An Art Week in Mexico City

Begin your day with breakfast at Another, a minimalist café that nails the balance between comforting and contemporary with a great variety of specialty coffee, or at Molino El Pujol, where heirloom corn takes center stage in some of the city’s most thoughtful morning dishes.

From there, ease into a stroll through Parque México, Roma–Condesa’s green lung, where dogs, joggers, and early risers all share the winding paths beneath towering trees. Continue along the iconic Circuito Ámsterdam, a leafy loop of Art Deco facades and bougainvillea-draped balconies. Make a stop at Lolo Miscelánea Editorial, a beautifully curated magazine shop perfect for an instant creative recharge.

Both neighborhoods are a magnet for independent design, and their shopfronts reflect that. Local boutiques here feel more like galleries than retail spaces, full of pieces you’ll want to take home. Here are some of my favorites:

• Montserrat Messeguer—Mexican fashion with a modern cowboy spirit.

• Casa Bosques Books—art objects, and cult chocolates.

• Apuntes—impeccably curated stationery and design goods.

• Happening—concept boutique with emerging designers.

• Originario—contemporary Mexican design with soul.

• Escópica—eyewear you’d never expect (or find anywhere else).

• Mvndo Varon—genderless streetwear and design.

• ZII Ropa: Minimal—timeless Mexican fashion.

When lunch calls, seek out Baldío, a restaurant championing sustainability with a high-end menu built on locally sourced ingredients and an impressively zero-waste ethos, so much so that, despite the low-key vibe, it’s earned a Michelin star.

Other standouts nearby include:

• Abrasamar—playing with smoky, coastal flavors.

• Esquina Común—a relaxed spot with vibrant, contemporary plates.

• Mi Compa Chava—the city’s cult-favorite marisquería.

• Ultramarinos de Mar—refined seafood in a chic, understated setting.

• Dessert at: Neveria Roxy, Churrería el Moro, or Club Sorbet.

Post-lunch, dive into the area’s dense network of galleries and design spaces. Start at OMR, one of the city’s most influential contemporary art institutions, or at Mooni, a playful design atelier shaping Mexico’s new creative language. MODO, the Museum of the Object, offers a nostalgic look at everyday design. But if you only choose one, make it Laguna—a sprawling creative complex housing artists, designers, and concept shops inside an old industrial building. It’s the kind of place where inspiration finds you.

As evening approaches, decide where you want to keep eating (endless options in this part of town). Some of my personal favorites include:

• Propio—offering intimate, ingredient-forward Mexican cuisine;

• Sukai—where Japanese finesse meets Mexican product;

• Kill Bill—fun and punchy.

• Zimo—a modern Asian spot with serious flavor;

• El Tigre Silencioso—moody and cinematic with a strong culinary point of view.

And if tacos are calling your name, skip Orinoco and head straight to Tacos del Valle, a neighborhood icon.

But don’t call it a night just yet—Roma and Condesa have one of the city’s most vibrant bar scenes. Shhh is my go-to for inventive cocktails you can sip while consciously and intentionally listening to great music, while Tlecan is the place for mezcal lovers. Hiya serves beautifully crafted drinks in an intimate, dimly lit space, and La Vista offers a polished bar moment. If you still have energy in you, end the night at El Ayer, the perfect place to unleash your inner singer.

Start your morning in the Centro Histórico, the heart of old Mexico City, with breakfast at the iconic Café de Tacuba, a century-old institution where waitresses in traditional uniforms glide between tables and the café lechero arrives steaming and theatrical. From here, wander toward El Zócalo, the vast central square that has been the stage of Mexican history for centuries. Just steps away, the Templo Mayor reveals the uncovered ruins of the Aztec capital, a startling reminder of the layers beneath your feet.

While in the area, slip into Círculo Mexicano, a modern boutique hotel located in a restored 19th-century building, and browse the beautifully curated concept shops on the ground floor. Grab a coffee at Che•Che Café, a sleek minimalist spot perfect for regrouping.

