What to Do in Polanco, Mexico City
Known as the “Beverly Hills” of Mexico, Polanco is an upscale neighborhood in Mexico City with luxury boutiques, high-end shopping, and fine dining. Positioned north of Chapultepec Park and west of the Zocalo, Polanco is a good location to base yourself for day trips and foodie highlights. Explore the tree-lined avenues flanked by opulent architecture and dine at some of the best restaurants in Mexico City.
Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links where we receive a super-small commission if you click through and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. We call this our Chocolate & Churro Fund.
Why People Love Polanco
There are two main reasons why people choose to stay in Polanco. One, because it’s an affluent neighborhood, people feel it is a safer place to stay in Mexico City. Second, they want to dine at Pujol and Quintonil, two Michelin-star restaurants that have been on the World’s Best 50 Restaurants List for years.
Besides eating your way around Polanco, there are some things you can do between meals in Polanco within walking distance.
South of Polanco- Parque Chapultepec
Chapultepec Park, south of Polanco, is one of the oldest and largest urban parks in the world. Many of the trees called Montezuma cypress (also called “Ahuehuete”) are hundreds of years old dating back to the Aztecs. Several wide trails span the park with a sprinkling of fountains and snack vendors. Chapultepec Park is home to several attractions:
Chapultepec Zoo
This zoo covers 17 hectares and displays animals from Mexico and around the world. Watch pandas munch on bamboo or bears swimming in their pools. This is the perfect place to see the tiny endangered Xochimilco axolotl, a salamander known for its smile and regenerative capabilities.
The National Museum of Anthropology
This museum contains the world’s largest collection of ancient Mexican art and the Sun Stone of the Aztec Calendar. You could easily spend the whole day here learning about Mexican history.
The Modern Art Museum
Artworks from the 1920s to the present are exhibited in the Modern Art Museum with notable pieces from famous Mexican artists such as Frida Kahlo, José Chávez Morado, David Alfaro Siqueiros, José Clemente Orozco, and Remedios Varo.
Chapultepec Castle
Did you know the European Hapsburgs lived in Mexico? Yes, those Hapsburgs. The Chapultepec castle was first built as a summer house for the Viceroy of Spain in the early 1800s. In 1864, Maximilian I (younger brother of Josef I, Emperor of Austria) and his wife Carlota ruled briefly as the Emperor and Empress of Mexico. Afterward, Mexican presidents resided in the castle until it was designated a museum in 1939.
The European extravagance of the castle is truly breathtaking. A tour guide can give you more insight into the lives of the residents of the castle and their priceless collectibles from around the world.
Nuevo Polanco
North of Polanco is Nuevo Polanco characterized by large malls, luxury apartments, and bank buildings.
Soumaya Museum
Visit Soumaya Museum, an impressive art museum shaped like a silver anvil. Replicas of famous European sculptures and several European collectibles can be viewed here. The detailed music box collection is fascinating.
INBURSA Aquarium
Across the street from Soumaya Museum is a small aquarium. Honestly, you would expect Mexico City to have one of the grandest aquariums in the world considering how large of a city it is. If you have little kids, or it’s extremely hot or raining one day, this is a nice place to get out of the weather. Like I said, it’s small, but well organized and flows well.
City Market
It may seem weird to mention a grocery store, but this one is worth a stop. City Market is a high-end grocery store with a huge selection of wine and tequila, plus little eateries. Shop for a few snacks, then pull up a chair and have ceviche or sushi rolls with a glass of Rioja before heading out on your next adventure.
In Polanco
Lincoln Park
Wander back into the heart of Polanco to Lincoln Park. This large park is a favorite for residents with its bird aviaries, a clock tower, two reflective pools, statues of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Angela Peralta theater. If you go early in the morning, you’ll likely encounter dogs frolicking off-leash through the foliage much to the dismay of the landscapers.
Lincoln Park is surrounded by several excellent restaurants that serve everything from breakfast to late-night tapas.
Pasaje Polanco Masaryk
Are you in the mood to shop? When you see the opening to this walking street mall, you’ll feel like you discovered a Polanco secret. Running between Oscar Wilde and Jules Verne streets, the long plaza with fountains contains small art galleries, clothing stores, and cafes. Looking up, you may start dreaming about acquiring one of the designer apartments above that look down on the courtyard activity.
Where to Eat in Polanco
From taco stands to fine dining, Polanco has anything and everything your stomach could want. The majority of the restaurants and bars are located on the main streets Avenue Masaryk and Avenue Emilio Castelar.
You can find all kinds of cuisines on Calle Emilio Castalar. Casa Portuguese serves Portugues, Mandolina is Italian, Manae Thai for Thai food, and Ivoire for French cuisine.
If you look at the map below, you will see Virgilio Street makes an arc between Jules Verne and Oscar Wilde streets. This is the hub of Polanco activity with its produce market, small eateries and cafes, and several international cuisine restaurants. Spend some time just wandering and enjoying the local vibe.
Here are a few of our favorite restaurants in Polanco:
World’s Best Restaurants
Quintonil and Pujol are the only two-star Michelin restaurants in Mexico City. Both are also listed on the World’s Best 50 Restaurants list and serve traditional cuisine with a modern flair. You can read more about them in our post: The Best Restaurants in Mexico City- According to Michelin Guide and World’s Best Restaurants.
