Hidden gems in Ciudad de México
Skip the tourist circuit. These Ciudad de México spots are the ones locals actually send their out-of-town friends to.
Top spots in Ciudad de México
Centro Histórico
CultureCentro
Zócalo, the Cathedral and Templo Mayor Aztec ruins side-by-side.
Bosque de Chapultepec
OutdoorsChapultepec
Two-square-mile park with the Anthropology Museum and a castle on top.
Coyoacán
CultureCoyoacán
Cobblestone plaza, Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul and the city's best market churros.
Roma & Condesa
Food & DrinkRoma Norte
Art Nouveau streets, mezcalerías and the city's cafe-and-taco engine.
Teotihuacán Pyramids
OutdoorsMéxico State
Climb the Pyramid of the Sun an hour northeast of the city.
Where to eat
Pujol
$$$$Modern Mexican tasting · Polanco
Enrique Olvera's mole madre, aged 2,000+ days. Book weeks out.
Contramar
$$$Seafood · Roma Norte
Tuna tostadas and red/green pescado — long lunch institution.
El Califa de León
$Tacos · San Rafael
First taqueria with a Michelin star — gaonera tacos at the counter.
Quintonil
$$$$Modern Mexican · Polanco
Jorge Vallejo's heirloom-ingredient tasting — World's 50 Best top 10.
Lardo
$$Mediterranean · Condesa
Elena Reygadas' all-day room — pizza, pasta and natural wine.
Frequently asked
- Locals' under-the-radar picks include Centro Histórico, Bosque de Chapultepec, Coyoacán. These are the places that don't show up on the first page of mainstream travel guides.