Mexico City: A Practical Guide and Trip Round-Up
We just returned from our first trip to Mexico City, and it’s certain we’ll be back. Mexico City is a vibrant destination rich in history, culture, and food. The following guide summarizes what we experienced, with practical tips on safety, transport, dining, drinks, and must-see sights to help you plan your visit.
Quick Notes for this Mexico City Guide and Round-Up
- Mexico City is enormous — the largest city in North America. Distances are long and neighborhoods are many.
- Traffic can be intense. Trying to see everything in one trip isn’t realistic; choose a few nearby highlights to maximize your time. On one day we spent two hours to travel five miles, so plan accordingly.
- Safety: I felt very safe throughout our trip. Mexico City has many different neighborhoods; stick to well-known, established areas and take normal precautions with your belongings in busy tourist spots—just as you would in major cities like New York or many European capitals.
- Avoid unlicensed taxis; they can overcharge. We used rideshare services like Uber and, for busy days or evenings out, a private driver, which I recommend for convenience and efficiency.
- Dress: locals tend to dress neatly. Casual but polished outfits work best — jeans with a nice blouse or shirt, modest dresses or skirts. Avoid shorts and flip-flops if you want to blend in.
- For a curated list of restaurants and recommendations, I compiled a Yelp collection for Mexico City you can look up if you use that service.
Where to Eat
Mexico City is a true food capital. Below are the places we tried and the spots we were recommended by locals and fellow travelers.
Contramar – A personal favorite for fresh, flavorful seafood and lively condiments. The tuna tostadas were outstanding. Also try the fish prepared two ways and the carnitas tacos. Service is friendly and the atmosphere is lively.
San Angel Inn – A peaceful courtyard restaurant located across the street from Frida Kahlo’s home. The setting is beautiful and relaxed; perfect for a long, lingering meal. Don’t miss the classic margarita and the cochinita pibil.
El Califa – A convenient spot for excellent tacos, especially at lunchtime. Try the guanajuato (cheese crust) taco and the pastor gringa — both were highlights for us.
Rosetta – An elegant spot with outstanding Italian-inspired dishes. The tagliatelle we had was exceptional. Dress a bit smarter if you plan to dine here.
Panadería Rosetta – The bakery from the same chef was a revelation. Fresh pastries and breads that felt light and irresistibly good — perfect for breakfast or to take with you on a day trip.
Pujol – A world-famous tasting-menu restaurant by Enrique Olvera, known for innovative takes on Mexican cuisine. Portions can be small and artistic, so consider your appetite and make reservations well in advance.
Other recommended places we heard great things about include Nico’s, Máximo Bistrot, Eno (from the Pujol team), Azul Condesa, and Mercado Roma — a lively market with a variety of food stalls, sit-down options, and a rooftop beer garden.
Where to Drink
Mexico City has a thriving cocktail and bar scene. A few favorites and recommendations:
- Limantour — consistently ranked among the world’s best cocktail bars.
- La Condesa DF Rooftop — a relaxed hotel rooftop for afternoon drinks.
- Zinco Jazz Club — great for live music and late-night atmosphere.
- Baltra Bar, The Comrade, King Cole Bar (St. Regis), Felina Bar — other solid options depending on the vibe you want.
- For a unique evening, try Club Petanca Roma where you can play petanque and sip vermouth.
Things to Do
There’s no shortage of noteworthy sights. Here are the highlights we visited or were recommended:
Teotihuacan — About a 45-minute drive from downtown, this ancient Mesoamerican city features the impressive Pyramids of the Sun and Moon and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a lot of walking and some steep steps if you climb the Sun Pyramid.
Frida Kahlo’s Blue House (La Casa Azul) — A popular museum celebrating Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s life and work. Nearby is the San Angel neighborhood and its lovely courtyard restaurants.
Bazar del Sábado — A lively Saturday market full of artisanal goods, food, and local crafts.
Chapultepec Castle — A scenic castle atop a hill within Chapultepec Park; highly recommended by locals, and worth a visit if your schedule allows.
Museo Nacional de Antropología — One of the premier museums in the city for anthropology and pre-Columbian artifacts. It deserves a full visit if you have time.
Museo Nacional de Arte (MUNAL) — A great option for art lovers in the historic center.
Final note: I spent three days in Mexico City with a group of ten, so this guide covers what we managed to see and taste on a short trip. Mexico City is vast and constantly evolving; if you live there or have favorite spots I didn’t list, please share recommendations — there’s always more to discover.
