Agua & Sal

Specialized in ceviche, Agua & Sal aims to elevate the flavors of the freshest seafood of Latin America. Their excellent service, vibrant ambience and great wine list will make you want to come back pretty soon.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/aguaysaldf

• E-mail:

  contacto@aguaysal.com.mx

• Address:

  Campos Elíseos 199-A, Polanco, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 5282 2746

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat noon–10pm, Sun noon–6pm

• Subway:

  Metro Stop: Auditorio

Café El Popular

The no-frills Cafe El Popular is, indeed, quite popular with the local crowd — the establishment buzzes with life all through the day, and remains open around the clock. Come here for hearty Mexican breakfasts or a casual dinner, and do not skip on the delightful house pastries.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/cafeelpopular

• Address:

  Avenida 5 de Mayo 50 y 52, Centro Histórico, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 5518 6081

• Opening hours:

  Open 24/7

Coox Hanal

Quesadillas, tacos and other local specialties at fair prices is what you'll find at Coox Hanal. The quirky interior and the broad selection of meat and vegetable dishes make this restaurant an ideal location for lunch. The interior (which may seem tacky at first glance) is part of its appeal.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/cooxhanalof

• E-mail:

  coox_hanal@hotmail.com

• Address:

  Isabel la Católica 83 2nd floor, Centro, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 5709 3613

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am–6:30pm

• Subway:

  Metro Stop: Isabel la Católica

Dulce Patria

Authentic Mexican cuisine (cooked and served with an original twist) and excellent wines await you at Dulce Patria. It is the perfect place for gourmets and meat lovers that tends to get crowded in the evenings. Dinner reservations are highly recommended.

• Web:

  www.dulcepatria.mx

• Address:

  Anatole France 100, Polanco, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 3300 3999

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 1:30pm–11:30pm, Sun 1:30pm–5:30pm

• Subway:

  Metro Stop: Metro Polanco

La Casa de Toño — Zona Rosa

Located in Mexico's party neighborhood (as well countless other places across the city), La Casa de Toño is a popular place for delicious casual meals. Excellent service and great value attract masses not only at the weekends. If you plan to eat here for dinner, a reservation is recommended.

• Web:

  sucursales.lacasadetono.mx/cdmx/cuauhtemoc/juarez/zona-rosa

• Address:

  Calle Londres 144, Juárez, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 5386 1125

Masala y Maíz

The food offered at this restaurant is the result of a blend between South Asian, East African and Mexican cuisine. The menu changes season by season and includes food like uttapams, resembling thick pancakes with varied toppings, while the wine list is renewed weekly, with all their prime materials coming from farms based in Mexico City. They also offer brunch on Saturdays, as well as the chance to book cooking lessons and private dinners.

• Web:

  www.masalaymaiz.com

• E-mail:

  hola@masalaymaiz.com

• Address:

  Calle Marsella 72, Colonia Juárez, Mexico City

• Phone:

  +52 1 55 1313 8260

• Opening hours:

  Wed–Mon noon–6pm, Tue closed

Black Dog

Black Dog is an incredible place for beer, music and meeting new people. Regular live music shows and seasonal events make it a favorite for locals and travelers alike. Although dinner is best had elsewhere, Black Dog serves decent pub grub for those late night munchies.

• Address:

  Vasco de Quiroga 3900, Lomas de Santa Fe, Contadero, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 5148 2525

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 2pm–2am, Sat 6pm–midnight, Sun midnight–2pm

Cantina "Tio Pepe"

One of the oldest in town, Tio Pepe is a "cantina" whose main appeal is the old-time ambiance, featuring a long wood bar tended to by waiters clad in black and white, who seem to have just come off a 20th century film poster. A must for drinks in the historic center.

• Web:

  www.cantinatiopepe.com

• Address:

  Avenida Independencia 26, Centro, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 8044 5884

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 11:30am–11pm, Sun closed

• Subway:

  Metro Stop: San Juan de Letrán

GinGin Cibeles

Step into GinGin bar and you're immediately transported to a world of class and flavour. Known for its inventive gin cocktails, this upscale bar also offers an enticing food menu, featuring standard Mexican and international classics. Quality is key here, from top-shelf liquors to high-grade ingredients in the food. Heads up: it can get quite busy and loud as the night progresses, so for a more subdued experience, arrive just as they open.

