Day One – Welcome to Mexico City

After arriving in Mexico City, make your way to the Hyatt Regency Mexico City in the heart of Polanco, your home for the next four nights. Check-in is available from the afternoon, giving you time to settle in, recover from your journey and perhaps explore one of the city's most vibrant neighbourhoods before we meet for our first evening together.

We'll gather at the hotel before walking to our welcome dinner at one of the world's most celebrated restaurants.

Dinner this evening is at Pujol, the flagship restaurant of chef Enrique Olvera and one of the defining forces behind modern Mexican gastronomy. Consistently ranked amongst the finest restaurants in Latin America, Pujol has earned international acclaim for its intelligent interpretation of Mexico's rich culinary traditions.

Guests will enjoy the restaurant's renowned tasting menu, where indigenous ingredients, ancient techniques and contemporary creativity come together in dishes that celebrate the extraordinary diversity of Mexican cuisine. The experience reaches its pinnacle with the restaurant's legendary Mole Madre, Mole Nuevo—an iconic dish that has become one of the most recognisable signatures in world gastronomy.

There could be no finer introduction to the week ahead. From this first dinner onwards, you'll discover why Mexico has become one of the world's most exciting culinary destinations on the planet.

Day Two – Lunch at Contramar

No visit to Mexico City would be complete without lunch at Contramar.

Since opening in 1998, Gabriela Cámara's legendary seafood restaurant has become one of the city's most sought-after tables, attracting everyone from local families and chefs to international visitors. The atmosphere is lively, relaxed and unmistakably Mexican, offering a completely different experience to the previous evening's tasting menu.

Here, the focus is on the finest seafood sourced daily from both Mexico's Pacific and Atlantic coasts. The menu changes according to the day's catch, but one dish has become truly iconic: Contramar's whole grilled fish, served half with vibrant red adobo and half with fresh parsley and herb sauce. It's one of Mexico City's most recognisable dishes and a meal that many guests return for time and time again.

Alongside an abundance of exceptional ceviches, tostadas, aguachiles and beautifully prepared shellfish, lunch at Contramar perfectly demonstrates that world-class cooking doesn't always require elaborate technique—sometimes the very best ingredients simply speak for themselves.

Bustling, energetic and effortlessly stylish, Contramar captures the spirit of modern Mexico City and remains one of the country's most beloved restaurants. It's the perfect way to experience a completely different side of Mexican gastronomy before our afternoon and evening adventures continue.

Day Two – Dinner at Quintonil

This evening we visit one of the finest restaurants in the world.

Led by chef Jorge Vallejo and his wife Alejandra Flores, Quintonil has become one of the defining restaurants of modern Mexico. Consistently ranked amongst the very best restaurants globally, it offers an experience that is unmistakably Mexican while remaining quietly elegant and deeply respectful of the country's extraordinary biodiversity.

Where Pujol explores Mexico through innovation and reinterpretation, Quintonil celebrates the incredible richness of the country's native ingredients. Much of the menu is built around seasonal produce, herbs and vegetables, many of which are rarely seen outside Mexico. The restaurant takes its name from quintonil, a wild edible green that has been enjoyed in Mexican cooking for centuries and perfectly reflects the restaurant's philosophy of elevating humble indigenous ingredients.

Guests will enjoy Quintonil's acclaimed tasting menu, where every course tells a story of Mexico's landscapes, traditions and producers. The cooking is refined yet restrained, allowing exceptional ingredients to take centre stage without unnecessary complexity.

With its warm, understated dining room and impeccable service, Quintonil provides an unforgettable evening and offers a fascinating contrast to the previous night's experience at Pujol. Together, the two restaurants showcase why Mexico City has firmly established itself as one of the world's greatest culinary capitals.

Day Three – Earth Ark: Xochimilco & The Chinampas

This morning we leave the city behind and travel south to Xochimilco, home to one of the oldest and most remarkable agricultural systems in the world.

Long before the arrival of the Spanish, the Aztecs created an ingenious network of chinampas—floating agricultural islands that transformed the shallow lakes surrounding Mexico City into some of the most fertile farmland on Earth. More than 700 years later, these ancient growing methods continue to supply many of the city's finest restaurants with exceptional seasonal produce.

Our hosts at Earth Ark will guide us through this extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage landscape by traditional boat, explaining how the chinampas function and why they remain such an important part of Mexico's culinary heritage. Along the way we'll meet the farmers and producers who continue to preserve these centuries-old techniques, gaining a fascinating insight into regenerative agriculture and the deep connection between the land and the Mexican table.

