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The view might be of the skyline, the surrounding coastline, a romantic interior courtyard, or simply your date backlit by the cityscape. Whatever the venue, summer is the time to dine outdoors, catch a breeze, and relax as if you are on vacation, even if you’re in the city you call home.
Best Outdoor Dining in....
Best Outdoor Dining
Mexico City
El Mayor República de Argentina No. 15, Centro Historico, 55.5704.7580
The Draw: An open-air dining terrace overlooking Templo Mayor in the heart of the city. The Scene: It’s come-as-you-are in this upscale rooftop garden with views of the pre-Hispanic Templo Major and the Metropolitan Cathedral just below. Dishes run the range from mouth-watering appetizers (think shrimp taquitos served with a dollop of spicy chipotle, brie in a savory dry chile sauce, and the curiously tasty fried parsley tacos) to main courses like chicharon (pig-skin) stuffed peppers and sea bass with sautéed corn mushrooms. Hot Tip: El Mayor and its sister cafe/deli next door sit above one of the oldest bookstores/editorial houses in the country, making a book and a bite the perfect respite from the madding crowds.
The Cafeteria at Franz Mayer Museum Museo Franz Mayer, Av. Hidalgo 45, Centro Historico, 55.5518.2266 franzmayer.org.mx
The Draw: A dream cafe located in the pristine courtyard of the country’s foremost decorative arts museum. The Scene: Located just across the street from Bellas Artes and the Alameda in the 18th century Plaza de la Santa Veracruz, this venue is ideal for a tranquil espresso and baguette served to the soundtrack of live birds and classical music. The cafeteria has been adorned with time-piece Talavera tiling and surrounds a treed courtyard. Your five peso entrance fee includes entrance to a pair of exhibit halls, the first a permanent display tracing the history of decorative arts in Mexico since the Conquest, the second the spectacular Biblioteca Rogerio Casas-Alatriste, with its huge collection of Don Quixote—close to 800 editions, several dating back nearly 400 years. Hot Tip: September visitors take note: The claustro walls double as the backdrop to Franz Mayer’s annual World Press Photo exhibit.
La Terraza at the Condesa DF Hotel Condesa DF, Veracruz 102, Condesa, 55.5241.2600 condesadf.com
The Draw: Mexico City’s sexiest rooftop. The Scene: High style and sushi combine to make La Terreza one of the city’s trendiest nigh scenes. Located on the unique triangular roof of the legendary Condesa DF hotel and overlooking the barrio below, the restaurant’s interior is full of fine touches by Parisian designer India Mahdavi, as well as memorable martinis, excellent appetizers, and the city’s hottest A-List crowd. Hot Tip: Head underground to the hotel’s bar downstairs at closing.
