All it takes is one walk down a sidewalk in Mexico City to fall in love. It has big city energy, but warmer. Literally and figuratively. There’s always something happening on the street – food vendors, markets, little shops, people everywhere. It is incredibly walkable, easy to get around, and the people watching is elite. It feels alive in a way that’s hard to explain until you are there.
This was my second trip to CDMX – the first was an FMH girls’ trip in 2024 and I knew I needed to go back. After this trip, I’ve decided to do optional add-on days in Mexico City before our Oaxaca trip in November 2026! It works beautifully as a standalone destination, and it also pairs perfectly with southern Mexico.
This itinerary is based on a 4-night stay with 3 full days, which I think is the sweet spot for a first visit (though of course longer would also be amazing!).
Here you’ll find a saved list of all the places we went/researched – you can add it right to your own Google Maps to have all my recommendations right at your fingertips. Below is every step of our four-night itinerary. And at the end, I’ve listed all the restaurants/bars we went to in case you’d rather read it that way versus itinerary style.
This trip is perfect for first-timers to Mexico City, travelers who plan their days around food and drinks (hi, it’s me), girls’ trips, couples, or anyone who wants a big city feel.
where to stay
We prioritized location and price, so we chose a very simple bed and breakfast-style stay at Don Jacinto Stay & Sip. Think virtual front desk, minimal rooms, but exactly what you need without extra fluff.
The location is perfection (border of Condesa/Roma Norte), it’s extremely affordable, and their WhatsApp communication is excellent. This is not the place if you want amenities or full hotel service, but we really just needed a comfortable place to sleep.
We paid less than $100 per night by booking through Delta Stays and stacking a credit card perk! Next time, I would look for a hotel in Roma Norte, but I’d absolutely stay here again for a short trip.
overall travel notes
getting there
Mexico City is very well connected with easy flights from many U.S. cities having direct flights! It’s on central time, so also easy to work remotely if needed. Plus, no converters needed for U.S. plugs! Do be aware that CDMX sits at 7,500 feet so you might feel that altitude.
The airport is large and busy and has multiple lounges, including an Amex Centurion Lounge and a Priority Pass option. Uber pickup can take a while and traffic into the city can easily push the ride over an hour, so build in extra time. Ubers are very affordable though, ours was under $20 USD. I’d avoid the official taxis – they were more expensive and lines super long.
navigating the city
CDMX is incredibly walkable, and the Metro is clean, easy to use, and very cheap. A Metro card costs about 15 pesos (under $1 USD) and each ride is 5 pesos (around $0.25 USD). Uber is also everywhere and very affordable. Citymapper is my favorite app for public transit directions.
English is spoken in some places, but not everywhere. Download Spanish in Google Translate before you go in case you have any service issues. You can also use Google Translate to point your phone directly at images like street signs and menus for a quick translation.
Helpful phrases:
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much does this cost?)
- ¿Tienen baño? (Do you have a bathroom?)
- ¿Qué me recomienda? (What do you recommend?)
- La cuenta, por favor (The check, please)
safety
I felt very safe walking around the main areas because there are people everywhere. Standard big city awareness applies though: avoid empty streets late at night, keep valuables secure, and use Uber with a required PIN if you are unsure. I carried a small sling bag worn on the front and never had an issue – I do know people who’ve been pickpocketed though, so stay alert!
Do not drink the tap water. Hotels provide filtered water, and restaurants and bars use filtered ice. I avoided ice from street food stands and had no issues on either trip! My stomach isn’t super sensitive in that way though, I know others who’ve had problems even with these precautions.
cash, bathrooms, & what to pack
Carry some cash for markets, street food, and easy purchases. Use ATMs inside actual banks for better security and exchange rates. Most public bathrooms cost a few pesos, so having small bills or coins is helpful. Many establishments will take major credit cards though – always choose to process in local currency for the best exchange rate.
Comfortable sneakers are essential. I wore them every day, even with dresses, due to how much walking you’re doing. You can see my favorites in this outfit post :). Overall, the city felt very casual. Even in February, it was warm enough for sundresses during the day – but be prepared for days when you do not go back to your hotel between activities. The temperature can drop dramatically at night (into the high 40s when we were there) so layering is key! It was even chilly at night when I was there in August (with more rain that time of year).
our itinerary
day 1: Arrival + First Night in CDMX
Arrival day! I like arriving early enough to have a full evening in my destination, pushing through until we can get to an early bedtime for a good night’s sleep before our first full day.
