Is Roma Norte safe to walk around at night?

Roma Norte is one of Mexico City's safer neighbourhoods and is walkable at night on main streets and around the plaza areas. Standard urban precautions apply: stick to well-lit streets, be aware of your surroundings, and use Uber or DiDi rather than street-hailed taxis for late returns to your hotel. The busier parts of Álvaro Obregón and Orizaba are lively until midnight most nights.

How do I get from the airport to Roma Norte?

The most reliable option from AICM is an authorised taxi voucher (approximately MXN $330 for Roma Norte, as of 2026) or Uber from the designated app pickup zone. Metro Line 1 (Pink Line) to Insurgentes station puts you a 10-minute walk from Roma Norte; the metro is faster but not practical with heavy luggage.

What is the difference between Roma Norte and Roma Sur?

Roma Norte is more commercial and better known — higher concentration of restaurants, cafes, bars, and boutiques around Álvaro Obregón and Orizaba. Roma Sur is slightly quieter, more residential, and less gentrified, with its own independent food and arts scene around Medellin market and Parque México's southern edge.

Roma Norte & Roma Sur | The Mexico Guides

Colonia Roma — divided into Roma Norte and Roma Sur by Avenida Sonora — is the neighbourhood that many travellers picture when they imagine modern Mexico City. Low-rise Art Nouveau and Porfirian-era buildings line tree-shaded streets; independent cafes occupy ground floors that were once private homes; street art appears on garden walls. The neighbourhood attracted an international creative class after the 1985 earthquake forced extensive rebuilding, and has since become the city’s most consistently interesting place to spend time.

Alfonso Cuarón’s film Roma (2018) is set in the neighbourhood and uses its streets and social geography as the backdrop — watching it before visiting adds a layer of context that reward-paying attention to the architecture and street life.

What to Do in Roma Norte

Parque México (Parque Méxicano / Hipódromo): The Condesa and Roma neighbourhoods share this large Art Deco park, the social centre of both colonias. Joggers, dog walkers, parents with children, and people reading fill the shaded paths on weekend mornings. The oval interior section has a small amphitheatre and fountain. Open 24 hours.

Mercado Medellín: A two-storey covered market in Roma Sur focused on fresh produce, prepared food, and imported Caribbean and Latin American specialties — Colombian arepas, Cuban food, Peruvian ceviche, and Mexican regional dishes. Worth a morning visit to eat at the food stalls on the upper level.

Galería OMR: One of Mexico City’s leading contemporary art galleries, on Calle Plaza Río de Janeiro, 54. Shows emerging and established Mexican and international artists. Free entry. Closed Sundays.

Plaza Río de Janeiro: A small square with a replica of Michelangelo’s David at its centre (a local landmark) and surrounding Art Nouveau buildings. The square is a popular meeting point and has cafes on its perimeter.

Where to Eat in Roma Norte

Contramar (Durango 200) — one of Mexico City’s most celebrated seafood restaurants. The tostadas de atún (tuna tostadas) and pescado a la talla (grilled fish with two sauces) are signatures. Mains approximately MXN $280–450 as of 2026. Queues at the door are common; arrive before 13:30 or after 15:00 for lunch.

Rosetta (Orizaba 9) — widely considered one of Mexico City’s finest restaurants. Chef Elena Reygadas combines Mexican and Italian influences in a beautifully restored mansion with a courtyard. Tasting menu approximately MXN $1,200–1,600. Dinner reservations required weeks ahead.

Lalo! (Zacatecas 173) — legendary breakfast and brunch spot with a daily-changing menu of egg dishes, pastries, and coffee. Expect to queue at weekends. Open 08:00–18:00. Dishes approximately MXN $100–200.

Mercado de Medellín food stalls (Medellín 234, Roma Sur) — breakfast and lunch options from MXN $60–120; excellent value.

El Parnita (Yucatán 84) — creative tacos and cocktails in an informal, lively setting. Tacos from approximately MXN $60–90.

Where to Drink and Eat Late

Maison Artemisia (Tonalá 23) — natural wine bar and restaurant in a converted house. Good for evening wine by the glass (from approximately MXN $120) and small plates.

Licorea Tepache (Orizaba 161) — mezcal and tepache bar, open late. A good anchor for a Roma Norte evening.

Felina (Orizaba 119) — cocktail bar in a leafy interior space; good for groups.

Coffee and Cafes

Roma Norte has the highest concentration of specialty coffee shops in Mexico City.

Quentin (Orizaba 6) — third-wave coffee in a pared-back setting; popular with remote workers
Boicot (multiple Roma locations) — reliable espresso and pour-over; often crowded on weekends
Café Ruta de la Seda (Tonalá 133) — Arabic-influenced coffee and food; courtyard seating

Where to Stay in Roma Norte

Casa Comtesse (Roma Norte) — boutique hotel in a converted colonial building. Rooms from approximately MXN $2,200 per night as of 2026. Breakfast included.

Hotel Carlota (Río Amazonas 73 — technically Cuauhtémoc, walkable to Roma Norte) — design hotel popular with the creative crowd; rooftop pool. Rooms from approximately MXN $2,500 per night.

Camino Real Polanco is not in Roma, but Roma Norte budget and mid-range stays are clustered in smaller boutique guesthouses on side streets — search for “Roma Norte guesthouse” or “colonia Roma Airbnb” for a range from approximately MXN $800 per night for a private room.

Getting Around

Metro: Line 1 (Pink) stops at Insurgentes (walking distance from Roma Norte’s northern edge) and Sonora. Line 3 (Olive) stops at Hospital General (southern Roma Sur edge). The metro is safe during the day and crowded at rush hour; avoid with heavy luggage.

Metrobús Line 1 runs along Insurgentes Avenue connecting the north of Roma Norte to the Centro and south toward Coyoacán.

Uber and DiDi: Both work reliably in Roma. Fares within the neighbourhood are approximately MXN $40–80; to the Centro Histórico approximately MXN $80–120.

Cycling: Ecobici, Mexico City’s bike-share scheme, has docking stations throughout Roma. Day passes approximately MXN $90; 45 minutes free per ride.

Plan your trip: tours in Mexico City · eSIM for Mexico.

Roma Norte and Roma Sur — Mexico City's Creative Neighbourhood Guide

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