24 hours in Mexico City for the young collectors
- Mexico Cultural Travel
- Aug 18, 2025
- 9 min read
Mexico City’s cultural scene is vibrant and boundary pushing; a place where experimentation mixes with extremely well curated discourse, and where the rhythm feels both cosmopolitan and intimate. Here, we’ll guide you for 24 hours through this eclectic, unpredictable, yet warm city; from decentralized artist run spaces to top notch international galleries. This selection also highlights and promotes some venues that remain relatively off the beaten path, offering a curated mix of the city’s celebrated icons and its more hidden cultural gems
You’ll start your day with a nutrient filled, affordable and delicious breakfast at:
Fonda Margarita
Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 6:30 to 12:00
Since 1948, Fonda Margarita offers a vast legacy of traditionally prepared dishes that pays tribute to Mexico’s culinary culture. They have daily specials, depending on the day you go to, but can enjoy all-year-round pork, eggs, beans, beef and more types of traditional Mexican foods in its different presentations.
If this is your first time in Mexico, or you want to know what real Mexican cuisine is, this is the place for it. It might not seem like your typical high-end luxurious restaurant, but the food served here is second to none. There’s a reason why Anthony Bourdain named it the best place to have breakfast in Mexico.
After you have a full belly, you'll walk towards Parque Hundido metrobús station and hop on a bus towards La Piedad station and walk to:
Ambar Quijano Gallery
Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 17:00
Website: https://ambarquijano.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambar.quijano/
Tucked into a mid-century home in Escandón, Ambar Quijano offers a refreshing break from the white cube aesthetic. This gallery showcases great talent from Mexico and all over the world, making it an ideal space for young collectors. Ambar Quijano, the woman from which the gallery gets its name, has a background in the art market at Christie’s and Guggenheim, leading her to create not only a sharply curated space, but advisory services to navigate the market. This gallery has earned the trust of emerging and seasoned collectors alike. Ambar’s approach is transparent, demystifying the art world while guiding you toward works that align with your taste, values, and long term vision.
After your first cultural stop, you might want to brace yourself with a beverage, since it’s nonstop from here. You can do that at:
Agrio Club
Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 to 18:00
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agrioclub/
Agrio Club is one of the latest additions to the Escandón neighborhood. Opened in September 2024 by Argentinian couple Grecia and Sol, who restored an old paper and cardboard store, to create a space for gatherings and work while enjoying a cup of coffee, a muffin, or even a sandwich for your breakfasts or meals. They are constantly evolving and creating new experiences in the name of connection like Mario Kart evenings, drawing workshops, or a book club.
Once you’re done, you’ll do a 15 minute walk to:
PEANA
Open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:00 to 18:00, Thursdays from 16:00 to 20:00, Fridays from 11:00 to 17:00 and Saturdays from 11:00 to 15:00
Website: https://peana.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peana_/
Founded in Monterrey and now with a second space in Roma Sur, PEANA has carved out a reputation for promoting materially-driven, conceptually rigorous work by Mexico’s emerging generation. With a curatorial program that creates dialogue between historicized and experimental practices, PEANA operates more like a research platform than a conventional gallery spotlighting artists who continuously reshape the language of contemporary art. PEANA brings sharp, decentralized vision to a broader audience, and is a must-visit for collectors attuned to process, materiality, and curatorial depth.
La Nao
Open from Tuesday to Thursday from 11:00 to 19:00 and Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 to 16:00
Website: https://www.lanao.com.mx/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanao.galeria/
As you make your way through Roma and Condesa, carve out time for laNao, a sharp-edged space that’s redefining how emerging art is shown and supported in the city. Founded in 2021 by Nekane Irigoyen and Ismael Sentíes, this hybrid project space grew out of the Cobertizo residency and now functions as both incubator and platform connecting early career artists with curators, collectors, and collaborators.