Pre-Dinner Drinks at Hugo Wine Bar. A great first stop. We had a reservation, but it would have been easy to walk in with two people in the late afternoon. Excellent natural wine selection and a relaxed vibe, especially outside.
Tasting Menu at Pujol. This was our major splurge night. The service was exceptional and the restaurant itself is beautiful. That said, while I am glad we went, I wouldn’t say this is a must-do for everyone at the price point. The food was very good, but I personally prefer Quintonil.
If I did this trip again, I would plan something more casual on the first night. Between travel fatigue and altitude, we were exhausted.
day 2: Markets, Xochimilco, and Lucha Libre
Breakfast near the hotel. One of the perks of staying centrally! We walked to De Huevos for breakfast sandwiches, which were excellent (#2 was our fave). The coffee is okay, but next time I would grab coffee elsewhere (like at cafecito alex) and bring it with me.
Market wandering. We visited Mercado de Medellín for convenience, but you really can’t go wrong with markets in CDMX. On my girls’ trip, we went to Mercado de Jamaica, which is massive and worth doing with a guide (we’ll def be back in November!).
Xochimilco canals. We booked a Saturday afternoon canal tour and had an absolute blast. Expect music, dancing, tacos, and an open bar. It is about an hour each way by car, but worth it. A weekend afternoon has the best energy.
Rooftop sunset drinks at Balcon Del Zocalo. A stunning rooftop with incredible views. Drinks and food are excellent but a bit expensive. I’d do one drink for the view.
Lucha Libre at Arena Coliseo. Smaller and more intimate than Arena México (Friday nights are the move there), but still incredibly fun. The energy is contagious. Bring cash for beers and snacks and look up chants in advance to join in with the crowd! Tickets are here.
Tacos for dinner. We went to Taquería Orinoco because we could walk home from there, which was very solid. However, my favorite street tacos in the city are Taquería Los Amigos in Roma Norte, and I would absolutely recommend them if you are nearby.
day 3: Roma Norte wandering and the most unique meal
Leisurely lunch at Expendio de Maiz. One of the most unique dining experiences I have ever had! No menu, no reservations, communal tables, and dishes brought out continuously until you say stop. Everything revolves around heirloom corn milled in-house. Put your name in early and be prepared to wait. It is cash only and worth every minute.
Good news though: the best coffee I’ve ever had is a few blocks away at Forte (and they have excellent food, for future reference).
Wandering Roma Norte. Vintage shopping, artisan markets, architecture, and people watching. Sitting in Parque Río de Janeiro with a coffee was one of my favorite moments of the trip. My favorite vintage stores are tagged in my map.
Afternoon cocktails at Bar Mauro. Mexico City has 9 bars on last year’s Best Bars in North America list! Bar Mauro was #14 and has inventive cocktails, a tiny space, and a great vibe. Try their signature drink, the Maurito. The vanilla cold brew cocktail is also excellent.
Dinner at Onomura Roma. We purposefully left this night open for dinner and stumbled into their sushi bar. It was a lovely light dinner, highlights were the King Kong roll and torched nigiri. Not a “go out of your way” spot, but a good find if you’re craving sushi.
day 4: Coyoacán, Iconic Bars, and a Perfect Final Night
Slow morning with coffee & pastries. Run, do not walk, to Eno for their concha (pan dulce, or sweet bread, topped with a sweet glaze). It’s a casual café by chef Enrique Olvera with multiple locations & the best pastries we had in CDMX. We combined them with a chilaquile torta from Tortas Catakil for the perfect breakfast. Find their stand on the stairs going down into the metro outside of the Chapultepec station, you won’t regret it.
Take the Metro to Coyoacán. An easy ride (just one transfer from Chapultepec) and a lovely change of pace. Wander the colorful streets, visit the main square, and eat tostadas at the market (find them in the middle under the yellow & red signs and please order the pulpo). The Frida Kahlo Museum is also here and very cool, but book tickets well in advance (and not on a Monday).
Bar hopping from the North America’s 50 Best Bars list. We visited Handshake Speakeasy, Tlecan, and Licorería Limantour. It was a Monday, so we were able to walk in but I’d suggest recs at Handshake and Limantour. I loved all three, but Handshake truly lived up to the hype and was my favorite bar of the weekend.
