Diana Carolina is a product designer who blogs at Flight of Spice, where she writes about her travels and shares her fitness tips. Fiercely proud of her Mexican heritage, Diana teaches you how to live it up Mexican style, what constitutes a Mexican breakfast, and where to go in the city for eye-popping views with fantastic food.
Photo: Flight of Spice
Where can we go to see your favourite view in Mexico City?
Mexico has some amazing locations but as far as views go, I have to admit the sight from the restaurant of Piso 51, in Torre Mayor Club, can be hard to beat due to its location and height. The food is also amazing!
Having said that, I also have a soft sport for the view from the Chapultepec Castle in the street of Reforma. Stunning!
View from Chapultepec Castle. Photo: Flight of Spice
What are some local dishes you feel travellers can’t leave Mexico City without trying?
If you come around this time of the year (October), you must try the chiles en nogada. It is exquisite and unique and not always spicy. You can find it filled with minced meat or cheese and topped with pomegranate. It’s simply delish.
Otherwise, I would also recommend Yucatecan food from the south of Mexico. The lime soup is fantastic, but you must know where to go for it.
Where are your favourite restaurants or cafés in Mexico City?
Personally I am a sucker for good food with a view and a walk afterwards. So my favourite areas are Condesa, San Angel and Polanco. They have great shopping streets and loads of fantastic restaurants. I wouldn’t know where to start!
In Polanco, try some of the restaurants on Masaryk street or Emilio Castellar. Ivoire is a personal favourite for coffee.
In San Angel, or even in Coyoacan, there are some fantastic restaurants, both Mexican and international. Try the San Angel Inn or Bazaar Sábado for real Mexican food.
In Condesa, look for Los Antojos del Ama, it is vegan but true Mexican food. You cannot miss it! And in Roma try the Mercado Roma. There is simply too much to choose from when it comes to food in Mexico!
What is a typical Mexican breakfast?
A typical Mexican breakfast is eggs with some sort of spicy sauce on it, and there are hundreds of versions of this. Another option would be chilaquiles, which is made up of tortilla chips drenched in salsa topped with chicken, cream and cheese. Personally, I don’t really have large breakfasts. I would much rather have a green smoothie, or a fruit and a good cappuccino.
Photo: Flight of Spice
Name your favourite spot in Mexico City for desserts
Oooohhh…. Neveria Roxy. Best ice cream in town. I think I need to go out and try more desserts though.
Where are your favourite shopping areas in the city?
Masaryk street, Condesa and Antara. I hate malls with a passion so these two options are out in the open. Condesa has some amazing up and coming designer shops.
Having said that, I admittedly like the Santa Fe mall due to the variety of designers they carry that are not easily found elsewhere. And you should try Mexicouture for online shopping. Love it!
Photo: Flight of Spice
What is the one beauty advice you would give to travellers heading to Mexico?
Drink enough water. Really. Mexican food is spicy and greasy so make sure you drink enough H20, but not from the tap.
As a local, what would you recommend travellers do to get the true Mexican experience?
Mexico City is fantastic for events. There are always plays, concerts, parties and all sorts going on! Turn on the radio to hear what is going on. Radio Ibero always announces some good events, or Google Ticketmaster and Tiempo Libre.
Once you find out what you want to do, go out at night after having a good, hearty, spicy meal. At night, use Uber to get around, don’t drive, don’t taxi. It’s safer, easier and this is what most locals do when going out.
So go out, have a fantastic time. Drink a lot and have some tacos al pastor on the way home!
WHERE TO EAT IN MEXICO CITY
Piso 51
Where: Av. Reforma 505, piso 51, Cuauhtémoc, 06500 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
For: Great food with a view
Ivoire
Where: Emilio Castelar 95, Chapultepec-Polanco, 11560 Ciudad de Mexico, D.F., Mexico
For: Coffee
San Angel Inn
Where: Diego Rivera 50, Álvaro Obregón, San Ángel Inn, 01060 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
For: Authentic Mexican food
El Bazaar Sábado
Where: San Jacinto 11, San Ángel, Álvaro Obregón, 01000 Ciudad de México, Mexico
For: Authentic Mexican food
Los Antojos del Ama
Where: Avenida Michoacán 121, Cuauhtémoc, Condesa, 06140 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
For: Vegan Mexican food
Mercado Roma
Where: Calle Querétaro 225, Cuauhtemoc, Roma Nte., 06700 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
For: A gourmet market
Neveria Roxy
Where: Calle Emilio Castelar 107, Miguel Hidalgo, Polanco, 11560 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
For: Ice-cream
Eat Look Travel Book
Brilliant! Thank you so much for the post!! I love your series and it was great collaborating with you!
http://www.flightofspice.com
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