A short stroll leads to the legendary Palacio de Bellas Artes, whose dramatic art-nouveau facade opens into one of the most striking interiors in the city. Look up: its Tiffany stained-glass curtain, a shimmering depiction of the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, is worth the visit alone. If you enjoy architectural gems, pop into El Gran Hotel nearby to admire its own dazzling stained-glass ceiling, a riot of art-nouveau color.

For lunch, two classics await. Azul Histórico, tucked inside a colonial courtyard filled with lantern-lit trees, serves refined Mexican cuisine rooted in regional tradition. Or head to Terraza Cha Cha Chá, a breezy rooftop with panoramic views of the Monumento a la Revolución and a menu that leans playful and modern.

This part of the city is also a gateway to contemporary art. Galería Karen Huber champions boundary-pushing local and international artists in an intimate setting, while Museo Experimental El Eco, a sculptural concrete masterpiece by Mathias Goeritz, blurs the lines between architecture, installation, and performance.

For a retail fix, wander to Marsella 68, a concept store showcasing young Mexican designers, then explore Xinú, whose botanical fragrances are packaged like sculptural objects. Nearby, Korimi offers ethically made fashion with Indigenous collaboration at its core, and Perla Valtierra presents elevated hand-thrown ceramics in her signature earthy palette.

Before dinner, stop at El Minutito, a tiny cantina where time seems to slow down, perfect for a quick beer, mezcal, or simply people-watching.

When the evening rolls in, choose from among the neighborhood favorites:

• Fierro—a lively spot serving creative tapas with a hint of Spanish nostalgia.

• Coqueto—a cozy natural-wine bar with playful small plates.

• OMA—a fresh, modern eatery balancing comfort and clean flavors.

• Tacos Los Caramelos—a beloved late-night option that satisfies all taco cravings.

If you’re up for a drink afterward (you should be), the nightlife here is electric. Xaman is a subterranean cocktail bar inspired by ancestral rituals, smoky and atmospheric in all the right ways. Minos offers a moody hideaway for music and expertly crafted drinks, while Tokyo Music Bar pairs vinyl culture with Japanese precision for one of the most stylish nights out in the city.

There’s a different rhythm in the south of Mexico City—slower, softer, more poetic. Begin in Coyoacán, one of the capital’s most charming historic districts, where cobblestones, leafy plazas, and crayon-colored facades create the feeling of walking through a watercolor. Start your morning at El Olvidado, a cozy café known for its perfectly balanced pastries and laid-back ambiance, or at Café Avellaneda, a tiny but beloved neighborhood institution serving some of the best specialty coffee in town. If you want something truly local, head straight to the Mercado de Comida de Coyoacán, where fried quesadillas and whimsical, figure-shaped hot cakes are the move—comfort food at its most nostalgic.

From there, wander through Jardín Hidalgo, the beating heart of the neighborhood, before making your way to La Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s kaleidoscopic home-turned-museum. The cobalt walls shelter intimate fragments of her life: corsets, sketches, photographs, and the gardens she cherished. (Book your tickets well in advance—it’s essential.)

If you’re up for a bit more adventure, consider a bike ride through the area’s historic streets. It’s hard to imagine now, but this used to be the countryside, where Mexico City’s elite built sprawling haciendas, many of which still stand behind centuries-old gates.

Stay in Coyoacán for lunch at Los Danzantes, a long-standing favorite serving contemporary Oaxacan cuisine in a serene courtyard setting. The mezcal selection alone is worth the detour.

Next, make your way to Ciudad Universitaria—CU, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive modernist campuses in the world. Wander along the Paseo de las Esculturas and into the vast volcanic landscape of the Espacio Escultórico, an otherworldly arena framed by monumental geometric sculptures. Don’t miss the Biblioteca Central, wrapped in Juan O’Gorman’s iconic mural, a mosaic masterpiece telling the story of Mexico through color and stone.

If you’re still hungry for art (and you will be), continue to MUAC, the university’s contemporary art museum. It’s one of the most forward-thinking cultural spaces in the city, with exhibitions that consistently challenge and inspire.

