October 20, 2025

MEXICO CITY

If you’re a foodie and love art, you’ll adore Mexico City. We've had the pleasure to visit a few times and every visit feels like discovering a different side of the same story. The food alone is reason enough to go, but the galleries, the colors, and the creative energy pull you back again and again. The city feels layered and alive, blending European charm through its architecture and cafés with something beautifully and unmistakably Mexican at its core. The art scene is constantly evolving, and there’s always a new space, artist, or exhibit to uncover. Perfect for a quick weekend escape, but it never feels long enough. Just be sure to book your dining reservations ahead, the culinary scene here is one of the best in the world.

If you'd like a closer look at our time in Mexico City, you can find more images and videos linked here in my Mexico Highlights.

Below you’ll find a curated list of places I’ve truly loved in Mexico City : spots I’ve tried, tested, and would go back to again. Think of it as your go-to guide for the city.

EAT

Pujol

📍 Polanco
Instagram: @pujolrestaurant
Michelin ❁❁ — Highly recommend doing the taco omakase for lunch, it’s such a special experience. Every course is thoughtful, layered, and beautifully plated, the kind of meal that feels more like an art performance than lunch. The highlight is their signature Mole Madre and Mole Nuevo — one aged and one fresh. Ours was 3,183 days old, and every bite was so rich and complex that I literally licked the plate clean. Pictured above.

Quintonil

📍 Polanco
Instagram: @quintonil
Michelin ❁❁ — Each course is a work of art, rooted deeply in Mexican ingredients but expressed in the most contemporary way. I’d recommend it for dinner if you want to slow down and savor. The tasting menu is balanced and full of surprises, and the team’s attention to detail is unmatched.

Expendio de Maíz

📍 Roma Norte
Instagram: @exp_maiz
Michelin ❁ — This place is truly unique. You sit down, they keep serving you dish after dish until you are satisfied. The vibe is earthy and genuine, and while they do accommodate vegetarians, the full experience really shines when you’re open to whatever the kitchen dreams up. Each plate is crafted on the spot, made with heirloom corn and seasonal ingredients, and the element of surprise only adds to its charm. If you want to experience it to it's full potential, go without strict restrictions and let them lead the way. Pictured above.

Masala y Maiz

📍 Centro
Instagram: @masalaymaiz
Michelin ❁ — An Indian-Mexican restaurant that beautifully bridges both cultures. We let the waiter choose our dishes based on the most popular picks, and everything was incredible. Highly recommend trying their natural wines. Pictured above.

Máximo Bistrot

📍 Roma Norte
Instagram: @maximobistrot
Michelin ❁

Jenni’s Quesadillas

📍 Roma Norte
This is a spot we return to every single time we’re in Mexico City. Jenni runs her street cart with so much heart, and her quesadillas are unbeatable. Be sure to ask which salsas are hot, medium, or mild before you dig in because the colors and heat levels change every time, but each one is insanely good. If you love spice, she WILL take you there. Pictured above.

Raku Cafe

📍 Roma Norte
Instagram: @rakucafe.mx

Bagels Lepu

📍 Roma Norte
Instagram: @bagelslepu
Love their jalapeño-cheddar bagel and the caramel latte was so good!! Absolutely a must. Cozy atmosphere, great sandwiches, and perfect for a casual breakfast or lunch in Roma Norte.

Rosetta

📍 Roma Norte
Instagram: @restauranterosetta
Michelin ❁

Gracias Madre Taqueria Vegana

📍 Roma Norte
Instagram: @graciasmadretaqueriavegana

Adoro Gelataria

📍 Roma Sur
Instagram: @adorogelataria
Their salted caramel and hazelnut gelatos are a must.

El Moro

📍 Multiple Locations
Instagram: @churreriaelmoro
Order the churros with hot chocolate or the horchata — iconic since 1935.

DRINK

Handshake Speakeasy

📍 Juárez
Instagram: @handshake.bar
If you’re into cocktails, don’t sleep on Handshake Speakeasy. It is crowned #1 bar in the world by The World’s 50 Best Bars. We tried the mushroom old-fashioned, and it was so rich and inventive. The atmosphere is everything you’d want from a modern speakeasy. If you don’t have a reservation, go early right before they open and put your name down. The host at the door will let you know if they can fit you in based on cancellations that night. But highly recommend planning ahead and making reservations months in advance. Pictured above.

Tlecān

📍 Roma Norte
Instagram: @tlecan
Award-winning speakeasy. If you love mezcal, you must make time for Tlecān. This mezcalería is a unique experience: exactly the kind of place you drop into for one drink before dinner and end up staying for the vibe. The standout? The Tascalate Sour — imagine a beautifully balanced sour, but mezcal-style. The atmosphere is anything but standard. Think intimate standing room, great music, and a real craft cocktail attitude.

MUSEUMS + GALLERIES

AGO Projects

📍 Roma Norte
Instagram: @ago_projects

Masa Galeria

📍 Juárez
Instagram: @masa.galeria
Pictured above.

Kurimanzutto

📍 San Miguel Chapultepec
Instagram: @kurimanzutto

Chic by Accident

📍 Buenavista
Instagram: @chicbyaccident
Pictured above.

Casa Gilardi

📍 San Miguel Chapultepec
Instagram: @casagilardi
Pictured above.

Biblioteca Vasconcelos

📍 Buenavista
Instagram: @bibliotecavasconcelos
Pictured above.

Frida Kahlo Museum

📍Coyoacán
Instagram: @museofridakahlo

SHOPPING

Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela

📍 Centro Historico
I visit this market every time I’m in Mexico City!! The stalls are filled with artisans showcasing their craft, from hand painted ceramics to embroidered textiles and woven baskets. The quality here is beautiful, and everything feels genuinely made by hand. You’ll find unique pieces for the home as well as small gifts to bring back for loved ones. I’ve picked up a stone chess set, bowls, mugs and so much more here. Each one is a little piece of Mexican artistry that now lives in our home. It’s one of those places where you can easily spend hours exploring. Makes my design heart so happy. Pictured above.

Xinú Perfumes

📍 Polanco + Juárez
Instagram: @xinuperfumes
A sensory thrill from the moment you step inside. Truly one of the most beautiful perfume shops I’ve ever visited. Every detail from the sculptural displays to the earthy, botanical notes feels designed for those who love interiors as much as they love scent. Xinú celebrates ingredients native to Mexico, and the fragrances are divine. Both their Polanco and Juárez locations offer distinct experiences, and if you have the time, I highly recommend visiting both. We couldn’t leave without a few treasures so we brought home a couple of their incenses and an incense holder. Pictured above.