A Chef Driven Guide to Mexico City
and being a pizza tourist in CDMX
Dear Pizza Tourists,
I just came back from a trip to Mexico city. Below you’ll find a list of some places I’ve returned to over the years WITH some recommendations on pizza. Like our other guides, this list will continue to be updated over time. Enjoy.
Xx, Ines
BUT FIRST… A QUICK NOTE
To me, cities like Mexico City feel very familiar. They remind me of the micro-communities I experienced growing up —a third-culture place where different languages and backgrounds coexist.
I’ve been to CDMX a handful of times now; for birthdays, a bachelorette, and on culinary explorations with chef friends. In just a taxi ride away, you have access to world renowned museums, floating gardens, and ancient pyramids. But — you can also spend your days on foot; studying the architecture, eating tacos, and roaming through the well kept parks filled with fountains, happy dogs, and jungle-like greenery. It’s such a special place.
It is important to note that CDMX has a bit of a taboo vibe when it comes to gentrification. Especially in neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa, where the Airbnb boom pushed many locals out. During a recent visit, we had coffee with a Mexican woman who shared how just the other day, she was in a neighborhood where she heard French, Italian, English, and German — but interestingly, no Spanish.
Despite the complexity of gentrification, some of these neighborhoods provide a secure and healthy place to bring tourism to the economy. Roma, Condesa, Juarez (neighborhoods I often stay in) – are full of small businesses that highlight local and Latin American art, independent cafés, and creative boutiques that make wandering their streets inspiring and safe. All to be balanced with authentic and local food stands (make sure you have enough cash on hand).
I often wonder: in an overpopulated, globalized world, will there be more third-culture cities like this? If so, how can we strike a better balance between maintaining affordable housing for locals and accommodating the needs of international artists, expats, and tourists?
Below is a list of places I love returning to, along with my recommendations of food tour companies. When done right, food tours provide a window into a city’s culture and history. They allow you to access the hidden gems that only a true insider can provide. Anthony Bourdain often traveled this way. And in a food city like Mexico City, that’s an experience worth seeking out.