Roma is the hip neighborhood of Mexico City. It was built by the wealthy aristocrats in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the colonial city center became too crowded. Today it has a reputation for being Mexico City's hipster holdout, similar to Williamsburg in Brooklyn. It's often considered in conjunction with nearby La Condesa, but while Condesa is a little more upscale, Roma holds onto its bohemian vibe, even as it becomes gentrified. It's a fascinating neighborhood, with many things to see and do.
Mercado de Medellín
Marketplaces are part of the core of communities in Mexico; they have been for centuries. Of all the markets in Mexico City, Mercado de Medellín consistently stands out as a favorite. There are over 500 stalls here. In addition to the sort of fare you might expect (think something akin to a farmers' market), Mercado de Medellín also has goods and produce from Columbia and Cuba. Whether you want produce from families like the Hernandezes or dairy from small producers via Cremería Lupita, you can find all manner of things here. You can also grab a meal if you want at booths like Tacos Los Canarios or La Morenita.
Boutiques Abound
Much of what makes Roma Norte unique are the boutique shops. Try 180º SHOP, a skateboard/urban fashion shop that also offers bicycles, t-shirts, and sneakers while operating out of an old house. There's also La Valise, a high-end boutique downstairs with a hotel upstairs, from French expat Emmanuel Picault. You might also try Goodbye Folk, which, in addition to the fashion boutique, also tailors shoes for its customers and runs a barber shop/salon in the back. Of course, if you want to go antiquing, you can check out the mercados on the street, like Mercado de Antiguedades de Cuauhtemoc or Mercado La Lagunilla.
Galería OMR
OMR is a hip art gallery on Plaza Rio de Janeiro located in a converted house that rotates through six to eight exhibitions a year, each focusing on an established or emerging Mexican artist. While they do represent the estates of several beloved Mexican artists, they tend to focus on the up-and-comers during shows like Art Basel and Zona MACO. But here, at the heart of the operation, you can come and enjoy the show for free.
Do As the Locals Do
Roma Norte is primarily a residential area, so there aren't a plethora of tourist attractions immediately on hand, at least in the traditional sense of zoos or museums. But the architecture is really pretty—lots of Modernist and Art Deco buildings—and there's plenty of green space, like nearby Parque Mexico. That may not sound like a big draw, but given Mexico City's reputation for overcrowding and pollution, you may find you've developed a new appreciation for green spaces.
Hit the Clubs
The club scene in Roma is second to none. Try Mama Rumba's Roma location for salsa or El Imperial to really get a feel for the city's hipster scene. Here, indie-rock bands play and DJs perform sets in a beautiful old two-story house done up in vintage furnishings.
