Roma Norte, Mexico City: A 2-Day Guide to the DF’s Hipster Enclave

Got 2 days to explore Roma Norte, Mexico City?

You’re in luck – I have the perfect Roma Norte itinerary!

From Michelin-star cuisine and divine cocktails, to stellar vintage shopping and avant-garde art galleries, this vibrant, 2-day itinerary spotlights the absolute best things to do in Roma Norte, the hipster chic heart of CDMX.

Hipster chic, you say? 

That’s right. Roma Norte’s a neighborhood with attitude, where you’ll discover lots of cool juxtapositions and a fiercely independent spirit. It’s where trendy jives with alternative. Where vintage mingles with contemporary. Where organic vegan eats co-exist with incredible Mexican street food. Where richly-layered history takes pride of place over gentrification. Expect a whole lotta beauty tinged with a whole lotta edge. 

I love Roma Norte, and you’ll love it too! Things nifty and unexpected lay around every corner. Every time I’m here, there’s always some good trouble or fab treasures to stumble into.

Aesthetically, Roma Norte, Mexico City is pretty beautiful. Lush trees line picturesque streets, which are anchored by gorgeous, historical buildings emblematic of several important architectural styles. The neighborhood is walkable, filled with lovely boutique hotels, and is only a stone’s throw from Centro Histórico. This makes it an ideal place to stay while you’re in the city.     

This 2-day Roma Norte itinerary is more of a slow burn than a pack-it-all in kind of jaunt. Roaming the streets with an eye for details and discoveries is the overall vibe. It’s a wonderful, curated walking (and eating!) itinerary for chicks traveling solo, couples and groups of friends. What it isn’t is kid-friendly. I love my 8-year-old to death, but sometimes mama just needs retail therapy and rooftop cocktails solo! 

Alright! Let’s hit the calles!

Day 1 | Roma Norte, Mexico City

Breakfast at Panaderia Rosetta

Panaderia Rosetta is celebrated Chef Elena Reygadas’s temple to exquisite baked goods with a Mexican twist. It’s the hottest breakfast-slash-brunch ticket in town, so expect to queue ‘cause they don’t do rezzies. But watch me not blink when I swear the wait is 1000% worth it!

A peek inside the enchanting bakery instantly transports you to the Belle Epoque. The detailed vintage design is beautiful, and you’ll lose your mind deciding which irresistible baked goods to order!

There’s also a proper menu of delicious breakfast/brunch/lunch plates to choose from. Personally, I’m all in for the mushroom quiche, and the plantain and mole tamal. But the heavenly baked goods here are the real star of the show. The guava roll and cardamom cinnamon roll are suuuuper popular, although my personal fave is their croissant. I gush all the time that it’s the croissantiest croissant I’ve ever eaten outside of Paris. My husband is from Paris, and I lived there for 4 years, so I don’t vouch for croissants lightly!

And dah-ling you must order a cappuccino. They serve one of the frothy best I’ve ever had!  

Architecture Walk

Roma Norte is a feast for the eyes. It boasts some of Mexico City’s most stunning architecture, beautiful plazas and vibrant street art. Which makes exploring the neighborhood’s bejeweled streets one of the best things to do in Roma Norte.

Before I point you in the direction of the area’s top buildings and wonders, a bit of history is in order.

Strangely enough, Rome Norte owes its founding to an eccentric Englishman, Eduardo Walter Orrin. Orrin made his fortune running a successful circus throughout North and South America. In 1872, he settled in Mexico City, where his circus ran for a whopping 26 years at the Teatro Blanquita in Centro Histórico. 

Orrin eventually led a group of investors in buying a large plot of land just south of Centro Histórico. The plan was to establish a haven for wealthy Mexico City residents itching to escape the city’s deteriorating historic center. Orrin named the area Roma after the Circo Romano, or Roman Circus, an obvious homage to his years under the big top. He also named the neighborhood’s streets after the many cities in Mexico where the circus ran. 

The first buildings in Roma Norte went up in the colonial architectural style, which was popular and considered modern in the late 1800s. Not long afterward, the neighborhood’s architecture and urban layout underwent a transformation to a style known as Porfirato, a nod to Mexico’s then President, Porfirio Diaz. 

