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Mexico Travel List

Mexico Travel List

"Welcome to our curated list of recommendations for traveling and dining in Mexico. These suggestions have been gathered from our personal networks. While these recommendations are not personally vetted by us, they come highly recommended by those within our network. Please feel free to add your own favourite spots or share any updates in the comments section below. If you come across any information that may have changed, such as closures or updated details, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. Let's build a community-sourced guide to ensure that everyone can enjoy the best of what Mexico has to offer." Marco van Embden, Cape Town

Get In Touch

1. Tour Operators / Travel Agent Recommendations

Journey Mexico
Zach Rabinor, YPO Mexico One Integrated
E: zach@journeymexico.com
Owns and operate a Mexico Specialist Luxury Travel Co

NUBA Incoming Mexico

Carolyn Farha, YPO Quebec Gold - Vision / Direct Travel
T: 514-995-7315
E: cfarha@dt.com

Karen Steiner
T: +52 1 55 3223 3706

Jessica Edith Lopez Guia Merida - Guide
+52 1 999 605 6497
She can do the tours in English and Spanish

Kristin Freeman
E: kfreeman@flyovertravel.com
She does a lot in Cancun and could help or refer as needed.

BQ Retreats
Noah Houghton
E: noah@bqretreats.com
T: +1 (214) 557-9898
Does lots of business with YPO and understands YPO level of expectation.

Exceptional Villas
Alexandra Baradi, YPO Greater Europe Gold
E: alex@exceptionalvillas.com

Go Nellie
Contact/Owner: Amy Norman, YPO San Francisco Gold
E: amy@gonellie.com
Nellie, specializes in bespoke luxury travel. We send YPOers to Mexico City and have some great and unique experiences to offer.

Javier Marmolejo Oropeza
Phone: +52 1 55 1359 6842
Email: xavimarmolejo@hotmail.com

Martin 'Chofer' Mexico
Phone: +52 1 55 3225 3175

Index

2. Dining Recommendations

Non-Mexican Restaurants:

Mexico City

Lunch/Dinner Mexico City:

  • Azul – Traditional Mexican cuisine in the heart of the city set between trees decorated with candles that create a romantic atmosphere and a retractable roof that allows you to feel outdoors
  • Blanco Colima - Upscale Mexican cuisine is matched by an extensive drink list at this unique, sophisticated bistro
  • Botánico – Fine dining Mexican cuisine
  • Cafebrería El Péndulo – A quirky café set in a bookstore vibe surrounded by books offering café bar style cuisine
  • Casa Virginia – European and Mexican inspired cuisine using the freshest and highest quality ingredients and a menu that adapts to the season
  • Condesa DF Rooftop Pub – Trendy Mexican inspired fare and great cocktails
  • Contramar – Trendy local seafood, covering an array of culinary styles from Peruvian tiradito to New England-style chowder by chef Gabriela Cámara – culinary advisor to the Mexican president no less!
  • El Cardenal - traditional Mexican cuisine, with an expansive menu of dishes from across the country
  • El Parnita - Buzzy space known for tacos & cocktails, with sauces mixed at the table & live guitar players
  • Em - Avant-garde seasonal food offering an 8/9 course tasting menu as well as a regular la carte menu brings together unexpected flavour pairings drawn from both Mexican and Japanese culinary heritage (Tasting menus have raw meat)
  • Emilia Restaurant – Gourmet Mexican food set amidst beautiful architecture and decorations
  • La Casa De Las Sirenas – Traditional Mexican cuisine in a 16th century house with amazing views
  • La Zaranda – Mexican inspired seafood restaurant using pre-Hispanic cooking techniques giving their food a unique smoke taste
  • Lorea – Fine dining where guests choose between two dining formats of 9 or 14 dishes depending on how much time they wish to devote to the experience:
  • Mariscos Don Vergas – Mexican inspired seafood
  • Máximo Bistro - Brunch options & tasting menus, including tacos, ceviche & suckling pig, paired with Mexican wines
  • Meroma - Trendy eatery with a local & global menu featuring reimagined meat & seafood dishes, plus cocktails.
  • Páramo – Buzzy eatery for Mexican dining, drinking & music
  • Rosetta – Elevated dinner restaurant offering fine dining cuisine with a focus on seasonal and sustainable ingredients with a stylish café/bakery open for breakfast and brunch
  • Soul – A blend of American soul food with Mexican traditions offering a classic American burger or traditional Mexican taco with vegan and vegetarian options
  • Tetetlan – Mexican cuisine served in a stylish all-day outfit with exposed-stone walls & a glass floor

Breakfast/Brunch in Mexico City:

