Mexico City Guide
Imagine if NYC and Paris had a love child.Leafy streets, incredible architecture, and some of the best food in the world….here you have Mexico City.
Time of Year: December/January
Duration: 2.5 days
Hotel: Four Seasons Mexico City
Best thing we ate: Duck Tacos
Best thing we did: Walking Food Tour
Stay
The Four Seasons Mexico City is the perfect oasis from the hustle of the city. This property was perfect for traveling with kids. The concierge surprised them with toys in the room, the pool was great and they even had an ice skating rink during the holidays. I rely heavily on the concierge to set up car services, restaurants and tours, their team was wonderful to work with. Another perk, 50 Mills Bar is one of the best in the city. Try the spicy mezcal margarita.
Other place on my list (where we might stay without kids)
Condesa DF: great location
Casa Teo: Exclusive BnB
Casa Palanco: #1 on my list next trip.
Ritz Carlton: great views.
Eat
Where to begin?! My biggest piece of advice book a private food tour. This is the best way to eat/see as much as possible in a short amount of time. Make sure to book Gabby, she was wonderful!
Here is my list of restaurants we tried and a few on the next trip list:
Breakfast/Brunch
Lardo: Chalaquiles or Ham Sandwhich
Cafe Nin: Coffee and Rosemary Roll
Moro Chuerreria: Churros
Panaderia Rosetta: Guava Roll & Coffee
Lunch/Dinner
El Parnita: lunch tacos and a chileda (beer, lime, salt)
EL Paramo: Duck Tacos and mezcal margaritas
Itacte: Tuna Tostados
Corazon de Maguey: Cocyocan area
Ling Ling: Views and sushi
EM: Everything!
Next Trip
Lalo: breakfast
Pujol: omasake tasting menu
Contramar: tuna tostados
Rosetta: Pretty, Italian
Quintol
Maximo
Meroma:
Amaya
Limonsernos
La Dolce
Marsla y Maiz
Casa Franco: Jazz Club
Do
Hire a guide to explore the Zocalo area (historic barrios). Hire a guide aka @gabby for a food and mezcal tour. See as many of Mexican architect Luis Barragan houses as possible (my favorites, Casa Luis Barragan, Casa Gilardi). Visit La Casa Azul, home to Frida. The shopping in CDMS is very good! Head to La Cuidadela markets for ceramics and textiles. Shop in Roma Norte for unique smaller designers. Visist Xochimilco (floating gardens). Private boat rentals start at $40, great live music, tacos, childadas, and a just a cool experience. We stopped briefly stopped in Coyocan, would love to spend more time here.
Additional Notes
Transportation
Book through your concierge. A driver/guide for the day costs about $200 - $400. Also Uber worked well.
Safety
We were nervous about brining the kids. The number 1 question asked by friends and family, ‘was it safe.’ I think like any city you need to be aware of your surroundings. It did help my peace of mind to hire drivers for each day and for airport transfers. The hotel was great help here.
My ideal itinerary
Day 1: Food Tour
Day 2: Zocalo
Main Square
Diego Rivera’s mural ‘The History of Mexico’
Gran Hotel Cuidad de Mexico: rooftop bar
Eat: Taqueria Los Cocuyos: Taco Stand/brisket
Eat: El Moro Churerria
Mercado San Juan: coffee Triana Cafe
Walk to Alameda Central
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Eat: Dinner Limosneros/Wagyu Taco
Eat: K-Guamo: seafood tostados
Drink: Aztec Plague @ Pulqueria Duelistas
Sunset: Plaza Garibaldi: mariachi bands decent once the sun sets
Arena Mexico for Lucha Libre show (Fridays Only)
Stop by Moro Chuerreria
Stop House of Tiles
Day 3 Shopping, artsy barrios and Frida
Breakfast: Panaderia Rosetta: Roma Norte (breakfast sandwich, guava pastries, cardamom bun
Roma: start at Calle Colima; shopping
Moro Chuerreria
Delirio
Casa Bosques; bookstore
Ulitario Mexicano
Eat: Contramar: I believe its closed
Eat: La Docena: booked
Drink: El Palenquito
Drink: Limantour
** See: Casa Estudio Luis Barragan
Condesa
Drink La Calandestina
Condesa DF
Coyoacan: 1 hour south
Frida Kahlo’s House; Casa Azul: Tickets in advance
Eat: lunch: Tostas Coyocan: ceviche & tostada
Coffee Cafe Negro: Moka
Bazar Artensal: palet: popsicle
Mercado
Day 4:
Half Day Tour of Ruins or Floating Garden
La Condesa
Eat: Pasillo de Humo: sopa oazaquena and mole
Parque Chaputepec: twice the size of Central Park
Zoo/ People Watching/Lake
Pujol: taco omakase
With Love From CDMX
We were here for NYE….wonderful memories!