Mexico City has it all. It’s where world-renowned restaurants share corners with local street food stands. Where museums and mercados coexist. Go to CDMX, and you’ll find yourself checking off more than one place on your bucket list.

MEET SU

Just like the city she calls home, Su Wu is a true multihyphenate: she’s a writer, poet, and curator. Mexico City, she says, “has this really long history of welcoming artists and travelers.” Next time you find yourself there, here are some of her favorite spots.

Casa PaniWhat was once the home of Mexican architect Mario Pani is now a guest-house style hotel. A hotspot for creatives, it's a testament to the city’s design history.

Mercado JamaicaA trip to the local markets is a must when in CDMX, and Mercado Jamaica is not to be missed. Come for the flowers, stay for everything else.

RosettaChef Elena Reygadas dreams up Italian dishes with Mexican twists. The menu is a la carte, but the handmade pastas are basically a requirement. As is the bakery.

Su's packing list

Among the many things Su has gracefully mastered, the art of packing is certainly one of them. Here’s everything she brings whenever she leaves home.

How would you spend a perfect day in your neighborhood?

This is an amazing neighborhood for walking. So I really love wandering with the flimsiest of premises, not really needing anything.

Museo Rufino TamayoA contemporary museum in the heart of Chapultepec Park. Out of all the museums in the area, this is a standout—the architecture alone is reason enough to go.

La Lagunilla MarketIf you want proof that CDMX has it all, head to antique market Lagunilla. Open on Sundays, you can find everything from vintage trinkets to fresh micheladas.

Street food stand“The classic Mexico City dish is the al pastor taco,” Su says. Where to get them? Street food stands, something that CDMX is famous for (they’re everywhere).

Máximo BistrotInspired by French bistro style, Chef Eduardo García sources ingredients local to CDMX. The space feels like a giant atrium—perfect for any special occasion.

What drew you to Mexico City?

There's this story I love to tell about the artist Frances Alÿs. He says that Mexico City is the last place in the world where people are still willing to call themselves poets without any apology or qualification. And I've found that to be the case—there's a real sincerity in the creative endeavor.