Home JOURNAL City Secrets | Mexico City

City Secrets | Mexico City

There is a ?new cool? permeating Mexico City. Neighborhoods like La Roma and Condesa offer safe and trendy places to hang out (think Soho and Nolita in NYC), while hip exclusive nightspots, such as M.N. Roy make Paris? Le Baron seem provincial. Experience MC?s foodie palaces and must see museums like Frida Kahlo?s recently opened home. Read below to learn about L-atitude?s must-see places in Mexico city.

Eating

Make sure you slip into one of these top restaurants and take a bite out of history-sometimes-fused-with-contemporary cuisine. Spend the evening with the hip young crowd or with the local foodies, Mexico City has many world-class restaurants.

Dulce Patria

Service and food are phenomenal ? try their many different salsas and guacamole (perfection). Prices are reasonable. Favorites include the seared Ahi tuna and the duck in mole sauce. Chef Martina Ortiz is very sweet and excels in culinary know how.

Dulce Patria

Anatole France 100, Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo

Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Dulce Patria. Renowned chef and owner Martha Ortiz, courtesy of MexicoCooks.Typepad.com andGoodFoodMexicoCity.com

San Angel Inn

Located in a 17th century Hacienda, this is the perfect replica of a colonial era mansion and is a very well-kept secret. It serves Mexican and continental specialties like Mole Poblano and the Helado de Dulce de Leche. The gardens and patios surrounding the restaurant are stunning. Some say the margaritas are the best in Mexico.

San Angel Inn

Diego Rivera 50, San Angel Inn, ?lvaro Obreg?n

01060 Ciudad de Mexico, Federal District, Mexico

Maximo Bistrot Local

The hottest spot in Mexico City, you can wait up to two hours for a table at all times. Dishes are European style with a pinch of Mexican flavor. If you don?t mind eating at the unfashionable hour of 1pm, you will always get a table. No local would dare show up for lunch before 2:30.

Maximo Bistrot Local

Calle Tonal? 133, Roma Norte, Cuauht?moc, 06700

Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Rosetta

Located in the beautiful Roma district, Rosetta is one of the few Italian restaurants in the city. The food is well-prepared, tasty, fresh, and creative. The Parmesan-grissini and focaccia starter is delicious, and we recommend the Sorrentinos with ricotta. It?s reasonably priced with a nice ambiance.

Rosetta

Colima 166, Roma Norte, Cuauht?moc

Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Contramar

The Tostadas at this local favorite are known to be some of the best in Mexico City, as well as the fig tart. This restaurant is renowned for its seafood and draws a relatively chic crowd, the L-atitude team ate here everyday!

Contramar

Durango 200, Roma, Cuauht?moc

06700 Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

MeroToro

Gabriela C?mara and Pablo Bueno opened this Baja California cuisine eatery three years ago after the success of their other restaurant, Contramar. Chef Jair Tellez?s preparation of mero and ceviche ligero are worth the trip.

MeroToro

Amsterdam 204, Hip?dromo, Cuauht?moc

06140 Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Ojo De Agua

This is Condesa's newest addition for those who love organic, fresh tasting ingredients -- usually enjoyed while walking your pooch, after a yoga class, or meeting friends for lunch. With an extensive menu of salads, sandwiches, juices, and naturally flavored waters (Agua Jamaica is delicious and an authentic Mexican refreshment), Ojo De Agua is the creation of a young couple whose passion is healthy food for the Mexican soul. Step inside and you'll find a boho chic oasis of fruits and veggies for purchase as well. Sit outside for the best people watching in Condesa. The sandwiches here are so delicious it's hard to make your first trip your last.

Ojo De Agua:

Glorieta Citlaltepetl 23, Amsterdam Col. Hip?dromo Condesa,

06100 Mexico City, Mexico, +52 55 6395 8000

Pujol

A ?fantastico? restaurant that actually reinvents Mexican cuisine as a modern culinary treat, Pujol is a must for any foodie. Choose from a prefixed or tasting menu in this well-known restaurant that mixes ancient recipes with contemporary flavors. The moment you sit down you will be served their signature dish of baby corn with coffee mayonnaise and ant powder ? the food may be slightly expensive but it?s well worth every penny.

Pujol

Francisco Petrarca 254, Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo

11570 Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Biko

Simple, modern, and elegant, this restaurant is considered one of the world?s top 50 best restaurants. The menu is a mix of Spanish and Mexican food. Chefs Bruno Oteiza and Mikel Alonso combine cooking from their native San Sebastian with new world techniques. Try the Salmon Marinado con Citricos y Tamal Fresco de Queso or the Vacuno Callejero.

Biko

Presidente Masaryk 407 Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo,

11550 Ciudad de M?xico, Distrito Federal

Bakea

The best place to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, Bakea introduces old world cuisine in a small but perfect atmosphere in Las Lomas, a residential area. The cuisine fuses both French and Basque in a cozy environment. The menu is seasonal and changes every four months.

