurants. Mendl, an NY Jewish deli cafe, offers bagels, latkes, matzah ball soup, pastrami, chopped liver, and all your other delicatessen favorites. They also make a really nice chocolate banana bread that’s available from their takeout window.
Meroma is another Michelin-recommended restaurant that tops my favorites list. With a menu that offers a fusion of flavors like tempura zucchini blossoms, furikake Caesar salad, and Korean chile pasta, Meroma is a unique dining experience in Mexico City.
Yoru Sushi offers Japanese hand rolls, nigiri and sushi bowls. It’s a quaint little spot with fresh fish and lots of options.
Masala y Maiz of Netflix Chef’s Table fame offers Mexican-Indian fusion to create some really incredible flavors. One of my favorite dishes is a grilled shrimp with a vanilla chile salsa. It’s incredible.
Botanico is usually on lists because of their cactus garden and pond dining area, and the food is also really good. I looooove their burger and their ginger soda.
PLONK has an abbreviated but delicious menu in a small restaurant just off the edge of Parque Mexico. We had these udon noodles in a creamy gochujang sauce that blew me away.
Zimo is a spot we only stumbled into because of its proximity to our Airbnb, but their freshly made pastas were incredible.
Lardo’s menu offers a variety of different kinds of food, from Mediterranean lamb skewers to pizzas. Their all-day to night cafe is a perfect place to chill after a big day of tourist stuff. You absolutely must order their carrot mille-fuielle dessert. Pro-tip: you can get pastries from Panaderia Rosetta at their walk up window.
Panaderia Rosetta is on everyone’s TikTok list because of their guava pastry. Their main location in Roma Norte is always slammed. But they also have a little location in Condesa that’s not as busy. It’s good pastry, but I wouldn’t wait longer than 10 mins for it.
Niddo Cafe for really delicious pastry and desserts.
Blend Station for a choose-your-own-brew adventure. They have multiple locations throughout Mexico City.
Quentin Coffee for really nice coffee.

Salmon lox plate at Mendl in Mexico City

Bars in Mexico City

Licoreria Limantour (bar)
Hanky Panky (bar)
Handshake speakeasy (bar)

Shopping in Mexico City

There’s really good shopping in Mexico City though I’ve realized it’s more about wandering around and discovering what you’re drawn to, rather than having a list of shops to visit. There’s so many boutiques and little pop-ups everywhere, it’s honestly hard to keep track. I like wandering around in Roma where you’ll find little bazaars and local shops alongside famous Mexico fashion designer Carla Fernandez.

There’s also a beautiful mall called El Palacio de Hierro where you’ll find international designer fashion and fancy food courts; there’s a location in Condesa that has mid-range designer and in Polanco for high-end. I love to see how other countries approach malls and shopping as part of my travel. I’d say El Palacio de Hierro is more like a Parisian mall.

There are a few stores I’ve purchased from:

Carla Fernandez
Amor & Roses
180º SHOP
Xinu Perfume

Things to do

I suppose you’ll want to do other things besides eat and shop?

El Pendulo, a bookstore/cafe, grab a table and a snack.
Chapultepec Castle (Museo Nacional de Historia Castillo de Chapultepec).
Anthropology Museum (Museo de Antropologie).
Visit Centro Historico and the Zocalo. See the old ruins of the Templo Mayor and the big church.
Go on a Sunday bike ride. Every Sunday from 8am to 2pm, they close down major streets so you can bike ride through the city. There’s bike rentals on a lot of the streets that just require an app download.
Things to do (that I haven’t done): Lucha Libre, hot air balloon over Teotihuacan Pyramids, Xochimilco Boat Tour
Visit La Laguna. This space in Doctores is an old lace factory that’s been transformed into a mixed use space with a cafe, wine shops, businesses, vintage furniture, and little stores.