Maximo Bistrot

65 Avenida Álvaro Obregón, Heroica Matamoros, Tamps. 87330, Mexico

Elevated French twist on Mexican cuisine. Come if you are looking for a nice dinner with incredible food and service. Reservations are a must. Pro-tip: call for a reservation if OpenTable doesn’t show anything.

Em

Tonalá 133, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

1 Michelin star. Best meal we’ve had in CDMX. Better than Pujol.

Martinez

Puebla 90, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Upscale French-inspired-Mexican-fusion restaurant with a good wine list.

Contramar

200 Durango, Ciudad de México, CDMX 06700, Mexico

Incredible seafood. Reservations are a must usually, though we’ve had success walking in for lunch before. The other seafood restaurant that is less fancy but just as good is Mi Compa Chava (be prepared to wait an hour).

Maza Bistrot

Plaza Washington, C. Dinamarca 47B, Juárez, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Our favorite Indian restaurant in CDMX. Not to be confused with Masala y Maiz, which didn’t make this list.

Taqueria Orinoco

Various Locations

A taco chain that gets a lot of hate because “it’s touristy”, but this is our list, and it’s just very good.

Other tacos: El Califa de Leon (a hole in the wall that won a Michelin star. Tacos are legitimately good, as Solange can attest to, though it may not be worth the drive and wait), Tacos del Valle (much closer but waits are still long).

Emmer Panadería

Campeche 280, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

A croissant from an average bakery in CDMX is better than one from an average place in NYC. Surprising, I know, but CMDX knows their pastries. While the popular bakery on all tourist lists is Panaderia Rosetta, it always has very long lines, and Emmer is just as good (and so are many other bakeries in town). Panaderia Rosetta also has a second location (on Puebla st) that is often less busy.

Pujol or Quintonil

Both in the Polanco neighborhood

Pujol and Quintonil both have two Michelin stars, but our controversial recommendation is to save the ~$250-$500 per person they charge and eat $3 tacos instead (or just go to Maximo 4 times).

Hot Air Balloon over Teotihuacan

We recommend a viator experience like this one.

For the thrill seekers: the hot air balloon ride over the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan is breathtaking and 100% worth the price tag. Given the early start of this activity (most tours include a 4:30am pickup), you’ll need to plan for a Wednesday arrival as you sadly won’t have enough time for this on Friday morning before the welcome event or Sunday morning before the wedding. Make sure to bundle up with a sweater; the early morning + high altitude can make for a chilly morning!

Frida Kahlo Museum

Londres 247, Del Carmen, Coyoacán, 04100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

For the art buffs, make sure to take a rendez-vous over to the Frida Kahlo Museum for a small history lesson and some very moving artwork. The museum is actually located in Frida’s home in the neighbborhood of Coyoacan. Frida’s work is not only a fascinating reflection and embodiment of the life she lived, but is also a wonderful representation of the Mexican spirit!

The Anthropology Museum of CDMX

v. P.º de la Reforma s/n, Polanco, Bosque de Chapultepec I Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

For the history buffs, the anthropology museum is a must! There is no shortage of Aztec, Mayan, and Spanish colonial history here. If you make a trip, make sure you budget enough time so you don’t make Solange’s mistake and get so absorbed you’re still halfway through the exhibits at closing time!

Chapultapec Castle

Bosque de Chapultepec I Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11580 Mexico City, Mexico

For the Insta story-seekers: the view of the city from Chapultepec Castle is worth the roughly 20-25 min hike uphill (it goes by quick but makesure to bring sunscreen and a hat as there’s not a lot of shade). Once you arrive at the top you’ll find a very instagramable view as well as a spanish style castle to explore!

Paseo Dominical

Paseo De la Reforma Mexico City, Mexico (start at Chapultepec Park)

For all you runners, bikers, or walkers, we HIGHLY recommend heading to Paseo de la Reforma for a run/walk/bike ride through the closed down street of Paseo de la Reforma. Every Sunday from 8am-2pm, the city shuts this street down (as well as a few others in La Condesa) for the city to enjoy the open roads free of vehicle traffic of any kind. There is no feeling quite like running up Paseo de la Reforma toward el Angel de la Independencia (a Mexican national monument) surrounded by thousands of other Mexican residents. If you begin your run in La Condesa and run towards el Angel de la Independencia your loop should be no longer than 1.5-2 miles. Lucky for you, we left the itinerary rather empty on Sunday morning!