Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City! Or, CDMX as you'll see everywhere else. Metropolis of the middle-Americas, CDMX is nestled in a high mountain valley where temperatures are moderate year round and weather is constantly changing. Mosquitoes aren't a major issue in the city itself due to altitude and climate, but in the outskirts it definitely gets more rural and climate (and comforts) change a bit. The city is as safe as any major American city, and the food and nightlife is almost unmatched - arguably actually unmatched when you take into account the exchange rate into Mexican pesos.

Eat, drink, dance, and soak in the culture. It's an easy long weekend trip, but would take months, even years, to fully explore!

Eat and Drink

Name	Links	Description
Churrería El Moro (Multiple locations)	Google Maps	A local chain that has since started to expand to the USA (Los Angeles in particular). Their churros are unmatched and the experience puts you in a bustling cafe with excellent coffee, hot chocolate, and of course hand-made churros. Always busy, expect a line and a 20+ minute wait unless you're going off-hours, but it's worth the wait.
Xaman Bar	Google Maps	Chique speakeasy right off the main drive in Reforma. Make a reservation to make sure you get a spot, and get something with their expansive list of Mescal and Tequila options. Or, just get straight up Mescal and Tequila - you're in Mexico after all... just keep it classy.
niddo	Google Maps	Casual breakfast and lunch options but in an elevated setting. Ample healthy and dietary-restricted options, but also plenty for those of us who just like to indulge. Patio seating as well!
Handshake Speakeasy	Google Maps	One of the more popular speakeasies in the city, if you can get a reservation, you should go. Feel free to gravitate towards classic cocktails here, they'll do them justice, but some of the local creations really ought to be tried.
Don Asado Rio Lerma	Google Maps	Do you like meat? Do you want to eat a lot of meat? Then this is the place to get some good meat. Uruguyan meat-focused menu in a cute covered courtyard. Bustling crowds and a family-and-friends appropriate environment give you a quality meal in a relaxed atmosphere. It almost feels like you're visiting relatives but in a spacious dining room? I can't quite explain it, but an easy option for dinner if you're in the area.
Contramar	Google Maps	Yes, yes... I know. This is on everyone's list. It should be on everyone's list. It's on my list too. The protip? Go for brunch/lunch and you'll have a much easier time getting a reservation and you get basically the same menu as dinner! Good for brunch or dinner, and elevated without being pretentious. The outdoor patio is a bit more casual than indoors, but this would be family-friendly for children with adventurous culinary inclinations!
Casa 1900 Pan & Cafe	Google Maps	There's a bunch of great little cafe's around Mexico City. This is one of them. To some degree, not noteworthy in its own right, but a great spot for a coffee and a pastry while you wait for your reservation at Contramar to be ready! Ample patio seating and family friendly. Pretty sure we all just crowded around a table while a few of us sat down and got coffee.
Mercado Roma	Google Maps	Walkable from Contramar, Mercado Roma is a small but bustling food-and-food-like-things food-hall concept. The bottom floor is full of tightly crammed in food and drink stalls, while the upstairs hosts a large open-air beer garden. It can get busy at times, but is usually full without being crowded. An easy destination when no one knows what they want, but everyone wants something.
Balmori Roofbar	Google Maps	Chique day-club and supper-club vibes, but without being pretentious. Excellent covered outdoor patio so it's a cool spot to go with a group rain or shine. Super fun with a group (make a reservation) and often accessible by walk-in, it's great for a night out without getting too dressed up.
Koku	Google Maps	Sushi, ramen, and small plates in a cozy alleyway. Not the most amazing Japanese food you'll have, but very reasonably priced and it has that 'everyday neighborhood sushi spot' feeling that reminds me of home.
Lardo	Google Maps	Worth it for the bread alone, this somewhat pricey Mediterranean-fusion restaurant has a diverse menu for brunch and dinner. Worth a stop if you're in the area, but not going out of your way for.
La Barra de Fran	Google Maps	Polanco - If you want Spanish tapas, this is your place. Be transported back to the Iberian peninsula with authentic dishes and creative cocktails. Not the best Spanish food in the city, but very good and accessible.
Gin Gin Polanco	Google Maps	Probably closer to a club than a restaurant, go for the drinks, dancing, and music - not the food. It's quite loud and dimly lit inside, but to pop in, grab a table and dance for a bit, it's a lot of fun.
Limantour	Google Maps	I would go so far as to say that if you go to Mexico City and don't have a drink at Limantour, you haven't actually been to Mexico City. A world-renowned cocktail bar that despite its pedigree, lacks pretension. Their small plates are just alright, stick to the cocktails and order one too many, you deserve it!
Catamundi	Google Maps	The fact that Catamundi is unremarkable amongst the many places in Polanco is what makes it remarkable. Their wine list is a cut above many of the other spots nearby with many old world wines at very reasonable prices. Small and medium-sized plates make this a perfect spot to decompress at some of the more popular spots nearby, and even make for fun dinner spot if you don't need a more formal setting. The patio seating is perfectly situated to people-watch all the other bars in Polanco, without being too close to the action.
Pujol	Google Maps	Yes, you've heard of this place. Yes, it's pricey. Yes, it's hard to get a reservation. Go for lunch, do the taco omakase at the bar, and get the wine pairing with it. Everything else (dinner, the more traditional lunch, etc.) is very good and worth the accolades, but isn't the innovative culinary journey that it once was. Don't deny yourself the experience if you can get a reservation, but the taco omakase is the truly unique Pujol experience in my opinion.
Quintonil	Google Maps	Honestly, this is only on this list to tell you to skip it. It's elevated cuisine and things will taste good, but you can have equally as innovative meals elsewhere for less cost and an easier reservation. Many people will say I'm wrong for this recommendation, and that's fine, but I truly think you'd be happier at Pujol for tacos or Contramar for seafood than this innovative-yet-somehow-lacking culinary experience.
Ofelia Botanero	Google Maps	Nestled in what is basically an upscale strip-mall, you'd never expect such an intimate culinary experience. They don't take many guests per evening so make a reservation well in advance, but the food was innovative, satisfying, and yet somehow nostalgic Mexican cuisine that was well worth the visit.
Rosa Negra	Google Maps	A wine-and-steak house concept with airy ceilings and a spacious interior. Hearty dishes mean you won't leave hungry, and elevated service and plating make for a fantastic experience that I feel like isn't on the radar for most tourists from the USA.

