City Guide
Our Favourite Design Stops in Mexico City
Some of the homes, destinations, and vintage shops that remind us why the city remains one of the most exciting design capitals in the world.
Mexico City has a way of revealing itself slowly. Just when you think you have seen the city, someone pulls you through an unmarked door into a gallery, or points you toward a quiet street where an extraordinary building is hiding in plain sight.
For us, the design and architecture never stop surprising. Modernist homes sit beside colourful facades, bougainvillea spills over concrete walls, and plants seem to grow straight through the architecture itself. As Canadians, the energy and vibrancy can feel like a striking contrast to our own sensibilities. Perhaps that is why we keep returning, especially during Mexico City Design Week. It is a place that reminds us how expressive and alive design can be.
This guide brings together some of our favourite design stops in and around the city that continue to inspire us each time we visit. Our advice for using it is simple. Let it be a starting point. Stay curious and let the city take you where it wants to go.
Tip: We’ve linked each destination to its website or a Google Maps location so you can easily bookmark the places that catch your eye and build your own list as you explore the city.
Casa Holtz, located in the Lomas de Chapultepec neighbourhood.
Casa Gilardi - Last home built by Mexican architect Luis Barragán
Residences, Galleries & Design Spaces
Casa Gilardi- One of the last residential projects designed by Luis Barragán, Casa Gilardi is often considered a masterclass in colour, light, and spatial composition.
Casa Ortega - Barragán’s first home and one of the earliest expressions of the architectural language he would later become known for.
Casa De Reunión - Originally built in the 1930s, Casa De Reunión has been carefully restored and renovated by Stellah de Ville. The project blends historic architecture with contemporary interiors in a way that feels effortless.
Casa Holtz - An Art Nouveau gem tucked quietly into the city, Casa Holtz is a private residence and can only be admired from the outside. Even so, the sculptural façade alone makes it worth the visit.
Pedro Reyes Residence and Studio - The home and studio of artist Pedro Reyes is one of those places that sits firmly on the design world’s bucket list. Visits are by invitation only, but if you ever have the chance, the space offers a rare look into the working environment of one of Mexico’s most celebrated contemporary artists.
Casa Estudio - Barragán’s final home and studio is one of the most iconic works of modern architecture in Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Casa Praxis - Designed by architect Agustín Hernández, Casa Praxis feels almost otherworldly in its form. The residence is private and not open to the public, but the dramatic geometry of the exterior alone makes it a stop worth seeking out.
Casa Pedregal - Designed by Luis Barragán in the 1940s, Casa Pedregal is one of the most important examples of Mexican modernist residential architecture. Plan your visit around lunch at Tetetlán next door. The restaurant sits beautifully within the same lava landscape that inspired the original architecture.
El Nido de Quetzalcóatl - An extraordinary architectural project by Javier Senosiain, El Nido de Quetzalcóatl winds through the landscape in the form of a giant serpent. Located about an hour outside the city, the site can be visited as a park, or experienced more fully by staying overnight in one of the apartments built into the structure. One of the most memorable design experiences we have had anywhere.
Fundación Casa Wabi - Designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, Fundación Casa Wabi is a cultural foundation dedicated to contemporary art and artistic exchange.
Biblioteca Vasconcelos - Often referred to as the “megalibrary,” Biblioteca Vasconcelos is one of the most dramatic public spaces in Mexico City. Suspended bookshelves seem to float through the vast interior, creating a cathedral-like environment.
MASA Galería - One of the most exciting contemporary design galleries in Mexico City, known for championing collectible design and experimental furniture.
Inside the rooms at El Nido de Quetzalcóatl. One of the most spectacular stays in Mexico City. There's so much to explore.
Even the doors are out of this world!
Stores (Vintage, Publications & more)
Trouvé - Part vintage furniture gallery, part design treasure hunt, Trouvé is filled with sculptural pieces and unexpected home objects that feel carefully discovered rather than simply sourced. It’s the kind of place where every corner offers something unusual.
La Laguna - Set inside a former textile factory, La Laguna has become one of the most exciting creative hubs in the city. The space brings together artists, designers, architecture studios, and independent vendors, making it an easy place to spend an afternoon discovering new voices and ideas.
Década MX - Located in La Laguna, Década MX specializes in vintage furniture with a strong focus on Mexican modernism and carefully restored pieces. The showroom feels thoughtful and restrained, making it a rewarding stop for anyone interested in the country’s design history.
Galeria Cordoba - A vintage furniture showroom known for its selection of modernist pieces and collectible design. Visits are by appointment, which makes the experience feel more like stepping into a private collection than a traditional shop.
Azotea - Azotea is an extraordinary furniture studio dedicated to reworking and reupholstering vintage pieces in unexpected textiles and bold materials. Open Saturdays by appointment.
Casa Bosques - A beautifully designed bookstore by Savvy Studio devoted to art, architecture, and design. Beyond books, the space also carries a thoughtful selection of objects and printed works.
Outside of Trouvé in Roma Norte
Books, books & more books at Casa Bosques
Restaurants & Cafes
El Minutito - A small café that shifts effortlessly from morning espresso bar to evening wine and dining spot. Beyond the excellent coffee and pastries, the interiors are what make it memorable. Warm woods, thoughtful lighting, and a mix of vintage and contemporary pieces.
Cupido - Designed by Formant Studio, Cupido is a café and listening room where sound and space are treated with equal care. The interior blends brutalism, retro-futurism, and subtle 1970s warmth.
Máximo - One of Mexico City’s most beloved restaurants, Máximo Bistrot pairs thoughtful cooking with an interior that feels relaxed and beautifully lived-in. One of our go-to spots, every detail - from the menus to food plating - is beautifully executed without feeling over the top.
Tetetlán - Located beside Casa Pedregal, Tetetlán sits within the dramatic volcanic landscape of El Pedregal. The architecture integrates lava stone, concrete, and glass in a way that feels deeply connected to the surrounding environment, making it as much an architectural destination as it is a restaurant.
The menu of Maximo. An essential stop for Centerpiece.
Tetetlán was an old horse stable and now houses a library, cafe, wellness center alongside the restaurant.