‘Gaux-To Mexico City

‘Gaux-To Mexico City: Our Travel Guide to Mexico’s Capital City

Mexico City has become the go-to destination for food and drinks lovers around the world, and it’s really no surprise why. In addition to being accessible, budget friendly, and downright gorgeous, the city center is home to a number of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants and Cocktail Bars—as well as a slew of hidden gems to be discovered. Although the country’s main winemaking region, Baja California, is quite a hike away from the capital city, a number of domestic and international gems can be found at restaurants and bars abound.

The Bigger Picture:

Mexico City is the capital of Mexico, and is located in the central part of the country. While the city doesn’t necessarily provide easy access to beaches or winemaking regions, its food and beverage offerings—and number of hotel rooftop pools—certainly make up for it. The city’s climate is pretty moderate and consistent year round, with highs clocking in around the mid-70s to low-80s and lows never reaching below the 40s or 50s. The city is located at a whopping 7,200 feet above sea level, so don’t be surprised if you feel a bit lightheaded upon arriving!

The country’s most prominent winemaking scene, Baja California, is quite a hike from Mexico City; it’ll take you around 31 hours to drive—or a 3 hour and 40 minute flight—to reach the region’s capital city of Mexicali. Over 75% of Mexico’s wine production takes place in Baja California, with the Valle de Guadalupe being the most popular sub-region. A variety of grapes are grown here, from Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Grenache, and Italian red varieties to Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Colombard, and more.

How to Get There / Get Around:

Arriving to Mexico City from the USA is quite simple, as most major cities fly into the city’s main airport, Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México. Within Mexico, accessing Mexico City is simple from a number of areas, including Cancun (2 hour and 25 minute flight), Oaxaca (1 hour and 15 minute flight), and more. Once in Mexico City, grabbing a taxi to the city center is simple, though we recommend doing so directly from the certified stands within the airport. Best of all, the journey should only cost you around $15.

Our Favorite Restaurants:

• Rosetta – Elevated Mexican cuisine served up in a stunning, plant-heavy courtyard
• Contramar – Absolute must visit for seafood lovers of all kinds; perhaps the city’s most famous fish-focused restaurant, known for its large dining room and big outdoor terrace
• Pigeon – Creative, Mediterranean-inspired food in an Art Deco building
• Entremar – Sister restaurant of Contramar—don’t skip on the tuna tostadas
• Orinoco Tacos – Trendy taqueria perfect for late-night (post-beverage) snacks
• Maximo Bistrot – Farm-to-table restaurant meshing French cuisine with Mexican ingredients
• Palapa – Caribbean-Mexican fusion served under a palm-thatched roof

Unmissable Wine & Cocktail Bars:

Although great meals are important, we believe that great wine / cocktails are just as—if not more—imperative. While CDMX is brimming with great places to imbibe, here are a few of the places that most captured our attention:

• Hugo – Natural wine bar with great food (we loved the radicchio salad /small plates so much that we went back a second time!)
• Kosho – Mexican / Japanese-influenced wine bar great for lunch or dinner
• Loup Bar – Natural wine bar in Roma Norte with great small plates
• IMBISS – Natural wine bar (that also serves up some serious fried chicken!)
• Salon Rosetta – Great place to head upstairs for a drink after dinner at Rosetta
• Licorería Limantour – A must visit! One of the best cocktail bars not just in the city, but in the world (be sure to visit the Roma Norte location)
• Hanky Panky – High-level speakeasy cocktail bar hidden within a bright-hued restaurant
• Brujas – Female-led cocktail bar inspired by strong female figures and Mexican herbalism
• Handshake Speakeasy – Old School speakeasy vibes with great drinks in a stunning space
• La Clandestina – Mezcal-forward bar with awesome music and a great vibe

Best Coffee Shops:

Coffee and traveling go hand in hand, so naturally we had to scope out the city’s best places to satisfy the need for caffeine. Here are a few of the coffee shops our team members fell in love with:

• Rosetta Panaderia – Delicious coffee and pastries in a rustic, plant-filled space
• Blend Coffee Shop – Laptop-friendly café with excellent cold brew!
• Quentin Café – Speciality coffee joint in Roma Norte
• Enhorabuena Café – Great place for coffee, chai, and food – also laptop friendly
• Chiquitito Café – Solid espresso-based drinks with numerous locations around the city

Neighborhoods to Explore:

• Roma Norte – By far the city’s most popular neighborhood amongst food-and-wine-loving travelers; considered the hipster area of the city, home to a ton of great restaurants, bars, and boutique shops
• Condesa – Near Roma, Condesa is a quieter, more art nouveau-inspired neighborhood with tons of dog parks, fancy boutiques, and large sidewalks – expect many lush, tree-lined streets and trendy taquerias
• Centro Histórico – Deemed the cultural center of the city, Centro Histórico is where you’ll find most of the city’s museums and art galleries, as well as political buildings and street vendors
• Colonia Juárez – Lively, dynamic area where many of the city’s young people live, home to a number of sidewalk bars and international restaurants, namely Korean eateries; the area is also home to the Zona Rosa, a gay-friendly neighborhood with many bars and clubs

Where to Stay:

• BrickHotel – Beautiful boutique hotel in Roma Norte with excellent on-site bar, great dining and shopping right outside the front door
• Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City – Luxurious, hacienda-style hotel with inner courtyard and 280 rooms, 40 of which are suites
• Sofitel Mexico City Reforma – Home to five bars and restaurants, 15-min walk to Roma Norte
• Hotel Marquis Reforma – Five-star hotel with on-site spa, walking distance from great shopping and restaurants

Additional Activities

• Visit the archaeological ruins at Templo Mayor
• Check out the Frida Kahlo Museum (book ahead of time)
• Shop the Mercado Coyoacán
• Stroll through the lush Bosque de Chapultepec
• Browse local artisans’ work at Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela
• Scope out some Diego Rivera paintings at Palacio Nacional and Teatro de los Insurgentes
• Satisfy your sweet tooth at Churrería El Moro (numerous locations)
• Indulge in a variety of local street food – there are vendors everywhere!