Colonia Juárez & Zona Rosa
A late-19th-century French-inspired quarter between Reforma and Roma, full of restored Porfirian mansions turned into restaurants, galleries and bars. Currently the city's fastest-moving food and drink neighborhood, and home to the bar ranked number one in the world. Zona Rosa, inside it, is the LGBTQ+ and Korean district.
Who it's for: Drinkers — the world's best bar and several of its best speakeasies are within a few blocks. Anyone who wants restaurants that are genuinely new rather than established. LGBTQ+ travellers, for Zona Rosa. People who want to be central and walkable to Roma, Condesa and the Centro.
Things to know
- The bar scene here books out. Handshake Speakeasy needs a reservation well in advance; Hanky Panky only gives you the address and entry instructions once you've booked.
- Juárez proper and Zona Rosa feel different. Juárez is restaurants and galleries and is comfortable at night; Zona Rosa is a nightlife district and needs ordinary big-city caution after dark, especially on Génova and Amberes.
- Zona Rosa is the centre of the city's LGBTQ+ nightlife and also its Koreatown — the Korean restaurants along Hamburgo and Florencia are among the best in Latin America and completely under-covered by English guides.
- Several of the best restaurants here are daytime-only. Masala y Maíz and Niddo both close in the late afternoon.
- Walking distances are short: Roma Norte is 10–15 minutes south, the Centro 20–25 minutes east, Condesa 20 minutes southwest. This is the most central base in the city.
- Metro Insurgentes (Line 1) sits at the edge of Zona Rosa; Metrobús runs along both Reforma and Insurgentes.
- The Ángel de la Independencia roundabout is where the city celebrates — football victories, independence day, protests. Check whether anything is happening before assuming Reforma is passable.
- Cards are near-universal in the restaurants and bars here; carry cash for taquerías and street stalls only.