Mexico City is the vibrant capital of Mexico, where every neighborhood unfolds a unique story. In this post, we’ll delve into the hip and trendy Roma Norte, the chic Condesa, the upscale Polanco, the artsy Coyoacán, the hidden gem San Angel, and the historic Centro Histórico. Let’s explore the beating heart of Mexico City, uncovering the best each neighborhood has to offer.
Where to stay in Mexico City
I recommend looking for an airbnb or hotel in the areas of Condesa and Roma Norte. Especially the area around Parque Mexico and the surrounding Calle Amsterdam is very beautiful and hip. You will find many boutique hotels and private accommodations on booking.com or airbnb.
Both areas are super central and you can explore all the other areas conveniently from there and find a great offer of cafes, restaurants, shops and bars in Condesa and Roma that you can easily explore by walking.
Mexico City's weather and climate
Mexico City is located about 2300 meters above sea level and hence has a different climate than the tourist hotspots on the pacific and carribean coast.
In general, the weather in Mexico City is pleasantly warm and sunny, however it can get quite chilly in the evenings, nights and early mornings. Especially in the winter months from November to February it is advised to bring a warm vest or jacket with you that you can put on when it gets cold.
In the summer months from May to September, it is rainy season in Mexico City with typically sunny mornings while towards the afternoon it gets cloudy, culminating in a heavy rain shower that lasts for about 1 hour. Bring an umbrella and rain jacket and try to avoid getting around in the city during these hours as traffic is even more horrible than usual.
Mexico City's best neighbourhoods to explore
#1 Roma Norte
Roma Norte stretches from Chapultepec metro station in the west, to Parque Mexico and Av. Coahuila in the south, to Av. Cuauhtemoc in east and Paseo de la Reforma in the north.
Right now it is Mexico Cities hippest and trendiest neighbourhood full of cafes, stylish clothing shops and boutiques, restaurants and nightlife options – making it one the best areas in the city to explore.
Must-See and Do:
- Stroll along Álvaro Obregón, the main street, and explore Pasaje Comercial El Parian.
- Discover the fancy Av. Colima, home to culinary gems like Rosetta and Meroma.
- Explore the bazar in Centro Gallego de Mexico in Av. Colima, open every two weeks on Sunday.
- Head to the picturesque Plaza Luis Cabrera and Plaza Río de Janeiro and explore the many cafes around.
- Cross Av. Insurgentes and explore Plaza Fuente de Cibeles (from there you also have the option to take the red Turibus).
Favorite Restaurants:
- Maximo: A gastronomic delight, probably my favorite restaurant in the city. Fascinating mix of Mexican and Mediterranean ingredients and dishes. Make sure to make a reservation well in advance.
- Yakumanka: Dive into the flavors of Peru with delectable ceviche and Lomo Saltado.
- Huset: An oasis of culinary innovation based on fully organic ingredients.
- Contramar: One of the cities most popular addresses with many fish and seafood options. Try the tostadas de atún and pescado a la talla (the red sauce is delicious!). The place is open until 8pm and rather an option for lunch. OpenTable will likely not show any availability but you can sign up on the waiting list ad-hoc.
- Fideo Gordo: A noodle lover’s paradise with Chinese and Japanese noodle creations.
Favorite Cafés:
- Buna Café Rico: Savor rich coffee in a cozy atmosphere, north of Plaza Río de Janeiro
- Café Trucha: Also located around Plaza Rio de Janeiro, a gem for coffee enthusiasts.
- Panaderia Rosetta: Treat yourself with the famous Rol de Guayaba.
- Hugo: Home to one of the best cheesecakes in town.
Favorite bars and clubs:
- Licorería Limantour: Among the world’s top 50 bars, a mixology haven.
- Café de Nadie: Creative drinks in the vibrant Pasaje Comercial El Parian.
- Jardín Paraíso: A scenic and beautiful spot for early evening fun – the place closes at midnight and the party starts around 8pm already.
