IFLY tips Mexico City
Back to Mexico City main page
El Balcon del Zócalo (1 hr)
A great one is El balcon del Zócalo. This is located at the 6th floor of the Holiday inn hotel. The entrance of the hotel is at Av. 5 de Mayo number 61. In the lobby you take the elevator to the 6th floor.
Mercado de artesanias de la Ciudadela (1-2 hrs)
At this market you can buy your Mexican souvenirs like leather belts, guitars, tile-framed mirrors, hammocks, silverware, papier-mâché skeletons, rugs, trays from Olinalá, sombreros and a lot of decorative articles.
If you don't want the buy the touristy stuff, stroll through the small streets around where you will find different workshops where they sell handmade guitars and ukelele's for example. On Sundays fans of salsa and danzón gather for group dance sessions at the adjacent park.
The market opens at 10 am but not all shops are open immediately. The shops close at 7 pm and on Sundays at 6 pm. The address is Calle Balderas 97. This is in walking distance of Alameda Central in the historic centre. The nearest metro station is Juarez.
Hacienda de los Morales (1-3 hrs)
Specialities include duck carnitas, the classic soufflé and English roast beef. The restaurant has really good service and excellent chefs and this is the place where posh Mexicans go for the Sunday lunch. So it could be advisable to make a reservation at +52 55 5283 3028.
The address is Juan Vazquez de Mella 525. The opening hours are seven days a week from 1 pm to 12 am. The hacienda is in walking distance of Museo Soumaya, so that could be a combination for a lovely day out.
Coyoacan: Jardin Centenario & Plaza Hidalgo (1-3 hrs)
Around this square and park you will find many small restaurants, bars, terraces and boutiques. Also in the streets around you will find many wonderful places and a roofed market where you can buy fresh products and lovely local decoration articles.
The restaurants around the square are open from early morning to late evening. You can go there by metro to station Coyoacan. Via Av Mexico you can walk to the centre of this distinct and bohemian neighbourhood in about ten minutes.
At Plaza Hidalgo you can visit a beautiful church as well, Iglesia de San Juan Bautista. A visit to this neighbourhood is perfect in combination with the nearby Frida Kahlo museum, which you can find in our Activities & Sights section.
Catholic shopping centre: Pasaje Catedral (1-2 hrs)
If you are at Zocalo in front of the Catherdal, you will find this indoor shopping alley just behind the cathedral. At six floors you can buy your catholic items like statues, crucifixes, dresses, Christmas cribs, really all religious pieces you could wish.
You can go there by metro, get off at station Zocalo. The shops are open from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 7:15 pm. Some shops close at 18:00.
La Casa de los Azulejos (1½ hr)
In 1917 it was converted into a drug store and soda fountain, which eventually evolved into Sanborn's, a chain of restaurants and department stores, which is what it is today.
This is a good place to stop for lunch, dinner or just a drink, while you enjoy the beauty of the building. Even the toilets are worth a visit.
You can enter the building from two sides. From the big shopping street Francisco Madero you can walk directly into the restaurant. If you enter from 5 de Mayo, you will see some small shops and bakeries first before you enter the restaurant. The address is Francisco Madero Street number 4. The nearest metro station is Bellas Artes.
Gorgeous local food at Mercado San Camilito (1 hr)
This is a great place to eat real local Mexican food for a very reasonable price. You can go here for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The locals, including the Mariachis will have their food here as well, so if you’re lucky, you’ll get a free gig.
Restaurant Los Vegetarianos (1-2 hrs)
Los Vegetarianos is located in the pedestrian area in the historic centre at Madero 56. You will find the place at the second floor. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner but closes at 8 pm.
Don't expect a fancy restaurant, but at least it is something different. The staff speaks proper English and treats you like a friend.
Mercado Insurgentes (1-2 hrs)
Vendors in the maze of stalls are eager to bargain, and good buys aren't hard to come by. The market is open from Monday to Saturday from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm and on Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. There are several exits of the market, but the official address is Calle Londres 154, Zona Rosa. The nearest metro is Insurgentes.
Gaudi Restaurant (2 hrs)
One of the biggest attractions of the hotel is the Gaudi Restaurant. They serve dishes from high Spanish cuisine. You can enjoy the great service while you enjoy live music.
The restaurant is open seven days a week from 1 pm to 10 pm. Reservations can be made by phone: (55) 57054911.
China Bistro (1½ hr)
The restaurant was founded by Shanghai born Philip Chiang. The interior is very modern with classic elements. The place is decorated with copy statues of the terracotta army in Xi’an in China.
They serve food from different regions in China. If you like to check their menu first, click here.
IFLYtheworld.com tries to be up-to-date with all travel information. If you, despite all our efforts, experience some things we need to know to update our tips, send us a message.
IFLYexchange
Prices of tips and articles are shown in local currency. To see it in another currency convert it here.
Prices are of course subject to changes. If you experience another amount as shown in this tip, let us know.
Language of the world
Of course you like to speak a few words of the local language onboard the plane or at your destination. Here you find some simple basics of the main language spoken in Mexico City.