Diaz envisioned architecture and an urban atmosphere inspired by the elegant buildings and grand boulevards of Paris. So avenues were widened, an abundance of trees were planted, and lofty pedestrian walkways appeared. The neighborhood’s architecture began to showcase a distinct mix of European styles, incorporating Italian, French, Moorish, and Gothic elements.

You can spot Porfiriato Art Deco, as it came to be known, by these elements, along with touches of cast iron, Italian marble, European granite, and stained glass.

The Porfiriato style prevailed until roughly 1920, when Colonial Revival architecture took over. Architectural tastes shifted after the Mexican Revolution, which lasted from 1910 – 1917. The trend now was toward a more nationalistic style which saw previously rejected Mexican architectural elements reintroduced. Materials like Mexican Cantera stone and ceramic Talavera tiles were resurrected in architecture that was heavily influenced by Baroque buildins in Spain. 

When you walk around, you can identify Colonial Revival buildings by elements like grotesques, pinnacles and mixtlinear arches (arches made of both curved and straight lines).

Fascinating, I know!

Now that you know the lay of the land, it’s time to spend the day marveling at Roma Norte’s architectural wonders.

My advice is to set out for a leisurely stroll without a strict agenda. You really just want to take it everything in.

Here are a some incredible architectural highlights that you can’t miss:

🏛️ Plaza Rio de Janeiro | A spectacular bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David set amid a fountain in a wide open public space. Definitely explore the surrounding area — it’s heaving with colonial and art deco mansions. 

🏛️ Casa de las Brujas | In Spanish, bruja means witch. Which explains the name of this imposing brick building. It’s topped by a roof shaped like a witches hat, and a set of windows beneath that appear to be her face. Also known as Edificio Rio de Janeiro, the building dates back to 1908 and sits just next to Plaza Rio de Janeiro. Pop in for a cocktail at the awesome, women-owned bar on the ground floor, Bar Brujas. 

🏛️ Casa Lamm | Casa Lamm was built in 1911 and is emblematic of high Porfiriatto style. Today it’s an important arts and cultural center which houses a learning institution and hosts important events.  

🏛️ Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia | A spectacular church on Avenida Álvaro Obregón that fuses Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Gothic elements, and boasts an incredible 25 stained glass windows.

🏛️ Historic Roma Norte homes on Avenue Colima | This is one of Roma Norte’s liveliest and most important streets. It’s filled with buildings and mansions comprising some of the neighborhood’s most stunning architecture.

🏛️ Street art at Plaza Luis Cabrera | This is one of the most popular areas in Roma Norte to mine buildings for street art, although you’ll find colorful artistic expressions all over the neighborhood.

🏛️ Avenida Álvaro Obregón | Roma Norte’s main artery is one of the wide avenues engineered during the presidency of Porfirio Diaz. Stroll the pedestrianized walkway in the middle of the street, which is home to numerous fountains and sculptures. The walkway is also a great place to take in architecture on either side of the bustling street.  

🏛️ Pasaje Parián | Pasaje Parián is chic and adorable! Built in 1926, it’s a covered passage fashioned in the Parisian style that now houses chic boutiques and a few restaurants. Fab for exploring and people-watching.

🏛️ The Fountain of Cybele | This statue of the ancient goddess Cybele was a gift from Spain to Mexico in 1980. It’s a popular neighborhood spot to hang out, and there’s a great street market here on the weekends. 

Lunch at Mercado Roma

Slide into a seat at one of the communal tables inside Mercado Roma, a 3-story gourmet food hall where you’ll find a range of food vendors. Expect a wide, tempting variety of Mexican and international cuisine, from pasta and tapas, to Vietnamese and Indian classics.  

You’ll also find plenty of wine, craft cocktails and microbrews to accompany lunch. And there’s even a rooftop beer garden to savor your drinks in the open air.

Mercado Roma has plenty of delish options for plant-based diners. On the traditional Mexican food front, you can’t go wrong with Gold Taco. This vegan and veggie joint is definitely the spot to get your soy carnitas on.  

Art at MODO & Maia Contemporary

Roma Norte is at the vanguard of Mexico City’s art scene. Which is why I love spending my afternoons here weaving in and out of cool museums and galleries. 

