7 Areas For Food, Culture, and Charm

I’ve been to Mexico City more times than I can count—with large groups of friends, as a couple, and even for a bachelorette party. In all of these scenarios, it’s made for an amazing destination.

Each trip, I’ve stayed in different neighborhoods, and over the years, I’ve fallen hard for this sprawling, chaotic, and endlessly fascinating city. From the tree-lined streets of Roma Norte to the artsy vibes of Coyoacán, I’ve explored it all.

In this guide, I’m sharing my top picks for where to stay in Mexico City.

Let’s start with my personal favorites: Roma Norte and Condesa. These two neighborhoods are the perfect mix of convenience and charm—think almost-European streets dotted with cozy coffee shops, indie boutiques, and locals walking their dogs in the morning. (Yes, I’m a sucker for all of the above.)

These are the areas I always recommend to first-time visitors, especially friends and family, because they’re walkable, safe, and packed with great food and things to do.

But Mexico City is massive, and not every neighborhood is created equal. Not everyone likes what I like. This guide covers more than just my go-tos.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the best neighborhoods to stay in, complete with my top hotel picks, must-visit spots, and food recommendations.

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Looking for a done-for-you travel itinerary for CDMX? We have a jam-packed 4-day Mexico City itinerary waiting for you. Go check it out!

1. La Condesa

Good for: Travelers looking for a trendy yet residential-feeling neighborhood; known for great food, shopping, and nightlife.

Head to the La Condesa neighborhood if you’re a fan of pretty tree-lined streets, independent boutiques, and nightlife. La Condesa can be best defined as trendy, yet relaxed.

This neighborhood is undeniably hip and up-and-coming, with new businesses and boutiques popping up constantly. You can expect to find many vintage shops, specialty shoe shops, jewelers, and accessory shops lining the avenues in La Condesa.

Shopping aside, the nightlife and food scene here is undeniably good.

You’ll find food from all different influences starting with authentic tacos and ending in open-concept restaurants that are bright and airy. Head to Lardo, an Instagram-worthy restaurant with plants lining the exterior and exceptional food served inside. For tacos, El Kalimán boasts the best authentic tacos in the neighborhood.

While you’re here, hang out Parque Mexico and Parque Espana, both of which are perfect for jogging, strolling, and plain old people-watching. Spend some time enjoying the Art Deco buildings, a testimony to its heyday during the ’20s and ’30s.

👉 Pro Tip: This neighborhood was built on what used to be a horse-racing track– el Hipodromo de la Condesa Miravalle.

Where To Stay In Condesa, Mexico City:

2. Polanco

Good for: Travelers who want a luxe atmosphere, high-end shopping, museums, amazing fine-dining scene.

Neighboring Bosque de Chapultepec Park, Polanco is one of the loveliest areas in the city. This neighborhood in Mexico City offers a more ritzy atmosphere compared to Condesa.

In fact, Polanco is famed for its luxury shopping along Presidente Masaryk Avenue, the most expensive street in Mexico. You’ll also find two of the city’s top fine-dining destinations here: Pujol and Quintonil.

Staying in this area also means you’ll be close to hotspots like Museo Nacional de Antropologia (National Museum of Anthropology), Museo Soumaya, and Chapultepec Park.

Aside from all the cool attractions, Polanco is an area known for its food scene. Try Chapulín if you’re an adventurous foodie or Au Pied de Cochon for a higher-end French-inspired eatery.

Worried about safety? Don’t be–this neighborhood is one of the safest to stay in Mexico City. If you enjoy shopping at designer stores, sipping premium cocktails, and staying at some of the best luxury hotels, Polanco is the best area to base yourself in.

Where To Stay In Polanco, Mexico City:

3. Roma Norte

Good for: Architecture lovers, artists, 20- and 30- somethings, and travelers looking for a trendy stay.

Welcome to the coolest neighborhood in Mexico City: Roma.

This hipster haven, split into Roma Norte and Roma Sur, is a quirky blend of art deco mansions, colorful street art, and a retro-elegant vibe thanks to its many businesses set inside repurposed townhouses. Think of it as the cool, creative cousin of nearby Condesa.

Between the two Roma areas, Roma Norte is the one people talk about more.

Roma Norte is a food lover’s dream, home to iconic spots like Contramar (known for their aguachiles and their famous pescado a la talla dish) and bustling markets like Mercado Medellín and Mercado Roma. Grab a seat at El Parnita for classic Mexican dishes or sip on expertly brewed coffee at Quentin Cafe.

You can explore offbeat museums like Museo del Objeto del Objeto (MODO) or check out the cutting-edge exhibits at Galería OMR. When night falls, don’t miss the chance to hit the dance floor at one of Roma’s lively clubs. 

For those of you concerned with safety, don’t be. Roma Norte is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in town.

Where To Stay In Roma Norte, Mexico City:

• Brick Hotel Mexico City ($$$) – This ‘Small Luxury Hotels of the World’ hotel is a coveted place to stay; it’s housed in a 20th-century townhouse!
• Casa Goliana ($$$) – light, airy, and luxurious boutique hotel with a breakfast you need to experience for yourself.