- FÜNK: A hot recommendation for electronic and techno music with good line-up of local and international DJs.
- Departamento: Experience nightlife in an apartment-like setting and rooftop.
#2 Condesa
Condesa, a neighbor to Roma Norte, shares its hip vibe and international charm. Stroll through beautiful Parque Mexico and explore its charming streets.
Must-See and Do:
- Wander through the beautiful Parque Mexico and adjacent Parque España.
- Explore Calle Amsterdam, one of the city’s most beautiful streets.
- Roam Condesa’s main streets Av. Tamaulipas, Av. Michoacán, and Av. Mazatlán.
Favorite Restaurants:
- Kura: A haven for Japanese food enthusiasts.
- Lardo: Breakfast and brunch hotspot filled with internationals.
- As Happy As Larry: Organic drinks and food.
- Molino El Pujol: A culinary masterpiece by one of Mexico’s most famous chefs Enrique Olvera (with a more affordable selection of dishes than in the fine dining restaurant in Polanco).
Favorite Cafés:
- Quentin Café in Calle Amsterdam: A cozy spot for coffee lovers.
- Cucurucho: A delightful cafe for a nice breakfast.
- Saint Bakery: A must-visit for artisanal pastries.
- Churreria El Moro: Mexico City’s first address for churros with many outlets across the city – the one next to Parque Mexico is particularly pretty.
#3 Polanco
Polanco, Mexico City’s high-end neighbourhood and business hub, where major domestic and international companies have their headquarters and offices. The area offers a blend of upscale shopping, fine dining, and cultural experiences to explore.
Must-See and Do:
- Start you stroll in Parque Lincoln and explore the high-class hotels like Presidente InterContinental, W Hotel and Hyatt Regency along the southern border.
- Discover Polanquito, a charming area with cafes and restaurants north of Parque Lincoln
- Walk along Av. Presidente Masaryk, the city’s luxury shopping street filled with designer stores and boutiques of all renowned international brands.
- Head to Parque America, to Av. Horácio, from there head west to Palacio del Hierro (the most luxurious one of the department stores) and Museo Soumaya.
Favorite Restaurants:
- Ryoshi: Indulge in delicious sushi and Japanese cuisine.
- El Turix: Fantastic Cochinita Pibil tacos at a reasonable price.
- L’Entrecote: A steak haven with a unique one-dish menu: steak with fries and pepper sauce.
- Siembra Taqueria: Experience varieties of meat and fish tacos.
- San Giorgio Pizzeria: A slice of Italy in the heart of Polanco.
Favorite Cafés:
- Da Silva Panadería Artesanal: Located in Polanquito, artisanal bread and pastries from an owner with Portuguese descent.
- Café Ruta de la Seda: A delicious coffee and pastry experience in the heart of Polanco between Av. Horacio and Av. Isaac Newton.
- Niddo Café: A cozy spot for a leisurely cup of coffee.
#4 Centro Historico
Centro Histórico, the historical heart of Mexico City, invites you to wander through ancient ruins, colonial-era architecture, and vibrant streets. It is a place where past and present collide: The Spaniards have built a new city center with Catholic churches and buildings on top of the ancient city center built by the Aztecs. During construction works in the recent past in Centro Historico, many more ancient ruins have been discovered – and there are probably many more buried under today’s streets and buildings waiting to get explored.
Must-See and Do:
- Start at Zócalo, the main square and largest of its kind in Latin America, and marvel at the grandeur of Palacio Nacional and Catedral Metropolitana.
- Explore the Templo Mayor, a relic of the ancient city before the Spanish conquest.
- Walk along Av. Francisco I. Madero, filled with shops, towards Torre Latinoamericana – the tower has a 360° rooftop from where you can see the vast size of the city.
- Visit Palacio de Bellas Artes and Parque Alameda for its stunning architecture and Diego Rivera’s artwork.
