An Insider’s Guide to Barrio Alameda, Mexico City

What is now the Barrio Alameda building was once a rundown Art Deco edifice, one of many in Mexico’s historic centre, left over from the 1920s heyday which saw it serve as office space for the practice of a German doctor. As the century progressed, it gradually became a hub for lawyers, accountants and journalists, before the 1985 earthquake somewhat sped up its deterioration. It wasn’t until 2013, with the intervention of the Somos ACHA team, that this historic building began its road to recovery, one which the developers hoped would provoke something of a renaissance throughout the Alameda Central zone as a whole.

Having since been revamped in keeping with the Art Deco style and design of the original, four-floored Barrio Alameda is now a stylish hub of food, drink and commerce in Mexico City’s historic centre.

If you want dinner with a spectacular view at Barrio Alameda, then La Azotea (a restaurant which also doubles as a laidback bar and sometime open-air cinema) is unrivalled. However, for people watchers and burger lovers, grabbing a table at the street side, ground floor Butcher and Sons comes a close second, as does neighbouring pizzeria Cancino. For regional Mexican cuisine, head to Marquesitas, which specialises in Yucatecan food, and round it off with ice cream at Glacé afterwards.

If you’d rather just get an after work drink, or take a post-sightseeing break, then mezcal bar Mundana with its unique cocktails is never a bad option, nor is Guillos, which is both a Mexican restaurant and bar.

There is no shortage of stores and shops to browse through in Barrio Alameda, whether you’ve got niche interests or just love high quality Mexican-inspired products.

If you’re looking for clothing, you’ll be spoiled for choice between Xico, HoM or Casa Salt, but don’t forget SnkrLab if you want to pick up some trainers. La Marin is the place to head for hats, while you can get groomed at either Barbería Capital or La Casa del Barbero before getting a tattoo at the pleasingly named InkInc.

For a Mexican twist on things, head to Frida México or get retro at Singular Vintage Shop, both of which sell clothing and accessories. Meanwhile, El Hijo del Santo is dedicated to anything and everything lucha libre related.

If you’re in the market for something a little more niche, Casa Navaja stocks all things skateboarding, while Decomixado is a self-declared comicbrería (comic book store) and El Club del Rock & Roll is all about the records.

On the homeware end of things, you can get your fashionable succulents from Decorería La Suculenta and Mexican designed everyday items from Utilitario Mexicano.

Finally, for art lovers there’s plenty to see and do too – pick up some silk-screen prints from Zagal or check out photography workshop La Máquina del Tiempo.

Barrio Alameda, Calle Dr Mora 9, Colonia Centro, Ciudad de México, México, +52 55 5512 3810