Proyecto H
Open from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Saturdays from 11:00 to 15:00
Website: https://proyectoh.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proyectoh_galeria/
Active since 2013, it operates as a transatlantic platform for international contemporary artists and rising Mexican voices alike. They work with a sort of hybrid model: eight curated exhibitions a year in collaboration with independent curators, paired with a dedicated month‑long residency that culminates in a show. This is ideal for collectors who want to follow artists’ work from incubation to presentation; Proyecto H is a strategic stop e for anyone serious about collecting, offering a mix of global exposure, conceptual depth, and critical dialogue.
Daniela Elbahara
Open from Tuesday to Friday from 12:30 to 19:00
Website: https://danielaelbahara.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielaelbahara/
This place offers a deeply intimate experience for collectors looking for layered conceptual work. After co-founding Material Art Fair, and a brief hiatus from the contemporary art world, Daniela now runs this solo venture with total curatorial autonomy. The gallery’s catalogue is lean but strong, often spotlighting paired shows and standout visual experiments rooted in contemporary unconsciousness. It’s a must see for anyone drawn to quiet rigor, cross-disciplinary talk, and emotionally resonant installations
N.A.S.A.L
Open from Wednesday to Saturday from 12:00 to 17:00
Website: https://nasal.pe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proyectonasal/
Short for New Southamerican Association of Crazy Artists in spanish, N.A.S.A.L brings South American contemporary voices into Mexico City’s landscape. Founded in Guayaquil and finding their second home here in 2021, it offers serious collectors fresh encounters with artists who might otherwise go under the radar. More than just a gallery, N.A.S.A.L. delivers rare and thoughtful work, designed for those collectors who care deeply for processes and not just the final product.
Arróniz Contemporary Art
Open from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Saturdays from 11:00 to 15:00
Website: https://arroniz-arte.com/es/galeria/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galeriaarroniz/
Cornerstone of Mexico City’s contemporary scene since 2006, founded by Leticia Arróniz and her son Gustavo. Deeply committed to a new generation of Mexican and Latin American artists, the gallery offers a main exhibition hall and a dedicated project room that represent experimental, drawing based work across and other disciplines like painting, sculpture, video, and installation. Recognized as "Gallery of the Year" in 2024 by Mexico City Awards for its rigorous curatorial program, Arróniz is especially significant for collectors wanting to trace artists’ trajectories through sustained support and participation in international art fairs.
OMR
Open from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Saturdays from 11:00 to 16:00
Website: https://www.omr.art/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galeriaomr/?hl=es
This is one of Mexico City's most important galleries with international recognition. Over the past four decades, it has hosted over 400 exhibitions and launched careers from Pia Camil to José Dávila and Claudia Comte, while also showing international heavyweights like Candida Höfer and SUPERFLEX. OMR also co-founded LagoAlgo, a free cultural center in Chapultepec Park that mixes art, architecture, and gastronomy for public audiences. This is an essential stop on your route if you're collecting with global vision and an eye for established conceptual depth.
Is it time to eat already? Let’s take a second to stop, recharge and maybe reflect on what you’ve seen so far
Rosetta
Open from Monday to Saturday from 13:00 to 23:00
Website: https://rosetta.com.mx/
Images taken from restauranterosetta’s instagram (2025). https://shorturl.at/q4Y8p
Tucked in a beautiful historic house, Rosetta is the creation of world renowned chef Elena Reygadas. This one Michelin star restaurant, works closely with local producers and has a seasonal menu which is constantly changing depending on the ingredients available. It is a guarantee that you’ll have an incredible meal whenever you go and with whatever dish you choose. Rosetta blends elegance, sustainability, and artistry in every plate.
