👐 MEXICO CITY
If you only read one thing for your first trip to CDMX, this will have you covered.
Table of Contents:
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Getting Around: Uber or walk—it’s super easy to navigate.
Cash: Take out Mexican pesos in advance; many tours, street markets, and museums only accept cash (I specifically callout where you’ll need cash in the guide).
Eating: If you enjoy high-end dining, Mexico City has no shortage of world-famous tasting menu spots like Pujol and Quintonil. I’d caution you away from booking these reservations back-to-back. Don’t go overboard on the tasting menus! They’re not enjoyable when done too much, and I promise all you’ll want is a bowl of pasta with butter after.
Other Recommendations:
If you have a longer amount of time, spend about 5 days in Mexico City and then fly to Puerto Escondido for a few days on the beach. PE is a stunning surf town with a vibrant art community—absolutely worth the trip.
WHERE TO EAT
DINNER
⭐ Contramar - The restaurant everyone tells you about in Mexico City—and for good reason. I think about the tuna tostadas from Contramar every few months. Book your reservation well in advance, and make it a long, leisurely lunch (especially since the rest of your lunch meals will probably be tacos grabbed from a street stand).
Order the: tuna tostadas, whole fish, and fig tart.
⭐ Hugo Elwine bar - A Lower East Side transplant in CDMX. Tiny, romantic, and one of those places where you’re more likely than not to make friends with the table beside you.
Order the: Radicchio salad
⭐ Ultramarinos - The freshest seafood in Mexico City. Ultramarinos and its sister Martínez are favorites for my friends who have spent the most time in CDMX.
Maximo Bistro Local - This place is such a vibe, and was definitely another one of my favorites for dinner in Mexico City. Farm-to-table cuisine in a casual yet elevated setting. A good date spot!
Em - A beautifully intimate space with experimental cuisine. The avocado tostada is a literal work of art (I’d love to sneak into the kitchen and watch it be assembled). That said, between the service and my usual aversion to tasting menus, this place wasn’t my favorite.
Pujol - Michelin-starred and iconic; book months in advance if you can.
Quintonil - Consistently ranked among the world’s best.
Entremar - The low-key sister restaurant to Contramar; same menu, no reservations, and a more local crowd in Polanco, the upscale neighborhood.
Rosetta - Italian-inspired dishes in a colonial mansion.
Mari Gold - A trendy, understated spot that’s good for lunch or dinner.
LUNCH
⭐ Contramar - As mentioned above.
⭐ Expendio de Maiz - A unique dining experience where there’s no menu. They don’t take reservations and it’s a little hard to find (the first time I tried, I ended up at the restaurant next door (Páramo)… which I would also recommend for a fun mezcal tasting. Go for an early lunch to avoid long lines.
Pandaria Rosetta - The bakery in town, known for its pastries and the perfect spot to take a breather after a long day of walking.
Taqueria Orinoco - Solid tacos with a few locations in the city, open 24/7 for all your late-night cravings.
El Parnita - Casual spot for tacos and a neighborhood vibe.
El Turix Polanco - this taqueria came highly recommended, but it was not my favorite. If you go, try the panuchos de cochinita pibil instead of the tacos.
If you’ve already been to Mexico City and want something a bit more tailored, check out my subsequent guide below.