4. Juárez

Good for: Travelers looking to be close to historic landmarks, nightlife scene, hipster vibes

Mentioning Juárez as a good neighborhood to stay in in previous years may have yielded some concerned looks. However, this neighborhood is going through a renaissance and becoming a popular neighborhood in Mexico City due to an uptick in trendy restaurants and shops that have recently popped up.

Situated at the border of Centro Historico and reaching Bosque de Chapultepec Park, Juárez offers the perfect balance of relaxation and sights during the day and fun party spots with live music at night!

Its origins date back to the early 20th century, which is why the area is home to plenty of beautiful mansions.

The section called Zona Rosa offers plenty of LGBTQ+ friendly bars and clubs. You’ll even find cool speakeasies to explore such as the world-famous Handshake Speakeasy).

For shopping, check out the minimalist store Utilitario Mexicano as well as the adorable boutique called Loose Blues. Walk along the smaller streets to find some of the newer, more interesting spots in the area such as Cafe Nin (coffee, pastries, and light bites) and Casa Caballeria (menswear).

There’s a lot to do nearby, too. This neighborhood is surrounded by landmarks like Palacio de Bellas Artes and Castillo de Chapultepec, so if you want a spot that is central to historic locations, this is one of the best places to stay in Mexico City.

Where To Stay In Juarez, Mexico City:

5. Coyoácan

Good for: Art lovers, solo travelers, and couples who enjoy a cozier, romantic atmosphere

Coyoácan is a charming bohemian area most famous for being home to Frida Kahlo’s blue house turned museum, Museo Frida Kahlo. You’ll also find the Mercado de Coyoácan here, featuring everything from local foods to brightly colored handmade artisan items.

Based on these two spots alone, you’ve probably already guessed that Coyoacán is a haven for art lovers and history buffs.

The charm of this neighborhood is amplified by the fact that it’s got cobblestone streets. You’ll really feel that old, traditional charm while strolling through the streets of Coyoácan!

Beyond an area filled with history and culture, you’ll be welcomed by cozy coffee shops and affordable hotels. This neighborhood is loved by solo travelers, art lovers, families with teenagers, and couples who enjoy romantic, homey stays at a lower price tag.

Where To Stay In Coyoácan, Mexico City:

• Casa Tomayo ($) – a recently renovated guest house that oozes traditional Mexican charm.
• Casa Jacinta Guest House ($$) – a traditionally decorated bed and breakfast that’ll help you slow down and relax in a city as big as Mexico City.

6. San Angel

Good for: Travelers who want a quaint, quiet experience, families, travelers looking for authentic local experiences

San Angel is an excellent neighborhood to visit or even spend a few days in when you want to get away from touristy areas of Mexico City. It’s a lesser-known spot that offers tranquility along with a heavy dose of culture.

The origins of San Angel can be traced back to colonial times, when the Spanish founded Convent del Carmen, which is why there are so many religious buildings in this area. Walk along the cobblestoned streets and take in the various monasteries and art galleries.

What you’ll find is that it’s a quieter area that has multiple protections in place, allowing the residents to keep their original houses without fear of the area becoming modernized.

San Angel is best known for its weekly market, El Bazaar Sabado, the perfect escape for buying art and traditional crafts. If markets don’t intrigue you, plenty of shops and restaurants fill the street in this neighborhood.

Overall, San Angel is one of the best areas to stay in Mexico City if you’re looking to slow down and experience what it feels like to live among the locals.

Where To Stay In San Angel, Mexico City:

7. Centro Historico

Good for: Travelers who want to be in the middle of all the action, history buffs 

Of course, we couldn’t make a neighborhood guide of Mexico City without mentioning the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is CDMX’s city center! Centro Historico is undoubtedly one of the most convenient areas to stay in while visiting Mexico City.

The name translates to ‘historic city center’ and, no surprise–offers plenty of pre-Hispanic and Spanish colonial architecture alongside more modern buildings.

My recommendation is to take in as much history as possible while staying in Centro Historico. Do this by visiting as many museums and landmarks as you can. Start with the Templo Mayor, which the Aztecs built as a holy site. After that, explore the Palacio Nacional, the president of Mexico’s home, and office rolled into one.

Wander your way into a few of the historic buildings, including Palacio Postal, one of the most beautiful and magnificent post offices I have ever laid eyes on! Don’t forget your camera for this one.

Make sure to head to the center of the center – El Zocalo (largest community meeting place in Latin America) before leaving the area; you may even catch a special event or festival occurring while you visit.

Centro Historico is considered the center of the Mexico City neighborhoods; it’s the ideal spot to stay if you want to be in the middle of everything and plan to day trip out to surrounding neighborhoods.

Where To Stay In Centro Historico, Mexico City:

You won’t be able to base yourself in every single one of these areas but try to visit as many of the above neighborhoods as possible.

Each area’s got its own personality and going from neighborhood to neighborhood will allow you to see how Mexico City has evolved from the original buildings to newer businesses and trendy restaurants.

Check out our other Mexico City travel guides: