Curator’s statement
Mexico City is a place that continues to call me back. Originally lured by the rich history, world-class museums and well-known restaurants, I find myself returning to further explore the lovely urban green spaces and unique neighborhood gems. On a recent couple's getaway, my partner and I focused on wandering and eating — sometimes with a guide, but often on our own. Here are the things we most enjoyed and recommend.
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Things to do in Mexico City
Visit Colorful Markets with an Eat Like a Local Tour
Visiting Mexico City’s colorful markets is a great slice-of-life experience, but for the average visitor, navigating these gigantic labyrinths is much easier with a guide. Eat Like a Local is a small tour company owned and operated by women committed to responsible tourism.
Their Mexican Food 101 tour took our small group through the colorful stalls of the Merced and Jamaica markets, where we tasted a variety of tacos and other items from local vendors. A fun part of the experience was that the tour relied on the clean and efficient Mexico City Metro system to travel between markets, adding to the immersive nature of the day. This tour tested the limits of my stomach capacity — do not worry about going hungry!
Learn Some History on a Mexican Muralist Tour
The impressive murals created by Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Jose Clemente Orozco in the 1920s overflow with social, political and historical themes that are easy to miss without a little context. A guide who knows their stuff greatly enriches the experience of seeing these masterpieces in person (and simplifies navigating to the murals' various locations). Our semi-private walking tour with Mexico a Pie (Mexico by Foot) took us to three mural sites in the city center with an expert guide who explained each piece in a way that made the bold images come alive.
Enjoy a View of the Zocalo from el Gran Hotel's La Terraza Restaurant
The historic Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico in the city center is a great place to stay, but you can also get a look at the hotel's impressive Art Deco interior and stained-glass ceiling on your way up to the La Terraza Restaurant on the hotel's fifth floor. While the food here can be hit or miss, the panoramic view of the vibrant Zocalo below is worth it. Have a few drinks and relax.
Find Peace at the Botanical Gardens in el Bosque de Chapultepec
Some of Mexico City’s most popular museums are located in the lovely, sprawling Bosque de Chapultepec, which can sometimes mean crowds. However, on a recent visit to the park, we happened upon a peaceful, perhaps overlooked, section of the park: the Chapultepec Botanical Gardens. Entry to the gardens is free and each section is beautifully designed with many pleasant places to sit and relax — highly recommended if you need a little break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Stroll through Parque Mexico (a dog lover's paradise)
Stroll through this lush and vibrant park where residents of the Condesa neighborhood meet up to walk and train their dogs along the tree-lined paths. The Art Deco plaza and amphitheater are popular for skating, dancing, yoga and enjoying the pleasant park vibes. This is a great place to visit before or after breakfast at nearby Maque.
Places to eat & drink in Mexico City
Maque
Located next to Parque Mexico in the Condesa neighborhood, this pretty sidewalk cafe and bakery was the perfect spot for a cute brunch. Maque is known for its concha, a sweet bread resembling a seashell topped with a buttery sugar topping. There is also a full menu of traditional breakfast items to choose from.
Lardo
Another attractive breakfast spot in Condesa with delicious pastries and innovative breakfast dishes such as the (highly recommended) saffron risotto with scrambled eggs, pine nuts and olives.
Taqueria Orinoco
Taqueria Orinoco is a little bit like the Café Du Monde of tacos in that it is a well-known spot with delicious local food that is popular with tourists. Don’t let this keep you away. Go, enjoy the bustling atmosphere, the bold décor and the damn delicious tacos.
Taverna
This atmospheric Mediterranean spot housed in a rustic building in the Juarez neighborhood buzzes with lively groups but is also a romantic spot for a nice dinner out. The beet carpaccio with pistachio dressing was especially memorable.
Pizza Roma
There comes a time on every vacation when you need something simple and familiar. Pizza Roma is a small, neighborhood pizza joint in Roma Norte that serves high-quality Detroit and New York-style pizza in a friendly, cozy setting. Perfect for an easy, casual meal.
Tierra Seca Mezcaleria
It's easy to walk right by this tiny, unmarked spot in Roma Norte, but step inside the mystical candlelit space and you'll be greeted by enthusiastic mezcal experts ready to mix up a magical cocktail. They also offer private tastings for those wanting to go a little deeper with the mezcal experience.
Tierras del Uva
Tucked on a side street in Roma Norte, this small wine shop specializing in Spanish wines provides a great spot to stop for a relaxing glass and a delicious charcuterie bite. The knowledgeable staff is happy to provide tastings to help you choose a bottle to go.
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Liz Weslander
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Mexico City. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Summer Fun on Chicago's North Side.