Places to stay

Name	Links	Description
Hilton Reforma	Google Maps	My favorite spot to stay. Rooms are modern, very inexpensive, and the location is fantastic. There's a great night market right across the street, plenty of dancing in the local parks, and excellent food nearby.
Hotel Marquis Reforma	Google Maps	An upscale option without breaking the bank. Don't be put off by the lack of an international brand - that very fact is why rooms here are often under $100 USD while the hotel sits next to the St. Regis and across from the Four Seasons.

Other things to see

Name	Links	Description
National Anthropological Museum	Google Maps	One of the best museums that I've been to in my life, this is an absolute must-see! It would take two days to see it all (at least) and you'll be exhausted after a few hours of walking - there aren't many places to sit. Take it all in, but be ready to gaze in awe at the per-Colombian artifacts that make you question everything.
Palacio de Bellas Artes	Google Maps	Stunning murals and art pieces are almost secondary to the building architecture itself. You can enter the lobby for free, but the key pieces of art are worth the price of admission.
Arena Mexico - Lucha Libre	Google Maps	Not for everyone, but great for bachelor-party type trips. There's a few companies that do proper package-tour type deals and I think are worth it to ensure you get there and back in one piece!
Club Tengo Hambre	Direct Website	Food tours, but also more than just food tours. I did the 'Mexico City After Dark' tour and loved it. Totally worth the price, we went to places I'd have never gone and got some amazing cultural context out of it. Fun for all ages - I could see everyone from young teens to older adults really enjoying this. Lots of walking though, be ready for it!