  • Fonda Margarita - A Kitchen of History that offers a range of dishes prepared in a traditional way, with a legacy that provokes a memorable experience of flavor and aroma
  • Lardo - Hip Mexican-European fusion restaurant serving brunch with croque monsieur sandwiches & creative pizzas
  • Maque – A family-operated kitchen with outdoor seating offering baked goods & casual meals
  • Panaderia Rosetta – A rustic chic place serving croissants, coffee, salads & pastries in a place filled with plants

Centro Neighborhood – Mexico City:

  • Danubio – Spanish inspired cuisine with a focus on seafood
  • Mancera Bar - Old-world bar & grill in an ornate 1865 space featuring steaks, cocktails & a grand piano

Juarez Neighborhood – Mexico City:

  • Masala y Maíz - Trendy spot with an industrial-chic vibe serving traditional Mexican meals with Indian & African elements

Polanco Neighborhood – Mexico City:

  • Pujol – A visionary restaurant showcasing everything about Mexican gastronomy, from its unique techniques and inimitable spices to the country’s rich history
  • Quintonil – A noted restaurant with a tasting menu offering ambitious meat & seafood dishes, plus wine pairing

Roma Neighborhood – Mexico City:

  • Blanco Colima - Upscale cuisine is matched by an extensive drink list at this unique, sophisticated bistro
  • Huset – Seasonal Mexican cuisine in a relaxed restaurant/bar featuring wood fired grill and barbecue with vegan and gluten free options

San Angel Neighborhood – Mexico City:

  • Mercado del Carmen - Hip open-air food hall with modern Mexican & global restaurants, bars & gourmet vendors in a posh market design
  • San Ángel Inn - Upmarket & time-honoured Mexican dining in a former monastery with alfresco tables around a fountain

Mexican Dessert Spots:

  • El Moro – Best churros in Mexico City with a signature ice cream sandwich with coiled churros on each end
  • Helados Cometa – French style hand made ice creams using Mexican ingredients

Best Tacos in Mexico:

Overall taco finding pro-tips:

  1. Generally, the bigger the spit, the better the tacos. Because those spots know how much demand there’s going to be, and don’t waste meat.
  2. Also look for old ladies making tortillas. If they care enough to make tortillas, it usually says a lot about how much they care about the food they serve.
  3. The top 5 taco styles to try:
  • Al Pastor – grilled slices of pork that is refired on a plancha for extra crispiness
  • Carne Asada – marinated and sear grilled slices of steak
  • Carnitas – simmered and braised pieces of pork
  • Cochinita Pibil – meat cooked in an underground oven wrapped in banana leaves
  • Suadero – slow cooked beef, usually brisket

Order at the counter with outdoor seating in Mexico City:

  • El Hidalguense - All the lamb barbacoa your body can handle
  • El Pescadito – Specialises in seafood tacos
  • El Turix - Local taqueria specialising in cochinita pibil tacos
  • Gracias Madre - Elevated Mexican cuisine with vibrant, plant-based dishes that blend tradition and innovation, crafted with locally sourced, organic ingredients
  • Jenni’s quesadillas - An old lady that’s been making street corner quesadillas forever and a standout spot for fresh, made-to-order quesadillas crafted with purple corn masa
  • Por Siempre Vegana – Vegan tacos made with soy, wheat meat and soy cheese
  • Restaurante Taquería Los Cocuyos Cdmx - Unassuming taco stand on a never-not-busy street in the historic center of Mexico City with a giant meat jacuzzi, filled to the brim with everything from ojo (cow eyeball) to tripa (tripe), and locals huddled around the salsas
  • Taqueria Orinoco – Northern style tacos and best known for their tacos de chicharrón and tacos al pastor

Sit down in Mexico City:

  • El Moro – Best churros in Mexico with 8 chocolate sauces to choose from and ice-cream sandwich made with coiled churros on each end
  • El Parnita - Buzzy space known for tacos & cocktails, with sauces mixed at the table & live guitar players.
  • Expendio de Maiz Sin Nombre - With no menu, they just serve you diff amazing tacos until you say stop and great for people watching while savouring crazy delicious flavours.

3. Bar Recommendations

Mexico City:

Drinks & Wine

  • Canopia – Curated Mexican wine bar that also serves cocktails
  • Hugo Wine Bar - Wines by the glass & creative bites offered in a straightforward space

Awesome cocktails

Mezcal

  • Bosofo Mezcaleria – Two story bar with handcrafted mezcal from different regions of
  • La Clandestina – Authentic intimate mezcal bar
  • Ticuchi – Great spot for drinks and bites which expertly integrates traditional flavours like smoky mezcal

Dancey bar

  • Cafe Paraiso – Good local night club with local music
  • Departamento – Perfect spot to grab a few drinks and get the night started
  • Jardín Paraíso – A casual bar by day and hip nightclub by night
  • Leonor - Contemporary, upbeat nightclub in a moody space featuring DJs & themed parties
  • Salón Solín – A place for partygoers looking for a memorable night out. (DM them to get on the list), @phonique_mex
  • Supra – Upscale 360° rooftop view club with a sensory experience through art, music, design and food

Club

  • Bon Bon – Popular LGBT nightclub with three stages
  • Bar Oriente – A vanguardist electronic music club that hosts world-class national and international DJs and Live Acts
  • Handshake Speakeasy
  • Hannah Sun Club – Surrounded by two infinity pools boasting a variety of local and international DJ’s
  • Patrick Miller - Famous 80s high energy music vibe

Note: you WILL get pat down incredibly thoroughly in these clubs. Like, they’ll take out everything out of your wallet, take your phone case off, etc. So plan accordingly.

