Neighbourhoods
Condesa
A pedestrian neighbourhood lined with colonial-era buildings
A favourite among flâneurs, Condesa’s leafy boulevards and European-style architecture offer a quieter, more polished take on the city. Start your day with coffee from Casa Melibea, before taking a slow walk along Avenida Amsterdam, a looping circuit lined with jacarandas and art-deco façades. Bookshops and galleries dot the area: Casa Bosques, just off the lush Plaza Rio de Janeiro, is a highlight for stationery lovers. At lunchtime, grab a terrace seat at Hugo or head upstairs at Maizajo. If you’ve had your fill of Mexican fare, Anonimo serves up the best pasta dishes in the city. Later, peek inside El Péndulo, a cult bookshop-café hybrid, or head to Parque México, where dogs, drummers and joggers mingle. While you’re there, pop into 99 Records and stock up on some vinyl. Thirsty? Try the cocktails at Baltra Bar. Even at its busiest, Condesa remains unhurried and elegant.
Santa María la Ribera
A vibrant colonia with a diverse history
A quietly resurgent pocket of the city, Santa María la Ribera blends faded Porfirian glamour with a growing creative undercurrent. Start your stroll at the ornate Kiosko Morisco, the neighbourhood’s Moorish landmark, then wander down Calle Salvador Díaz Mirón where 19th-century mansions house studios, bookshops and boutique cafés. Stop for a flat white at Fuzz & Brew, a minimalist spot boasting a vinyl collection as serious as its beans, before visiting the awe-inspiring, quixotic Biblioteca Vasconcelos — a soaring, labyrinthine space of glass and steel.
For lunch, head to Kolobok, a Russian-Mexican eatery that’s beloved by many. Don’t miss the Museo Universitario del Chopo, a former iron-and-glass-clad pavilion turned cultural hub showcasing avant garde art and countercultural programming. The neighbourhood also hides a quiet crop of independent galleries and antique dealers. In the evening, have a glass of wine at Pink Rambo, a new-wave neighbourhood bar drawing in the area’s curious and culturally attuned.
Polanco
A playground for luxury style and cuisine
Polanco is Mexico City’s polished powerhouse, where luxury retail meets cultural sophistication. Start with a coffee at Niddo, a sleek café favoured by in-the-know residents. Then stroll Avenida Presidente Masaryk, Latin America’s answer to Rodeo Drive, home to boutiques such as Louis Vuitton. For a dose of culture, the Museo Soumaya and Museo Jumex deliver world-class exhibitions housed in striking architecture.
At lunch, Pujol’s omakase-style tasting menu elevates Mexican cuisine to high art, while Quintonil offers a refined take on local flavours in a pared-back setting. For a taste of the city’s rich Jewish heritage, Klein’s tortas offer an unexpected but delicious meeting of culinary worlds. Amid Polanco’s soaring towers and tree-lined streets lay leafy parks and discreet cafés, ideal for a mid-afternoon pause. As night falls, head to Ticuchi – a moody, design-forward hideaway serving up thoughtful cocktails and bold dishes. Polanco is glamour without excess.