For dinner, head to Tetetlán, a cultural and culinary project built inside a restored stable that once belonged to the neighboring Casa Pedregal, designed by Luis Barragán. Expect a soothing, architectural setting, thoughtfully prepared dishes, and on special nights, vinyl music sessions that pair perfectly with a glass of natural wine. Alternatively, Local 777 offers a more indulgent take on modern Mexican cuisine. End the evening nearby at Lava, a moody, intimate bar ideal for a final drink before calling it a night.

Start your day in Polanco with breakfast at Catamundi, a neighborhood favorite known for its warm, market-style bakery aromas, inventive comfort dishes, and a deli filled with gourmet finds. If you’re in the mood for something cozier, head to Niddo Café, a charming corner spot where the vibe leans laid-back and the menu is all about simple pleasures done exceptionally well—think fluffy eggs, great coffee, and pastries that disappear too quickly.

From there, wander toward the leafy expanse of Chapultepec Park and dive into its world-class museums. Begin with Museo Tamayo, an architecturally striking temple to contemporary art founded by the beloved Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo. Steps away, the Museo de Arte Moderno houses one of the country’s strongest collections of 20th-century Mexican art—surrealists, modernists, and an iconic Frida Kahlo or two. Continue uphill to the Castillo de Chapultepec, a historic palace perched above the city with sweeping views and grand halls that trace Mexico’s layered past.

Before leaving the area, stop at Librería Porrúa, tucked right at the edge of the lake. This bookshop is perfect for browsing design monographs, literature, and children’s books while enjoying one of the prettiest terraces in the park.

If you’re up for stretching your legs, follow the path along the lakes toward Lago Algo, a cultural and culinary hub that feels especially electric during Art Week thanks to installations, pop-ups, and the nearby Espacio CDMX design pavilion. Don’t miss the Fuente de Tlaloc by Diego Rivera, a monumental mosaic that feels like a portal to another world.

For lunch, reserve a table at Sukai, a refined Oaxacan-Japanese fusion concept where seasonal ingredients meet delicate, inventive technique. For something more intimate and soulful, head to Comal Oculto, a hidden gem offering heirloom-corn dishes, smoky flavors, and a chef-driven menu that feels deeply rooted in Mexico’s culinary traditions.

You’re now in San Miguel Chapultepec, a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood known for its concentration of art galleries. Don’t miss Kurimanzutto, one of Mexico City’s most influential contemporary spaces showcasing cutting-edge global and local artists. Nearby, Adhesivo Contemporary offers a fresh, emerging-artist perspective. Architecture lovers should carve out time for Casa Estudio Luis Barragán, the former home of Mexico’s most celebrated architect (bookings are mandatory and sell out weeks in advance). You can also visit Casa Ortega and Casa Gilardi, two lesser-known Barragán masterpieces—both require reservations and are not always open, so plan ahead.

As the afternoon winds down, circle back to Polanco and enjoy some of the city’s best shopping. Stroll along Masaryk, the neighborhood’s iconic boulevard, and dip into Ikal, a beautifully curated concept store championing Mexican design in fashion, art, and homeware. Other stops worth browsing include Bombotti, Habitación 116, Leret Leret, Onora, Xinú, and Sandra Weil. If you’re still in the mood for design and culture, visit Clásicos Mexicanos, dedicated to reviving iconic pieces of Mexican furniture, and Proyectos Monclova, a contemporary art gallery that consistently delivers smart, sharp exhibitions.

For dinner, choose between:

• Goya Taller—a creative open-kitchen concept with Mediterranean-Mexican influences.

• Lampuga—beloved for seafood dishes with a polished but relaxed feel.

• Anatol—a refined dining room offering elegant, globally inspired plates.

• Siembra—a celebration of corn and ancestral ingredients elevated with modern technique.

For drinks, settle in at Limantour, one of the city’s cocktail powerhouses, or head a bit farther to Fifty Mils at the Four Seasons, famous for innovative, world-class mixology.

End your day knowing you’ve sampled the best of CDMX’s art, architecture, flavors, and effortless style—this corner of the city always leaves you wanting one more day.