Two excellent spaces to experience the latest on Roma Norte’s art scene are MODO and MAIA Contemporary. They just so happen to be right down the street from each other, on Avenue Colima.  

MODO is short for Museo del Objeto del Objeto – which translates as “the purpose of the object” — and it’s Mexico City’s first museum dedicated to communication and design. It’s a rather quirky space with a permanent collection of over 30,000 pieces. Works are conceptual, inspired by Dadaist artists like Marcel Duchamp and Francis Picabia. Additionally, MODO also hosts traveling exhibitions.

Don’t miss the so-called padlocks of love on the sidewalk in front of the museum. If you’d like to leave a piece of your heart in CDMX, definitely inscribe your own! 

Wander down the street from MODO and you’ll find MAIA Contemporary. It’s located inside the beautiful conceptual space, Casa Basalta.

The art featured inside this sleek gallery is the polar opposite of everything you experienced at MODO. MAIA Contemporary promotes a changing roster of exhibits and installations that showcase emerging and established contemporary Mexican artists, as well as international talent and collectives. 

Expect bold, exciting pieces with a strong point of view. No matter what’s on, MAIA Contemporary is an excellent place to get a read on what’s moving the neighborhood culture. 

Relax at a Cool Café or Classic Cantina

Settle in for a coffee at one of Roma Norte’s hip cafes, or grab a drink at a traditional Mexican cantina? The neighborhood has a thriving coffee culture, and some popular cantinas. Both are among the top things to do in Roma Norte, so whichever you choose you can’t go wrong.

If you go the java route, my personal rec is El Péndulo, which is actually a bookstore. A bookstore? Hear me out.

There are several El Péndulo locations in Mexico City. The one in Roma Norte is laid out in a beautiful colonial mansion across 2 floors of total design-porn. It’s a really unique space to enjoy a late afternoon pick-me-up, browse some books (which make great souvenirs, btw) and feed the ‘Gram. Mexicans are major bookworms, so you’ll find many bookstores in the capital and beyond tricked out with striking designed. 

And oh yeah, the coffee! El Pendulo has a cafe that brews a pretty mean cup. In fact, they have a whole restaurant if you’re feeling snack. And bonus — if you were on the fence about going the cantina route, you can even grab cocktails here.

Cantinas are old-fashioned bars where you can down a stiff cocktail alongside some botanas, or appetizers. Originally, they were strictly for men. In 1988! Mexico just elected its first female president, so it’s great to see how rapidly late-blooming Mexico has progressed!

Since I live in Merida, I’m steering you over to La Riviera del Sur, a Yucatan-inspired cantinas. I love this place — the vibe balances old-school with up-to-the-minute, serving first-rate tequilas and mezcals, alongside perfectly-crafted cocktails.

The Yucatecan part of La Riviera is its food menu, which highlights traditional dishes from Mexico’s southeastern region. I’m sure you’re up for a snack after a long day exploring, so go for the chile xcatic, quesadillas de chaya or the guacamole habanero. 

Dinner at Balmori Rooftop Bar

Balmori is Roma Norte’s “It” girl. Trendy, sought after and covetously attractive. From the riveting marble bar and matching table tops, to the undulating pink booths and emerald seats, Balmori is all about sumptuous under the stars. 

This rooftop hotspot serves amazing international comfort, along with some of the neighborhood’s prettiest and most delicious libations, which showcase gin and mezcal. Being a vegetarian, I never come up short on Balmori’s menu, especially when it comes to my fave, the jamaica al pastor taquitos (to die!). There’s also a live DJ, which really kicks the vibe into another stratosphere!

The dress code at Balmori runs the gamut from casual to smart. They also host an excellent brunch, which you’ll just have to return to Roma Norte, Mexico City to find out about! 

Live Jazz & Blues at Casa Franca

If you’re craving more live music after Balmori, head over to swanky Casa Franca for some live jazz and blues. This velvety, low-lit bar is hidden away in a series of sexy rooms on the top floor of an historic Porfiriato building. It’s a classy club that fills up quickly, so be sure to make reservations after dinner.   

 Day 2 | Roma Norte, Mexico City

Morning Yoga at Mula Yoga Shala

Get a resplendent start to your day at Mula Yoga Shala, one of Roma Norte’s top yoga studios. Fitting in a yoga or pilates class is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. It’s excellent for working out all the kinks after your flight, and for counteracting all that vacay walking (and eating!). Plus, it’s an awesome way to connect with the local community!  