Seafood- Entremar
The sister restaurant to Contramar, Entremar serves the same delicious seafood at the same prices. Their chocolate clams are spectacular! It’s easier to get a reservation at Entremar than Contramar.
Sushi- several places
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s empire extends worldwide with NOBU. Residing in what architectural fanatics label as “Californian Colonial”, this sushi restaurant is phenomenal with excellent prices. Try something from the “Eight Delights” menu.
Tori Tori Temistocles is also excellent, but pricey. Ryoshi is on our list and is rated one of the best sushi restaurants in Mexico City.
Tacos in Polanco
Yes, you can get budget-friendly tacos in Polanco. El Turix is rated as one of the best taco joints serving al pastor. For duck tacos, El Autentico Pato Manila, has a few locations around Mexico City with a small one in Polanco. It’s also highly recommended. On Saturdays, you can find individual food stands around Lincoln Park.
Tapas and Spanish Restaurants
I don’t know why, but we always get a craving for tapas when we are in Polanco. Jaleo Bar de Tapas is one of our favorite places for tapas and Spanish wines. The menu is small, but the dishes will transport you back to that wonderful tapas crawl you had in Madrid.
Another tapa place we stumbled upon is in the back of a wine store. La Naval Polanco is north of Avenue Masaryk. It has an exceptional selection of wine and a restaurant in the back courtyard. The corkage charge to drink any bottle you buy there is below 200 pesos. Most restaurants charge at least 300 pesos for corkage.
Other Spanish restaurants near Lincoln Park are TANA, La Aceituna, and La Mallorquina.
Dessert
Sugary, fried dough dipped in chocolate? Yes, please! Save room for chocolate and churros at Churreria El Moro. Established in 1935, it now has several locations across Mexico City including two in Polanco.
Great Bars in Polanco
Licoreria Limontour this popular bar is on the Worlds 50 best bars list for its creative cocktail and ambiance.
Gin Gin Polanco is a chain of bars with a more extensive drink list.
It’s hard to find a bad bar in Polanco. Other bars you might want to check out close to the InterContinental are Karisma, Il Canto, and Living Room Bar.
InterContinental Presidente Hotel Restaurants
Most of the restaurants and bars mentioned above are between or near Lincoln Park and Avenue Masaryk, but don’t discount hotel restaurants. The InterContinental Presidente south of Lincoln Park has nine excellent restaurants with various cuisines.
We dined at Au Pied de Cochon, a French restaurant with detailed wait service and exceptional cuisine.
However, if you are not in the mood for French cuisine, you have several other choices; Mexican at Chapulin, Italian at Alfredo Di Roma, Tokoya Nigiri Bar for Japanese food, and American cuisine and steaks at the Palm. Café Urbano offers a la carte and buffet options, and Amaral serves Mediterranean fare. Enjoy live music at Epicentro Gin & Tonic Bar.
If you arrive early or late to Mexico City, Lilōu offers all-day dining on international cuisine. You could literally dine around the world at one hotel!
Hyatt Regency and JW Marriott are also next to the InterContinental Presidente.
Where to Stay in Polanco
Polanco has all the major chain hotels like JW Marriott, Hyatt Regency, Hilton, and many others a bit on the edge of Polanco. You could use your points (or rack up some extra points), but why not stay in the heart of Polanco at a fancy boutique hotel? Our favorite is Pug Seal Allan Poe in a renovated 1920’s mansion. The interior has all the Art Deco charm you are looking for, and the breakfast is excellent.
If you prefer someplace with more space and a kitchen, one of my friends recommended Grand Polanco Presidential Apartments. She prefers to stay in these spacious apartments on her frequent visits to Mexico City for work.
When Should You Visit Polanco?
Any time of year is a good time to visit Polanco. Mexico City experiences spring-like temperatures most of the year though summers can be hot in the afternoon and rainy. In March and April, purple jacaranda trees bloom. On Saturdays, there are street vendors selling huaraches around Lincoln Park. Google Mexico City Polanco events to see what performances are happening at the Angela Peralta Theatre and other events.
Should You Rent a Car in Mexico City?
Polanco is easy to walk around, and other attractions like the historic center or other Michelin restaurants are easy to get to by Uber. Parking is limited in Mexico City, and navigating the crazy highways and exit ramps should be left to a local. You are on vacation! relax and let someone else do the driving.
What Else Should You Do While in Mexico City?
If this is your first time in Mexico City, make sure to visit the historical center with the largest cathedral in the Americas and the recently opened Templo Mayor ruins and museum. If the Big City is getting a little stifling, take a boat ride on the canals of Xochimilco south of Mexico City or to Teotihuacan pyramids north of the city. Visit a market on a food tour to see the vast selection of produce grown in Mexico.
Destination: Polanco
Whether you are a first-timer visiting Mexico City or visit frequently, Polanco is a great choice for ease of walkability, restaurants, and exploring other parts of Mexico City.
Do you have a favorite restaurant or bar in Polanco? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Pin This!
