Who has Mexico City recommendations

We will be going in March. Myself, wife and son. Our son is 12 but very mature and doesn't really need kid activities.

Hotels or neighborhoods to stay in?
Restaurants?
Historical activities?
Unique things I can't find easily on google?

It's an amazing food city. Top 5 for me.

La Roma
Roma norte
Palanco

Those are the 3 area options.

Agree on the neighborhoods above.

Restaurants:
Contramar - incredible seafood
El Cardenal - Traditional Mexican (great for breakfast/lunch)
Azul Histrico - Amazing regional cuisine
Pujol or Quintonil - World-class (lunch works best with kids)
Taquera Orinoco or El Vilsito - Excellent spot for casual tacos

Had a buddy go recently and this is what I typed out for him. We went for the Astros v Rockies series two years ago, so some of the stuff might be outdated. But as others have mentioned - it is a spectacular city. I can't wait to go back.

High level things of note:

• Uber everywhere. Uber's are super affordable. I think our 40+ minute ride from the airport to the hotel was about $30. We mainly did Uber Blank since it was so affordable. Most Uber rides cost between $10-15 for a 10-20 minute ride
• In my opinion, prices for food and drinks would be equivalent to "pre-pandemic" US prices. Most meals are $10-$20 for a quality entre. "Craft Cocktails" are $8-$12. Beers are $2-$5. Pretty affordable stuff, nothing that is going to be more expensive than what you would pay for in the States
• The city is super green, and the streets are pretty clean. I felt safer walking around the streets there than I did in Manhattan. As long as the areas look safe, I would encourage walking around as much as possible. There are tons of cafes, shops, and cool places that are along every street
• We stayed in the Roma Norte area, and basically walked around there and the La Condesa areas for most of our time. Super cool neighborhoods. It felt like we were with the "locals." Highly recommended this area if you are looking to avoid some of the tourism stuff.
• We went to Polanco one night. This is the super boujee, Rodeo Drive type area. It was cool to see all the upscale. But in reality it was just a Mexico version of all 5th Ave, Rodeo Drive, Miracle Mile. But by far the most 'US' style place, so if you are looking for safety and comfort Polanco delivers that

Day 1:

• Flew in during the afternoon.
• Dinner: Altanera (Rating 9.7/10)
  
  • Probably the "coolest" place we ate dinner at. Super authentic, super hip, service was spectacular. It is on like the 8th floor of a building, and the views overlooking the city were insane
  • Best Dish: They had this ant larva appetizer - it was amazing. Apparently it is something only the ants in the Mexico City mountains produce, and it has been consumed in CDMX for centuries. It was super cool, and was the most unique thing we ate. If I went back to CDMX, I would definitely eat here again
• Drinks: Rayo Cocktail Bar (Rating 9.2/10)
  
  • Super cool experience. Very trendy and unique cocktail bar. They don't have a drink menu here, but instead they give you 10 pipets and a spoon. You drop the "drink" on your spoon, and whichever number you like best is the drink you order (i.e. you tell the bartender "I want a number 7").
  • All the liquors they use are distilled in Mexico, so that was a cool thing too. I think we tried about 3 different drinks here, and all were really good. It had the coolest "vibe" of anywhere we went
• Drinks: Handshake Speakeasy (Rating 8.3/10)
  
  • This is supposed to be the number 1 bar in North America. (https://www.theworlds50best.com/bars/northamerica/list/1-50)
  • We enjoyed here, but I found the other cocktail bars better. The drinks were insanely good, but the service and atmosphere weren't as elite as the other places. It was cool to say I went to the number 1 bar in north America, and I think it might be top 5 in the world, but I would go back to Hanky Panky and Rayo before Handshake.

Day 2:

• Breakfast: Chilpa (Rating 9.5/10)
  
  • Best chiliquillas ever. They have a build-your-own style. I found it incredible, and I think this is where a lot of local people go
• Lunch: Baseball game
• Dinner: Entremar this is the sister restaurant to Contramar, which most people say is the best restaurant in CDMX (Rating 9.4/10)
  
  • This was our most expensive meal, but it was incredible. If you are looking for a fine dining place, Contramar/Entremar is the spot. All the food we got was incredible. Harry Styles was there the night before, and the place felt like it was still buzzing off of that. All around, super glad we were able to get a reservation here. If you like seafood, it is top top top tier.
• Drinks: Hanky Panky (Rating 10/10 - no notes)
  
  • The coolest speakeasy of all time. By far the best experience we had in CDMX. You have to get a reservation (I think?), but whatever you do, if you go you HAVE to sit at the bar. The most amazing bartenders I have ever seen. The drinks were the best drinks I have ever had. The atmosphere was insane. Everything about it was spectacular
  • The bar only sits about 20 people, and it is hidden behind a taco restaurant. You can look up videos and see the "speakeasy-ness" of it, but the place was so cool. When I go back to CDMX, this will be the spot I'll be thinking about going back to the entire time. It was that cool.
  • If you enjoy cocktail bars, this is THE ONE.

Day 3:

• Our flight was around lunch time, so we went to a little bakery/caf for breakfast. These little spots are everywhere. Then we did a bunch of walking around Roma Norte, specifically Parque Mexico. Was a really cool park, and the weather was perfect. This was on a Monday morning, so it was cool to walk around this part of the city as people were going to work

Regrets:

• We didn't get any churros, I am still mad about that
• Jenni's Quesadillas. If you look up street food in CDMX, every list will talk about Jenni. We tried to go one day, but she set up her stand later than usual and we had to leave. I wish we could have tried her street food
• Not being there longer. I didn't know what to expect (we kind of booked the trip on a whim), but when we left I felt like I only experienced 10% of the city. I know I'll be back at some point, so I hope to do a Luche Libre show, see some of the Aztec ruins, and explore more of the city outside of the neighborhoods we were in

We did a street taco tour that was a lot of fun. You get a bunch of food.

