Take a Bite of Mexico City
The first time my fiancé brought up visiting Mexico City I was less than enthused, and for the first time ever… I was wrong. Mexico City was full of kindness, art, history, and most importantly — amazing food.
This travel guide is simply formatted so you can get where you need to be. Our major market recommendation categories:
Sunday Sauce, timeless and traditional recommendations that you will find all over Condé Nast Traveler and every celebrity cooking show.
For You Page, where the girls are dining in our most popular destinations.
Personal Favorite, giving flowers to the restaurant that knocked our socks off.
Enjoy!
Sunday Sauce
Caracol De Mar
I could not decide whether this one should land on the Sunday Sauce or the For You Page because it’s equal parts iconic and trending. Located in the Condesa neighborhood, it was full of gorgeous locals surrounded by floor to ceiling windows stretching across 2 stories and overlooking the bustling street corner.
The food was insanely delicious. PLEASE order the Contramar grilled fish, a whole fish dish that the sister restaurant, Contramar, is known for. Order any ceviche AND the warm tuna belly tiradito. We had a delicious bottle of Mexican orange wine and dessert — everything was devine!
Pastelería Ideal
Close your eyes and picture mounds and mounds and mounds of donuts, pastries, muffins, and more — that is Pasteleria Ideal.
You walk in, grab a giant lunch tray and tongs, and navigate seemingly endless rows of breakfast pastry tables for you to pile on your tray . It is a super unique and fun experience! It probably goes without saying, but DEFINITELY get a few of the buttery, sweet Mexican Concha’s. You will cover yourself in powdered sugar, but it will be worth it.
Máximo Bistrot
I will be heading back to CDMX just to eat here. Unfortunately, we did not get a reservation here or at Pujol because of our last minute decision to go to Mexico City, and it makes me very sad. That being said, Maximo is a chic and welcoming spot (we did pop by just to check for a table or bar seat!).
If you are more responsible than us, go here and email me for a feature. In the meantime, Condé Nast Traveler covers it very well — check out their article here.
For You Page
Bella Aurora
World class Italian food in the middle of Roma Notre. Bella Aurora was as tasty and it was romantic. The entire rooftop is covered in gorgeous plants and low lighting, accenting the outdoor bar and cozy dining space perfectly.
We enjoyed various pastas and a seafood platter. If I went back I would probably opt for a beef option over the seafood platter, but everything was delicious and plated beautifully! The dessert focaccia and gnocchi were my personal favorites.
Lardo
The brunch spot of your dreams. Probably dinner, too.
Lardo has an open concept kitchen behind the bar, meaning our stools gave us a front row seat to the show. We ordered several entrees and the focaccia (are you noticing a trend yet?).
My favorite was the huevo estrellado, arugúla, aguacate y tocino — a super simple, but flavorful take on a classic breakfast. Everything was very fresh and the coffee was strong!
El Moro Churrería
The serve GIANT churros with cups of warm chocolate sauce with a hint of Tabasco for dipping! We shared a milkshake and Mexican chocolate milk with ours. The small eateries are well decorated in contemporary white and blue palette and very welcoming.
Personal Favorite
Eat Like a Local Food Tour
This might be cheating because it was many, many meals in one… but if you do nothing else in Mexico City, please go on a food tour with Eat Like a Local.
Eat Like a Local is a women-owned food tour company that offers immersive experiences through local markets and street food, emphasizing the vast culinary culture and sustainable tourism. We had a group of 8 people (they always have small groups!) and went to 2 markets, several food stands, a local coffee shop, and an ice cream shop — learning about local food customs and vendor trades all along they way!
The company supports the community by partnering only with vendors who pay fair wages and by funding programs that teach English and business skills to youth and women in markets. One of the young women in the program joined us at the market and walked us through some of her favorite booths for samples and to practice her English!
The experience was by far my favorite thing we did in Mexico City. Worth every penny!
Mexico City Travel Notes
We stayed a few nights in the Centro Histórico at Circulo Mexícano (amazing rooftop and rooms) — and then a few night in Condesa at Hotel Casa Cuenca (so chic and amazing neighborhood).
Centro Histórico was BUSY and had more of a Time Square vibe, but was great for history and sight seeing. Condesa was definitely my preference, as it is has a very neighborhood feel surrounded by the most quaint and lush parks, as well as amazing food and night life options!
We went on a hot air balloon ride over the Teotihuacán Pyramids with Sky Balloons! It was a once in a lifetime experience and worth the several hours in the car and VERY early morning. We opted for the group experience instead of private, but I think if we went back I would do private.
Ubering around the city was safe and affordable, but plan for about double the amount of travel time you think you need — traffic was crazy!! And if you get car sick, pack Dramamine. Haha. We scheduled cars through our hotels for the airport pick up and drop off, it was very affordable and easy to navigate when we arrived.
Spend some time hanging out in the parks — specifically Parque de México — I was amazed by the gorgeous grounds, millions of dogs, kids’ pottery classes and salsa dancing happening all around. It felt like we were in a movie!
If you are heading to Mexico City tag us in your content and let us know what you think about the recs — @pickledpickledpickled on Instagram.
