THE MEXICO CITY GUIDE
THE MEXICO CITY GUIDE
Last month we took an inspiring trip to Mexico City, which in recent years has become a top food and design destination! After five days of leisurely exploration, we distilled our trip down to our favorite stops for design-minded travelers. The best part? The flight from SFO to CDMX is only 4.5 hours!
TETETLAN + CASA PEDREGAL
Founded by art collector César Cervantes, Tetetlán is a modern cultural center housing a restaurant, café, local store, library, wellness center, and cheese cellar. It began as an effort to preserve and restore Luis Barragán’s Casa Pedregal, located in a suburb built on volcanic rock on the southern outskirts of Mexico City. The new architecture of Tetetlán is just as impressive, so visit for both the restaurant and the guided tour of Casa Pedregal. Make sure to reserve your tour spot in advance via email.
The restaurant at Tetetlån - built on volcanic rock (image source)
BLANCO COLIMA
Located in the hip, historic neighborhood of Roma, Blanco Colima is a perfect lounge spot for food, drinks, and good music. Housed in a restored mansion, the space holds three restaurants as well as traveling exhibitions, movie screenings, and workshops. Reservations are a must for tables, otherwise you can take food at the bar!
Blanco Colima’s beautiful setting (image source)
KURIMANZUTTO
La Condesa is one of the best neighborhoods for a stroll with its beautiful small streets and modernist architectural gems such as Kurimanzutto. Check out the contemporary art exhibitions and the stunning gallery spaces.
Contemporary art gallery Kurimanzutto
TAMALES MADRE
While in Mexico City, we caught up with our friend Regina at her minimalist, jewel box of a tamales shop, Tamales Madre. With a simple menu of gourmet tamales and sides such as cactus salad, this was hands-down my favorite meal of the trip. Save room for the dessert tamales - they are not to be missed!
Hand-made tamales are at Tamales Madre
IBLIOTECA VASCONCELOS
Built in 2007, Biblioteca Vasconcelos is a massive library that feels both futuristic and magical at the same time with its endless, cantilevered shelves of books. It’s a sight to see in person.
Biblioteca Vasconcelos
Niddo Café
STUDIO DAVIDPOMPA
For a functional souvenir, stop by Studio davidpompa and pick up a light fixture designed and fabricated in Mexico City! The lighting and objects are displayed alongside the raw material from which they’re created, elevating the showroom experience.
Studio davidpompa
CASA GILARDI
Last on our list is another Luis Barragán work: Casa Gilardi. What makes Casa Gilardi and Casa Pedregal interesting to visit is that people still live there! The tour for Casa Gilardi is run by the sons of the man who commissioned Luis Barragán. While a small house and Barragán’s last work, the use of color is brilliant and a sight to behold. You can book the tour directly through Facebook Messenger.
Casa Gilardi