A peaceful and luminous studio located on the 4th floor of a building, Mula is truly a wonderful place to carpe diem. The studio is warm, welcoming and beautiful, and the top-notch teachers lead classes in a range of styles, including Hatha, vinyasa, dharma, and power yoga. Classes are taught in Spanish, but the teachers who speak English will happily accommodate your practice.

Brunch at Huset or Lalo!

If you’re feeling the post-yoga community spirit, take a seat at what seems like the world’s longest, family-style table at Lalo!. This uber popular spot balances healthy eats like acai bowls with sweet faves like pancakes. For the savory set, I suggest chowing down on Lalo!’s unmissable chilaquiles. Lalo! gets as busy as busy can be, so prepare to queue. 

If you prefer own dining space, option dos is breakfast on the magical, vine-covered patio at Huset. It’s a Roma Norte favorite serving globally-inspired dishes with seasonal ingredients. Breakfast runs more savory here, with omelets, scrambles, quesadillas, and enchiladas on the menu. But if you’re craving dulce, the French Toast and homemade pan should do you right.   

Shop Vintage & Concept

Roma Norte, Mexico City is vintage and concept shop heaven. There are sooooo many enticing stores to weave through that you could easily while the whole day away shopping. So throw on some comfy kicks ‘cause that’s exactly what you’re gonna do!

Good luck resisting all the storefronts vying for your attention. If you’d like a little help parsing, here’s a smattering of my favorite neighborhood shops.

🛍️ Goodbye Folk | Impeccably curated vintage store laid out over 3 floors.

🛍️ The Erre Vintage | Vintage pieces so unique that Andre 3000 from Outkast is known to pop in here.

🛍️ Pericón | Pea-sized, concept storefront selling affordable pottery and homewares that make great souvenirs.

🛍️ Taller de Letras | Jewel-toned, vintage-themed stationery boutique selling bespoke paper goods.

🛍️ Audette | Colorful, high-quality handbags with unique sculptural designs hand-crafted in Spain.

🛍️ LAGO | Upscale concept shop selling made in Latin America homewares and fashions.

🛍️ Innerbaum | Futuristic store carrying avant-garde bags, eyewear and accessories from around the globe.

🛍️ Metate | Concept boutique with a range of beautiful, hand-crafted, made-in-Mexico home goods and fashions.

🛍️ Picu | Aromatherapy house carrying body care and essential oils where you can craft your own signature scents

🛍️ Mooni | Art gallery filled with Mexican paintings and prints for purchase that offers worldwide shipping.

Contemporary Art at OMR Gallery

OMR Gallery is one of Mexico’s leading and most important contemporary art galleries. OMR is renowned for its meticulous curation of top Latin American and international artists. Prepare to be wowed by OMR’s avant-garde exhibits, which are heavy on super-sized, mind-bending pieces. OMR is housed in a hulking, industrial building that dates back to the 70s, although the interior is fairly stark.

Indulge at Churreria El Moro

The legendary Churreria El Moro is the perfect spot for a sweet treat to recharge after long a day out. This blue and white tiled Mexico City institution has been serving churros for over century. How insane is that!

Several El Moro locations exist throughout Mexico City. The Roma Norte shop, situated on the corner of Avenida Álvaro Obregón and Frontera, is the bee’s knees for people watching. Hop in the quick queue at this shrine to sugary, warm goodness and prepare for the ultimate yum. Feeling extra decadent? Pair your churros with a thick hot chocolate. 

Dinner at Restaurant Rosetta

Restaurante Rosetta is the Michelin-starred big sister of Panaderia Rosetta, where you delighted in breakfast yesterday morning. Rosetta is one of Mexico City’s most buzzed about restaurants, and its menu one of the city’s finest. The interior is divine. It boasts an elegant, Belle Epoque feel with several vine-flanked dining areas split across two levels.

Several seasonal, vegetarian options exist on Rosetta’s menu, making it a top choice for plant-based diners and omnivores alike. I’ve dined here a few times. Overall, my meal is fairly delicious, but some dishes can be inconsistent, and service can also be a bit crisp.