Music

  • Casa Franca - Warm, laid-back watering hole with tapas & cocktails, plus live jazz performances and open mic Tuesday’s
  • Mama Rumba - Casual, upbeat nightclub featuring live Latin music bands, DJs & dance classes, plus a full bar.
  • Parker & Lennox – An industrial-chic speakeasy with live blues & jazz performances
  • Tokyo Music Bar – A speakeasy audio cocktail spot all about vinyl, Japanese whiskey and top-end cocktails

4. Activities Recommendations

Travelling with kids:

  • Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita – Offers a variety of adult and child friendly activities ranging from kids surfing lessons, kids golfing, horseback riding, sea turtle release and much more. Service levels are extraordinary, and they will happily find other excursions or activities for your family beyond the current listed experiences if interested
  • Montage Los Cabos - Whether guests are looking for a romantic escape, a family getaway, adventure or just plain indulgence, the resort can tailor make the experience of a lifetime.

5. Accommodation Recommendations

Resorts

  • Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort - located on a privileged stretch of white sand, with its spectacular architecture, unique outdoor dining concepts, brings guests to an intimate introduction of the Bohemian vibe of Playa del Carmen, or simply Playa, as it is locally known
  • Hotel Escencia - About 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen
  • Hotel Xcaret México – All-inclusive resort-style family hotel
  • Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets – Intimate all-inclusive luxury resort
  • Nizuc Cancún - Luxurious new resort located at the gateway of the Riviera Maya in beautiful Punta Nizuc with two exclusive beaches, lavish spa, six gourmet restaurants, deluxe conference and events center, a kids club and sumptuous accommodations throughout its 274 private suites and villas
  • Rosewood Mayakoba – An ultra-luxury retreat situated along a mile of white-sand beach on Mexico’s Riviera Maya
  • SHA Wellness Clinic Mexico - voted Mexico's Best Wellness Retreat 2025.

Hotels

The Best Airbnbs in Mexico

  • Casa Colonial – A home with striking tilework and artisanal decor accents – Sleeps 4 guest
  • Casa Tepeji – An architecturally stunning 3 storey townhouse with natural light and numerous balconies designed and curated as a colorful homage to the Mexican culture – Sleeps 8 guest
  • Full House Mario Pani Design - Originally finished in 1962 now restored and a new house added to complete a six room guest house complete with copious and cozy communal indoor lounges and outdoor terraces, bar and a sumptuous sculptural dipping pool – Sleeps 12 guest
  • Heart of Polanco - Amazing views in an unbeatable location, just half a block from Linclon Park and one block from Presidente Masaryk in beautiful Polanco - Sleeps 6 guest
  • La Condesa – Three storey townhouse with soaring ceilings and a leafy rooftop deck, stained glass windows and minimalist décor scheme – Sleeps 6 guest

6. Shopping Recommendations

The Best Vintage Stores in Mexico City

Boutiques:

Brands:

6. Art Recommendations

Galleries:

Design:

  • Angulo Cero
  • Atra Form
  • CAD (centro de arquitectura y diseño)

Mexico City Art Scene Guide

Contact Us

Please feel free to get in touch to add your favourite spots or if you come across any information that may have changed, such as closures or updated details, we would greatly appreciate your feedback.

Get In Touch

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Sign-up below to receive all the latest news and travel recommendations.

*Disclaimer

Please note that not all these recommendations have been personally checked. Use of this website is taken as your agreement that the onus is on you, the website user, to verify that these fine dining locations, tour operators, bars and sightseeing spots, and all other content are still relevant and operational when including them in your travel itineraries. Marco van Embden and Timeless Africa Safaris accept no responsibility or liability for recommendations that are obsolete or experiences that do not match the recommendations listed on this website. Use of these recommendations is at the website user’s own risk.

*Disclaimer

Please note that not all these recommendations have been thoroughly checked. Use of this website is taken as your agreement that the onus is on you, the website user, to verify that these fine dining locations, tour operators, bars and sightseeing spots and all other content are still relevant and operational when including them in your travel itineraries. Marco van Embden, YPO and Timeless Africa Safaris accept no responsibility or liability for recommendations that are obsolete or experiences that do not match the recommendations listed on this website. Use of these recommendations is at the website user’s own risk.

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