Colonia San Rafael selected by TimeOut as one of the world’s best neighborhoods to visit on 2024
From the TimeOut article:
“‘San Rafa’ has long been an important cultural hub. Renowned architects and artists like Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo once called this colonia home, and today cutting-edge galleries showcase the work of a new generation of young Mexican artists. You’ll find some of the city’s most iconic theatres here, such as San Rafael and Fernando Soler, along with the legendary, long-abandoned Cine Ópera. As one of Mexico City’s first neighbourhoods, San Rafael is renowned for its mix of architectural styles: strolling its avenues you’ll spot everything from French-style mansions to colourful art deco facades and modernist buildings. Classic cantinas, cosy cafés and neighbourhood taquerías make up a standout dining scene….
La Privada Roja
Amid the many grand houses and buildings that showcase the eclectic Porfirian style, you’ll find La Privada Roja, a historic Mexico City property that has held onto its charm and essence for over a century.
Within this space, there’s something for everyone: local and international cuisine, great coffee and traditional bakery, art exhibitions, music, and even a charming boutique hotel. All of this unfolds against a backdrop of red brick walls and Catalan-style arches, creating an atmosphere where history and modern culture blend seamlessly.
Monumento a la Revolución
Every time I visit Monumento a la Revolución, I’m reminded why it’s one of my favorite spots in Mexico City. It’s not as crowded as the Zócalo or other tourist must-sees, but standing beneath those massive arches feels humbling, like being wrapped in the weight of history and ambition.
What makes it unforgettable, though, is the climb to the top. Take the elevator up, and you’ll be rewarded with one of the best panoramic views in the city—the skyline, Reforma, and beyond, all from the top of the world’s largest triumphal arch. It’s 110 pesos (about $5), and worth every cent.
Down below, there’s a small museum that dives into the story of the Mexican Revolution, but for me, the real magic is just being there—watching locals bike across the open plaza, couples sitting together under the arches, and the monument glowing beautifully when night falls.
Go for the view. Stay for the feeling. It’s Mexico City’s history, standing tall and it never gets old.
Parque del Arte
Sunday in Mexico City isn’t just for brunch and bike rides down Reforma—it’s also for art under the trees. Every week, Jardín del Arte in Parque Sullivan (near San Rafael) transforms into an open-air gallery, where local painters bring their work out into the sunlight, lining the paths with canvases full of color, stories, and life.
Walking through is like strolling inside the creative heart of the city—vivid landscapes, bold abstracts, portraits that feel like they’re watching you back. Artists chat with passersby, brush in hand, sometimes adding final strokes as you admire their work.
It’s relaxed, it’s personal, and you might just find yourself going home with a painting tucked under your arm—a one-of-a-kind piece of Mexico City to keep forever.
Even if you’re not buying, it’s worth the walk—art, nature, and the easy rhythm of a Sunday in the park.
La Especial de Paris
Tucked into a tiny spot in Mexico City’s historic downtown, La Especial de Paris is a century-old institution where time seems to stand still. Opened in 1921 and now run by the fourth generation of the same family, it started as a simple cart selling vanilla ice cream and lime snow cones—and has since grown into a beloved local legend with over 22 rotating flavors.
The classic vanilla is still king—made with natural vanilla beans, speckled with real seeds—but the adventurous can dive into scoops of goat cheese with Cognac-soaked raisins, olive oil, or even tobacco.
Presidents, writers, and everyday locals have all come for a taste. Now it’s your turn.
(36 pesos per scoop; Insurgentes Centro 117, Colonia San Rafael)
Want the full story? Read the article from the NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/03/travel/mexico-city-ice-cream.html
Museo del Chopo
El Museo del Chopo is one of those places that stops you in your tracks before you even walk in. Rising like a gothic-meets-industrial cathedral, its towering steel frame and massive glass windows make it look more like it belongs in Berlin than in the middle of Mexico City. And yet, it fits perfectly—a striking contrast against the classic architecture of Santa María la Ribera.
Originally built in Germany in the early 1900s and later dismantled and shipped to Mexico, the building itself is a masterpiece. But what really makes it special is what’s inside. After a stunning revamp, the museum now boasts an incredibly designed interior—sleek, modern, and effortlessly cool, creating the perfect setting for the bold contemporary art exhibitions it hosts.
El Chopo is all about pushing boundaries—its rotating exhibitions feature everything from avant-garde installations and multimedia pieces to socially charged artwork that sparks conversation. It’s also a hub for independent film screenings, experimental theater, and underground music—a space where art and counterculture collide.
If you love modern art, bold architecture, or just discovering Mexico City’s edgier creative side, El Museo del Chopo is a must-visit.
Santa Maria la Ribera
Where History, Culture, and a Sunday Dance Collide
Santa María la Ribera is one of those neighborhoods that feels like a hidden pocket of old Mexico City, where tree-lined streets, grand 19th-century mansions, and a slow, local rhythm make you forget you’re in one of the biggest cities in the world.
At its heart is Alameda de Santa María, the neighborhood’s central park and home to its most iconic landmark: the Kiosko Morisco. This intricately designed Moorish-style pavilion, with its deep red and gold arches, looks like something out of a dream. On Sundays, it comes alive as a dance floor, where couples of all ages twirl to danzón, salsa, and cumbia, turning the park into a scene straight out of an old Mexican film.
But Santa María isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s also one of the most exciting places to eat right now. A new wave of incredible restaurants, cafés, and bars is popping up between the historic buildings, giving the neighborhood a fresh creative energy. Whether you’re sipping coffee in a restored mansion or grabbing tacos from a street vendor who’s been perfecting them for decades, Santa María la Ribera is a place where old and new Mexico City exist in perfect harmony.
Eat the best food from Oaxaca at Xuva, beautiful restaurant, next to the park
If you like Pork belly, bone-in short rib, brisket, pork shoulder, sausages, hotdogs, roasted potatoes, mac & cheese and beer, this is the place for you. Also next to the park.
Maria 128 is an espectacular italian restaurant, the result of a wave a recent Italian immigrants to the neighborhood