- Other museums around Alameda are Casa de los Azulejos, and Museo Franz Mayer
- Afterwards head east to Monumento a la Revolucion (visiting the roof of the monument is a recommendation too)
- Head to Plaza Garibaldi to see the mariachi bands playing during the late afternoon and early evening
Other recommendations:
- Centro de Correos (beautiful building)
- Museo de Economía
- Museo del Perfume (beautiful building)
- Museo de Memoría y Toleranciá
- Opposite of Palacio de Bellas Artes there is the department store Sears, which has a rooftop cafe from which you can enjoy a spectacular view of the palacio
Favorite restaurants:
- Azul Histórico
- Balcón de Zócalo
- Itacate de Mar
- Taquería los Cocuyos
#5 Coyoacán
Coyoacán, an artsy district with cobblestone streets, vibrant markets, and a rich historical tapestry, welcomes you to immerse yourself in its bohemian charm. It was once home to Frida Kahlo and Leo Trotsky, and you can feel the creative energy as you explore its streets and colorful markets.
Must-See and Do:
- Explore the Frida Kahlo Museum, also referred to as Casa Azul, to delve into the life of the iconic artist. Make sure to book your tickets well in advance (1-2 weeks prior to your visit).
- Meander through the lively Coyoacán Market for traditional crafts and street food.
- Enjoy the serenity of Plaza Jardin Hidalgo and the beauty of Fuente de los Coyotes.
Favorite Restaurants and Cafés:
- Cafe Negro: A cozy spot for a cup of coffee in a relaxed atmosphere.
- La Coyoacana: A local favorite offering traditional Mexican cuisine and mezcal.
- Cafe El Jarocho: Sip on coffee in a historic setting.
- Jupiter Cervezeria: Delight in delicious tacos, especially the rib-eye taco is a treat.
- Los Danzantes: Indulge in contemporary Mexican dishes in a stylish setting.
- Churrería General: The first churros in Mexico City and a classic – a popular and usually crowded place
- Mariscos la Pingüina: Sinaloa style fish tacos and seafood.
#6 San Ángel
San Angel, a gem tucked away in the south, welcomes you with upscale residences, hip shops, and a Saturday artisanal market. For me it has been one of my favourite areas in Mexico City – one that you do not visit too often but every time enjoy spending time there. It might be not as popular as the other areas mentioned above but I highly recommended to explore the area when you are visiting Mexico City.
Must-See and Do:
- Visit the House of Frida Kahlo and Diego Riviera, now a museum showcasing their life and art.
- Explore the El Bazar Sábado on Saturdays, where local designers and artists display their works. Also, every Saturday local artists showcase their works in the adjacent Plaza San Jacinto.
- Stroll through the charming cobblestone streets and discover upscale residential buildings.
Favorite Restaurants:
- San Angel Inn: A visually stunning place with a beautiful garden, recommended by many locals.
- Mercado del Carmen: A food court offering diverse culinary options and unique stores.
#7 Santa Maria la Ribeira
This area is perhaps one of the least known among tourists but still worth a visit if you are looking for an area that is a bit less crowded than some of the more popular areas mentioned above.
Must-See and Do:
- Visit Biblioteca Vasconcelos, a beautiful library and refuge for people to read in calm.
- Visit Alameda de Santa Maria la Ribera with its iconic kiosk in the middle of the square.
Favorite Restaurants:
- Maria Ciento38: Indulge in authentic Italian cuisine from Sicily.
- Barra California Sur: Enjoy Baja style fish tacos and tostadas as well as seafood and beers.
More recommendations in and around Mexico City
Activities: The 9 Best Activities in Mexico City
Day Trips and Weekend Getaways: Around Mexico City: Best Day Trips and Weekend Getaways
Wow what a incredible resume about this amazing, diverse and big city!
Really looking forward to explore all your recommendations, keep sharing more!
Thanks, this is a great guide to Mexico city. Saved a lot of those in my Google maps lists! 🙂
Pingback: The 10 Best Activities in Mexico City | Travel con Timo
Pingback: Around Mexico City: Best Day Trips and Weekend Getaways | Travel con Timo