Roma Norte is one of Mexico City’s trendiest neighbourhoods, decked out in street art, Art Deco and Art Nouveau buildings and tree-lined streets. Hipster bars, quirky cafes and international restaurants sit on most corners, while art galleries and high-end concept stores breathe local creativity into the fresh air.

Things to do

Explore Roma Norte’s food trail, starting with cafes and authentic taco joints during the day. Come nightfall, head to one of the local restaurants, ranging from American and Japanese-style barbecue to oyster bars and contemporary cantinas. Leave space for craft brews, margaritas and mezcal at Roma Norte’s late-night bars and clubs.

Roma Norte is a living art gallery, thanks to the mesmerising street murals adorning the buildings. You’ll find fascinating artwork indoors as well, particularly in the Museo del Objeto del Objeto (MODO), which specialises in design and communications. Creativity and flair can also be found in Roma Norte’s boutiques, which sell artisan liqueurs, crafts, clothes and medicinal remedies.

One of the reasons for Roma Norte’s booming popularity is the Mercado Roma, a 60-stall market serving up squid tortas, truffles and other unique culinary adventures. If it gets a little too crowded, wander over to the nearby Mexico Park, where you can lose yourself among Art Deco buildings, a duck pond and forested pathways.

While visiting Roma Norte, spend a day with almost 2,000 animals at Chapultepec Zoo, home to giant pandas, Mexican wolves, golden-headed lion tamarin and other unique wildlife. The Zoo is about three kilometres away, situated next to three museums dealing with anthropology, contemporary art and photography.

Getting around

Roma Norte is one of the world’s true pedestrian neighbourhoods, as it is easy to walk everywhere. However, distances can become long, so if you’re tired, hop on Mexico City’s Metrobus, the underground Metro train or an Uber.