Mexico City Travel Guide
Our personal Mexico City recommendations featuring restaurants, cafés, wellness studios, museums and more.
Yes, we’ll admit it, we’re two of the many Berliners who flocked to Mexico City this winter. We spent most of February working remotely there and squeezing in as much time as we possibly could to explore all that this rich, vibrant city has to offer. It felt like we barely scratched the surface, but we pulled together a list of some of our favorite places from our visit to share with you.
Culture
Museo Anahuacalli - Down south in Coyoacán, you’ll find this mystical museum built from black volcanic stone pulled from the surrounding lava fields. Its three floors represent the underworld, life on earth, and the heavens, and they’re filled with Diego Rivera’s collection (about 2,000 pieces) of pre-Columbian art.
Casa Gilardi - This is this last house built by the legendary Mexican architect Luis Barragán - who almost said no to the project but decided to say yes, only on the condition that they build around and highlight one of the trees that is in the main courtyard. Visiting this house is by appointment only as the owners still live there, so make sure you book your visit well in advance!
Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo - This was a tip from a friend: skip Casa Azul (the Frida Kahlo Museum) where tickets are often sold out months in advance, and visit here instead. It’s not just a museum, it’s the actual studio and houses where Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo lived and worked in the 1930s and early 1940s. If you’re into modernist architecture, you’ll love it, and if you’ve seen the movie Frida you will recognize this very house. Another tip: put your name down for a table at San Ángel Inn (a historic and elegant Mexican restaurant across the street) and check out the museum while you wait.
Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporáneo - We were both so moved by the exhibitions at this museum that we even had tears in our eyes at one point. Architecturally it’s a space to reckon with, and we loved how they used color and light in the different rooms to evoke such a strong visceral feeling. This contemporary art museum is located in Chapultepec Park, which is like the Central Park of CDMX, so make a day out of your visit here.
Cine Tonolá - This arthouse cinema in Roma Sur is an absolute gem. Their programming features critically acclaimed international films as well as independent Mexican cinema. The cinema also features a bar and restaurant, perfect for a post-film debrief.
Restaurants
Chui - This was definitely one of our favorite restaurants. It’s a vegetarian restaurant in the most beautiful indoor/outdoor space filled with lush vegetation and soft lighting. Get a pizza and the arroz y hongos a la leña is an absolute must!
AXOLAO - Peruvian-Mexican fusion - combining things like ceviche with Mexican sauces. Almost always full in the evenings, but it’s easy to get a table for lunch.
Cariñito Tacos - A taquería that also offers playful flavor combinations; Mexican street tacos with an Asian twist. This place is quite popular so we suggest going at an off-time if you don’t want to wait.
Campobaja - Recommended by the MICHELIN Guide as a one of CDMX’s best seafood restaurants, this one is easier to get a reservation at than the very popular Contramar. We went with a big group and the menu is designed for sharing, offering Baja inspired dishes we’re still thinking about.
Kill Bill Sushi - CDMX has SO many good restaurants, also beyond Mexican food. I met a friend here after already having eaten, and he ordered the multi-course omakase journey. Lucky for me, the chef was so kind and gave me so many dishes to try and the food blew my mind. The quality of the ingredients and the listening bar-style interior — chefs kiss. Highly recommend. For more budget-friendly Japanese fare check out Wabi Sushi.
Taquería El Califa - A local favorite for classic Mexican tacos, and the original location in San Rafael was awarded a Michelin star (and the first taco stand in the world to receive one). The quality is great and they also have a lot of vegetarian and vegan options.
Taco Santo Vegano - You might not expect it but Mexico City is a super vegan-friendly city. You can basically find any of the traditional Mexican dishes in a vegan version if you know where to look.
Comal Oculto - This was one of our last meals in Mexico which was perfect considering their menu features all the classics like chilaquiles, flautas, molé and enchiladas. You usually need a reservation but we went for breakfast and were seated right away.
Cafés, Bakeries, Bars
Panadería Rosetta - It’s like the La Maison of CDMX. Always tons of people there and very hyped. But we think the hype clocks out and we went way too much. The guava rolls are the most sought after pastry and there’s a reason for that. Also, we managed to get our hands on the coconut macadamia cardamom juice that often sells out — a flavor combination of dreams!
Churrería El Moro - You can’t go to Mexico and not have a churro. This place is a chain and they’re all over the city, but we thoroughly enjoyed these cinnamon-y sugary delights.
HEMA - Marianne may have said matcha is out for 2026, but what she meant is in moderation people. If you are seeking matcha while you’re here, this is the place to go. They don’t fuck around and the quality is good.
Hiya Wine Bar - This is a hidden gem - so hidden we almost didn’t find it. You have to go through another restaurant, walk all the way in the back past the bathrooms, and suddenly you’re in speakeasy-style wine bar with moody lighting and flirty energy. This is a great date spot, and the Japanese small plates they have here are so tasty.
Drama Radio Bar - Perfect for a chill night out if you’re not feeling fully committed to going clubbing. The music at Drama was always on point and depending on the night you can also get your dancing fix on the small dance floor behind the DJ.
Yoga & Wellness
Koti Wellness - The name makes us laugh as this place is the opposite of Berlin Kotti in that it’s a wellness oasis. They offer sauna sessions and ice baths, but also workshops. We went to a really interesting one focusing on IFS hosted by Pati Puente. It’s a very social place and a great place to meet new people.
Koko Yoga - We came here during the first week of our trip, and we instantly felt so welcomed. It’s the kind of place where everyone chats before and after the class, and there are lots of regulars. Mariana was an excellent teacher and very accommodating.
ATMA Yoga - You’re likely to find more classes in English at this studio, and the quality here is top-notch. It’s spacious and light, and offers a wide range of classes.
Mūla Yoga Shala - Classes at Mūla tend to be on a the more challenging side, however, they often feature chanting to start which we love and anyway it’s good to be challenged every once in a while. Just don’t go if you’re a total beginner.
Shopping
Mencha Mancilla - A boutique jewelry store and design studio in Roma Norte. It has irregular opening hours, but if you can catch it, they’ve got a great selection of sterling silver and solid gold jewelry plus vintage accessories.
Loose Blues - Boutique for alternative and vintage-inspired clothing, with a strong Japanese influence. Go all the way to the top floor — there’s a very chic restaurant and wine bar there where they also host events.
Fueguia 1833 Mexico - If you’re a fragrance lover, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this shop. It’s a high-end niche perfume house that feels more like a gallery than it is a store. It’s an experience just to look around and smell each of the scents (I would guess there are over 100 different perfumes), which are inspired by botanical exploration and ethnobotany.
Casa Bosques - Right above Fueguia 1833 you’ll find this independent bookstore with a curated selection of books and magazines focused on contemporary art, architecture, photography and the like.
Tianguis Lagunilla / (but start out at Monumento Al Boxeador) - This flea market was recommended to us by our dear friend Farhad, and this was also one of the highlights of our trip. There’s one section thats run mainly by punks and metalheads, and it feels like a peak inside of the subculture there. Adjacent to this you’ll also find more antique furniture and other treasures, and be sure to give yourself enough time to look through everything. Also to note: it’s only open on Sundays.
Before you go to Mexico City, we recommend watching this video which contextualizes the gentrification that is happening rapidly there. And for a laugh, watch this one as well.
