Exploring CDMX: Late-Night Tacos, Artisan Chocolate, and Culinary Delights (Day1)

Mexico here we come again, this time to enjoy gastronomy and city culture! We took a late afternoon flight from ORD to CDMX on a Friday night, and after a 4-1/2 hrs. flight and another 3 hrs. to get the car and check into the right Airbnb we couldn’t wait to start our food adventure . So within the first few minutes of our full day ( as it was Saturday Morning) we made sure to stop by Taqueria Orinoco, strategically placed next to our Airbnb ( or the other way around). This taqueria is a popular spot known for serving some of the best tacos in the city with a lively atmosphere and a line of locals and visitors outside even at the wee hours of the morning. After drinking and dancing on a Friday night nothing recharges you to continue on than el pastor tacos. We were just there for the tacos though.

Taquería Orinoco is famous for its simple yet delicious menu, focusing on the essentials: tacos made with perfectly cooked meat and fresh ingredients. We ordered all three varieties of tacos to get the full experience— trompo (al pastor), res (beef), and chicharrón (crispy pork skin). Each taco came with handmade corn tortillas that were soft, warm, and slightly charred. The al pastor was the star of the show. The pork, marinated in a mix of spices and slow-cooked on a vertical spit, was juicy and flavorful with just the right amount of char from the grill. Paired with the traditional pineapple, it was a perfect balance of sweet and savory. The chicharrón taco, crispy on the outside yet tender within, offered a different texture and flavor that was just as satisfying. The res (beef) taco was another standout, with its tender, seasoned meat bursting with flavor.Each taco was served with sides of salsas, including a creamy avocado salsa and a spicy red salsa, as well as grilled onions, potatoes and radishes to add an extra layer of flavor and freshness. The taquería itself had a retro, diner-like vibe, with bright red and white decor, metal stools, and an open kitchen.Despite being busy, the service was fast and efficient, allowing us to enjoy our tacos hot off the grill.

We went to sleep soon after the sumptuous meal and woke up at 8 am in the morning. It was time to explore the numerous cafes in the city and we found a nice one on the next street, called Chiquitito Café ,nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of Condesa. This café has quite a few branches and is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, known for its delightful ambiance ,exceptional brews and acceptance of your four legged friends.This particular branch of Chiquitito Café, was a small hole in the wall kind of  location but  with a warm and inviting décor. The café is thoughtfully designed with a mix of vintage and modern touches with outside seating. That combined with excellent coffee and baked goods like croissants, pastries, and cookies. We particularly enjoyed the chocolate croissant, which was flaky and filled with a delicious Mexican chocolate, making it the perfect complement to our coffee. We started with a pour-over coffee, which was expertly brewed and showcased the rich flavors of the beans sourced locally in Mexico from veracruz. The café sources its coffee beans with great care, and it was evident in the quality of the cup. We also tried a cortado, which had a beautifully velvety texture and a perfect balance of coffee and milk.They also offer a small but well-curated selection of breakfast and brunch items but we had a big brunch planned so we skipped those.The staff at Chiquitito Café were friendly and knowledgeable, and were more than happy to share recommendations and talk about their coffee beans and brewing methods, adding a personal touch to our visit.

As we had a brunch meeting at Lardo with some of Shays’ ChoCoffeeWine friend’s we had some time in our hand’s and  we spent that exploring the included facilities at our ULIV Airbnb’s place. We really liked the hang out area on the roof , which is a cool place to bring your breakfast or have some drinks and grill in the evening. The arrangement is very nice and well maintained and can even be used to work if you are there for a long term. Our brunch at Lardo in Mexico City was a standout experience that perfectly combined great food with a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere and good company. Located in the heart of La Roma, a trendy neighborhood known for its vibrant culinary scene, is a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in modern Mexican cuisine but a reservation is a must. Our reservation got somehow screwed up and we had to wait outside for 30 mins, but time passed on quickly while we caught up with our friends. The breakfast menu is full of different types of pastries and baked goods with some unique Mexican twists like, croissants with hoja Santo or with guava jam and ricotta. They make their own bread and have some delicious wood fried meat sandwiches. Since we it was still early in the morning we stuck to different baked goods and omelets, along with their lattes and freshly made vegetable juice combos.They serve their regular filtered water in a bottle with a fresh branch of rosemary in it , which added an extra layer of savouriness in the food. Overall, Lardo offers a fantastic dining experience that beautifully showcases modern Mexican cuisine in a  stylish setting with excellent service.If you’re in the area and looking for a restaurant that offers both innovation and comfort, Lardo is definitely worth a visit.

When we planned the trip we were not aware that Saturday was the world chocolate day and there was a 3 day chocolate fair going on over the weekend. When Shay’s friend told us about it we were extremely happy to know that we could spend at least ½ a day in the Chocolate festival. It was being held at the Cencalli Cultural Center, and is an annual event celebrating the rich history and diverse flavors of Mexican chocolate and from some other South American countries, showcasing both traditional and innovative uses of this beloved ingredient. Since most of these makers are not able to make to the chocolate festivals it was a great opportunity for us to put faces to brands that we had enjoyed before and also to make some new friends and meet lots of new chocolate makers and ethusiatas.As we arrived at the fair, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. The venue has the back wall permanently adorned with colorful floral decorations made with corn husks, which is stunning and offers a great backdrop for all the chocolate-themed displays in front. We were greeted by a variety of stalls, each offering something unique—whether it was artisanal chocolates, chocolate-based beverages, or even cooking demonstrations.

