Visit Mexico City

So you wanna visit Mexico City? It’s been a hot minute since I posted on this blog. A couple of years to be exact. Writing a travel blog is challenging when the world shuts down for a pandemic and all your motivation goes flying out the window. But alas, I found it. In Mexico! Below I have listed all my findings for the best things to do in Mexico City, the best places to eat anddddd must see’s. I hope this helps when it comes to planning your trip. I will say the absolute hardest part was deciding between the millions of amazing restaurants and cafes.

What to do in Mexico City

Mexico City is one of the biggest cities in the world so keep that in mind when planning what to do. the city is fricken huge and you can’t walk everywhere. Unless you have some mighty calf muscles and a huge stride. I don’t. I ubered.

Where to stay in Mexico City

Neighborhoods in Mexico City

Roma
La Condesa
Polanco
City Center
Coyoacán

Hotels in Mexico City

After days and days of research, I ended up staying at Casa Mannach and fricken LOVING IT. The location was amazing, the staff was great and best of all the room was perfect. I wanted a boutique hotel experience and this was exactly what I was looking for. Listed below are other options I was looking into.

Must-sees and do’s in Mexico City

Teotihuacán (Pyramids) – You can get your tickets there, if you decide to drive, which we did. However you might not have a bestie who lives in the city with a car, so I would look into doing a tour. We almost did the one with the tequila tasting but ended up doing the tasting without the tour.

Castillo de Chapultepec: Also where the Natural History Museum is.
Xochimilco – sail around the Aztec-built canals in colorful gondolas. It’s quoted as the Venice of Mexico.
El Ángel de la Independencia– You will most likely drive by this a few times depending on where you are staying.
Basilica de Santa Maria de Guadalupe – famous church
Sagrario Metropolitano – and another
Metropolitan Cathedral – and another, but this one is sinking. You can see the cracks and how it is sinking.
Tenochtitlan – ruins, right in the city center and next to the sinking church.

El Zocalo plaza – city center!

Palacio Nacional – Amazing, famous paintings inside.
House of Tiles – just walk by and snap some pics

Walking Streets – someone has already compiled a list so there is no need for me to type them out. Here they are.

el parián cdmx – cute lil shops and a great insta opportunity

Museums in Mexico City

Palacio de Bellas Artes – Museum was ok, But I recommend going for the Folklórico Ballet performance. OMG, IT WAS AMAZING. We got our tickets the day of, inside the museum. I do not recommend doing the “guided tour”. I’ve heard it is a rip-off. The performances are not every day so plan accordingly. BUT dear lord please do it. Especially if you love the arts.

Frida Kahlo Museum -you MUST get your tickets ahead of time, online. I bought mine 2 weeks before my trip. Visiting this museum was one of my favorite things I did. Frida is a badass.

Museo Nacional de Antropología – a great place to learn all about the history of Mexico and its people
Munal. Museo Nacional de Arte – showcases Mexican artists
Museo Jumex – AND IT’S FREE

Object Museum – this was… different
Chocolate Museum – nuff said

Markets in Mexico City

Shops in Mexico City

Teterete – Mexican arts and fine crafts
Viejo Amor – clothing
Native – clothes, goods, etc. got some cute lil earrings here.
Mother Vintage – vintage store
goodbyefolk – clothing, vintage
Somos Tierra – natural beauty, bath
Metate – Mexican concept store
Happening Roma norte – clothing, etc
NAYIBI MEXICO – Mexican clothing
CRUZADA Jewelry – Jewelry
URBE LIBRERIA – bookstore!
Under the Volcano Books – books and cafe

Eating in Mexico City

Before even stepping foot in the country, I had about 45 restaurants pinned. I ended up getting sick and not eating everywhere I wanted to, unfortunately, but I will still list everything. Also, I stayed with one of my friends and we ate at the street vendors around the corner for a few days. I stayed in the Roma area so my restaurants lean heavily there. Also, I’d like to state that you can not go wrong with street vendors. Every tamale and taco was so amazing. You could just do that every day.

Let’s talk water. Bottle water is sold everywhere and it’s super cheap. I bought a big one and carried it with me everywhere. People forget about Mexico City’s elevation and you can get elevation sickness there. Also, depending on the time of year, it’s freaking hot. Best to just carry water with you everywhere. Background on me, I have an EXTREMELY sensitive stomach. Sometimes just thinking about food makes me sick… makes me sick so I was quite worried about the whole water situation. I did end up getting Montezuma’s revenge but it was later in the trip in Cabo at a 5-star resort 🤪. In Mexico City, I avoided any raw veggies like salad, and any fruit that you don’t peel and I also didn’t have any agua frescas from the street vendors. I was super nervous so those are just some of the precautions I took. I brushed my teeth and showered like a normal person. Ok, let’s get to the food!

Cafes in Mexico City

Qūentin Café – cafe
Maque Cafe – I had the sweet tamales. mmmm

Tierra Garat – cafe
panaderia rosetta – annoyed I didn’t have time for this place
la esquina del te – tea house
Isabella Café Condesa – perfect for the insta
ojo de agua – healthy breakfast/ lunch, get the horchata!
filigrana – fancy breakfast
Bottega – small bites, cafe
Café Nin – gorg cafe
Buna – Cafe
Cielito Querido Café – coffee house but we went here SPECIFICALLY for the hot horchata

Restaurants in Mexico City

Lardo – Mediterranean

taqueria orinoco – apparently the best tacos, be prepared to wait in line!
Testal – Mexican

Restaurante Rosetta – Make reservations in advance!
mercado roma – a market/ food hall with many, many options. Also a location in Coyocán.

OMETUSCO – Mexican
La Capital – fancy Mexican
loie – rooftop, Mediterranean
el parnita – Mexican
carajillo – Mexican steakhouse
La casa de tono – mexican
Frëims – lunch or dinner, outdoor seating
Pujol – the top boujee restaurant
Limosneros – again with the boujee
Contramar – boujee, part 3
Caracol de Mar – another boujee just for fun but this one has a chocolate tamale for dessert!

Dessert in Mexico City

toutchocolat – chocolates
El Moro – Mexican desserts
Churrería El Moro – churros and chocolate

Well, that’s it! That concludes my What to Eat, See and Do in Mexico City. Overall, I had an amazing time. It was great to catch up with an old friend I met studying abroad and have her show me around her city. I can’t wait to go back!! Make sure to check out some of my other destinations below!

What to do in Mexico City