Luxury things to do in Mexico City
Tasting menus, Handshake Speakeasy, Filigrana, and no skipped courses.
Every dinner is a destination, every lunch is the one people argue about, and the only real constraint is the reservation. This is Mexico City with all the stops pulled out, for someone who has done their homework and wants the full version.
Day 1: Roma Norte and Colonia Juárez
Start with the city's most celebrated roll and cortado, stroll the mural-lined Glorieta, do the only lunch that matters at Contramar, and finish the night at a fine-dining table and the world-class bar that closes it perfectly.
- 9:30 AM
Panadería Rosetta
Rosetta's bakery is the city's most celebrated morning stop, get the guava-cream cheese roll and a cortado.
Map - 10:30 AM
Glorieta de los Insurgentes
The Glorieta de los Insurgentes is a striking LGBTQ+ landmark and mural-lined rotunda, a quick, iconic Roma stroll before the day kicks off.
Map - 12:30 PM
Contramar
Contramar is THE famous Mexico City lunch, the tuna tostadas and red-and-green grilled fish are non-negotiable.
Map - 2:30 PM
Mercado Insurgentes
Zona Rosa crafts market for silver, leather and textiles; browse the stalls and haggle politely.
Map - 7:30 PM
Máximo
Eduardo García's Roma bistro: the menu changes daily with the market; take the tasting menu.
Map - 9:30 PM
Handshake Speakeasy
Handshake Speakeasy is the highest-rated bar in the list, world-class cocktails to close the night.
Map
Day 2: Polanco: Masaryk to Pujol and back
A morning in Polanco's grandest park, then the full ritual at Pujol, an afternoon through Antara's flagships, and Jorge Vallejo's tasting menu at Quintonil.
- 9:30 AM
- 10:30 AM
Parque Lincoln
Parque Lincoln is steps from Masaryk, a leisurely stroll through Polanco's grand neighbourhood park before lunch.
Map - 12:30 PM
Pujol
Pujol is Mexico City's most famous restaurant, Mole Madre, the omakase taco bar, the whole ritual. Book the counter.
Map - 3:00 PM
Antara Polanco
Antara Polanco is the neighbourhood's luxury open-air mall, browse the flagships (Tory Burch, Hugo Boss, Loewe) after a long lunch.
Map - 7:30 PM
Quintonil
Jorge Vallejo's herb-and-vegetable tasting menu; the charred avocado with escamoles is the classic.
Map - 9:30 PM
Mantequilla Social Club
Late cocktail bar for one last well-made drink; it's a cab ride west of Polanco, so plan the ride home.
Map
Day 3: Condesa, Chapultepec, Esquina Común
The castle museum earns its climb, Filigrana is the low-key great-value that punches up, a lap of Art Deco Parque México clears the head, and Esquina Comun's tasting menu closes the trip exactly as it deserves.
- 9:30 AM
Niddo
Juárez breakfast room: eggs done properly, a sticky bun and good coffee before the castle.
Map - 10:30 AM
Museo Nacional de Historia Castillo de Chapultepec
The grand castle-museum atop Chapultepec hill, sweeping city views and Mexico's national history collection.
Map - 12:30 PM
- 2:30 PM
Parque México
Condesa's Art Deco park: an oval path under big trees, fountains and dog walkers, an easy hour.
Map - 7:30 PM
Esquina Comun
Intimate tasting-menu dinner of modern Mexican cooking to close the trip; book well ahead.
Map - 9:30 PM
Where to stay
The St. Regis Mexico City
The St. Regis sits on Reforma between Polanco and Roma, close to every day of this plan, and the grand bar sets the tone from the moment you arrive.
Marquis Reforma Hotel & Spa
Marquis Reforma is steps from the same corridor and keeps things genuinely luxurious without the corporate scale of the bigger chains.
Make Mexico City your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Teotihuacan: a few days ahead
- Museo Frida Kahlo: weeks ahead
- Arena México: a few days ahead
- Handshake Speakeasy: weeks ahead
- Tlecán: a few days ahead
- Hanky Panky Cocktail Bar: weeks ahead
Skip these
- Xochimilco quotes per person or above the posted per boat tariff, agree the total in pesos before boarding.
- Teotihuacan workshop tours that pad the day with gift shops, pay for a no stops operator or go by bus.
- Casa Azul disappoints non Frida fans, it is small with little major artwork and big crowds.
- El Califa de Leon queues can run 45 minutes, very good tacos but not a pilgrimage.
The full Mexico City travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around