Eating, Drinking, and (Lightly) Blacking Out in Mexico City

Apr 28, 2025

We spent six days eating, drinking, shopping, and wandering our way through Mexico City — it was our second time and I can’t wait to revisit for a third. People have first described this city as chaotic to me, but that was written off almost immediately. This city is a little magical, very walkable, and (if you do it right) full of once-in-a-lifetime meals and very dangerous shopping temptations. It’s honestly impossible to top this city’s cuisine regardless of whether it’s Mexican, Italian, French… it doesn’t matter. Here's where we stayed, what we ate, what we bought, and what we’re still dreaming about.

Stays

Ignacia Guest House — A stunning, design-forward boutique hotel tucked away in Roma Norte. We were lucky enough to have a gifted stay here, and it completely set the tone for the trip: calm, thoughtful, and full of beautiful light.
Kindred — A cozy Airbnb-like stay we booked using four travel credits (about $160 total). Perfect for feeling a little more local without sacrificing comfort. Tip: Great if you want a more residential neighborhood feel.
Círculo Mexicano — A stylish, minimalist hotel in the historic center. Tip: If you stay here, sneak up to the rooftop even if you’re not a guest — the view of the cathedral is gorgeous. This is outside of the typical “trendy cdmx and great if your a history lover… very very busy comparatively).

Food & Drinks

Breakfast / Bakeries / Cafes

Panadería Rosetta — A non-negotiable stop as you will see by the giant lines.
Tip: Go as early as you can. By 10AM, the lines are brutal.
Odette Condesa — A smaller, quieter bakery with excellent croissants and espresso. Best and most gorgeous bakery I’ve ever seen with A+ branding.
Tip: Great place to post up with a coffee if you’re in Condesa. Probably the best in the area.
BUNA - La Tostadora — Chill coffee shop with house-roasted beans. Best coffee we had in all two times of visiting CDMX
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Post - cool, minimal, much stainless steel. The most “contemporary” visit of our trip if you’re an interior nerd.

Restaurants / Dining

Restaurante Rosetta — If you want to splurge on one fancy meal, make it here. Italian-Mexican flavors inside a lush, plant-filled house. We didn’t make it back here this time, but it still remains one of my favorites and a top restaurant in the world.
Tip: Book your reservation weeks in advance — this place is one of the hardest tables in the city.
Máximo — Farm-to-table, seasonal menu, fresh and creative. We were so lucky to have booked it this time around. It’s made it into our TOP TEN SPOTS that we’ve ever been to.
Cariñito Tacos — It’s thai fusion. Not a street taco, but a very easy place to pop in before going out.
Tip: Go for the pork belly taco.
Tacos Los Alexis — We stumbled here and wondered into it because of the 2024 michelin guide sign. (this is seemingly common in cdmx). My favorite.
Tip: Get a coke.
Pujol - Yes we went. It made this list because it was a one time trumps all experience, BUT if you’re trying to enjoy the city for it’s approachable vibe and cuisine, this place wouldn’t be it. It’s basically the equivalent of going to the opera instead of a raving off-broadway experience.

Bars / Wine Bars / Cocktails

Don’t judge me. I like cocktails. Anything in liquid form, really.

Cananea — Casual, apparently great seafood, but we loved it because it was basically a young mexican dive bar. They also have pool upstairs.

Hiya Wine Bar — Natural wine and surprisingly good food.
BAR IN THE BACK TWINSSSS. This place was absolutely nuts and had incredible food. It’s basically a speak easy and probably a top three for me.
Hugo — Tiny and cozy.
Tip: If you don’t recognize a bottle, that’s the one you should order.
NATAS — A little wine store gem. Plywood.
Tip: Owner and staff are lovely and deserve your business.
Oropel vermuteria/vino — Vermouth-focused and very fun.
Tip: Try whatever the bartender recommends — the menu changes often.
Shhh — Speakeasy with moody lighting and great cocktails. HiFi nerd must (there are a lot of these in the city). You can’t speak in one of these rooms, so if you’re in an argument, you should take them here.
Tip: Ask your server about the "off menu" drinks.
Trampa — Chill, neighborhood dive bar vibe. Speakers. Candle wax.
Tip: Good to start the night or end it here.
Bar Mauro — Romantic little cocktail bar. First stop for us and such smiley employees.
Tip: Their mezcal cocktails are sneaky good.
Café de Nadie — A music-lover’s bar. Think more records, less thumping club music. Accidentally wondered in here. The ally is really cool too.
Tip: They have an occasional vinyl-only night if you time it right.
Sin Cruda — Tiny wine bar with a near-perfect rating. I was shocked at spending $24 on a bottle and it being the best we had in the city.
La Vista — Fancy cocktail lounge energy. Apparently it gets busy around 11, so we went at 8 and were able to relax. Also a HiFi nerds dream.
Tip: Reserve ahead, or at least DM them on Instagram. We didn’t though and had 0 issues.

Breweries / Casual

Lagerbar Hércules — Chill brewery with tons of outdoor seating.
Tip: Great for daytime drinking or a mellow first stop on a bar crawl.

Shopping

Purses / Leather Goods

Audette — Minimalist, structured purses handmade in CDMX.
Tip: If you’re on the fence, get it. You’ll regret it if you don’t — prices are way better than buying from the U.S. I quite literally said, maybe, walked out, and turned back in and impulse bought my first murse.

Glassware / Home Goods

La Primavera — Beautiful, handblown glasses and pitchers at insanely good prices. Second time back. Bring a spare carry on with padded clothes.
Tip: Bring cash — it’s easy to go overboard.

Full Map of Everywhere We Loved

🔗 View all our Mexico City recs here

Final Thoughts

This city is impossible to do all at once — and honestly, that's the best part. You leave already planning your next trip. Whether you’re hunting down pastries, drinking vermouth at noon, or accidentally buying a suitcase full of glassware, CDMX has a way of making every tiny moment feel cinematic. The people are so kind and because of that, just learn spanish- or at least some. I don’t really know any, but I know it’s really important that if you visit a city like this, making an effort can go a long way. I’m sure I’ll be more equipped next time. Tip the performers that come to you during your drinks. They made my trip and had twinkles in their eyes I won’t forget for a life time- 15 year old magicians or 70 year old guitarists. (you have cash, just do it). Already counting the days until we’re back. Thank you for a wonderful city and culture.