The CDMX Neighborhood Guide, All You Need to Know!

The CDMX Neighborhood Guide is here! I have been reluctant to write about a city that is off the charts trendy right now. Do we really need more CDMX content? Well, if you want to crush your trip and wine and dine like a pro, then yes we do! Each visit here gets better and better and people keep asking for reqs, so let’s get them in one place. 😇

CDMX is sprawling, layered and wildly diverse, but these neighborhoods make it feel instantly accessible. They are manageable pockets of art and expression that quickly leave you to forget the size of the city. If you have never visited, think Latin NYC (but friendlier), with more nature and parks. Beautiful pedestrian lanes, easy to grab public transportation and accessible Ubers and bike rentals leave the entire city at your fingertips. Sometimes trendy places are worth the hype, and Mexico City is one of them. It’s easy to see why this city has become a digital nomad haven and international hotspot. The suggestions below will get you in the right areas, and from there we hope your curiosity takes the wheel. Let’s dive into the CDMX neighborhood guide!

1. Roma Norte

If CDMX had a creative heart, Roma Norte would be it. Think tree-lined shady streets, Art Deco buildings, and a never-ending lineup of cafés, galleries and cocktail bars. It’s hip without trying too hard. Ideal for long lunches, boutique shopping and stumbling into mezcalerías after dark. Bonus: it’s walkable and full of charming Airbnb options. Here are our faves:

Brunch

• Lardo – this is a breezy, all-day cafe where Mediterranean flavors meet Mexico City cool. Come for the wood-fired flatbreads and fresh pastas, stay for the stylish crowd and sunlit, open-kitchen. If Gjelina and Gjusta in Venice Beach had a Mexican baby, that would be Lardo. * More of long, chatty meal kind of place than laptop-out vibe.

• Huset – what brunch dreams are made of! We loved their brekky bagel sandwich and spritzes. The perfect place to fuel up for a full day of walking. With its twinkling lights and rustic garden setting, this is the spot to wow friends by day or have a romantic dinner by night.

Shop & Dine

• Café de Nadie – this is a moody, music-forward bar in Roma Norte known for vinyl DJ sets, natural wine and inventive cocktails. It feels like a secret – equal parts speakeasy and listening lounge – with just the right amount of edge. * Walk the whole adjoining courtyard for tons of trendy shopping & food options.

• Jacaranda – I love this quaint jewelry store and general area for shopping. It features contemporary Mexican designs with a minimalist edge. Think handcrafted pieces made with silver, gold and natural stones. If you head to CDMX during spring the Jacaranda should be in bloom!

• Casa Ananda Vintage Boutique – drift through this three-story vintage dream set in a restored Roma Norte mansion. Each room is curated with 90s nostalgia fashion, rare vinyl, global collectibles and retro treasures. The place feels more like an art installation than a store. * This entire neighborhood is littered with unique treasures, stay awhile.

• Blanco Colima – one of my favorite buildings in the city! This place is classy yet approachable and the ambiance is to die for. If you book a last minute trip, and all the ‘it’ places are full for dinner, this is your spot. DJs were spinning on a Sunday evening in March, they made our bday boy feel special and the tuna tostada was on point. What more is there? * Come early and walk this entire area, it will not disappoint!

2. Condesa

Onward with the CDMX neighborhood guide. Condesa is Roma’s slightly quieter cousin. Centered around Parque México and Parque España, it’s a paradise for dog lovers, joggers and anyone craving a mellow pace with a stylish edge. Good eats are abundant, architecture is dreamy and nightlife is available. It’s the kind of place where days easily melt into nights. As Roma and Condesa border each other, you will likely be jiggy-jogging between the 2 your whole trip. Our favorite thing to do is grab a nice coffee in the morning and walk the parks. Dog culture is thick here, be ready for cuteness overload!

Stay

• Hotel Casa Ensenada Luxury Hotel Boutique – chic, design-forward boutique stay tucked into the heart of Condesa. With its highly curated interiors, lush courtyard and intimate vibe, it feels more like a stylish friend’s home than a hotel – our kind of place!

• Casa Dovela – here they blend mid-century Mexican design with modern touches in a quiet, art-filled space. With just a few spacious suites, tasteful decor, espresso machines en suite and private concierge service, it’s ideal for travelers who want privacy and style. We love this place for longer stays and their 24-hour doorman!

