More Centro!
- Plaza Tolsá
- National Museum of Art (MUNAL)
- Torre Latinoamericana
- Biblioteca de México
- Ciudadela crafts market
- La Lagunilla market
- Museo José Luis Cuevas
- San Hipólito Church
- Mercado de Sonora
If you already did the highlights of the Centro Histórico in the Centro Histórico walking tour, here are some more favorites to explore.
Where James Bond caused a house to implode
The building Bond brings down in Spectre is the Teatro Fru Fru, Donceles 24. The Day of the Dead parade scenes were filmed at Plaza Tolsá, in front of the National Museum of Art:
James Bond going about his business in the Centro Histórico, in Spectre
National Museum of Art
Tacuba 8 · Tue–Sun 10 AM – 6 PM · 95 pesos (~5 USD) · website
The National Museum of Art (MUNAL) is on Plaza Tolsá, and provides a comprehensive look at Mexican art from the Spanish colonial period through to the mid-20th century. The building is a gorgeous 1911 eclectic palace by an Italian architect, built under the francophile dictator Porfirio Díaz.
It has the most amazing staircase:
The belle-époque staircase of the National Museum of Art (MUNAL)
Up the Torre Latinoamericana
Eje Central 2 · daily 10 AM – 9 PM, weekends 9 AM – 10 PM · about 220 pesos (~12 USD) · website
What a view:
The Palace of Fine Arts from the Torre Latinoamericana observation deck
Biblioteca de México and the Ciudadela crafts market
Balderas at Emilio Dondé – Metro Balderas
The old Ciudadela, an 18th-century tobacco factory and later an armory, is now the Biblioteca de México (daily 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM, free), with lovely reading rooms and courtyards. Look in.
The Biblioteca de México, in the old Ciudadela
Across the street is the Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela (daily 10 AM – 7 PM, Sun to 6 PM), the best one-stop shop for crafts from all over Mexico: some 350 stalls with black pottery from Oaxaca, copper from Michoacán, Huichol beadwork, Talavera, alebrijes, textiles and silver. Prices are better than in the Polanco and Roma boutiques, but quality varies, so walk the whole market before you buy, and politely bargain on bigger pieces. Bring cash.
Textiles and crafts for sale in Mexico City
La Lagunilla Sunday market
Comonfort and surrounding streets, Colonia Morelos – Metro Lagunilla or Garibaldi (Line B), Metrobús Glorieta de Cuitláhuac · map
Sundays only, from about 9 AM to 3 PM, the streets north of Garibaldi fill with the city’s great antiques and junk market: colonial-era saints, old silver and watches, 1950s furniture, vintage toys, movie posters, postcards, old banknotes and coins, photos and documents, historic memorabilia of every kind. Go early for the best pieces, bring cash, and bargain, because the first price is only a suggestion.
Lagunilla borders Tepito, the city’s most notorious barrio, so stick to the market, keep your phone and wallet close, and take an Uber there and back. And yes, it is worth it.
Museo José Luis Cuevas
Academia 13, Centro · Tue–Sun 10 AM – 5:30 PM · map
A good museum of contemporary art if you have already done the MUAC, Tamayo, and the Moderno.
José Luis Cuevas’s La Giganta in the museum courtyard
San Hipólito Church
The other church to ask for favors.
San Hipólito – the other church to ask for favors
The towers of San Hipólito
Mercado de Sonora
Fray Servando Teresa de Mier 419 – Metro Merced · daily 9 AM – 6 PM (Sun to 5 PM) · map
The “witches’ market”. Aisles of medicinal herbs, candles for every need (love, money, getting rid of your enemies), Santa Muerte figures and amulets, and they’ll do a spiritual cleansing (limpia) right there. Also toys, piñatas and party supplies. Most visitors never see this side of Mexico. The sale of live animals was banned in 2026. It’s next to the huge, chaotic La Merced market, so watch your bag.
Where to eat in the Centro Histórico
Places recognized by outside guides are marked in brackets – see the key.
My favorites downtown
1Azul Histórico · Isabel la Católica 30, inside the Hotel Downtown · website
For your day downtown, book for comida through azul.rest or call 55 5510 1316. Regional Mexican specialties by a chef, in the courtyard of the old downtown mansion of “the” Condesa who gave her name to the Condesa neighborhood.
2Azulísimo · website
Azul Histórico’s sister, three blocks away: similar food on a beautiful, very tranquil planted patio.
Breakfast
16El Cardenal · website
Traditional Mexican breakfast with hot chocolate and Mexican sweet pastries. It’s in the Hilton on the Alameda (I know that sounds lame, but it’s a branch of smaller original locations downtown that are hard to get into). Walk in early, especially on weekends.
Restaurants
1Azul Histórico · Isabel la Católica 30, inside the Hotel Downtown · website
Excellent modern Mexican with regional specialties. Your best choice downtown for something modern, culinary and trendy yet still in a historic building. Book at azul.rest.
2Azulísimo · website
Venustiano Carranza 57 – Azul Histórico’s sister, similar food on a beautiful, very tranquil planted patio.
3Balcón del Zócalo · atop the Hotel Zócalo Central, 5 de Mayo 61 · website
For the view of the Zócalo; food is good but not the absolute best in town. Another restaurant with a view is the Hotel Majestic.
4Danubio · Uruguay 3 at Eje Central · website
Seafood classic.
5Hostería de Santo Domingo · Belisario Domínguez 72
Old-school Mexican.
6Limosneros · Ignacio Allende 3 · website · Michelin selected
Contemporary Mexican on native ingredients.
7Masala y Maíz · Artículo 123 #116, near Balderas · website · Michelin 1 star
Norma Listman and Saqib Keval’s Indian, East African and Mexican cooking. Excellent.
8Makan · Emilio Dondé 68 B, near Bucareli · Time Out
Singaporean with Mexican touches: chili crab, laksa.
9Roldán 37 · Roldán 37, above La Merced market
Traditional Mexican in a colonial house.
10Taco Tasting Room · 5 de Mayo 47 · website · Michelin selected
A multi-course taco tasting menu.
Not on the map:
Charco · República de Guatemala 24 · Instagram · Eater 38
A rooftop right behind the Cathedral, and maybe the best cooking in the Centro right now.
Tacos & casual
12La Pagoda · 5 de Mayo 10
24-hour Chinese diner near Bellas Artes.
13Ricos Tacos Toluca · López 103 · Michelin selected
Toluca’s green and red chorizo tacos.
14Tacos de Canasta Los Especiales · Madero 71 · Michelin selected
Basket tacos: warm, soft, steamed – potato, bean, adobo and chicharrón.
15Taquería Los Cocuyos · Bolívar 59 · Michelin Bib Gourmand
suadero, tripa and campechano tacos, open 24 hours.
Not on the map:
El Gran Abanico · Gutiérrez Nájera, Obrera · Facebook · Eater 38
Some of the best carnitas in the city.
Coffee, bakeries & snacks
16El Cardenal · website
Three locations: the Hilton on the Alameda (Juárez 70), Marconi 2 next to MUNAL, and Palma 23 near the Zócalo – traditional Mexican breakfast with hot chocolate and pastries; walk in early, especially weekends.
19Triana Café
In the Mercado de San Juan – excellent coffee.
20El Moro · Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas 42, near Bellas Artes · website
Churros and chocolate since 1935.
Not on the map
Taquería El Gran Abanico · Michelin selected
Gutiérrez Nájera, Colonia Tránsito, just south of the Centro – Michoacán-style carnitas.
Caracol de Mar · República de Guatemala 20 · website · Michelin Bib Gourmand
Mexican-Peruvian seafood in an old mansion.