Mexico City has long been on my list of places I want to visit, but I have some qualms with returning to the same countries when there are so many more to see. However, when I was invited to check out the newly-opened Kimpton Virgilio, I knew it was my chance to finally go eat my way through CDMX.
I had to work for part of my trip, and only ended up having one full proper day to explore. And MAN, did I do a lot! This is a little jam-packed, but if you want the most out of your experience, here’s the perfect one-day itinerary for Mexico City.
Pro-tip: I included a self-guided taco tour in this blog post, but if you don’t want to self-plan, book this night taco and mezcal tour instead.
Grab breakfast at Panaderia Rosetta
Like you are doing right now, I searched the web to see what I should eat in Mexico City. Just about every list I came across said to get the guava cheese pastry from Panaderia Rosetta. So, as a sucker for the trend, off I went. There are a few locations, and it seems like the one in Roma Norte is the most popular, but I went to the one in Puebla. I was unable to sit as the very small bakery was packed, but since it’s just a pastry, it’s an easy one to take on the go. And yes, it’s super good and super worth the hype.
Visit Chapultepec Castle
After your sugary pastry, you’re going to want to head to some museums. This comes with an important note: you MUST book your tickets in advance. Nearly every museum I tried to see was sold out, and also, museums in Mexico City are closed on Mondays. I especially recommend booking the Frida Kahlo museum in advance since that’s one of the more popular ones (I was unable to go!).
Chapultepec Castle is perched high on a hill in Chapultepec Park. It’s a royal palace and is the only one in North America that was inhabited by monarchs. Entry costs $5. If you bring a tripod or selfie-stick, you’ll have to check it as they won’t let you in with it.
Stroll through Chapultepec Park
After your visit to the castle, it’s time to stroll through the park! Mexico City is FULL of parks, and I’m not sure if it’s because I was there on a Sunday, but Chapultepec Park had tons of street vendors selling anything from hats to keychains to shoes to, of course, food. Make sure to have local currency on you since CDMX, unlike other major touristic towns in Mexico, generally does NOT accept USD.
Grab a local bite at Mercado Coyoacan
Out of everywhere I went in Mexico City, I found the most authentic/least touristic experience to be at Mercado Coyoacan. The best way to get there from Chapultepec is by simply hopping in an Uber, which is widely available in CDMX. Once you arrive, you’ll be treated to an endless amount of stalls, selling all types of different food. I opted for a seafood tostada and a fresh passion fruit juice; it certainly hit the mark.
Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum
This is something I’m including for you, dear reader, that I did not get to do. The Frida Kahlo Museum is an easy walk from Mercado Coyoacan (about 15 or so minutes). This is arguably the most popular museum in the city, so if you go, please comment and let me know how it is! Just make sure to learn from my mistakes and buy your ticket far in advanced.
- Join a guided tour here.
- Book this guided tour of Coyoacan which combines a walking tour of the neighborhood and a visit to Frida Kahlo.
Try tacos at Taqueria Orinoco
Alright, your appetite should be calling by now, so it’s time to eat some tacos. Taqueria Orinoco has a reputation for having some of the best tacos in Mexico City, and while I can’t confirm since I didn’t have every taco in Mexico City, I can confirm that they were my favorite tacos out of all of the ones I tried. I got a mix: trompo, res, and chicharron. My hands-down favorite was the trompo, or thinly shaved pork taco. It literally made me do a happy dance.
Try the pollo Milanese taco from La Guera
Welcome to the taco crawl! There are so many good spots to eat tacos in Mexico City, but I wanted to ensure I was trying enough of a variety. A local had recommended I try chicken Milanese tacos from La Guera, which sounded interesting enough. I just got one, and this taco was completely piled high with thinly sliced and thinly breaded chicken, almost the way chicken would be if it was on a gyro or if it was sliced like al pastor. There were two tortillas that were congealed together with melted cheese, and while it was definitely the most innovative taco, it didn’t end up being my favorite one.
Eat al pastor tacos from Taqueria Alvaro Obregon
Do you have room for one more taco? I certainly hope so. Al Pastor is the OG taco of Mexico City, and a local guide had told me these were his favorite in the entire city. Taqueria Alvaro Obregon also offers quesadillas, evueltos, tortas, and tons of other options incase you’re taco-ed out.
Watch a Lucha Libra wrestling match
This was probably the most fun I had in Mexico City, and I’m glad I signed up for it. Watching a wrestling match is not something I’d typically do, but it seemed like a fun experience, and naturally, I needed a break from all of the food. The show ran from 5-7 p.m., and because I booked with a local tour guide through Airbnb Experiences, I got a briefing prior to the show so I actually somewhat knew what was going on. There are three different “sets” of fighters, and it is definitely an entertaining way to spend the evening!
- I’d highly recommend booking the same tour I did. This also combined the tacos from Taqueria Alvaro Obregon.
- Alternatively, you can book a tour here.
Grab dinner at Pepe Restaurant
I hope you still have room for more food, because now you’re going to Polanco, a.k.a. the Beverly Hills of Mexico City. Here, you’ll head to Pepe Restaurant, which is located inside the Kimpton Virgilio. Their pan con tomate with crab is the best bite I ate in Mexico City. They also have super innovative Jamon Iberico gyozas, and they make a mean passion fruit mezcalita.
Eat dessert at Churreria el Moro
After all of that savory, salty consumption, end on a sweet note at the infamous Churreria el Moro, which has several locations around town. The churros are massive, so if you’re by yourself, one should be plenty. Make sure to order it with the Spanish-style sipping chocolate, or with the trio of dips.
Sleep at Kimpton Virgilio
Now that you’ve completely stuffed your face, seen some museums, and experienced a live Mexican wrestling match, it’s time to hit the hay. The Kimpton Virgilio is located in the heart of Polanco, and is well equipped with amenities, including but not limited to a rooftop infinity pool, a rooftop bar, massive rooms with balconies, a gym, and even bike rentals. The beds are extremely comfortable and every nook and cranny is met with pristine detail.
DISCLAIMER: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!
DISCLAIMER II: The Kimpton Virgilio in Polanco hosted me for three nights.