Recently, a friend requested my top three recommendations for visiting Mexico City. Inspired, I created this comprehensive guide of my favorite spots in the city. These recommendations are particularly suitable for soulo travelers. Here is your guide to a culinary haven, rich culture, and beautiful architecture. Enjoy!
Neighborhoods
Roma Norte and Condesa are my favorite neighborhoods! If you are looking for the best place to stay in Mexico city or just explore, I highly recommend either one of these neighborhoods. You will find cute coffee shops, restaurants, lounges and beyond.
If you are looking for luxury shopping, upscale restaurants, and a culinary haven
Polanco is the neighborhood for you! I did not get to spend too much time here but it is considered the "Beverly Hills" of Mexico. Polanco has the most expensive streets in the country.
Experiences
Tolantongo is my most beloved experience ever. Although it's a bit off the beaten path, it's an ideal day trip destination. This experience includes transportation to the site, so you don't need a rental car. But if you enjoy camping, renting a car and taking a weekend trip here would be a fantastic idea.
This experience is an oasis for water lovers, with hot springs, breathtaking mountain views, and serene caves. The attentive guides will provide you with everything you need, from soap to shower shoes and more.
My second favorite experience was a Hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacán, which included breakfast and cost $15 per person. During this trip, I met some extraordinary women who made the experience even more memorable. Whether you're traveling alone, with your partner, or in a group, the views from the balloon are breathtaking and worth the time spent.
My third favorite experience was the boat tour through Xochimilco! The tour was a perfect combination of culture, history, food, and fun! You really get to see Xochimilco from a local perspective. This would be a fun day trip as well!
Luche Libre show experience was one for the books! Luche Libre is the term for the style of professional wrestling originating in Mexico. This experience included education about the origin of this style of wrestling, mask making with the other guests and great seats to the show! 10/10 recommend this experience.
The Eat like a local food Tour exceeded my expectations! Normally, I don’t like tours because I feel that they don’t provide an authentic experience. Nevertheless, this tour felt more like a food safari and was totally worth the time. We were not only treated to the best food, but also provided with extensive history, sightseeing, and most importantly, stories from our guide about the people who make the food and their lives. It was a delicious and enjoyable experience thanks to such a great guide @lareinapanda . If you’re visiting Mexico city and want to try the best authentic food in the city, I highly recommend taking this food safari!
Museums
Museo Nacional de Antropología is one of the best museums l've been to. It's an absolutely gorgeous museum. Many opportunities to get good content! Its about $12 to enter and the guided tours range fro $25 to $50.
Although I couldn't visit the Frida Kahlo Museum during my trip, numerous people have emphasized that it is a must-see attraction in Mexico City.
For enthusiasts of Tequila and Mezcal, a visit to the Museo del Tequila y el Mezcal is a must. The museum offers a captivating tasting experience, allowing visitors to delve into the origins of these liquors while savoring their distinct flavors. The tour provides an engaging blend of education and enjoyment, with opportunities to sample both beverages and learn about their cultural significance. Overall, it is an unforgettable experience that is sure to delight any aficionado of these distilled spirits.
Good eats & bars
In the heart of the city, lies Hugo , a versatile venue that transforms from a charming wine bar at night into a vibrant coffee shop during the day. For those who embrace remote work, Hugo is an excellent choice. It offers a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, making it an ideal place to socialize and connect with others. I spent an entire day there and had the pleasure of meeting four new friends. If you're looking for a place to work, relax, and make new connections, Hugo is definitely worth a visit.
La Choza is a super cool Brooklyn-esque spot - the owner is from Brooklyn and one of their chefs’ resume is filled with top restaurants around the world. Their menu is super unique (I was there recently and they brought over a shot of mezcal and told us to add it to our ceviche). They serve up a total of five whole fish each day and have live music and DJ. Most of the menu will be sold out before dark, so you should plan to go early, or if you make friends with the owner or chef text them ahead of time to save you a few things. You won’t find them on Google Maps (address is Monterrey 194) and they are only open Saturdays and Sundays.
For a classy and elegant bar experience, consider the Handshake speakeasy, conveniently located in the heart of the city. To ensure a smooth visit, reservations are highly recommended. However, I had a positive experience walking in with friends and was promptly accommodated
Escorpio is a great natural wine bar. I went for a tasting and met some great women and we continued the party to Hanky panky cocktail bar around the corner. This is a speakeasy. It was cool. You need to make reservations in advance and they’ll call you with the relevant information (location, password, etc.)
If you are a sushi lover like I am, I highly recommend checking out Santo Hand Roll bar. This spot is great for watching chefs hand make your sushi right in front of you. You must sit at the bar. The fish is very fresh, so the sashimi and nigiris are wonderful.Great and speedy service in a cute bar like restaurant.
If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to visit El Moro Churerría, a delectable churro shop in Mexico City. I had the pleasure of visiting this establishment twice during my trip. The seating area was quite crowded, so I decided to take my churro across the street to Parque Mexico. As I savored my tasty treat, I enjoyed watching the people in the park. It was a truly enjoyable experience.
One of my favorite leisure activities is indulging in brunch or dinner at luxurious hotels. If you share this interest, I highly recommend the Four seasons hotel for a brunch experience.
Through a WhatsApp group for black expatriates, I received an invitation to a bottomless brunch at the hotel. While the food was not exceptionally amazing, it was certainly not disappointing.
Departamento is a fun bar and club all in one. I’d recommend going early on a weekend, like around 9 and going straight to the rooftop where people are casually hanging out and drinking. Around midnight the middle floor really gets going (drinks flowing, DJ, dancing etc.)
Meroma is a beautiful restaurant with amazing food. The best time to visit is during the day, like at lunchtime, since you usually need a reservation. The natural light inside is also energizing. I had a soulo meal here and it was fantastic.
Pujol a Michelin-starred restaurant in Mexico City, is renowned for its culinary excellence. Consistently ranked among the world's top restaurants, Pujol has gained considerable fame. While I was in Mexico City, I attempted to make a reservation but unfortunately, I was unable to secure one in time. Reviews of Pujol vary widely. Some diners praise it as being worth the high price, while others criticize it as being overpriced. Ultimately, experiencing Pujol firsthand remains the best way to form your own opinion and determine whether it meets your expectations.
Supra Roma is a Rooftop with 360 views of the city. Fun for drinks or a night out!
Spas
Consider visiting the Brick Hotel and the Hela spa for a luxurious and rejuvenating experience. Although the Hela Spa location in Polanco is more elaborate, both locations offer a delightful spa experience. I visited the Roma Norte location and was pleasantly surprised to be greeted with a shot of tequila, a unique way to begin a spa treatment.
The Ecological Park, Las Estacas , is located approximately 3 hours outside of Mexico City. I embarked on a memorable visit to this resort with new friends I connected with through a WhatsApp group. During our stay, we indulged in relaxing massages, experienced a distinctive sauna ritual, and took a refreshing dip in the lake. Adding to the adventure, we swam upstream to catch a boat rented by one of our friends. Our time spent at Las Estacas created unforgettable memories that will endure for a lifetime.
If you have any questions or additional recommendations requests that were not included in this post, feel free to DM on instagram, asya_nicole