Eating, drinking and dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Mexico City.
Restaurants
El Califa
This late-night taqueria may look informal, with prices to match, but the traditional tacos, tortillas and salads are among the tastiest in town. Try the tacos with steak (‘bistec’) and nopales, (a type of cactus).
22 Altata, La Condesa
(+52 55 5271 7666)
Águila y Sol
Marta Ortiz Chapa, maven mistress of Mexican cuisine, demonstrates her unique and innovative take on national foodstuffs with unusual ingredients and beautiful presentation. The signature margheritas alone make a visit worthwhile.
42 Moliere, Polanco
(+52 55 5281 8354)
Pujol
This contemporary fine-dining establishment has been turning heads for the past seven years, as chef Enrique Olvera has built up his international reputation for exquisitely presented New Mexican cuisine. Closed Sundays.
254 Francisco Petrarca, Polanco
(+52 55 5545 4111)
Cafés
Frutos Prohibidos
A great spot for breakfast, with a range of zingy fruit juices, salads and other healthy options.
244 Amsterdam, La Condesa
(+52 55 5264 5808)
Café Macque
Fabulous pastries and great coffee make this a lovely place to collect yourself before plunging back into the frantic city.
Ozulama and Citlaltepetl, La Condesa
Giandolce
From simple lemon to green apple with caramel, the range of flavours available at this excellent ice cream parlour is staggering. There’s a lovely little terrace too.
270 Masaryk, Polanco
(+52 55 5282 1234)
Bars and clubs
La Mezcaleria
Retro cantina ornaments dotted around this fun little bar offer a knowing nod to kitsch Mexicana, but it’s the array of more than 100 varieties of mescal (tequila’s little brother) displayed on the shelves like medicine bottles that really make it worth the visit.
396 Campeche, La Condesa
Pata Negra
On weekends it’s essential to arrive at this popular Argentinean bar before the 11pm clubbing rush, but for the rest of the week, you can enjoy salsa, bossanova and flamenco music in a less thronged setting – often live.
30 Tamaulipas, La Condesa
(+52 55 5211 5563)
CFNA
Co-owned by a Mexican film star and with sister outlets in Miami and Milan, this stylishly lit martini bar is both relaxed and romantic.
73 Nuevo León, La Condesa
(+52 55 5212 0090)
Gogo Lounge
A young, cosmopolitan crowd heads to this quirky bar and club for cocktails and electronica.
105 Alejandro Dumas, Polanco
(+52 55 5281 8973)