The Honor Roll: Mexico City Ed.
Inside our Mexico City discoveries. And, ahem, not a “bad hombre” in sight.
Inside our Mexico City discoveries. And, ahem, not a “bad hombre” in sight.
Barragan architecture: Moving, modernist work that will make you feel something. Contact thetravelingbeetle.com to arrange a tour — and don’t miss the stables!
Polanco shopping: Start at Sandra Weil at Emilio Castelar 185. Then round the corner and down Av. Presidente Masaryk. But skip Hermes, Gucci etc. to stop in each curated, local shop. We found some amazing pieces from local designers, including a dramatic waxed jacket and an easy linen-blend jump suit.
Market food tour: The markets in Mexico can be huge, featuring all kinds of foods (from prepared to-go offerings to sit-down counters to spices to candy) plus flowers and other surprises. Find a good guide to take you through it all.
4. Fonda Margerita breakfast: Go early, and on a weekend to avoid traffic. It’s a poetic experience. Not fancy. Share a table with locals. Likely live music. Get beans and eggs — so simple and yet transcendent comfort food. Even the black coffee was poetry. It’s about a 20 min cab from Polanco without traffic.
5. Drinks at the St. Angel Inn: Sit outside for courtyard drinks. Listen to mariachis. The mezcal comes with citrus slices covered in ant salt. Yes, ant salt, and it’s perfect. Beautiful setting with great people watching and amazing cocktails.
6. Roma: This can be a whole day. Walk around the neighborhood for shopping first, and eat lunch at Tlacoyería Medellín (corner of Medellín & Campeche). Don’t look for a restaurant or real booth, it’s just a lady with a flat top and people sitting on buckets eating. Get the fava bean tlacoyos topped with cactus, onion, queso fresco, and red and green salsas. For dinner, Contramar is at Calle de Durango 202, Roma Nte., 06700 Cuauhtémoc. If you can, reserve in advance. Killer people watching + food, with a focus on fresh seafood.
7. Local food tour with Roberto Vilchis (+52 1 55 5909 1878 WhatsApp): This tour led by two locals will take you all around the little unknown places, including La Metoza: an insane outdoor patio-style seafood place. Get shrimp cocktail, salmon and ceviche. One of our guides had been going there since he was a boy.
8. Frida Khalo’s home and exhibit: Buy tickets direct, not through Viator. Crowded, and yes, to answer your question, it’s worth the wait.
9. Eno: The casual Polanco offering from famous chef of Pujol (that one is great and fancy; you need a months-ahead rez). Eno has an amazing brunch with stellar people-watching; locals from all over with kids and puppies.
10. The Jewish historic tour: A surprising and different way to learn about the historic area, through the eyes of the Jews who once lived there.