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Mexico City

Mexico City: Where to Stay, Eat and What to Do · The Presidente and ten other hotels, ten restaurants worth knowing, and ten tours.

Where should I stay?

Choose your neighborhood first: Polanco, Reforma, Roma or Condesa. The full write-ups are in the Mexico City guide.

Presidente InterContinental Mexico City (Harris stayed here): Great location in Polanco near Chapultepec, and genuinely good food.
Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City (Courtyard luxury): A beautiful luxury hotel on Paseo de la Reforma with one of the nicest interior courtyards in the city.
The St. Regis Mexico City (Five-star service): If you want serious five-star service, this is one of the city's premier hotels.
The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City (Views over Chapultepec): This is one to consider if views matter to you.
JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City Polanco (Reliable Polanco luxury): A very reliable luxury choice in one of the best locations in Polanco.
Hyatt Regency Mexico City (Full-service, near the museums): Another excellent Polanco option and very close to the Presidente.
Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mexico City (Intimate on Masaryk): If you don't want a huge hotel, look at Las Alcobas.
Sofitel Mexico City Reforma (Modern high-rise): A modern high-rise with dramatic city views and a much more contemporary feel.
Marquis Reforma (Serious spa): A longstanding upscale option with a particularly good location on Paseo de la Reforma.
Brick Hotel (Roma Norte boutique): If your idea of Mexico City is walking out the door into cafés, restaurants, galleries and nightlife, Roma Norte might make more sense than Polanco.
Casa Polanco (Residential and elegant): A completely different experience from the large luxury hotels.

Pujol · Polanco · Contemporary Mexican: Enrique Olvera's tasting-menu restaurant, known for its aged mole madre; reserve weeks ahead.
Contramar · Roma Norte · Seafood: Busy lunch spot famous for tuna tostadas and pescado a la talla, a grilled fish with red and green sauces.
El Califa de León · San Rafael · Tacos: Tiny standing-only taquería whose beef gaonera taco earned a Michelin star.
Taquería Los Cocuyos · Centro Histórico · Tacos: Late-night counter downtown serving suadero, tripa and other beef tacos from a bubbling comal.
Café de Tacuba · Centro Histórico · Traditional Mexican: Ornate restaurant open since 1912, good for enchiladas, tamales and hot chocolate in a colonial setting.
Churrería El Moro · Centro Histórico · Churros: Churro shop running since 1935 on Eje Central, serving fresh churros with thick hot chocolate.
Mercado de Coyoacán · Coyoacán · Market food: Neighborhood market known for its tostada stalls piled with ceviche, tinga and pata.
Rosetta · Roma Norte · Contemporary Mexican: Elena Reygadas's restaurant in a Roma mansion, using local produce; its bakery nearby is known for guava rolls.

Museo Nacional de Antropología · Bosque de Chapultepec: Mexico's largest museum, with the Aztec Sun Stone and pre-Hispanic collections from across the country.
Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul) · Coyoacán: Frida Kahlo's blue family home, showing her studio, clothing and personal objects; timed tickets sell out.
Teotihuacan · Estado de México: Ancient city about an hour north with the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon; go early to beat heat and crowds.
Zócalo · Centro Histórico: The vast main square, bordered by the Catedral Metropolitana, Palacio Nacional and the Templo Mayor ruins.
Palacio de Bellas Artes · Centro Histórico: Art nouveau palace with murals by Rivera, Siqueiros and Orozco, and home of the Ballet Folklórico.
Xochimilco · Xochimilco: Canals in the city's south where you rent a colorful trajinera boat, with mariachis and food vendors floating by.
Arena México · Doctores: The main venue for lucha libre, with masked wrestlers and loud crowds on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday nights.
Walk through Roma and Condesa · Roma Norte / Condesa: Leafy neighborhoods with art deco buildings, Parque México, cafés and bars, best explored on foot.