Restaurants and Bars

Food is more than simple sustenance in Mexico, it is a way of life, an essential ingredient in the vibrant culture of this country, through which family, friends and lovers come together. In a city this big, it is not surprising that there are many different areas in which to seek out good restaurants, although some in particular stand out.

The colonias of Roma and Condesa offer an array of restaurants housed in converted colonial mansions serving comida corrida (daily menu of home-cooked meals at a fixed price) as well as innovative international epicurean dishes. Along the Avenida Mazaryk in the colonia of Polanco there is a more upbeat atmosphere with sidewalk tables and a younger crowd. Spend the day in the colonial neighbourhood of Coyoacán enjoying great food and mingling with writers, intellectuals and artists who flock here, as did the painters Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in their time.

There are several interesting museums and many restaurants, cafes and bars surrounding the Plaza Hidalgo. Head to the Centro Histórico for a taste of the city's heritage and have a bite to eat in the Restaurante Bar Cafe Tacuba on the street of the same name. The Casa de los Azulejos, part of the Sanborn's chain of restaurants is also found here.

The picturesque areas of Garibaldi and the Zona Rosa are nearby where good dining options and a more festive atmosphere prevails—a good excuse to taste test tequila, the national drink. Garibaldi is brimming with Mariachi music, cantinas and bars to discover, both lively and low-key. Recommended spots include the quiet chic of La Circunstancia, or the Tenampa. For those who prefer a quiet, cosmopolitan atmosphere, the Zona Rosa area is the best choice for a drink and light entertainment.