I don’t think these things would stand out as much if the polar opposite weren’t true over at Panaderia Rosetta. The food is always top notch, and the service is always impeccable and friendly.

But with just 2 days in Roma Norte, Rosetta is a fine dining rite of passage you can’t miss. After dinner, be sure to make your way to the beautiful bar upstairs for some simple yet luscious drinks.   

Cocktails at Licoreria Limantour 

Few better ways exist to nightcap an evening in Roma Norte, Mexico City than cozying up to a premium cocktail at Licoreria Limantour. There’s a reason this iconic bar currently ranks #7 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. They serve some of the most uniquely flavored and on-point concoctions you’ll ever imbibe. Cocktails here are creative, and meant to be savored. And with Limantour’s enticing and extensive menu, you just might find yourself savoring a few!

FAQs

Where to Stay in Roma Norte

In a fabulous boutique hotel, of course!

Here are 5 of Roma Norte’s hottest and top-rated stays:

🌙 La Valise Hotel | Occupying a 1920s French-style townhouse, this luxury boutique hotel comprises 8 meticulous, contemporary design suites. Some precious suites even include outdoor beds and bathtubs. Part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. 

🌙 Nima Local House Hotel & Spa | An oasis of privacy and calm in bustling Roma Norte, Nima Local House features four luxurious rooms in a “house hotel” inspired by sophisticated French design. Their excellent urban spa is known to offer a range of delicious massages and skincare services. 

🌙 Casa Goliana | This luxury bed & breakfast is a hidden gem that’s located inside a restored 20th century house. Each of Casa Goliana’s 8 rooms boast a unique design and layout while maintaining a high standard of elegance, and offering boutique amenities. 

🌙 Brick Hotel | Clean, contemporary design defines the stylish rooms at this luxury boutique hotel. Featuring a beautiful lobby bar, several terraces, a spa, a fine dining restaurant, and a rooftop suite with its own hot tub, you may never leave the property. 

🌙 Colima 71 | Colima 71 is a Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards winner, which really says it all. And that’s just the tip of the accolade iceberg. Located in the heart of Roma Norte on Avenue Colima, the hotel’s flawless interiors and exceptional art selection champion Mexican design.

Is Roma Norte Safe

Yes, Roma Norte is safe. I’ve visited several times, both solo and with female friends, and I’ve never once felt endangered. It’s a vibrant neighborhood with plenty of people always out on the streets, so you won’t find much dodgy ish going down.

That said, always remain aware of your surroundings, don’t do drugs or drink excessively, and don’t go wandering the streets alone late at night. 

How to Get Around Roma Norte, Mexico City

Roma Norte is made for walking. The whole neighborhood is only 6 x 10 blocks, which makes it fairly compact and super navigable. Plus, Roma Norte, Mexico City is one of those places where the devil is in the details. Walking is full of opportunities to marvel at architecture and discover new restaurants, shops and galleries. 

What’s the Currency in Roma Norte

Mexico uses the peso. Here’s my favorite tool for checking the current exchange rate. 

What’s the Electrical Sitch in Roma Norte

In Mexico, power plugs and outlets are type A and type B, with a standard voltage of 127 V at a frequency of 60 Hz.

Um. What does that even mean?

Well, if you’re from the States, it means you won’t need a converter or adapter because the electrical sitch here in Mexico is the same. So go ahead and plug in your curling iron without fear of explosion. 

If you’re not from the States, and you want to know more about power conversions and finding the right adapter, go here. 

The Wrap

I’m pretty sure I told you this 2-day Roma Norte guide was gonna be a slow bur. But clearly I lied, because it’s packed with way more 411 than I intended. Which is awesome! Because now you really have your finger on the pulse of this mega cool hood!

After experiencing all the best things to do in Roma Norte, Mexico City, I know you’ll fall hard for it, just like I have. So I guess we’ll be seeing each other when you return! 

To discover more premium Mexico City itineraries, check out my other articles: 4 Days in Mexico City: The Ultimate Girl’s Trip Guide, and The 27 Best Things to Do in Polanco, Mexico City’s Swankiest Hood. 

As always, inspired travels, Amiga! 💜   

FYI – The World I Roam contains affiliate links. When you make purchases through these links, you support this site at no additional cost to you. Thanks for the love! ❤️