• Web:

  gingin.mx

• Address:

  Avenida Oaxaca 87, Roma Norte, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 5248 0911

• Opening hours:

  Daily 4pm–2am

Handshake Speakeasy

Lead by renowned Dutch bartender Eric Van Beek, Handshake Speakeasy has made it to the list of World's 50 Best Bars. Behind an unassuming door with the number 13 hides an Art Deco space with a mysterious Prohibition era vibe. The mixology principles of this speakeasy are flavour, aesthetics, and innovation — you'll never get bored. Old sophisticated classics find new life here. Booking ahead is essential!

• Web:

  handshake.bar

• E-mail:

  info@handshake.bar

• Address:

  Calle Amberes 65, Juárez, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 6413 1693

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6pm–late

• More info:

  www.worlds50bestbars.com/the-list/handshake-speakeasy.html

Kinky Bar

This gay-friendly bar is your number one address for meeting party people and dancing all night long. Fruity drinks and a laid-back atmosphere make it a pleasant place to enjoy an evening in the Mexican capital. When weather permits, the second floor open-air terrace gets turned into a dance floor.

• Web:

  kinkybar.com.mx

• E-mail:

  kinky@kinkybar.com.mx

• Address:

  Calle Amberes 1, Juárez, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 5514 4920

• Opening hours:

  Thu 9pm–3am, Fri & Sat 9pm–4am, Sun–Wed closed

La Bipo

A Mexican pop culture-themed cantina/casual eatery by day, La Bipo gains momentum as night falls, turning into a buzzing bar packed with locals and visitors tucking into the establishment's unpretentious pub grub and downing beers and/or shots of mezcal one after the other.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/labipocoyoacan

• Address:

  Malintzin 155, Del Carmen, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 5484 8230

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Wed 1pm–midnight, Thu–Sat 1pm–2am

Almanegra Café

Almanegra has a cult following in Mexico. They make a mean espresso, plus all the usual espresso-based drinks. Minimalist design, impeccable choice of music and great atmosphere. Order at the bar. The first Almanegra opened in Narvarte neighbourhood, but now you can find them in Roma Norte, Escandón and Portales.

• Web:

  almanegra.cafe

• E-mail:

  info@almanegra.cafe

• Address:

  Calle Tonalá 53, Roma Norte, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 4162 5899

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8am–8pm

Blend Station

Blend Station is the standard hangout place for laptop warriors and creative types. Fast WiFi and interesting people are what will make you come back here day after day. This stylish and modern espresso bar offers excellent fair-trade Mexican coffee and plenty of delicious breakfast and lunch options. The original location in Condesa was so popular that there is now a second branch on calle Puebla. Blend Station also has collaborations with Chop Chop bicycle stores around CDMX.

• Web:

  blendstation.com.mx

• Address:

  Avenida Tamaulipas 60, Condesa, Hipódromo, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 6868 5350

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8am–8pm

Blom Café

Blom Café has friendly baristas who really know their craft and deeply care about their coffee. Excellent music, benches outside — in sun or shade. Try the muffins with guava. Be sure to ask what's new when you visit since the selection of coffee beans is always changing.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/blomcafe

• Address:

  Calle Marsella 59, Juárez, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 5920 2694

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat & Sun 9am–8pm

Café Nin

Once known as Panaderia Rosetta, Café Nin was renamed after a long expansion. It isn't just fresh breads, pastries and other baked goodies that keep customers coming back for more, but (arguably) one of Mexico City's best brunch offerings. This chic cafe offers excellent coffee, pastries and small bites, plus a curated wine list.

• Web:

  www.cafenin.com.mx

• Address:

  Calle Havre 73, Juárez, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 9155 4805

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Wed 7am–9pm, Thu–Sat 7am–10pm, Sun 7am–6pm

• Subway:

  Metro: Cuauhtémoc

Camino a Comala

Camino a Comala seems to specialise in bringing third wave coffee to areas of CDMX that are on the verge of gentrification. You'll likely find one of their venues when you're exploring the less polished parts of the capital. Perfect for working with a laptop, meeting friends, reading a book and playing some board games. The food doesn't disappoint.

• Web:

  www.caminoacomala.com

• Address:

  Calle Miguel E. Schultz 7 C, San Rafael, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 5592 0313

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 8am–10pm, Sun 9am–9pm

• Subway:

  Metro San Cosme

Cardinal Casa de Café

Cardinal Casa de Café consistently delivers a solidly good cup of coffee. Small place, good for a quick meet up or a long rest with a book. The baristas really know what they are doing. Their chocolate chip cookie, Nutella cookie, and orange cake are delicious as well.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/casacardinal

• Address:

  Calle Córdoba 132, Roma Norte, CDMX

• Phone:

  +52 55 6721 8874

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 8am–9pm, Sat 9am–9pm, Sun 10am–9pm

• More info:

  Second location on calle Campeche 346, Hipódromo