👐 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 the eat and drink guide below.
WHAT TO DO
A sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight over the Teotihuacan Pyramids
About an hour's drive from the city
Book the full package through Airbnb Experiences or with Volares (skip the breakfast package), and they’ll handle pickup and drop-off.
Yes, it’s touristy, but absolutely worth doing at least once. Seeing the pyramids from above is genuinely breathtaking.
Some tours let you walk on the pyramids, but I’ve never done it and don’t think it’s necessary—it turns into a full-day excursion. The sunrise hot air balloon ride is perfect because it wraps up early so you have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your day in CDMX.
Mercado Lagunilla Ropa y Telas (only open on Sundays)
A massive vintage clothing, furniture, and street food market.
The market is kind of difficult to navigate without a guide. I highly recommend the taco tour of La Lagunilla offered by The Curious Mexican. This was one of my favorite things we did in CDMX. The guides are amazing, and the tour felt like stepping into an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. Come hungry—you’ll leave VERY full.
Have a Michelada (a tasty Mexican beer cocktail).
Mercado Jamaica
A huge grocery and flower market and just a fun way to spend the day. The grapefruit here easily the juiciest I’ve ever had in my life.
ART + ARCHITECTURE
Book Tickets and Tours for all of the below in advance.
Museo Frida Kahlo: There are tons of people here, so it feels a bit more touristy than any other museum in Mexico City, but I really enjoyed learning about the life of Frida Khalo in the Blue House.
LUIS BARRAGÁN
A legendary Mexican architect celebrated for his masterful use of color, light, and geometric forms. Barragán’s work has influenced architecture in Mexico and beyond. A few of his iconic sites to visit on your trip:
Casa Gilardi - Tours are by appointment only, and they only accept cash or PayPal—so come prepared. If you’re picking just one Barragán site to visit, I’d go with this one.
Casa Estudio Luis Barragán - Tickets are released every Tuesday at 12:00 PM Mexico City time in weekly batches and sell out quickly, so set a reminder!
Cuadra San Cristóbal - “the horse stables” by Luis Barragán
Book your tour with the traveling beetle!
Plan to dedicate most of the day to this excursion. Cuadra San Cristóbal is located about 45 minutes to an hour outside of CDMX, and the tour lasts around 4–5 hours, including stops at other iconic Barragán sites. I found the home and surrounding grounds truly remarkable, but if you’re short on time or not particularly into architecture, it’s probably one to skip.
JAVIER SENOSIAIAN
A pioneer of organic architecture, Javier Senosiain creates whimsical, nature-inspired structures that feel like they’re straight out of a dream.
Casa Orgánica – A private residence designed to feel like living inside a work of art. It’s been closed to the public as of 2021.
Nido de Quetzalcóatl - About an hour outside of CDMX, there is a fantastical serpent-shaped park that you’ve probably seen photos of on your instagram. Visiting requires either booking a stay at one of the residences within the property (available on Airbnb) or joining a guided tour. Tours are occasionally offered, so check Airbnb Experiences or reach out to local agencies for availability.
Book the Organic Architecture Tour to visit a few of his sites.
More Art:
Praxis House, Agustin Hernandez studio; Architecture
SHOPPING
CLOTHING
The Pack by Campillo - Unique, stunning silk pieces. My personal favorite.
1/8 Takamura - A beautifully curated shop blending Japanese and Mexican design.
HOMEWARE
Utilitario Mexicano - Minimalist homeware
Chic by Accident - Eclectic and artistic homeware
Mercado De La Ciudeadela - A market filled with artisanal crafts, textiles, and souvenirs.
JEWELRY
Varon Studio - Sleek, contemporary jewelry
Blobb Studio – Bold, colorful, and super playful designs by Sofia Hellyes. You can find some of her homeware at Coming Soon in NYC, but visiting the studio in CDMX is really cool. I got a ring as a gift for a friend. You have to DM them on Instagram to set up an appointment.
NEIGHBORHOODS
Condesa / Roma-Norte - Soho or Williamsburg in NYC; tons of bars, restaurants, cafes, and a cool, laid-back vibe.
Polanco - Upscale and polished, with high-end restaurants, art galleries, and a Fifth Avenue shopping vibe.
Reforma - The business district, filled with high-rises, the Tamayo Museum, and the Four Seasons. Grab some street mango near Bosque de Chapultepec Park while walking around here.
WHERE TO STAY
All of the options below are conveniently located, so it’s a 20-30 minute walk to many of the spots you’ll want to visit.
⭐ Casa Polanco - $600+/night – A boutique, high-end stay perfect for couples or families located in the posh Polanco neighborhood. Intimate and elegant, with lobby and shared spaces that feel more like a living room.
La Valise - $800+/night – Perfect for couples for a romantic stay in Roma Norte. Very centrally located.
Pug Seal - $350–$450/night – A fun, artistic vibe for couples or friends traveling together.
Casa Luciana - $300–$400/night – Ideal for couples or solo travelers who want a stylish boutique experience in Condesa.
Ignacia Guest House - $300–$400/night – A chic, quiet stay and a good choice for couples or solo travelers in Roma Norte.
Condesa DF - $250–$350/night – A trendy, mid-range option for friends who want to be in the heart of Condesa. The rooms are a bit small, but you will hardly be in the room anyway. And there’s a great rooftop bar.
Casa Siza - $1000/night - A design townhouse and the ultimate accommodation for a group of 6. Casa Siza’s in-house art collection includes notable works by Mario Garcia Torres, Izumi Kato, Michael Joo, and Bosco Sodi.
GOOGLE MAP
Follow my Google Map - everything you need pinned by location!
** The Map is filled with many cool spots in CDMX. Most are not ‘destinations’ to go out of your way for, rather good recs to have if you’re already in that area. Open it when you’re in CDMX to find art studios, coffee shops, a bar near your dinner, etc.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
🏄 PUERTO ESCONDIDO
Puerto Escondido is a 1 hour flight from Mexico City. If you have the time to take a longer trip, do 4 days in CDMX followed by 3 days in Puerto Escondido. It’s the perfect pair to create balance in your itinerary between exploring and relaxing. If you haven’t seen my recommendations for Mexico City, find them
This guide was super helpful and has amazing recommendations! I stayed at Condesa DF and it was lovely. Rooms were a bit small, but we were hardly in the room so it was fine. Perfect location, walking distance from all the restaurants and land marks and in a super safe area, right next to the cutest parks.
- Contramar is MUST GO. Lived up to all hype. If they don't have a reservation available online, email them and they probably will have something avail.
- Down the street from the Frida Khalo Museo, the Coyoacan Market was a very cool experience. Huge Market with 1000 vendors - food, art, crafts, plants, all of the above.
- 2 Restaurants we LOVED:
- Huset - outdoor vibe with greenery and amazing food - get the romaine salad
- Meroma - the crispy artichokes