One of the highlights was watching a live demonstration of Molinillo being made from wood using age-old technique.We were also fortunate to be able to bring one of the big decorative Molinillo for our home display. We also sampled a wide range of Mexican chocolates made from single-origin cacao beans sourced from different regions of Mexico. Each variety had its own distinct flavor profile, ranging from fruity and floral to rich and earthy. The knowledgeable chocolate makers or farmers were more than happy to share the story behind each chocolate, explaining how the unique characteristics of the cacao beans and the processing methods contributed to the final taste. This also gave us an opportunity to stock up on our Mexican chocolate collection as we bought a lot of bars to taste and pair later on.The fair wasn’t just about tasting and learning; it also featured live music, cultural performances, and art displays that celebrated Mexican culture. 

After dropping our friend at her house we planned to get some clothes shopping done and we chose the Mercado de Artesanías on Calle Londres. There are few of these mercado’s all around the city and we chose this one purely due to proximity to our Airbnb. This is located in a very busy street with lots of bars/clubs and restaurants so parking is little time consuming and expensive ( compared to other places in Mexico, compared to the USA it is very cheap). Situated in the vibrant neighborhood of La Condesa, this market is a haven for anyone interested in traditional and contemporary Mexican arts and crafts.As we entered the market, we were greeted by a lively and colorful atmosphere with stalls bursting with an array of handmade goods—everything from intricately woven textiles and vibrant pottery to hand-carved wooden items and delicate jewelry. Each booth seemed to showcase the rich diversity of Mexican artisan traditions, making it a great place to find unique souvenirs and gifts.

The market has an extensive collection of hand-painted tiles and ceramics (very few with Talavera designation though) with their distinctive patterns and bright colors. Since we were going to spend two days in Puebla , where Talavera originates from, we decided to move on from those shops. Our main aim was to browse through the textiles section, where we discovered beautifully woven rebozos (shawls) and colorful embroidered blouses, skirts and dresses. The craftsmanship was evident in the intricate designs and the high quality of the materials. We picked up quite a few dresses for Shay as well as for mom and as gifts for family members. The market also featured a variety of Mexican folk art. We admired hand-painted Day of the Dead figurines, wooden alebrijes (fantastical creatures), and beaded jewelry. Each piece was a testament to the vibrant cultural heritage of Mexico, reflecting the creativity and skill of local artisans. We decided to get some hand made paintings , known as Amate depicting mexican day to day life from the. The paper Amate is a kind of bark paper ( from the Amate tree) and dates back to pre hispanic times. They are then painted with colorful everyday life depictions of birds and animals and are made by indigenous people from Northern Puebla or northern Veracruz and Hidalgo. The market’s vibrant atmosphere, combined with the high-quality artisanal goods and friendly vendors, makes it a fantastic place to immerse yourself in Mexican culture and take home a few pieces of its rich artistic tradition.

One of the places we make sure we visit whenever we are in Mexico City is the El liquor store in Roma Norte. This place was introduced to us by some of our chocolate maker friends as they frequently have tasting and chocolate pairing events. The store also has some of the most unique collections of agave spirits, whether it is mezcal, tequila, sotol or anything else. We picked up a few of the mezcals as well. After that it was time to get back to our Airbnb and freshen up before dinner. We didn’t want to go through the hassle of driving and parking again so we chose a place within walking distance called the La Capital.

 It is a popular spot known for its vibrant atmosphere and delicious Mexican cuisine and is celebrated for its contemporary take on traditional Mexican dishes. La Capital has a stylish and modern décor, featuring a mix of industrial and rustic elements, with high walls, sleek furnishings, and an open layout.They have a creative cocktail menu and we tried a few of their mezcal based creative cocktails, with fresh citrus and herbs. The cocktails were expertly crafted and complemented the flavors of our meal beautifully. They also have a few unique mocktails and can also make their unique cocktails without the alcohol. Mom really likes the maracuya or passion fruit , mango, pomegranate and ginger mocktail. For appetizers we went with Sopa de lemon, grilled Octopus and shrimp tacos. While the octopus was ok, the standout one was the shrimp taco which was delicious fresh shrimp wrapped in tortilla and drizzled with their magic sauce. For the main course we went with their unique pistachio stuffed chicken covered with completely burnt tortilla and charred vegetables with corn in the cream side dish. This was a unique dish and was nothing like what we had tasted before.. The completed burnt tortilla on top of the chicken kept the pistachio stuffed chicken juicy and imparted a unique burnt taste that is hard to describe. We wanted to have some dessert but were too full to even look at the postres menu. We paid our bill and walked to our Airbnb reminiscing on a full day of cultural immersion.