Bakea

Sierra Ventana 700, Miguel Hidalgo,

11000 Federal District, Mexico

Snacking

Neveria Roxy

Neveria Roxy is Mexico City?s oldest original ice cream parlor. Although you might have to queue up a while for your cone, it?s worth it; this is real old-fashioned creamy ice cream?delicious and revitalizing.

Neveria Roxy

Mazatl?n 80, Cnr Montes de Oca,

06140 Distrito Federal, Mexico

La Nueva Opera

Gilded baroque ceilings hover above as you make your way through one of Mexico City?s most magnificent cantinas. Look up to the ceiling and you will see a bullet hole made by Poncho Villa. Come here for breakfast, lunch, or informal dinner.

La Nueva Opera

5 de Mayo 10, Alameda Central, Cuauht?moc,

06010 Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

La Nueva Opera. Courtesy of Concordia

Cocktails

Miralto

Miralto is a must? the view is spectacular, and one of the many reasons it is always full at night. Come for the drinks and stay for the view -- bathrooms one level down have floor to ceiling windows, but the restaurant is so high in the sky that no one can see you.

Miralto

Eje Central 2, Piso 41, Centro Hist?rico,

06000 Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Jules basement

A treasure in Mexico City ? a large refrigerator door leads you into the black and white basement that doubles as a speakeasy. The hidden restaurant and bar are by invitation only. Spark a conversation with the bartenders who pride themselves in mixology ? their cocktail menu is outstanding.

Jules Basement

Julio Verne 93, Zona Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo,

11550 Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

After Hours

M.N. Roy

This late-night spot is so exclusive, don?t bother going unless you have a membership card or an artsy local friend that does. Designed by Chic by Accident owner Emmanuel Picault, M.N. Roy is so slick and well-designed it rivals the newest Aman or Four Seasons resort hotel. This private hang out for MC?s beautiful people pulses with electro music, and only starts getting going at 1:00 a.m. Don?t be fooled by the understated pink storefront entrance, the action inside is definitely red hot.

M.N. Roy

M?rida 186, Col. Roma,

06700 Distrito Federal, Mexico

Must see

Templo Mayor

This 14th century Aztec temple was recently discovered and is dedicated to the god of war and water. It was hidden for so long because it was nearly destroyed by the Spaniards after they took over Tenochtitlan. Human sacrifice often took place on top of the pyramid on an altar. It is easy to find and located in the main square of Mexico City. Admission is $4 for the museum and ruins, and free on Sundays. There is an extra $3.50 charge per video camera.

Templo Mayor

Seminario 8, Centro Hist?rico, Cuauht?moc,

06060 Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Frida Kahlo Museum

The museum contains most of Frida?s personal belongings (tons of clothes) and paintings. She spent so much of her life isolated in this home that it is such an honor to be able to see her life and work. It?s interesting to see how she became famous and her love for Mexican independence and her pride. Anyone with an appreciation for Mexican culture, art, and history should spend a few hours here. Note that it costs extra to take photos in the museum.

Frida Kahlo Museum

Londres 247, Del Carmen, Coyoac?n,

04100 Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Courtesy of Tripomatic

Museo Soumaya

Carlos Slim?s gargantuan structure of a museum is named after his late wife who passed away in 1999. The mirrored structure hovers over Mexico City and contains roughly 70,000 works of art owned by Slim. The museum itself is a sight to behold, made of 16,000 hexagonal aluminum plates. It holds the world?s largest collection of Rodin?s structures outside of France, and houses favorite artists including Van Gogh and Dali.

Meseo Soumaya

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra 303, Ampliaci?n Granada,

Miguel Hidalgo, 11529 Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Sleeping

Four Seasons

If you have the means to splurge, then we encourage you to stay in this five-star beauty. The service is unmatched, and the hotel staff will go out of their way to make each and every wish a reality.

Four Seasons

Paseo de la Reforma 500, Ju?rez, Cuauht?moc,

06600 Cuidad de Mexico, Federal District, Mexico

Camino Real

Its location in Polanco is convenient to nearby shops and restaurants. The rooms on the fourth and fifth floors are executive rooms and come equipped with Herman Miller chairs. This mid-century, modern hotel was built by two of Mexico?s most famous architects, Luis Barragan and Ricardo Legorreta. There is an incredible fountain at the entrance that is nicknamed the toilet bowl; despite the name, it is beautiful!

Camino Real

Mariano Escobedo 700, Anzures, Miguel Hidalgo,

11590 Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

The Condesa DF Hotel

Long on style and short on towels, this is your typical boutique hotel. For location, it is the axis mundi; it even has bikes out front that you can borrow to enjoy the neighborhoods of Condesa and La Roma. The terrace bar hosts a happening late-day cocktail scene and there is a generous Sunday brunch in the hotel courtyard designed to remove the sting from too much tequila on Saturday nights.

Condesa DF Hotel

Avenue Veracruz N. 102, Col. Condesa,

06700 Distrito Federal, Mexico

http://www.condesadf.com/