I often get asked by friends when visiting Mexico City for tips on places to visit and restaurants to eat. I grew up in Mexico and I still visit Mexico City 1-2 times per year, so this list should be fairly current, but I will try to keep it up to date based on my most recent travels. Most of these recommendations are for Downtown Mexico City. This tends to be a relatively safe city. My recommendation is to stay alongside Reforma Avenue. The area from Bosque de Chapultepec towards Palacio de Bellas Artes (through Reforma and then Juarez Avenue) and then to Zocalo through Madero street is "tourist safe" for the most part.
Landmarks to visit
Chapultepec Castle
This is a must see, right in the heart of Chapultepec. You can can walk up the hill and you can also visit the castle. Entry is free on Sundays and they're closed on Mondays.
- Bosque de Chapultepec I, 11100 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
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| Chapultepec Castle |
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Another must see and one of my favorite museums in the world. Do not miss seeing the Aztec Calendar and the Papantla Flyers (outside the museum).
- Av Paseo de la Reforma & Calzada Gandhi S/N, Chapultepec Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560
- https://goo.gl/maps/
s2R5cEGJ1Jv
The Angel of Independence
This is hard to miss, located right on the heart of Reforma Avenue on your way from Chapultepec towards Bellas Artes.
- Paseo de la Reforma y Eje 2 PTE, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06500 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
- https://goo.gl/maps/
yWh3D2JWaGP2
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| Independence Angel |
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Also a must see. Check the schedules as they may have performances while you visit.
- Av. Juárez, Centro Histórico, Centro, 06050 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
- https://goo.gl/maps/
CRXhPD7b9kE2
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
This is right across the Zocalo, also a must see when you head there.
- Plaza de la Constitución S/N, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
- https://goo.gl/maps/
V4p6JsRAjM22
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Even if you are not Catholic, this is one of the most visited shrines in the world. It is the site of the appearance of our Lady of Guadalupe. I suggest you take an Uber there, even though it is not far from downtown, with traffic it can take up to an hour to get there.
- Plaza de las Américas 1, Villa de Guadalupe, Villa Gustavo A. Madero, 07050 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
- https://goo.gl/maps/
2VtcHM6R83x
Teotihuacan Pyramids
Obviously Teotihuacán pyramids are a must see if you have the time. It will take almost a full day to visit as it is about an hour away. You can check the rates for Uber, otherwise I recommend asking your hotel if they have any local tours, it may be safer that way.
Places to eat downtown
El Califa
- Reforma - 2 blocks from Angel of Independence
- Paseo de la Reforma 382
- https://goo.gl/maps/
6FPyTEBr4Eu - Condesa
- Near Parque Mexico
- Altata 22
- https://goo.gl/maps/
v5DGtAMsiKH2
I've been to these 2 locations, both are great, it just depends which is closer to you. Some suggestions on what to order:
- Chicharrón de queso
- Gringa de pastor
- Gringa de arrachera (steak)
- Tacos al pastor (specialty)
- Pastor is pork meat prepared on a "trompo" (similar to how they prepare meat for gyros)
El Cardenal
They have very traditional Mexican food, I recommend mole poblano or tamal de mixiote, but everything we had here was delicious.
- Restaurante El Cardenal
- Inside Hilton hotel near Hemiciclo Juarez/Alameda/Torre Latinoamericana
- Hilton Mexico City Reforma, Ave Juárez No. 70
- https://goo.gl/maps/
6b3xmMPohQF2 - El Cardenal
- Near Bellas Artes
- Marconi 2, Centro, 06000 Ciudad de México
- https://goo.gl/maps/
X6vwGPxNRMU2 - El Cardenal
- Close to the Zocalo
- Calle Palma 23, Cuauhtémoc, Colonia Centro
- https://goo.gl/maps/
AdXXofEQHqM2
Cafe De Tacuba
This is very historic. There's a Mexican band named after this cafe.
- Calle de Tacuba 28, Cuauhtémoc, Centro, 06010
- https://goo.gl/maps/
EN1e4JoHZBM2
La Parroquia de Veracruz
This is located 2 blocks away from el Zocalo. I am originally from Veracruz, so now you can enjoy a taste of Veracruz here! Some recommendations on what to try:
- Café lechero - it's a tradition how they serve it
- Gorditas dulce con salsa de mole
- Bomba con nata (traditional pastry)
Here is the address:
- Calle Republica de Brasil 5, Cuauhtémoc, Centro
- https://goo.gl/maps/
pjC21mNWe2D2
The House of Tiles - Sanborns Casa de Azulejos
This is a historic landmark. Sanborns is a national chain of restaurants, they used to be better restaurants and not nearly as good compared to the ones above, but food is decent if you are near one. This location is worth visiting even if you don't eat here:
- Av Francisco I. Madero 4, Centro, 06500
- https://goo.gl/maps/
CueQHxW96gR2
El Bajío
Also serves traditional Mexican food. They have multiple locations, this is one located downtown:
- Reforma 222
- Innvictus Reforma 222, Paseo de la Reforma 222
- https://goo.gl/maps/
bPpNQ5ZtXM52
Cielito Querido
This is one of many good coffee places. Please do not go to Starbucks, you can get much better coffee elsewhere. I recommend trying cafe de olla (it's sweetened already don't add sugar) or chamoyada de tamarindo (not coffee it's a frappe drink made of tamarindo which is sweet and spicy)
- Av. P.º de la Reforma 243, Cuauhtémoc, 06600
- https://goo.gl/maps/X28rUdQN49kxsPuh8
Café Punta Del Cielo
I really like their coffee, I recommend you buy some to go (you can also find it at most grocery stores):
- Londres 162, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México
- https://goo.gl/maps/5vdf2U7URJTTp5es9
Los Bisquets Obregon
Another popular chain similar to Sanborns/Vips, I like it better but is not as common. They also have a great café lechero if you can not make it to la Parroquia Veracruzana. This is towards Polanco, so not as close to Reforma.
- Calle Bahia de Sta. Barbara 123 y 125
- https://goo.gl/maps/2dQGdSx7esogbS8G6
