Markets, taquerías, coffee, dietary restrictions, and the difference between what tourists are told to eat and what people who live here order.
Real picks, organized by where you're staying, not a generic top-10 list.
The staples everyone should try, tacos al pastor, a proper mole, quesadillas, tortas, tamales, and chilaquiles, a second tier of dishes that rarely make the usual list, tacos de canasta, tlacoyos, huaraches, esquites versus elote, and tamales de canasta, and pan dulce on its own, concha, trenza, pan de muerto, rosca de reyes, and a dedicated chocolatín deep dive.
CDMX's coffee scene has gotten genuinely good over the past several years, and there's a real bar scene worth seeking out beyond it, mezcalerías, pulquerías, rooftop spots. Past that, a handful of drinks (fresh-pressed juices, blended coconut water, horchata, pulque, atole) are worth trying specifically because they're not really available back home.
Vegetarian and vegan options have expanded fast, especially in Roma and Condesa; gluten-free is more workable than it used to be.
Fresh produce, local ingredients, and spices, the everyday shopping locals do, not a food-hall experience. Mercado Roma and Mercado de San Juan serve different purposes.
Weekly emails — what's happening in CDMX, plus a deep-dive guide.
One weekly note on what's happening in CDMX, plus a deep-dive from the guide — no need to come back and check.