After exploring the canals, we'll enjoy a leisurely farm lunch overlooking the chinampas. Prepared using fresh seasonal ingredients harvested from the surrounding gardens and neighbouring producers, the meal showcases the honest, vibrant flavours that have sustained generations of Mexicans. Handmade corn tortillas accompany a selection of traditional guisados, served alongside classic accompaniments including rice, beans and fresh nopal salad.

No visit would be complete without discovering another of Mexico's great traditions. During the experience we'll enjoy a guided mezcal tasting, learning about the craftsmanship, regional diversity and rich history behind one of the country's most iconic spirits.

We'll return to the hotel during the afternoon, leaving you time to relax before another exceptional evening of dining.

Day Three – Dinner at Rosetta

Following our afternoon return from Xochimilco, we'll regroup in the evening for dinner at one of Mexico City's most elegant and celebrated restaurants.

Located in a beautifully restored early twentieth-century mansion in the leafy neighbourhood of Roma Norte, Rosetta has become one of the defining restaurants of modern Mexico City. Under the guidance of chef Elena Reygadas, the restaurant has earned international acclaim for its thoughtful, ingredient-led cooking and was recognised when Reygadas was named The World's Best Female Chef 2023 by The World's 50 Best Restaurants.

Rosetta's cuisine is deeply rooted in Mexican produce while drawing subtle inspiration from Italian traditions. The result is a style of cooking that feels both refined and effortlessly natural, where exceptional seasonal ingredients are allowed to shine without unnecessary complexity.

Guests will enjoy the restaurant's acclaimed tasting menu, showcasing the creativity and precision that have made Rosetta one of the most sought-after dining experiences in Latin America. Expect beautifully crafted dishes that celebrate vegetables, grains, herbs and sustainably sourced proteins, all presented with understated elegance.

The setting is every bit as memorable as the cuisine. With its high ceilings, original architecture and tranquil courtyard, Rosetta offers an intimate and welcoming atmosphere that perfectly complements Elena Reygadas' distinctive style of cooking.

After spending the day exploring the ancient agricultural traditions of Xochimilco, dinner at Rosetta provides a fitting continuation of the story—demonstrating how Mexico's finest chefs transform exceptional local ingredients into some of the most exciting cuisine in the world.

Day Four – Lunch at Sud 777

Today's lunch takes us to Sud 777, the celebrated restaurant of chef Edgar Núñez, whose innovative approach to contemporary Mexican cuisine has earned international recognition and a Michelin star.

Located in the south of Mexico City, Sud 777 has become one of the country's most influential restaurants by challenging conventional ideas of fine dining. Rather than allowing luxury ingredients to dominate the menu, Edgar Núñez places vegetables, herbs and native Mexican produce at the very centre of the experience. The result is a tasting menu that is imaginative, elegant and deeply connected to the country's extraordinary biodiversity.

Inspired by the changing seasons, every menu is a reflection of what is at its very best, combining refined technique with bold flavours and beautiful presentation. While many of the world's leading restaurants have only recently embraced vegetable-led cuisine, Sud 777 has been championing this philosophy for years, earning widespread admiration from chefs and diners alike.

Set within a striking contemporary dining room surrounded by lush gardens, the restaurant offers a calm and sophisticated atmosphere that perfectly complements its thoughtful style of cooking.

Lunch at Sud 777 provides yet another fascinating perspective on modern Mexican gastronomy, demonstrating that the country's culinary excellence extends far beyond its famous traditional dishes. Each restaurant on this journey has its own distinct identity, and Sud 777 stands proudly among Mexico City's finest.

Day Four – An Evening of Tacos & Cocktails

This evening, we'll discover a completely different side of Mexico City's extraordinary food scene.

Guided by local experts, we'll venture beyond the tourist trail into the vibrant neighbourhood of Narvarte, an area renowned by locals for having one of the highest concentrations of exceptional taquerías anywhere in the city. This is everyday Mexico at its finest—a neighbourhood where recipes have been passed down through generations and some of the city's most celebrated taco stands have been serving loyal customers for over half a century.

Throughout the evening we'll visit four carefully selected food stops, each showcasing a different style of Mexican street food. Along the way you'll enjoy some of the city's finest Tacos al Pastor, visit a legendary suadero stand that has been feeding locals since the 1970s, and discover why these seemingly simple dishes are considered an essential part of Mexico City's culinary identity.

The experience extends far beyond tacos. We'll step inside a traditional cantina, where you'll learn about one of Mexico's oldest drinking traditions while enjoying a classic drink and snack, before continuing to another iconic neighbourhood taquería that has become a true local institution.

