@set0312 Masala y Maiz is worth checking out. I’m not running to go back but it is a progressive restaurant concept with the blending of Mexican, African, and Indian cuisine where you really can’t find anywhere else. I do wish the food was a bit better (low 1 star for me), but the restaurant ambiance and drinks made up for it. Esquina Comun is also worth trying out, but also a low 1 star. Mexico City is one of the best cities in the world but not for the fine dining. Instead, get a taco, go inside to spots for a dish or 2, and always keep moving. The cocktail bars are absolutely incredible, and I think it is up there with London as the best drinking city in the world. I’ll give you some walking ideas below.
Go to Gonzalitos and get a barbacoa taco and my favorite, their tempura chile relleno taco. Soon after, you’ll hit La 89, grab a birria taco or torta there. And then head upstairs to Campobaja and chill out and enjoy variations of Mexican seafood. Here I recommend grabbing a refreshing aguachile and sharing a giant grilled octopus with your drink of choice. Lastly, end it with a nightcap or 2 nearby at Bar Mauro. Excellent cocktail program that has been highly acclaimed by the local bartenders since day 1.. big fan of the Banana Adonis at Bar Mauro. The rest of the night is up to you. Nearby on Alvaro Obregon, Tacos del Valle is a buzzing taco joint, but it usually always has a line. Tacos Atarantados has a nice late night atmosphere and a big fan of the choice of salsas they give you tableside and absolutely get their ribeye tacos.
Maybe another night you would prefer to start with some cocktails. Start at Form + Matter (FOMA) for a cocktail, new spot from some Handshake Speakeasy alum, have some fun and grab a butter flavor cocktail if you dare. Next head to Cafe Arixi, cocktail program spearheaded by Victor who was once a lead bartender at Little Red Door in Paris. A nice warm space that showcases CDMX design. Change it up and grab a plate of pasta here or a slice of their delicious tiramasu.
If you are in the Hipodromo area, if it’s the weekend, start at Dani’s Barbacoa, it is the best Tlacolula-style lamb barbacoa spot. Tacos Don Juan also offers a great weekend special, their quesobirria. It’s not the weekend? Go to the classic Tacos Hola El Guero. Afterwards go to Merotoro for their creamy rice with shrimp, pumpkin, and uni (I can eat this every day). Enjoy the parks in the area while you can, the greenery in Mexico City is lovely. Go to Voraz (probably recommend a reservation here) afterwards if you want something livelier. I was on the fence if this place would be Michelin recommended but it did get a bib gourmand. Definitely don’t skip the wings here. What’s next? Tlecan is a fantastic mezcaleria but at night it can feel like more of a club than bar. If you want something smaller and more intimate, Bar Baltra (sister bar of Licorería Limantour) is the move. Also, Bijou drinkery room is a speakeasy inside of a high school with a cool concept. And if you want something really peaceful, Shhh is a very nice listening bar with good cocktails where being quiet matters.
If you want to adventure around the beautiful Polanco, start at Entremar for lunch, same menu as its sister restaurant Contramar, but here you can have a nice table with a view overlooking a park. Nearby, Ticuchi is worth mentioning if you need something livelier and it’s late night. From Entremar, enjoy your walk through Polanco (Horacio Av is a nice walk). Walk over to the other side of Polanco to El Turix and get a pulled pork sandwich before you enjoy a long walk back through the beautiful Chapultepec Park. Grab some juicy mango with tajin streetside for the walk. Hit up a museum or stop by the castle. Once you hit up the other side of the park, you can enjoy a cold one and a meal at the classic Bar El Bosque or grab a taco at Taqueria la hortaliza.
There are too many great spots to wait in line, and that’s why I would only recommend Handshake Speakeasy if you have a reservation, don’t wait forever in that line. The PB&J cocktail is great and the Fig Martini at Handshake really is a world class drink. I guess it was voted the #1 cocktail bar in the world for a reason. I mean the drinks are absolutely delicious, but another bartender may not be a big fan of the show they put on. Bars in Mexico City have a particular charm and Handshake on the other hand is a bit tacky.
Definitely go to Fonda Margarita bright and early in the morning for breakfast one day, you won’t regret it.
Hope this helps, just rambling and naming places as I’m visualizing myself walking around Mexico City! Lucky enough to have visited 3 times this year.. CDMX is amazing, always full of life, and every time I go there are new pleasant surprises.
. They do a really good job of balancing all the components in each of their cocktails. I’ve been to a lot of “inventive” cocktail bars and usually there is one element in a drink that is a bit too overpowering. That has not been the case at Handshake.