Mexico City Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Drink & Stay for a Perfect First Visit
- everydayyyytay
- Aug 22
- 6 min read
An approachable guide to Mexico City’s best restaurants, cocktail bars, and must-do experiences.
Mexico City is one of those places that immediately pulls you in — the food, the energy, the creativity, the culture, the history. My husband and I recently spent a few days exploring, and while we barely scratched the surface, I wanted to share the spots that made our trip unforgettable (and the ones we already have on our list for next time).
Let's get into it! (Be sure to check out my Instagram [@everydayyyytay] for video and photo recaps of everywhere we went during this trip)!
Where to Stay
Our home base was Hotel Volga, a sleek and modern boutique hotel that made for the perfect landing spot. The place is STUNNING! It’s stylish without being stuffy, with a central location that gave us easy access to restaurants, bars, and cultural sites. It also had a restaurant, bar, gym, rooftop with a small pool and cabanas, and a sound room (more on that below).
We opted for the King Suite and it was plentyyyy of room with a soaking tub + shower, double sinks, separate sitting area, and a beautiful open air balcony that looked down on the main "courtyard" area.
I highly recommend this hotel if you want something that feels both luxe and intimate.
Pro tip: ask for a room on a higher floor if possible. The first night we were on the first floor and the music from their sound room was a bit much! We moved to a new room on the 5th floor the following day and I felt much better (my husband still grabbed for his ear plugs at certain points).
But also, if you can't beat them...go down and join them!!
You can book the hotel HERE!
Where to Eat
Eating your way through Mexico City isn’t just recommended — it’s non-negotiable. Here’s where we started (and what I’m still thinking about):
La Once Mil: This spot set the tone for the trip (it was our very first meal). Flavorful, lively, and a little under-the-radar compared to some of the “big name” spots. The locals were outside waiting for 30+ minutes so we knew we had to stick around to try it out! I don't mean to yell, but YOU HAVE TO GET THE RIBEYE TACO. Life changing. Arguably the best taco I've ever had. So great, we went back to have it as the last meal of our trip as well. The owner was also super nice! We chatted it up with him and he also sent some complimentary dessert our way (tres leches).
Panadería Rosetta: Yes, we went for the "trending" guava roll and really enjoyed it! Also got some fresh seasonal juice (OJ) and it was also good! We got our items to go and enjoyed them on a nearby bench. I think it's definitely worth a stop by!
Pujol: This restaurant offers two menus: the Barra de Tacos Omakase style dining experience and a traditional Tasting Menu. We opted for the Barra de Tacos menu and it did not disappoint! This 8 course tasting menu takes place at the bar area and it was truly a phenomenal experience. Every course felt like a story, blending tradition with innovation. And every bite was delicious! You can also add a drink pairing but we opted to order our own cocktails which were FIRE! If you’re going to splurge, this is the place (this tasting menu was about $215 pp without drinks).
Contramar: Iconic for a reason. I want to go back for the tuna tostadas ASAP (and this is coming from a girl who barely touches tuna). And of course the Pescado a la talla, Contramar style (split fish, half with red adobo rub & half with parsley rub) is a must-order. Go hungry.
Ling Ling: A chic rooftop spot with amazing views and a vibrant scene up on the 56th floor of The Ritz-Carlton. Great if you want something a little glitzy to balance out the more traditional eats. The food was good, the drinks were strong and the views were breathtaking!
Cariñito Tacos: A taquería with a Southeast Asian spin. We ordered every single taco on the menu (if you know us, this isn't a surprise) and got the street corn. WOW. The flavors. Each taco just got better and better! If you don't eat pork they also have eggplant and cauliflower tacos which were both equally delicious. Add it to your list!
El Moro: After all the savory eats, of course I needed something sweet! We ventured here after our Cariñito visit and the churros were simple, sweet, and perfect.
Our hotel came in clutch for a few meals as well!
A view of everywhere we ate below.
Where to Drink
Mexico City is also a cocktail lover’s dream, and we made sure to experience some of the best:
Tlecān: A more intimate mezcal-focused bar with deep roots in tradition. As mezcal lovers, this spot was amazing. Perfect for sipping and conversation.
Licorería Limantour: Regularly ranked among the world’s best bars, and you’ll see why. Creative cocktails with a playful edge. And the music was TOO good. We didn't want to leave. Probably the liveliest out of all the bars we visited.
Baltra Bar: Cozy, cool, and inspired by the Galápagos Islands. We loved the laid-back but stylish vibe. The cocktails here were probably our favorites but super hard to choose because all of these spots were great!
A view of the cocktail bars below.
Things to Do
CDMX isn’t just about the food (though that’s reason enough to go). Here are the experiences that rounded out our trip:
National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropología): A must if you want to understand the depth of Mexican history and culture. Plan to spend a few hours here — it’s huge and incredible.
Xinú Perfumes Marsella: A boutique perfume house with scents inspired by Mexican botany. This location is tucked away in a secret garden and it couldn't have been more magical. Even if you don’t leave with a bottle, the experience itself is beautiful.
Couples Massage at MAI Centro Holístico: The best massage we’ve both had in a while! We were greeted promptly and the staff was so friendly! We got started right away and for 90 minutes we got to forget about anything other than these massages! They were accurate with the pressure we requested and we both left feeling rejuvenated. The couples massage was about $120 USD total.
The National Museum of Anthropology - Museo Nacional de Antropología
Xinú Perfumes Marsella
What's on Our List for Next Time
A city this dynamic deserves more than one visit. Here’s what we’re saving for our return. (Listing here for you, but really for us to remember LOL).
Activities:
A sunrise hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacán
A colorful boat tour through Xochimilco with unlimited drinks
A visit to the Frida Kahlo House (La Casa Azul)
A swim in the thermal waters at Tolantongo Caves
A visit to Biblioteca Vasconcelos
A Lucha Libre show with tacos, beer and mezcal
An after-hours guided tour of Chapultepec Castle
Food:
ANOTHeR
Babero
Bobo Burgers & Cafe
Club Sorbet
Comal Oculto
El Auténtico Pato Manila
Gardela
La Bonvi
Lardo
Marmota
Máximo
Mexa Cocina del Alma
Mi Compa Chava
Odette
Tacos Beto
Tacos Chanito
Tacos de Guisado Doña Mary
Tacos del Valle
Taverna
Te Amo Jamaica (they were moving to a new location during our trip)
Drinks:
Bar Mauro
Cantina SieteSeis
Fifty Mils
Form + Matter
Handshake Speakeasy
Hanky Panky Cocktail Bar
Hiya Wine Bar
Hugo Wine Bar
La Clandestina
Nardo Cocktail Club
Rubí Wine Cocktails
Sálon de Agave
Shhh Listening Bar
Tierra Seca
Xuni Mezcalería
Final Thoughts
Mexico City is the kind of destination you can return to again and again, discovering new layers each time. From the world-class dining to the vibrant nightlife and rich culture, it has a way of making you feel both grounded in history and excited about the now.
If you’re planning a trip, use this guide as a starting point — but also leave room to wander. Some of the best parts of CDMX are found when you’re not looking for them at all.
We're already planning our next [longer] stay.
✨ Planning a trip to Mexico City? Pin this guide to save for later — or share it with a friend who’s ready to eat, sip, and explore their way through CDMX.