Final dinner at Meroma. Final meal, best meal. Of the trip, for sure, and possibly of the last several years. It has Italian influence and every bite was out of this world. Our favorites were the eggplant focaccia (this rotates, but whatever their focaccia special is) and the mushroom agnolotti.
in conclusion
Mexico City is social, walkable, food-centric, and easy to navigate without a car. It offers a mix of culture, nightlife, and incredible dining, which makes it ideal for group travel.
It also pairs beautifully with other Mexico destinations, which is why I’m offering optional add-on days in Mexico City before heading to Oaxaca for our girls trip in November 2026. CDMX is a fantastic entry point before slowing things down!
recommendation lists
everything mentioned above, organized by category for those who prefer it that way! you can find all of these, plus more places that i researched and had recommended to me, in my google map.
restaurants / casual eats
- Meroma – Best meal of the trip, every bite was “oh my god.” Friendly, not stuffy, reasonably priced for the quality. Reservations by email, very responsive. Link here.
- Expendio de Maíz – No menu, no reservations, communal tables, they just keep bringing plates until you say stop. Corn-focused, super cool experience, great with dietary restrictions, cash-only. An absolute must. Link here.
- Pujol – Big splurge. Reservations are hard, service is unreal, beautiful space, great allergy attention, but I’m torn on whether it’s worth the price and wouldn’t call it a must. Link here.
- Taquería Orinoco – Very solid, convenient with multiple location, lines move quickly. Contra tacos (with grilled cheese) were a win, specifically the trompo + chicharrón, great sauces if you like heat. Link here.
- Taquería Los Amigos (Roma Norte) – My favorite tacos in CDMX, worth going out of your way for, especially as a post-drinks “soak it up” stop (they’re conveniently located near our Best Bars crawl). Link here.
- Onomura (Roma / Nigiri Room) – The sushi bar we stumbled into, highlights were the King Kong roll and torched nigiri. Not a “go out of your way” spot, but a good find. Link here.
- Tortas Catakil – A tiny stand on the steps of a metro station, and the best torta (Mexican sandwich) I’ve ever had. The chilaquiles one is their specialty. Link here.
- De Huevos – Very solid breakfast sandwiches on the border of Condesa & Roma Norte. We loved #1 and #2. Link here.
- Quintonil – The fine dining restaurant I’d actually recommend for the price point. Link here.
- Tostadas Coyoacan – Delicious and cheap tostadas in the middle of the Coyoacan market. Head to the middle and look for all the red & yellow signs. My favorite is the pulpo, but tinga de pollo is also delicious. Link here.
coffee / pastries
- Forte – By far my favorite coffee in CDMX, possibly ever. Their pastries and food are delicious too, especially the chilaquiles. Link here.
- Cafecito Alex – A to-go coffee window in the neighborhood by out hotel that we really loved. Quick, easy, delicious (try their flat whites). Link here.
- Quentin Cafe – Another place to try a flat white! Also has great pastries. Link here.
- Eno – Casual cafe that also has brunch, but I’d come here for the concha. So good. Link here.
- Panaderia Ideal – My personal favorite large bakery in CDMX (I thought it was better than Panaderia Rosetta and not as crowded). Link here.
bars / cocktails
- Handshake Speakeasy – The hype is real, but it’s warranted. We got lucky walking in at opening on a Monday, but reservations def recommended. Link here.
- Bar Mauro – Unassuming space for super inventive cocktails. My favorite was the vanilla cold brew cocktail, but they’re famous for the Maurito cocktail. Link here.
- Tlecan – A must if you like mezcal. No reservations and mostly standing room, so be aware of that. Link here.
- Licoteria Limantour – My least favorite of the 4 bars we tried on the 50 Best bars list, but definitely solid. And fairly easy to get a reservation. Link here.
- Hugo Wine Bar – Great wine list, though small. Get a reservation for an outside table for the best vibes. The food looked great too! Link here.
- Balcon del Zocalo – Amazing rooftop views, especially at sunset. The food is good, but rather expensive, so I’d only do drinks here. Link here.
- Salon Rosario – Don’t listen to Google Maps who says they’re closed – they offer amazing mezcal tastings and mixology classes. Link here.
