Spend a long Weekend in Mexico City

Upon arriving in the early evening, take an Uber to your hotel in Polanco. Ubers are very reasonably priced and safe in Mexico City. Just beware – the traffic is no joke! Make sure to budget enough time everywhere you go if you plan to drive.

After getting settled into the hotel, head to Ticuchi for a late dinner. It's owned by Enrique Olvera, the same owner and head chef of the world-renowned Pujol, Ticuchi's menu is sure to impress. Start with a cocktail made from their extensive agave spirits list and indulge in a few small plates from the menu. The octopus taco with hummus and curry is an unexpected combination that you didn't know you were missing. To hit one of Pujol's highlights (and what Enrique does best) make sure not to miss any dishes with his traditional mole (a traditional Mexican sauce made of spices, chiles and chocolate).

The atmosphere picks up later in the evening – with trendy music and candlelight, which makes it a perfect late-night dinner destination. The kitchen closes at 11 p.m., so keep that in mind before getting too focused on which mezcal to sample.

La Condesa and Roma Norte, two of the trendiest neighborhoods in CDMX, offer the perfect locales for a Friday spent walking the tree-lined avenues, seeing where the day takes you.

Start your day by exploring Bosque de Chapultepec, the "Central Park" of Mexico City. Each time I walk through here, I experience something new. Most recently, it was Polanco en Flores, the annual garden and flower festival. Peruse the street vendors and stop for a paddle boat ride in the lake if you aren't in a hurry.

Continue walking through the park on your way to lunch at Contramar, the hottest lunch spot in town. Make sure to snag your reservation as soon as they are available on Open Table, because they will go quickly (and for good reason!). If you're in need of a pick-me-up, start with a carajillo to drink – a coffee-based cocktail made with espresso and Licor 43.

For lunch, make sure to order a few different tostadas (pro tip: each order comes with 4 tostadas, but they will allow you to mix and match if you want – I recommend two tuna and two octopus). You'll want to come hungry, as the "red and green" grilled fish, typically a freshly, caught snapper prepared half in a green parsley sauce and half in a red chili sauce is what Contramar is famous for. It's served up with black beans and fresh tortillas! If you saved room for dessert, the fig tart is a refreshing way to end the meal.

Walk off your indulgent lunch by perusing the streets of Condesa and Roma Norte. Wander in local shops, turn down streets that look interesting to you, and take in the beauty of these chic neighborhoods. Stop by El Grifo to sample local mezcals and learn about their impressive collection of Mexican craft beers. Wander in 99 Records and find a vinyl souvenir. You can also sample craft cocktails at Baltra Bar, which grabbed the #45 spot on 2023's list of the Top 50 Best Bars in the World.

By this time, hopefully you're hungry for dinner at the beautiful Botánico with rotating seasonal dishes. This is another hard-to-come-by reservation, so make sure you plan in advance (pro tip: if you visit when the weather is nice, make sure to request outdoor seating in the garden).

After dinner, cap off the night with a final cocktail at Fifty Mils, located in the Four Seasons Hotel. I seem to find myself there many times on every trip to Mexico City; the cocktails are inventive, the courtyard is lovely and the people-watching is sure to entertain.

One of my favorite things about Mexico City is that you can spend as little or as much as you want on a meal, but you'll always eat like a king. No trip to CDMX is complete without trying street tacos!

After a leisurely morning at your hotel, walk over to El Turix Taqueria for some mouth-watering, traditional street food.

Pro tip: while the tacos are delicious, the panuchos are the real star of the show. A panucho is a refried tortilla stuffed with black beans and topped with pickled onions and cochinita pibil (Mayan slow-cooked pork). El Turix is cash only, so make sure to stop at the ATM on your walk over to grab some pesos.

If you can't find a place to perch outside El Turix, take your tacos over to Avenida Presidente Masaryk. It's one of the most prestigious streets in the city, and the main shopping thoroughfare in glitzy Polanco. Window shop while you eat and admire the beautiful stores, opulent restaurants and tree-lined streets.

Next, hop in an Uber to Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela ("La Ciudadela") – the premier market for handmade Mexican textiles and folk art. It is easy to get lost admiring all of the intricate handicrafts. I never leave La Ciudadela empty-handed. My favorite souvenirs always come in the Otomi variation (colorful Mexican embroidered textiles), and there is no shortage of beautiful options to choose from!

You'll want to come back to your room to freshen up after a busy afternoon getting lost in the aisles of La Ciudadela. But don't rest for too long, as dinner is at 7 p.m. at Esquina Común, a hidden restaurant located in La Condesa. Reservations book up quickly and are only made by sending them a direct message via their Instagram account. The address will not be shared with you until twenty-four-hours before your reservation. The seven-course rotating menu is always a delight, and the friendly staff make you feel like you're dining in their home. Make sure to order the tasting menu so that you don't miss a single bite!

If you still have energy after a dazzling dinner at Esquina Comun, top off the night with a clever cocktail at Limantour – either in Polanco or La Condesa. It's consistently one of the Top 50 Best Bars in the World. Limantour offers excellent drinks in a modern and friendly atmosphere.

This is always the saddest day of the trip – departure day! Before heading back to reality, stop in Caffe Biscottino in Polanco for one final breakfast. I recommend trying the croissant dog with homemade mustard.

As previously noted, make sure to allocate plenty of time to Uber to the airport, as traffic can be quite unpredictable. In the Uber, you can start planning your return trip – I know that you'll want to!