City Design Tour: Mexico City

A fascinating mix of the ancient, colonial and modern, this bustling metropolis is in the midst of a cultural renaissance. Check out our picks for eat, stay and play, plus 10 must-see annual events.
 

 

Downtown Mexico and Downtown Beds

Colonial meets industrial at Downtown Mexico, a swank hotel located in Centro Histórico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel offers world-class amenities and a rooftop bar. For travelers who want a high-end feel at a lower price, the chic yet budget-friendly hostel, Downtown Beds, is right next door. downtownmexico.com  

 

Cielito Querido Café

Cielito Querido cafés are popping up around the city. Their bright, quirky décor reflects the vibrant tapestry of Mexican culture while their menu offers a locally inspired selection of food and drinks. Travelers are singing the praises of this relatively young, but increasingly popular, brand of coffee shops. cielitoquerido.com.mx  

 

Polyforum Siqueiros

A cultural center that’s home to a Greek-style circular theater, Polyforum Siqueriros was designed and decorated by David Alfaro Siqueiros in the 1960s. Visitors flock to see his mural, “La Marcha de la Humanidad,” touted as the largest mural in the world and featured on seven panels of the complex. polyforumsiqueiros.com.mx  

 

Museo Soumaya

Showcasing works from Mexico, South America and Europe, Museo Soumaya’s Plaza Loreto and Plaza Carso house a combined 66,000 pieces of art. Designed by Fernando Romero in consultation with Ove Arup and Frank Gehry, the newer Plaza Carso was funded by billionaire Carlos Slim Helú and is filled with pieces from his personal collection. soumaya.com.mx  

 

Tori Tori

Ranked one of the 50 best restaurants in Asia and the number one restaurant in Singapore, Chef André Chiang’s style is an interpretation of Southern French Nouvelle. The décor is comfortable and contemporary, so you feel like you’re lounging at someone’s home—a very fabulous, sophisticated home. There are only 30 seats, so make your reservations early. toritori.com.mx  

 

MN Roy

You wouldn’t look twice at the façade of this club in the Roma District. Once you make it past the front door of this elite venue, you’re transported into a modern, otherworldly space that blends wood, leather, copper and basalt tile in its aesthetic. mnroyclub.com
 
 

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