How to Fall in Love with Mexico City in Under 72 Hours

Easy arrival

With many direct flights from destinations across the US, you’ll probably arrive in the afternoon. The good news is you are a short 30-minute Uber to the neighborhoods I’d recommend staying in: Condesa or Roma Norte. Check in to your hotel, drop your bags, and your adventure begins.

Explore Roma Norte

Walk over to Panadaria Rosetta (don’t let the line scare you—it’s totally worth it) and grab a life-changing guava and cheese danish with a coffee to perk up. Alternatively, two blocks away, Jenni’s Quesadillas serves up some seriously good eats right on the street. Spend your afternoon exploring Roma Norte’s many shops and charming streets. Make sure to check out the El Parian strip for local businesses and Goodbye Folk for thrifting.

Nightcap

Finish the night with dinner at Meroma, a trendy spot with reimagined classics. A short walk away is one of my favorite low-key joints. A perfect way to end the night is with some drinks at Salon Palomilla’s iconic roofless bar. This spot is tucked away but the laid-back vibe under the stars is truly something to talk about.

Early morning & iconic views

You’ll start today before the sun comes up, but trust me, it’s so worth it. Today is an organized hot air ballooning tour over the Teotihuacan pyramids. Get picked up at your accommodation by your tour guide and driven the hour to Teotihuacan; after a brief safety briefing, you’ll take flight. The view of the pyramids as the sun comes up is simply breathtaking.

Afternoon exploration

After your flight safely lands, you’ll be taken to La Ceuva, a restaurant built into a cave serving up some great chilaquiles to fuel up. Once you’ve eaten your fill, it’s back to the pyramids to take them in from the ground level. Enjoy walking around the ancient site and being wowed by the history. Your driver will then take you back to your accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

Best dinner you’ll ever have

Take a nice walk to Baldio in Condesa for what was one of my favorite meals in Mexico City. Having just opened late last year, this zero-waste restaurant gained Mexico City its first Michelin green star. Baldio uses local and seasonal ingredients sourced from small regenerative farms and ancient chinampa floating farms in Xochimilco. The menu changes weekly, and the restaurant practices zero-waste by transforming food scraps into sauces, seasonings, and drinks.

Breakfast of champions

I personally love a good walk to start out the day, and the one from Roma Norte to Mendl Delicatessen cuts right through Parque Mexico for an iconic morning. Watch the sun pour through the canopy and see people gather at Fuente de los Cántaros. Your final stop: Mendl Delicatessen, a love letter to Jewish dining. This New York-style Jewish deli is known for its elevated Ashkenazi classics and retro, airy design. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a walk-up take-out window and sit-down service.

Museums for days

If there are two things not lacking in CDMX, they're food and museums. While many people love the Frida Kahlo Museum, National Art Museum, or Museo Soumaya, I decided on the National Anthropological Museum. This epic museum set into Chapultepec Park is perfect for those who want to learn about the entire history of Mexico from ancient times to now. Afterward, I highly recommend walking around Chapultepec Park with all of its vendors and vistas.

Final nightcap

I had to include at least one taco spot on this list. I was seriously impressed with Taquería Orinoco, serving up quick and delicious bites in a space vaguely reminiscent of a Five Guys. The line may look long, but it moves quickly, and these tacos are worth the wait. Don’t sleep on the salsa or frijoles charros either. The perfect way to finish your trip is a late-night reservation at the number-one bar in the world: Handshake Speakeasy. This chic spot’s reputation does it justice—serving up drinks you couldn’t imagine with extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff, you’ll be sure to enjoy your final evening.

A bite for the road

Before biding CDMX goodbye, I’d grab a final breakfast at Cafebrería El Péndulo, a hidden gem nestled in the vibrant streets of Roma Norte. This space serves up coffee from inside a bookstore, making it the perfect stop for a last bite and souvenir shopping.

Headed home

When your time has come, check out of the hotel, call your Uber, and stare romantically out the window. If you’re like me, you’ll start planning your trip back on the flight home.