To finish the evening, we'll slip behind an unassuming façade into one of the city's hidden coffee bars, where innovative bartenders are redefining coffee cocktails using exceptional Mexican beans and local spirits. It's the perfect finale to an evening that celebrates the energy, authenticity and incredible diversity of Mexico City's nightlife.

This is a side of the city that few visitors ever experience—one that perfectly demonstrates why some of Mexico's most memorable meals are found not in grand dining rooms, but on bustling street corners, surrounded by the people who have loved them for generations.

Day Five – Lunch at Máximo Bistrot

Before departing for Oaxaca, we'll enjoy one final taste of Mexico City's remarkable dining scene with lunch at Máximo Bistrot, one of the city's most beloved restaurants.

Founded by chef Eduardo García and his wife Gabriela López, Máximo has become one of the defining restaurants of contemporary Mexico City. Unlike many fine dining establishments, its reputation has been built not on formality or theatrics, but on an unwavering commitment to exceptional ingredients, seasonality and honest cooking.

Eduardo García's story is as remarkable as his cuisine. Having worked in some of New York's finest kitchens before returning to Mexico, he created a restaurant that reflects both his international experience and his deep respect for local farmers, fishermen and artisan producers. Every menu is driven by what is at its absolute peak, resulting in dishes that feel vibrant, generous and effortlessly elegant.

Set within an intimate townhouse in the heart of Roma Norte, Máximo offers a relaxed atmosphere where world-class cooking is served without pretension. The constantly changing menu ensures that every visit is unique, allowing the finest seasonal Mexican ingredients to shine through thoughtful, beautifully executed dishes.

It is a fitting finale to our time in Mexico City. Over the past few days we've experienced six restaurants, each with its own distinct philosophy, together painting a rich and diverse picture of one of the world's greatest culinary capitals.

Following lunch, we'll transfer to the airport for our included Business Class flight to Oaxaca, where the next chapter of our culinary journey begins. Here we'll discover a region whose traditions, ingredients and cooking methods have shaped Mexican cuisine for centuries.

Day Six – Oaxaca's Markets, Breakfast Tacos & The Seven Moles

After a relaxed first evening in Oaxaca, this morning we begin exploring one of Mexico's greatest culinary cities.

Our day starts at the bustling Mercado 20 de Noviembre, the beating heart of Oaxaca's food culture. Accompanied by our local guide, we'll wander through its colourful maze of market stalls, discovering the incredible variety of ingredients, spices, chillies, cheeses and traditional produce that have shaped Oaxacan cuisine for generations. It's a feast for the senses and the perfect introduction to a city where food remains at the centre of everyday life.

From the market we'll embark on a guided breakfast taco experience, visiting a selection of local favourites that most visitors would never discover alone. Along the way you'll sample a variety of authentic Oaxacan breakfast dishes, learning about the traditions and techniques behind each one while experiencing the warm hospitality that makes the city's food scene so special.

Our morning concludes with one of Oaxaca's most iconic culinary experiences.

Lunch is at Los Pacos, a restaurant dedicated to preserving one of Mexico's greatest gastronomic traditions: the Seven Moles of Oaxaca.

Often referred to as the soul of Oaxacan cuisine, mole is far more than simply a sauce. Each of the seven traditional moles has its own history, ingredients and character, reflecting centuries of indigenous knowledge, regional identity and family tradition. At Los Pacos you'll have the rare opportunity to experience these extraordinary creations side by side, gaining a deeper appreciation for one of the most complex and celebrated dishes in Mexican gastronomy.

By the end of the day you'll understand why Oaxaca is considered not only the culinary soul of Mexico, but also one of the world's most fascinating food destinations.

Day Six – Dinner at Alfonsina

This evening we'll experience one of the most remarkable restaurants in Mexico.

Located just outside Oaxaca City, Alfonsina is unlike almost any other restaurant you'll ever visit. There are no grand dining rooms, elaborate interiors or theatrical presentations. Instead, you'll be welcomed into the family home of chef Jorge León, where dinner is served in an atmosphere that feels both intimate and deeply personal.

Frequently recognised amongst Mexico's finest restaurants, Alfonsina has built an international reputation through an uncompromising commitment to seasonality, simplicity and respect for local ingredients. Much of the produce comes directly from the family's own farm or nearby producers, allowing the menu to evolve naturally with the seasons.

