Mexico City/Polanco

Polanco refers to an area of Mexico City north of Chapultepec Park. This district is delimited by Paseo de la Reforma to the south, Boulevard Manuel Avila Camacho (aka Periférico) to the west, Avenida Ejercito Nacional to the north and Avenida Mariano Escobedo to the east. Many streets in the area are named after famous writers, philosophers or scientists; its most notable street, Avenida Presidente Masaryk, is named after a Czech president. Today, Polanco is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods of Mexico City and commands some of the highest real estate prices, and offers a wide range of upscale boutiques, restaurants and numerous art galleries.

Polanco is known for its cultural diversity: it is home to one of the largest Jewish and Lebanese communities in Mexico and there are several synagogues in the area. North of Polanco is a wealthy residential neighborhood, Lomas de Chapultepec (and further out more wealthy copycat neighborhoods collectively known as Las Lomas) which is difficult to get to without a car, but has some additional places to visit.

Get in

By Metro

The Metro is the easiest way to get in, as 🌍 Polanco station (Line 7, or the orange line) is located conveniently in the middle of the area and one block away from Avenida Presidente Masaryk.

See

Museo Soumaya

Museo Júmex

Polanco is an urban business hub that is best explored on foot. Eclectic and Nationalist styles, flourish in Polanco.

• 🌍 Plaza Uruguay (on Av Horacio, between Hegel and Lope de Vega). A small, nicely wooded park with a fascinating concrete sculpture in the middle; good place to stop and rest if you are tired of shopping. 
• 🌍 Museo Soumaya, Blvd Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra 303, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 10:30-18:30. A private museum and collection owned by Carlos Slim, who is ranked as the wealthiest man in the world. The collection includes art from many well-known European artists, including an extensive selection of works by Auguste Rodin, and the building was designed by Slim's son-in-law, architect Fernando Romero. Free. 
• 🌍 Museo Júmex, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra 303, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tu-Sa 11:00-20:00, Su 11:00-21:00. This privately-owned modern art museum houses an extensive collection of work by Mexican and international artists, including Orozco and Amorales, and hosts special exhibits. M$50 (foreign nationals), M$30 (Mexican citizens), M$15 (students/teachers), free (seniors/children under 15), free admission on Fridays. 

Do

• Sample the internationally-renowned cuisine of one of the city's most famous restaurants, such as Aguila y Sol or Izote.
• Window shop, or purchase if you can afford it, amongst the designer boutiques on Presidente Masaryk.
• Stop by the Architecture and Design Center at Avenida Juan Vázquez de Mella number 481.
• See a film in one of the cineplexes in the neighborhood, including the arthouse theater Cinemex Casa de Arte.
• Look at all of the foreign embassies and impressive buildings scattered throughout the area.

Buy

• Avenida Presidente Masaryk (alternatively, though incorrectly, spelled Mazaryk, or Masarik). Masaryk is one of the trendiest and most expensive shopping areas in Mexico City, where the local jet-set supply themselves. Many designer boutiques-- from Armani to Zara-- and jewelers such as Cartier, Bvlgari and Tiffany's, can be found on Masaryk. Beware, prices are probably twice as much for the same goods than in other countries.
• Museum store, Aristoteles 8, ☎ [phone]. Sells eclectic trinkets that are not only appealing but let you see the humorous side of the Mexican psyche. 
• Piel Canela, Oscar Wilde 20 in Polanco (near the Lincoln Park), ☎ [phone]. Sells butter-soft leather handbags and accessories. 
• Tane, Masaryk 430, ☎ [phone]. M-F 10:00-19:00, Sa 11:00-15:00. Eye catching jewels abound in this store, which produces and sells high-quality silver, silver tableware, hollowware and other objets d'art. 
• Sergio Bustamante, Hotel Nikko, Campos Eliseos and Emilio Castellar, ☎ [phone]. For those without a budget, head to this store which sells the work of artist, Sergio Bustamante, whose playful sculptures made from copper, bronze and papier mache go for a eye opening price. 