After your meal, while you head towards your next destination I’d like to invite you to use the city as your digestif. Observe the city, its murals, the people, and marvel yourself at its chaotic yet colorful landscape.
mooni (Roma)
Open from Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 19:00 and Sundays from 11:00 to 17:00
Website: https://moonigallery.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_m.o.o.n.i_/?hl=es
This space embraces an inclusive, disruptively curated spirit that sets it apart. It’s unapologetically accessible, aimed directly at inspiring young collectors from originals to prints by early career artists from Mexico and beyond. With thoughtfully priced work and a fresh eye on emerging voices, Mooni democratizes collecting while still delivering bold, contemporary experiences Mooni, is a look into Mexico’s next generation of artistic talent.
JO-HS
Open from Tuesday to Friday from 11:00 to 18:00 and Saturday from 11:00 to 16:00
Website: https://jo-hs.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jo_hs/?hl=es
Founded in 2021 by curator Elisabeth Johs, it offers a deeply curated, process forward program that establishes emerging international voices in an intimate, live-in setting. JO–HS attracts collectors looking for conceptual layers, bold voices and experimental practices with sharp techniques.
Lodos Gallery
Open from Tuesday to Thursday from 11:00 to 18:00, Friday from 11:00 to 15:00, and Saturday from 12:00 to 15:00
Website: https://lodosgallery.info/es/
Space rooted in collectivity and daring experimentation. Since its founding in 2013, Lodos has become a crucial forum for critically engaged artists, both local and international, who push production modes and presentation frameworks beyond the expected, being the kind of place where you'll find works of art rich in concept, and process led that feels vital and fresh.
Karen Huber Gallery
Open from Tuesday to Friday from 11:00 to 19:00 and Saturday from 11:00 to 15:00
Website: https://www.karen-huber.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khgaleria/?hl=es
Chic haven for contemporary painting that feels both intimate and forward thinking. Since 2014, founder Karen Huber has built a beloved platform dedicated to deep exploration of the pictorial often crossing into performance, mural and mixed media contexts to stretch what painting can achieve. It’s a friendly space where critical dialogue and accessibility coexist.
You made it, take a bow! You must be thirsty and tired, so let’s go to:
Taverna
Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 13:00 to 00:00 and Sunday from 13:30 to 19:00
Website (menu): https://taverna.mx/cms/menu-restaurante/
Images taken from Taverna’s Open Table. https://shorturl.at/ZIqTF
Chefs Emme and Chris shape a Mediterranean leaning menu grounded in Mexican ingredients, delivering dishes that balance restraint and depth. Known for their precise, seasonal approach, they create plates that feel as intentional as a well curated collection. The space itself carries an understated elegance, making it as much a visual experience as a culinary one. Recognized in respected restaurant guides, it’s the kind of address that quietly circulates among those who know. For a day steeped in art and design, this is a dinner that keeps the mood going.
Since most galleries close around 18:00, your cultural tour might seemingly end here. However, if you’re still not tired after this walking route through some of the galleries and cultural spaces that Mexico City has to offer, you should go enjoy a well-deserved drink in vibrant and hip bars like Club Sorbet, Órbita, Mauro or Roca, yell your lungs out watching a wrestling match in the Arena México or, if you happen to be in the city during the last Wednesday of the month, you’ll catch Museum Nights, an initiative by the government to keep some museums open until 22:00.
Here is a small list of some galleries that weren’t mentioned in this quick guide, but are just as exciting, thought-provoking and relevant with artworks that are ready to win their place in your collection:
Lugaroso
Mascota
Pequod Co.
Plaga
Proyectos Multipropósito
Travesia Cuatro
I hope this small and quick guide through Mexico City has convinced you to come back and keep on enjoying what it has to offer!
Do you want to know more?
Here are some resources to follow:
Local MX
An insider guide to all the comings and goings in Mexico City
Website: https://www.local.mx/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/local.mx/
Onda MX
Cultural radar who offers bi-weekly updates on the happenings around different Mexico City galleries and museums.
They have an app and a newsletter where you’ll receive all the information about openings, closings, and everything in between.
Website: https://ondamx.art/es/cdmx
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onda_mx/
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