We went to a luncha libre match and that was fantastic. it is a lot of fun and family friendly

Same, that was a blast

*CDMX*

*WHERE TO STAY:*
HOTELS
Hotel the Wild Oscar
Hotel Crculo Mexicano
Octavia
Nima

*FOR AIRBNBs*
Condesa- Hipodromo
Roma Norte - Mexican Brooklyn Reforma

*BREAKFAST*
The Back Yard- Roma Norte BEST BRUNCH (Kevin and Amanda)

Panaderia Rosetta - Croissants, coffee, salads & pastries in a rustic-chic space filled with plants, plus a terrace. Roma Norte

Saint - French bakery

Lardo - fancier breakfast and brunch, hangout spot.

Maque - really great breakfast/brunch sometimes you need to wait 20 min but worth it.

El Cardenal- best traditional mexican breakfast. And hot chocolate

CHILPA - chilaquiles

CIENA - really nice, new place with good brunch options

LA ARTESA - just a bread shop, but freshly baked every day and can have coffee there

*TACOS*
El Califa De Leon -1 Michellin Star

El Califa- Best best best Arrachera! My personal favorite tacos in CDMX.


Tacos Orinoco- very good choice of salsa, different kinds, really good pastor. - maybe the best (pastor)

El Huequito - first taco pastor maker - without pineapple. Must go to the first one -Ayuntamiento 21, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtmoc, 06050 Ciudad de Mxico, CDMX, Mexico

El Tizoncito - claim to be the first Al Pastor

Los cocuyos - best suadero and campechano

Los Parados - Best Arrachera and Pastor

El Vilsito - during the day car wash, at night best taqueria

Tacos el Pescadito - best fish taco

Lorenzo Boturini Street - tacos al pastor on the way from the airport, just go to each place and try which one do you like the best

* Al Pastorcito
* Tacos Los Gueros
* El Gabacho
* Originales

Tacos Los Especiales- best tacos de canasta

*RESTAURANTS*
Blanco Colima - My absolute favorite in Mexico City and top 10 in the world. Consistency is key. Have been going for over 10 years and it has never under delivered. Dishes are simple yet, exquisite.

Mximo Bistrot- A must while in Mexico city! High quality, fresh and local ingredients. Trendy 8 years ago, trendy now! Good food, good ambience, good service. 9/10.

Contramar - the best seafood place. Tuna Tostada is out of this world. Guachilango, Figs dessert a must!

Baobao- The Real Real Taiwanese eatery!

Pujol - Enruiqe Oliveira restaurant - tasting menu with mole is just crazy good. One of 50 best rest in the world

Quintonil - enrique Oliveira student - Quintonil Mexico City, 2012 is the emblem for the gastronomical project headed by Alejandra Flores and Jorge Vallejo. The aim is to express Mexican flavors with a personal touch.
Since 2015, Quintonil has been included on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list

Botanico - Brand new! Co owner is JB from Amaya Society NYC. Beautiful decor (Puerto Escondido vibes) Fancier spot for a dinner. Beautiful food.

Sartoria- Best Italian. Hand made pasta, Great service. Real Southern Italian cuisine.

Limoneros-Adventurous takes on classic Mexican fare, plus artisanal mezcal, in a rustic-chic stone interior. Def. One of the best in the city.

Expendio de Maiz Sin Nombre- An unmissable, unique experience. No menu, no official name (except the 'corn dealer' description), just a relaxed, communal table with food straight from the comal hot plate to wow you. Bilingual staff explain each dish, such as the crunchy smoky pork carnitas and Oaxacan cheese on house-made tortillas. Mostly organic, seasonal produce is used. When you've had enough, tell them to stop.

Rosetta - Italian restaurant with a Mexican twist. One of the best tartar pastore and bagatelle with chorizo ever. Def. worth checking out. Service nit outstanding

Santo Hand Roll - very good sushi - in front of Rosetta.

Mariscos Mi Compa Chava - amazing seafood - must try a tower made of seafood. Next level.

Churrera El Moro- ICONIC CHURROS!

*OTHER GREAT RESTAURANT CHOICES*
Taverna Prim
Eloise
San Angel INN y
Rosanegra
Madre Caf


*BARS*
Tokyo Music Bar - Audiofile bar with an amazing drinks

Canopia - Oaxaca/Tulumy vibes,incredible drinks and good snacks.

Hanky Panky - Hidden bar, one of 50 the best in the world.

Xaman Bar - amazing tulumy vibe, hidden - but not cheezy

Supra - best for the sunset with the view

Clandestina - chill, tiny bar with great mezcal coctails

Shangai Caf- Beautiful Techno

M.N.Roy - Beautiful Techno- Mandrake is the owner

Bar Oriente-


*ART*
Museon Soumaya
San angel - casa estudio
Casa de Diego y Frida
Museo de Diego Anahucalli
Luis Barragn
Museo del objeto del objeto
Galeria Hilario Galguera ***
Bosques de Chapultepec

C. Netzahualcyotl 115, Valle de Atongo, 62520 Tepoztln, Mor., Mexico