Written by Nicole Štěch

SAVVIA
It's a place where dinner is not just a meal but a ritual. The restaurant, whose menu is overseen by chef Kia Mosqueda, opened only this October. A family project that treats gastronomic memory as a living ingredient, it blends contemporary Mexican cuisine with the intimate gestures one carries from childhood. At the center of the space stands a monumental red-stone table that serves as the restaurant’s beating heart, effortlessly drawing guests into a shared experience. On the plate, the archaic meets the new. Flavors that surely feel familiar to native Mexicans pull even a casual tourist into a family kitchen with a modern twist. The carefully curated drink menu is also worth mentioning.

Cana
The menu is short but confident: contemporary Mexican cuisine led by Fabiola Escobosa relies on seasonal ingredients and thoughtfully composed flavor combinations. With its attention to detail, local produce, and an atmosphere that makes you want to linger longer than planned, Cana wins you over from the very first bite.

Contramar
This place is the essence of honest Mexican seafood and at the same time one of the most stylish establishments in the city. It is said that you cannot leave Mexico City without visiting Contramar. Since 1998, chef Gabriela Cámara has been proving that freshness is not a trend but a discipline. Pescado a la talla, served with its iconic red-and-green salsa duo, has long since become a local legend.

Comal Oculto
This spot is loved by both locals and travelers. Its legendary dish is the gordita especial stuffed with chicharrones and tender carnitas, but the crispy cheese flautas are just as addictive. Comal Oculto is a small, unassuming, and brilliant place that serves honest Mexican comfort food.

Lago Algo Restaurant
Gastronomy, architecture, and contemporary art come together here in a fascinating dialogue. The building, hovering above the lake and designed by architect Alfonso Ramírez Ponce, offers an elegant refuge in the middle of Chapultepec Park. It recently underwent a successful renovation, making it a highly sought-after destination for weekend lunches paired with a walk around the lake. The menu is built on local ingredients from sustainable producers and a farm-to-table concept.

Teclán
A small and intimate bar in Roma Norte sets the stage for a perfectly tuned drink menu that honors Mexican heritage. The cocktails here celebrate agave and traditional spirits. If you haven’t yet tried a mezcal negroni, now you know where to go.

Pistilo
In the vibrant Cuauhtémoc district you’ll find Pistilo. It masterfully blends the style of a classic Mexican saloon with urban modernity. At first glance, the orange lights evoking a sunset sky catch your eye; at the second, the drinks – worth seeking out no matter where in Mexico you’re staying.

Tierra Seca
Where to go for an authentic mezcal night? Tierra Seca. Both the tasting and the atmosphere pull you deep into the heart of the city’s culture. This intimate bar in lively Roma Norte operates as a mezcalería. Expect a dimly lit interior, fragrant notes, and a carefully curated aesthetic that transports you into the intimate world of agave.

Camino Real Polanco
This hotel in central Polanco was designed by legendary architect Ricardo Legorreta, and since opening in 1968 it has been one of the city’s iconic addresses. Pastel façades, bold colors, monumental artworks, and striking interiors make an impression the moment you arrive – Legorreta’s monumental pink wall with glimpses of contrasting yellow façades and an imposing fountain welcomes you from afar. It’s the kind of hotel where visitors of all ages from all over the world cross paths, and it has something for each of them.

Casapani
A cozy boutique hotel tucked away on a quiet street in the Cuauhtémoc neighborhood was created by converting a functionalist 1960s villa designed by renowned architect Mario Pani. The hotel offers six rooms, a hidden garden, a small outdoor pool, and a shared kitchen where breakfast is served every morning. It delights both the eye and the soul, and I know I’ll be returning there again soon.

Museo de Arte Moderno
The Museum of Modern Art, located in Chapultepec Park, is just as impressive inside as it is outside. While its generous interiors house works by 20th-century Mexican artists, including Frida Kahlo and Remedios Varo, its exterior features a garden filled with mature trees and sculptures of all shapes and sizes.

Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporáneo
Just a few steps from the Museo de Arte Moderno lies a contemporary art museum designed by architects Abraham Zabludovsky and Teodoro González de León. It resembles a pyramid that hides the best of local contemporary art beneath its walls. The museum also regularly exhibits works from the collection of artist and collector Rufino Tamayo, which includes names such as Pablo Picasso, Mark Rothko, and Joan Miró.

Casa Estudio Luis Barragán
The personal house and studio of the architect who made modern Mexican architecture famous around the world is a pilgrimage site for every architecture enthusiast. The intimate, quiet, yet monumental architecture of the house, located on an unassuming residential street in Tacubaya, is a manifesto of Barragán’s poetics of light, color, and the profound spirituality of everyday life. Walking through the house feels like a small initiation into the architect’s soul, where calm and contemplation meet radical aesthetics.

Museo Anahuacalli
The idea for the museum was conceived by painter Diego Rivera, who gathered here his fascinating collection of pre-Hispanic art and designed a temple of black volcanic stone inspired by ancient Mexican architecture to house it. Inside, you’ll find thousands of artifacts. In addition, the museum’s terrace offers an impressive view of the surrounding Pedregal landscape and the solidified lava that has become part of the terrain.

Chava Studio
Hidden in the heart of the Ampliación Daniel Garza neighborhood is Chava Studio, just a few steps from Casa Studio Luis Barragán. Founded in 2020 by designer Olivia Villanti, the studio builds on the history of her family’s business, which once imported luxury fabrics from Europe. That heritage is reflected in the studio’s dedication to traditional tailoring, and it’s no surprise that their precisely crafted shirts are the brand’s bestseller – and an essential wardrobe piece.

Aurelia Concept Store
The store was founded by sisters Andrea, Paula, and Malena De La Torre, who are also the creators of the Mexican brand Aurelia Parrondo. Located in the heart of Roma Norte at Cozumel 61, it charms you from the moment you step inside with its carefully curated selection of clothing, accessories, and designer pieces from independent Latin American creators.

Cardon
In the streets of Condesa you’ll find a boutique that approaches fashion with tactical restraint and an eye for detail. It showcases collections by Latin American and Mexican designers, making it an excellent place to discover your next travel souvenir.