Eat

• El Tizoncito Cholula – down home institution for tacos al pastor con piña. I found myself here a few times on my first CDMX trip as my lodging was right next door and the tacos deserved a repeat. They happily whipped up ‘tacos de verduras’ for me even though they are as meat-centric as it gets. I melt for any place that brings fresh salsas upon sitting and to top it off they bring warm bean dip too! On my next trip to the city a native brought me here to show me where the locals eat. I had to give myself a pat on the back for finding this place the old fashion way and knowing I found something iconic. 😉

• Primos – we found this classy joint by accident on a Sunday and thank goodness for that! We lost a cell phone while biking and a kind local found it and told us to meet her here. The Parisian café vibes lured us in, so we had to sit for a bite. We courageously ordered the chilaquiles sandwich. Yes, you read that right. Decadent, rich, and very shareable (even though the locals each had their own). Primos is a must for an al fresco weekend brunch!

3. Centro Histórico

The soul of the city, and much less gentrified than Roma and Condesa. Centro Histórico is where ancient Aztec ruins meet Spanish cathedrals and grand colonial architecture. It’s bustling, gritty and filled with cultural treasures like Palacio de Bellas Artes, Templo Mayor and Diego Rivera murals. Go for the history, stay for the tacos and the chaos. It’s not quiet – but it’s unforgettable. Try to catch the opera, orchestra, ballet or a show at Bellas Artes.

Art

• Museo de Arte Popular – a vibrant, colorful museum dedicated to celebrating Mexico’s rich tradition of folk art and craftsmanship. Inside, you’ll find everything from intricate alebrijes and Day of the Dead altars to handwoven textiles, ceramics and masks. After you have checked the big museums off your list, this one is a must.

Eat

• La Casa de las Sirenas – while there are many rooftop restaurants around Zócalo square, this one is our fave thus far. It is a little off the beaten path but lacks no view and I appreciate that they aren’t flapping menus on the corner to get people inside. The gorgeous old-world building dates back to the 16th century and they serve up classic Mexican dishes with an upscale approach.

• El Saladito Marisquería – no capital city visit in any Latin America country is complete without heading to the mercado. These markets are where the locals shop and feature a little bit of everything at fair prices. Food stalls, fresh produce, handicrafts, butchers, seafood stands, and so on. El Saladito inside Mercado de San Juan serves up fresh ceviche, tostadas, tacos and aguachiles. Grab a seat around its bar and watch chefs prep seafood right in front of you. Priced for the people and tacos as good as the fancy ones in Roma.

4. Juárez

As we continue to discover the CDMX neighborhood guide, have you heard of the barrio Juárez? Juárez is one of CDMX’s best-kept secrets. Tucked between Reforma and Roma, this up-and-coming colonia mixes classic mansions with a new wave of design hotels, speakeasies and rooftop bars. Zona Rosa, its louder side, has long been known for LGBTQ+ nightlife. The rest of Juárez feels like Roma ten years ago – in the best way. Like the rest of the places we have touched on, Juárez does not disappoint for gastro scene, shopping and walkability. Here are our highlights!

Japanese Inspired

• Loose Blues – a standout concept boutique where you browse vintage-inspired clothing, vinyl records and designer home goods on the lower levels. Then head upstairs for a drink and Japanese-Mexican fusion bites. It’s stylish, multi-story and effortlessly cool. Who doesn’t love shopping with a side of cocktails?

• Le Tachinomi Desu – this is a sleek, standing-room-only Japanese bar tucked into Juárez. Equal parts Tokyo cool and Mexico City edge. They specialize in high-quality sake, natural wines and small plates like sashimi and yakitori (no sushi). Enjoy menu options that changes daily or let the chef surprise you with his omakase. A high contender for the coolest place in the city!

Nightcap

• Xaman Bar – a fun and young place and we may be neither, but we felt very welcomed for a nightcap! Xaman blends mysticism, botanicals and mixology in a dark & moody, jungle-inspired space. The menu showcases earthy, herbal flavors with ingredients like copal, mezcal and cacao. If you make it here, order something wild you have never tried. At certain tables they hang your drink from the ceiling in a glass orb like a floating atrium. Dim lighting, tribal beats and a hidden entrance add to the scene.

That’s a Wrap

That’s a wrap on the CDMX neighborhood guide – at least for now. The beauty of Mexico City is that no matter how many times you visit, there’s always another side street, taco stand, or rooftop bar waiting to surprise you. Start with these neighborhoods, follow your cravings and don’t be afraid to get a little lost. We talked a lot about food and shopping, but what makes this city so special is the people. Everywhere you go, locals are down to chat and quick to smile. Ask for recommendations and talk to strangers. That’s when our trips really start to blossom.

<3 Rach

PS ~ To keep the best food in Mexico coming, check out our one day in the Valle de Guadalupe article here!