Culture
Customs
Welcoming to foreigners? Yes LGBTQ friendly? Yes. Mexico offers greater legal equality than most countries in the Americas.
Etiquette tips
Mexicans regularly use titles of respect señor, señora, and señorita, so you can also choose to do that if you want to be polite when interacting with the locals.
How to great people
Handshakes and embraces are both acceptable. Greet each person individually if you encounter a group of friends. Say "Buenos días" even to strangers you encounter.
Tipping norms
10% tip is standard, and 15-20% is for exceptional service (in general, tipping is optional). If your taxi driver helps you with bags, it's customary to tip 10–20 pesos.
Food
The best way to explore Mexico City's vibrant cuisine is through street food!
National dish
Mole poblano — A rich sauce from Puebla made with ancho chiles (dried poblano peppers) and chocolate.
Must try local food
Also known as Guajolota, is a unique version of the traditional tamales typical for Mexico City.
In Mexico City, you have to specify you want cheese in your quesadilla! If you order this anywhere else in the country, you'll always get it with cheese.
A traditional dessert made from sweet potatoes with condensed milk and strawberry jam. They're also called “camotes de Puebla”: sweet potatoes from Puebla.
Fried corn tortillas stuffed with refried beans, cheese and other fillings of your choice.
This is Mexico City's spin on the traditional torta.
A favorite for both locals and tourists!
Also known as Guajolota, is a unique version of the traditional tamales typical for Mexico City.
In Mexico City, you have to specify you want cheese in your quesadilla! If you order this anywhere else in the country, you'll always get it with cheese.
A traditional dessert made from sweet potatoes with condensed milk and strawberry jam. They're also called “camotes de Puebla”: sweet potatoes from Puebla.
Fried corn tortillas stuffed with refried beans, cheese and other fillings of your choice.
This is Mexico City's spin on the traditional torta.
A favorite for both locals and tourists!
Also known as Guajolota, is a unique version of the traditional tamales typical for Mexico City.
In Mexico City, you have to specify you want cheese in your quesadilla! If you order this anywhere else in the country, you'll always get it with cheese.
A traditional dessert made from sweet potatoes with condensed milk and strawberry jam. They're also called “camotes de Puebla”: sweet potatoes from Puebla.
Fried corn tortillas stuffed with refried beans, cheese and other fillings of your choice.
This is Mexico City's spin on the traditional torta.
A favorite for both locals and tourists!
Restaurants to visit
Restaurant recommendations from nomads & locals. 4.0+ rating, great atmosphere and good food guaranteed.
Old-school restaurant serving traditional Mexican dishes in Santa Maria la Ribera.
Traditional Yucatan dishes at an affordable price. Expect to wait a bit for a table.
Traditional dishes in a beautiful setting (with vegetarian options on the menu).
You'll spot this street food stand by the big line of people waiting for their delicious rice dishes.
Another local favorite serving tacos traditional to northern Mexico, with a pork-based filling fried in a red chile-based sauce.
Old-school restaurant serving traditional Mexican dishes in Santa Maria la Ribera.
Traditional Yucatan dishes at an affordable price. Expect to wait a bit for a table.
Traditional dishes in a beautiful setting (with vegetarian options on the menu).
You'll spot this street food stand by the big line of people waiting for their delicious rice dishes.
Another local favorite serving tacos traditional to northern Mexico, with a pork-based filling fried in a red chile-based sauce.
Old-school restaurant serving traditional Mexican dishes in Santa Maria la Ribera.
Traditional Yucatan dishes at an affordable price. Expect to wait a bit for a table.
Traditional dishes in a beautiful setting (with vegetarian options on the menu).
You'll spot this street food stand by the big line of people waiting for their delicious rice dishes.
Another local favorite serving tacos traditional to northern Mexico, with a pork-based filling fried in a red chile-based sauce.
Food festivals & markets
Tianguis Condesa Tuesday Market — Happening every Tuesday. Check out the Ricos Tacos de Mixiote street food stand!
Food delivery apps
Rappi (Android | iOS) DiDi Food (Android | iOS) Uber eats (Android | iOS)
Art & music
Where to listen to live music
Plaza Garibaldi — Visit this city square to listen to live Mariachi bands.
Casa Franca — Jazz bar.
Zinco Jazz Club — Jazz bar located in a converted bank vault of an art deco-style building from 1930.
Pulqueria los Insurgentes — Local rooftop bar with live music.
Foro Indierocks— Concert venue set in an old church.
Nightlife
Mama Rumba — Salsa dancing and live music.
Barba Azul — Traditional salsa dancing.
Theatre & film
Auditorio Nacional — Incredible venue for live theatre and concerts.
Palacio de Bellas Artes — Aside from acting as the National Theater, this incredible building houses the National Museum of Architecture, along with unique art murals painted by Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, Roberto Montenegro and more.
Angela Peralta Theater — Open-air performin arts theatre.
Del Bosque Cultural Center — It's compromised of 8 different theatres.
Visual art
MUAC (Museo Universitario Arte Contemporaneo)