Malls

• Antara Polanco Newest and trendiest shopping center in the city.
• Molière 222
• Pabellón Polanco Chic fashion centre.
• Plaza Polanco

Department Stores

• Liverpool
• Palacio de Hierro
• Suburbia

Eat

• 🌍 Fisher's, Horacio 232, ☎ [phone]. Daily 09:30-23:00. Serves fish and shellfish in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. It is worth paying the slightly high prices due to the ample variety of shellfish that is found here and is not available at other places. 
• 🌍 Rincón Argentino, Presidente Mazaryk 177, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 12:30-00:30. Although somewhat commercial (the restaurant is outfitted like an Argentinean ranch), this restaurant is well known for its exquisite cuts of beef. Its a meat lovers paradise, although vegetarians are catered for with delicious salads. 
• 🌍 Chez Wok, Tennyson 117, ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 13:30-16:45, 19:30-23:45, Su 13:30-16:45. Serving Cantonese to Pekinese cuisine, as well as some Szechuan and Shanghainese choices, this is the place to go when you're craving the flavor of the East. It's quite formal inside, and a great place to impress a special someone. You can't leave without trying the Peking Duck. 
• Izote, Masaryk 515-11. Haute Mexican cuisine. Run by renowned chef Patricia Quintana. 
• La Valentina, Masaryk 393, 2nd floor. Great place for Mexican food with a local ambiance. This restaurant has a branch in Miami at Aventura Mall. 
• Casa Vieja, Eugenio Sue. This exclusive hotel also contains a rooftop restaurant serving high-class Mexican cuisine. 
• Suntory, Montes Urales 535, Colonia Lomas de Chapultepec, ☎ [phone]. One of the oldest (and more traditional) Japanese restaurants in the city. There is another branch at Torres Adalid 14, Colonia del Valle. 
• Nanda Yo, Alejandro Dumas 105, ☎ [phone]. A kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi restaurant in a stylish go-go lounge with Japanese-style minimalist decor. Prices look affordable but don't get caught off-guard; even if a plate of sushi ranges from M$15-45, you may add them up to around M$300-400 per person. Ask for rolls like the Mazinger Z, or Atroboy. 
• Centro Asturiano. Relatively close to Chapultepec, the Centro Asturiano is where some of the Mexican-Spaniards gather. It has an excellent restaurant offering delicious Iberian treats. 
• El Pendulo, Nuevo León, 115, Colonia Condesa. Hip, bright, clean coffeehouse/bookstore with a wide selection of drinks, desserts, and light foods, plus shelves and shelves of (mostly Spanish-language) books and DVDs to peruse. Not far from the Nikko hotel. 
• El Bajío, Alejandro Dumas 7 (near the Hard Rock), ☎ [phone]. Daily 08:00-23:00. Some people call this the best place in the entire ciudad for traditional Mexican food. All of the tacos have a great flavor, and don't miss their mole sauce (even if on arroz). Bebidas buenoes - the horchata margarita and the cafe de olla are must haves. The restaurant is out of the way of the main Polanco area, but don't be fooled, it's usually busy so expect a wait. M$10-20. 

Drink

• Blue Lounge, within Camino Real Hotel, Mariano Escobedo 700, Col. Anzures, ☎ [phone]. A cool, relaxed place to have a drink and a nice chat. Average prices and good service. 
• Bambaata, Moliere 237, ☎ [phone]. Dance the night away at this hip-hop, reggaeton & rap place. No entry charge, but is usually overcrowded, so clear a space for yourself on the dance floor. 
• Cosmo, Avenida Presidente Masaryk 410 Colonia Polanco, ☎ [phone]. Drinks of choice are martinis for the young trendy professionals that frequent this place. It's somewhat of a scene, and there is an air of pretension, but the staff are attentive and the decor is hip and funky. 

• Canarios de Masarik, ☎ [phone]. 13:00-24:00. Great place for Mexican food with a local ambiance. M$300-400 per person. 
• Jaso Restaurant, Newton 88 Polanco, ☎ [phone]. 14:00-02:00. Jaso is an ideal place for enjoying the finest Signature Cocktails in Mexico City surrounded by a cool ambiance. M$400-600 per person. 

Sleep

• Habita Hotel, Av. Presidente Masaryk 201, ☎ [phone]. Boutique hotel with a minimalist interior, the Habita Hotel has changed the style of the Mexican hotel industry. White and grey/steel is a common colour theme, elegant gray Mexican marble lining the bathrooms from floor to ceiling. Located on the rooftop terrace, the hotel's AREA bar remains among the city's most popular nightspots. From M$6400. (updated Apr 2019)
• Hotel Polanco, Edgar Allan Poe 8. A local favorite that often gets overlooked amidst the grand hotels in Polanco, but still offers many of the amenities of larger hotels, but at a much better price. Pleasant furninshing and attentive staff round out a good deal. 

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