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A few things about eating out in the city:

• Your dollars will get you far, even if a place looks expensive, most likely, the prices are fairly reasonable in comparison to what it would cost in the US. (An easy way to estimate is about $20 pesos to a dollar)
• Consider the cleanliness of an establishment before eating. Even if a place is popular, you can still get sick. This is especially true with food trucks. Stick to restaurants that look clean.
• If possible, avoid eating raw food, in particular salads. This, of course, depends on the restaurant. High-end sushi places are typically fine.

Polanco:

Polanco is known as the most European and trendy neighborhood of the city with some of the best restaurants and clubs.  At its center is Lincoln Park, surrounded by cafés and restaurants. Avenida Masaryk, is also worth a look, with high-end boutique shops and the popular Antara mall.

To eat:

Breakfast:

Hacienda de los Morales – authentic, traditional Mexican cuisine in a historic hacienda. Reservations preferred.

Lunch:

Sushi Itto – Chain of Mexican-styled sushi that is a category of its own. Walk-ins welcome.

La Buena Barra – Contemporary Mexican cuisine. Great for lunch or dinner.

Fisher’s – Chain of seafoods restaurant. Very casual and tends to get a rowdy bar scene post-work.

Dinner:

La Unica– Hot restaurant with modern decor and traditional, pre-hispanic Mexican dishes. Reservations highly recommended.

Sylvestre– Popular Argentine restaurant. Can make a reservation online. Great ambiance and people watching.

Pubbelly Sushi – Miami-based restaurant with a new location in Polanco. Sushi with a Latin twist.

Porfirios – High-end Contemporary Mexican. Reservations recommended

Puerto Madero – Argentine fish and steakhouse. Popular and feels very American.

Nightlife:

La Republica– popular nightclub with bottle service.

La Condesa/ La Roma:

Two charming neighborhoods, side by side,  close to Polanco with an artsy, Hipster vibe. Great restaurants and even better nightlife. Even if you’re not hungry, it’s worth a stroll through this beautiful classic area. Take an uber from Polanco and spend a few hours here. If you’re looking for casual, non -pretentious eats, this is it.

Coffee shop:

Tierra Garat – great work spot, or people watching coffee shop

Lunch:

Contramar – Great seafood spot. VERY POPULAR and well loved.

La Califa– Delicious tacos and costras (fried, cheesy tacos). Multiple locations throughout the city. Casual.

MOG Bistro – Japanese restaurant in north Roma. Popular spot.

La Zaranda– Serves food until late. Great shareable plates and a fun, late-night crowd. Mexican cuisine

Cabrera 7 – Picturesque open-air restaurant. Traditional bar food.

Porco Rosso – American style BBQ with a Mexican twist.

Happy Hour:

Limantour – Casual bar/ café with great cocktails . Legendary Mezcal bar.

Felix – Outdoor seating and great people watching. Also, known for their cocktails.

Club:

Café Paraiso  – Fun and packed no-frills dance club.

Janis – Similarly popular nightclub for 20 somethings.

In this same realm: El Departamento and el Leonor are also popular night clubs in the area.

San Angel:

One of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the city in terms of architecture.  On Saturday mornings you can see the Bazar de Sabado, an open-air art market.

A must is the iconic San Angel Inn where dress code is enforced and reservations are strongly encouraged. Great for breakfast.

 

 

Hunan – High-end Chinese restaurant

Coyoacan:

A beautiful and historic neighborhood in Mexico City. Coyoacan is still considered a town within the city, with a central plaza, a large cathedral, and many art and food markets. Its also where Frida Kahlo called home and as such is host to many museums. Also, worth trying one of the many flavored ice creams and popsicle sticks (with alcohol flavors) and eating a churro as you explore the plaza and markets.

Lunch/Dinner:

Los Danzantes – If you’re daring, try the crickets. All the food is delicious and the location is right on the side of the plaza, perfect for people watching.

Lomas:

Heading past Polanco, you’ll reach las Lomas, which translates to the Hills for its rolling hills. The area is mostly residential and the home of most of the embassies of the city. Not very walkable but worth a visit if you’re interested in seeing how many locals live. It’s also conveniently in between Polanco and Santa Fe.

Lunch/Dinner:

Mochomos– Popular Mexican cuisine typical to the state of Sonora.

Gorka – Open terrace restaurant with high-end cuisine.

Loma Linda – Some of the best steaks in the city. Argentine steakhouse.

Santa Fe:

If you’re looking to get a sense of the urban, modern lifestyle in Mexico City visit Santa Fe. With a sea of high rises, some of the largest clubs,  most exclusive restaurants in the city and the largest mall in Latin America (think of a mini-city within this mall) Santa Fe .

Dinner:

Shu – Hot sushi spot that feels like a nightclub. Great ambiance.

Check out Santa Fe mall and eat at one of the popular restaurants located in the upper level.

 

Zocalo (Centro Historico):

The historic center of the city is a mix of Indigenous and European culture. Find a rooftop and take in the views.

Azul Historico – One of the best restaurants in downtown Mexico. The breakfast is incredible. Mexican cuisine.

La Terraza, Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico – A beautiful, elegant restaurant with breathtaking views of the plaza. Mexican cuisine.

Sanborns de los Azulejos – This famous, historic building is known as the blue-tile building. Eat breakfast here or shop in the city’s first Sanborns. Dress is casual as this is a popular Mexican chain. Mexican food and general cafeteria food.

El Rey del Pavo – Clean and casual spot known for their epic Turkey tortas (sandwiches).

 

Mexicans pride themselves on great fashion taste and a strict adherence to tradition. Typically, weddings are either by day or night. For night weddings, black attire is expected.  For day weddings, a little more flexibility is allowed with venues permitting the traditional guayabera shirt (for the beach) or suit and tie (for the city).

Since our wedding will be by day in Mexico City, we expect warm weather in the afternoon and cool weather at night. Suit and tie will work well for the changing temperature.

 

Women have a lot of options when it comes to dress length.

And day weddings lend themselves to many more color options:

Regardless of what you choose, remember to wear something you love and have a great time! Mexicans love a great party!

 

 

In the next coming months, be sure to check off things from this checklist to make sure you’re all set for Mexico!

1. Check your passport’s expiration date. If it’s expired you can renew here. There’s an expedited process, but the regular process is 4 – 6 weeks.
2. If you don’t have Uber, download it on your phone and get it set up. Uber is the easiest way to get to and from the airport and you don’t need pesos!
3. Call your bank and let them know you’re traveling. American Express does not need advanced notice but most other banks do.
4. You can check your local bank or the airport for exchange rates but I tend to find the best rates in Mexico. If you can swing it (and don’t have a super late or early flight), stop by a currency exchange booth at the airport to get some pesos for the trip. While most restaurants accept credit cards, cash is great for markets and tipping. It’s also handy if you end up taking a taxi.

 

 

 

Podcasts:

99% Invisible- 1968 Mexico Olympics

The Guardian- How Mexico City Saved Me From Grief

Rick Steves- Travels in Mexico City

Radio Dispatch-Gentrification in Mexico City

Blog Posts & Articles:

New York Times-36 hours in Mexico City

Food & Wine- Where to Eat in Mexico City

New York Times - #1 Place to Visit, Mexico City

Amateur Traveler- Mexico Trip Journals

Videos:

National Geographic - Megacities: Mexico City

Expedia - Mexico City Travel Guide

Seven minute short - Mexico City Lifestyle

Madrilenos por el Mundo - Mexico DF (in Spanish)