Mexico City or CDMX is a hot spot now! Every other weekend, I know someone new visiting there! Why? My assumption is the proximity to America, frequent & direct flights, short flight time, favorable USD to Peso conversion, and most importantly a potential, disastrous and silly looming wall to be built [rolls eyes]. I visited for the first time last weekend for the long weekend, and it was everything that it’s chalked up to be! Let me preface this by saying that I’ve been to almost every major coastal city on the east and west coast of Mexico, but never the mainland! I think this is a function of growing up in NYC/East Coast, because when it came to vacation time with the fam or a raunchy spring-break trip with friends, Mexico was nearly always the destination! I kept hearing from everyone that’s visited that the food is amazing, so I was super excited but also skeptical, because – well – 1) I’m Chef Pri, and am super picky by nature, but 2) I’m vegetarian and will not eat anything that has anything with meat or meat stock or lard, etc. My skepticism was muddled away, as soon as I stepped into the first taquiera! Let me also mention that it helped that I speak Spanish a bit, so it was easy for me to ask for specifics when ordering! Below are my TOP 5 BEST THINGS TO EAT in MEXICO CITY!

I spent 5 days in CDMX and definitely want to go back! I visited several neighborhoods, but CDMX is one of the largest cities in the world by population, so I sure as hell wasn’t going to get through everything in ~5 days! Of the neighborhoods I visited, below are my Top 5 must eats!!

TOP 5 BEST THINGS TO EAT in MEXICO CITY!

Coyoacan

• Tostada @ Coyoacan Market | Pro tip: go in the middle of the week for lunch and grab a seat right in front of the chefs! Get the champignones (mushroom) tostada with avocado crema!

• Bonus! Fresh cut mangoes in front of La Casa Azul de Frida Kahlo | Pro tip: have someone from your group order in bulk! I recommend getting it au naturale!

Roma

• Taquiera Orinoco – this was recommended by a friend of a friend, but if you’re vegetarian don’t be freaked out by the logo – they DO have a “Sin Carne” (without meat) section of the menu! |

Pro tip: order the quesadilla, customize your taco by adding coriander, cotija cheese & other veggies! And under no circumstances – DO NOT leave without ordering the buñuelo dessert!

Polanco

• La Unica – can’t get a resi at the famous Pujol like me? Trust me, I tried everything in my tool kit – AMEX concierge, locals, friends with connect – it was just not happening during Valentine’s day weekend!

But don’t fret! There are AMAZING alternative all around Pujol. | Pro tip: Go to La Unica on the earlier side – the restaurant is gorgeous, and worth seeing during ‘golden hour.’ Order the cauliflower from the small plates and the chocolate mousse dessert!

Museo Nacional de Antropologia

There is SO MUCH amazing food on the street right in front of the museum – you need to hit the stand up before your 2-3 hour walk through of the (amazing) museum!

• Tlayuda – these are a different play on a tostada made with crispy blue corn tortilla, thin layer of frijoles (beans), cotija cheese, salsas, and fresh coriander. | Pro tip: get salsa verde on one side and salsa roja on the other side!

• Bonus! Tortas – still hungry (like I was)?? Walk down a few stands and get yourself a Zapoteca torta made with nopales (cactus), 3 cheeses, veggies and delicious bread. Served hot hot hot!!

Tlacoquemecatl del Valle 

• Fonda Margarita – heard of Anthony Bourdain? Yeah, thought so. One of his recommendations from CDMX is a local joint by the name of Fonda Margarita. They are still family owned and cook everything in large clay pots. Full disclosure – not super veggie friendly, but I improvised! | Pro tip: there is always a HUGE line, so go inside to the counter and order TO GO! They will pack it up for you. What to order: chilaquiles and CHURROS. Do not leave without eating the churros – seriously the fluffiest most perfect churros I have ever eaten!!