A Perfect Sunday in Mexico City: From Cafecito, to Mini Pedas, and Live Jazz

I spent three weeks traveling around Mexico, with one week dedicated to exploring Mexico City for the third time. The sanctity of Sundays in Mexico is art, y un dominguito en la Ciudad de México truly feels like magic. But, since no one invited me to join their family gatherings, I didn’t go to misa, and I don’t really play or watch fútbol, I had to figure out my own plans. So, let the comelonga and mini peda begin!

Starting the Day Right: Cafecito Y Pozole

I set out on foot with my husband and my trusty adidas and started my Sunday in Mexico City at Quentin Cafe. The lovely barista pulled out an array of panecitos, and of course, I had to try it. A solid 10/10! With my coffee and pastry in hand, we set off to explore beautiful CDMX!

One of the many things I love about Mexico City is how walkable it is—las ciudades caminables will always reign supreme. Since moving to New York I can honestly say I don’t imagine myself living in a car-dependent city ever again. No es vida. ¡Pero uno nunca sabe!

No Plan? No Problem

With no set plan, I decided to go a donde apunte el huarache, as my abuelita would say. I was craving pozole but, oddly enough, finding a spot serving it on a Sunday was harder than expected. Maybe it’s not a CDMX thing, but I finally found La Delicia Hogareña in Buenavista. The pozole was delicious! La Casa de Toño also kept coming up as a recommendation, and although we did stop there first, the wait time was way too long after some conversation with locals, it seems like the quality has gone down the drain over the last few years. Some called it the McDonald’s for Mexican Food. Ha!

The restaurant and the service were great! We got there around 1:30 PM and they had already sold out of the enchiladas and the Tinga Tostadas, so if that’s what you’re going for, get there early! The street wasn’t the most welcoming, but just avoid interactions with anyone on the street and you should be fine. If you’d rather take a car to get there, pues vete en carro—you don’t win any points for walking through sketchy areas just to prove something. Remember, your comfort and safety come first. No hay pedo si decides tomar un Uber.

Biblioteca Vasconcelos: An Oasis

Next stop: Biblioteca Vasconcelos. It’s seriously impressive. Even if books aren’t your thing, you should visit just for the arquitecture and the peaceful vibe. Plus, it’s the perfect place para descansar tus patitas, take a bathroom break, and enjoy some quiet time amidst the city’s hustle.

Toledo Rooftop: Worth the Hype

Now, let’s talk about Toledo Rooftop. You should know I LOVE A GOOD ROOFTOP. Groundbreaking, I know. It’s a spot I’ve heard so much about, and I’ll admit—it’s worth the hype. I went on a Sunday afternoon, so it was a little quieter (which I actually loved because, you know, la vejez, me aturdo facilmente!). I know it’s supposed to be better for a night time vibe, but I really enjoyed having space and being able to see the CDMX skyline during the day. Hot tip, DO NOT SKIP THE BATHROOM! It’s a nice little surprise.

Oh, and a mazapan martini? How is this the first time I’ve had one? It was life-changing, and I’m 100% making it at home. I got this one at Cantina La Llorona. I would say skip the food. It’s hard to find a bad meal in Mexico City, but save room in your belly for the really really good stuff!

Taquería Orinoco: Good, But Not the Best

Finally, I stopped by Taquería Orinoco. It’s all over social media, and yes, it’s really good—but honestly, you can find food that’s just as good, or better, from a taquero en la calle. While Orinoco is not bad by any means, I don’t think it’s stand-in-line-for-a-while good. There are plenty of other great taquerías around.

Jazzatlán: Ending the Night with Live Music

I ended my Sunday at Jazzatlán, excited to catch some live music and soak in the local vibe. The irony? The performers were actually from NYC! I had come to hear local musicians, but I couldn’t help but laugh at the coincidence. Still, the music was amazing, and it made for a perfect, relaxed end to a long day of exploring. Sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned, but that’s all part of the adventure.

And final stop, 686 Bar. I know this place is supposed to be nice, I know it’s highly rated. BUT, my husband and I were the only patrons and it all felt so creepy. It’s a nicer place so the bartenders and attendants were just scrolling their phone or goofing off with each other, all of their attention was on us and it didn’t feel great. Towards the end I tried chatting up the bartender and he also said he wasn’t sure why it was so dead and that they were likely to close early, but that was that. We got out of there as soon as we could. I would love to go back when it’s busy as it really was a cute and vibey place with good drinks.

In Summary

So, that’s how I spent a Sunday in Mexico City—filled with good coffee, comida rica, relaxation, y musica. Whether you’re exploring the city’s art, architecture, or just soaking in the culture, CDMX is always an adventure. Don’t forget to pack extra layers—the weather can be unpredictable, but that’s part of the fun. Enjoy your visit! I need to plan another trip asap so I can catch another drink at Toledo Rooftop and start tackling more items on their menu!