Mexico City, Mexico

I couldn’t have dreamed up a more beautiful city to spend my birthday week in. The history of Mexico City is so relevant to the world today and learning how the neighborhoods have come to be what they are now feels important as I walk these streets. The preserved remnants of a heavy colonial past (elaborate European architecture) mixed in with a more modern vision of Mexico City, one that feels very local and international at the same time, makes this part of the city one to not miss. We walked this city every single day, 18,000 + steps every day. I felt like I grew attached to these streets in some way. Mexico City is one of those places that to me felt easy to find a routine here. We kept walking around and noticing places we would live, the coffee shop that we would be regulars at, and the streets we took suddenly started feeling familiar and second nature after just a short time. Gabi and I absolutely love this city and especially the importance it has in Latin American history. I’m so happy we got to get to know this these streets together. The indigenous history, the architecture, the food, the art, the colors, did I say the food? Trust me the I say that making a trip out here for the chilaquiles with chorizo Lalo is totally worth it. Creativity is in the air here, and it felt as natural as can be. We especially fell in love with the Roma Norte and Condesa neighborhood. So much to explore there.

See below for my list of our favorite museums, sights and restaurants in Mexico City!

Museus

Museo Nacional de Antropología

You can’t miss this. If you’re in town for 2 days this is one. It’s an amazing look into MesoAmerican history that is such an integral part of understanding the rich culture of Mexico.

House of Tiles (Casa de los Azulejos)

This place is amazing! It’s in the Centro Historico area of the city. It is best to go not on a weekend since the area is really busy on the weekends, but still the place is so huge it’s easy to get a table. We love the second floor to sit near the balcony with the gorgeous view of the inside of the building. It’s a historical building and you can sit and have a full meal, or a snack or a drink. We went twice  

Soumaya Museum

This free art museum has amazing architecture and a really incredible collection inside. One of my absolute favorite art museums. We went for the last two hours before closing. It’s across the street from another free museum, Museo Jumex, which is a modern art museum, but we didn’t have time for it. But I hear it’s also great!

Chapultepec Castle

This castle is at the top of Chapultepec Hill in Mexico City’s Chapultepec Park. It is absolutely beautiful and pristine, and shows a great amount of historical objects from the history of colonialism in Mexico City! You get an amazing view of the city, as well.

Casa Estudio Luis Barragán

It’s kind of hard to get tickets but I was able to exactly a week in advance on the website. It’s pricier than all the other museums in the city, but I’ve always wanted to see it so thought it was worth checking out if you are a fan of art and interior design. I left feeling inspired to make some interior changes at home because of this visit!

Museo Tamayo

Contemporary art museum next to the Anthropology museum. Interesting building, rotating exhibitions and a permanent collection.

Museo del Objeto

Just down the street from Rosetta Bakery, it’s a super small museum where the exhibition focuses on one object/theme. It was very interesting with a very in-depth collection of objects surrounding the theme.

ARENA MEXICO (for Lucha Libre matches)

Dr. Lavista 189, Doctores, Cuauhtémoc, 06720 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

There are two locations in Mexico City I believe, but we went to the one at the address here. It was one of the most fun experiences ever that we ended up going twice! Tickets are so cheap! We just walked to the location the day of a match (check online for matches), and bought our tickets in person the day of a match when they open around 11am. Highly recommend, as this kind of show is very unique to Mexico!

Comida: 

LALO

Great place for brunch but if it’s a weekend you might have to wait, it is very popular, but we actually never had to wait at all for a table on the weekend. The chilaquiles are AMAZING!!! We became obsessed lol. Add the chorizo! Also pancakes are amazing! We went twice here for brunch!

LARDO

This was high on our list, but we never had time to go. We were told that if you like places like Il Buco, or Romans, or Rucola in NYC you will love Lardo. It’s kind of Italian/Mediterranean and related to the Rosetta crew. But we did make it to Rosetta …

ROSETTA

This place really is amazing, and the setting is so beautiful. We weren’t super hungry the day we went, but we ended up having a light lunch and shared some appetizers and the tamale main dish. Delicious  

The wait at the Rosette Panaderia across the street from the main restaurant was always so crazy busy, so we went to their other location closer to our Airbnb on Puebla Street.

PANADERIA ROSETTA PUEBLA

This little spot is very cute and has the same menu as their other main location, but without the crowds! The cool thing is that you can ask to sit at the rooftop of the restaurant attached which is super beautiful and full of plants. We really enjoyed it! 

CHURRERIA EL MORO

There are a bunch of locations in CDMX. All I need to say is that they have the best churros and hot chocolate! An amazing combination.

TAQUERIA ORINOCO

This is a very popular chain that started in the northern city of Monterrey and branched out to CDMX. Simple menu but the quality and flavor is consistent. Try the especials Pirata (beef) and Gringa (pastor). Their sauces are amazing. Especially the tzatziki. This is a must. I recommend getting there early. We went right before it opened, and the line got long fast!

BEATRICITA

Established in 1910, Beatricita is a classic . They specialize in tacos de guisado, in other words, more elaborate stew tacos. Best of all, the tortillas are hand-made. The mole taco is delicious. 

FORBIDDEN FRUITS

Great for brunch. Their pecados (wraps), juices and aguas are great. Fresh ingredients prepared in the moment. My favorite wrap is Pecado Perezoso. Chilaquiles are also great. 

EL PENDULO CAFEBRERIA

It is a very cool library with a great design and it has a restaurant. Great for coffe and meals. Varied menu with salads and sandwiches. 

CAFE NIN

Old historical building that is very picturesque and has a European feel. It felt similar to Rosetta bakery. Love it for breakfast or a snack.

LA CASA DE TOÑO

This place is cheap and they bring the food quick. Best for when you are looking for an easy meal. Best pozole ever amongst other Mexican delicacies. Best of all, super cheap. Enchilladas are good too. Sometimes is crowded, so is best to grab a ticket and come back 10-15 mins later. 

IMBISS

This was a recommendation from someone who said it was the best meal of her life. And it happened to be on a small quiet street just 5 minutes walk from our Airbnb. It’s not Mexican food, but if you like fusion then this is the place. We shared the carbonara which is made with rice pasta (Japanese style), and the fried chicken is amazing! Truly delicious!

TAMALE MADRE

This place was recommended by a friend who knew we loved tamales. I love the set up of the restaurant. You can sit around where they hand make the tamales fresh. It’s intimate and cool. The weather is always amazing in CDMX, so I also recommend sitting outside which is covered in green plants. The tamales were some of the best we’ve had in the city.