There is no fixed menu. Instead, the kitchen prepares whatever is at its absolute best that day, creating a dining experience that is entirely unique to each visit. Every course reflects the traditions of Oaxaca while showcasing the extraordinary quality of the region's ingredients with remarkable restraint and precision.

Dinner at Alfonsina is not simply about exceptional food—it's about hospitality. The experience feels less like dining in a restaurant and more like being welcomed into someone's home, offering a rare glimpse into the generosity and warmth that lie at the heart of Oaxacan culture.

After spending the day discovering Oaxaca's markets, traditional breakfast dishes and legendary moles, there could be no more fitting way to end the evening than around the table at one of Mexico's most heartfelt and memorable restaurants.

Day Seven – Lunch at Levadura de Olla

Our culinary exploration of Oaxaca continues with lunch at one of the city's most celebrated restaurants.

At Levadura de Olla, chef Thalia Barrios García has earned widespread acclaim for her deeply personal interpretation of Oaxacan cuisine. Drawing inspiration from the recipes and traditions of her Zapotec upbringing in the Sierra Sur mountains, her cooking celebrates indigenous ingredients, ancestral techniques and the extraordinary biodiversity that defines the region.

Rather than reinventing traditional dishes, Thalia's philosophy is to honour them. Every plate tells a story of Oaxaca's rich cultural heritage, showcasing native corn varieties, heirloom beans, wild herbs, seasonal vegetables and ingredients sourced directly from small local producers. The result is cuisine that feels both timeless and beautifully contemporary.

Guests will enjoy a carefully curated tasting menu that reflects the rhythm of the seasons, allowing the freshest local ingredients to dictate the experience. Every course offers another insight into the depth and diversity of Oaxacan cooking, presented with elegance while remaining firmly rooted in tradition.

Lunch at Levadura de Olla perfectly illustrates why Oaxaca has become one of the world's most exciting culinary destinations. It is a restaurant that celebrates the past while looking confidently towards the future, offering a thoughtful and unforgettable expression of modern Oaxacan gastronomy.

Day Seven – Mezcal & Criollo

No visit to Oaxaca would be complete without exploring the spirit that has become synonymous with the region.

This afternoon we'll travel into the Oaxacan countryside to visit a traditional mezcal palenque, where generations of the same family have been producing mezcal using time-honoured methods. Here you'll discover every stage of the production process, from harvesting mature agave plants and roasting their hearts in underground pits, to crushing, fermenting and distilling one of Mexico's most celebrated spirits.

More importantly, you'll gain an appreciation of the incredible diversity of mezcal. With dozens of agave varieties, different production methods and distinct regional characteristics, this is far more than simply a tasting—it's an insight into a craft that has been passed down through generations and remains an integral part of Oaxacan culture.

Our visit concludes with a guided tasting, where you'll sample a selection of traditional mezcals while learning how terroir, agave variety and production techniques influence each spirit's unique character.

This evening we return to Oaxaca City for dinner at Criollo, the celebrated restaurant from chef Enrique Olvera, whose influence on modern Mexican cuisine has helped transform the country's gastronomic reputation around the world.

Unlike the contemporary style of Pujol, Criollo is a deeply personal tribute to Oaxaca's culinary heritage. Set within a beautiful colonial property, the restaurant celebrates the region's remarkable produce and traditional cooking methods with a menu that changes constantly according to the seasons. Every dish is rooted in Oaxacan culture while benefiting from the refinement and precision that have become synonymous with Enrique Olvera's cooking.

Dinner at Criollo provides the perfect culmination to a day spent exploring the traditions of Oaxaca. Having discovered the region's indigenous ingredients, ancient cooking techniques and iconic spirit, you'll end the evening with a restaurant that brings those very elements together in one unforgettable dining experience.

Day Eight – Corn, Nixtamal & A Farewell to Oaxaca

Our final morning begins with an experience that lies at the very heart of Mexican cuisine.

Long before wheat arrived in the Americas, corn was the foundation of life in Mexico. More than simply an ingredient, it is deeply woven into the country's history, culture and identity. This morning we'll discover why.

During an immersive corn and nixtamal workshop, we'll learn about the ancient process of nixtamalisation—the remarkable technique developed thousands of years ago that transforms dried maize into one of the world's most versatile and nutritious ingredients. It is this process that gives Mexican tortillas, tamales and countless other dishes their distinctive flavour, texture and nutritional value, and remains one of the defining cornerstones of Mexican gastronomy.

You'll gain a hands-on understanding of the different native corn varieties, traditional milling techniques and the craftsmanship required to produce exceptional tortillas. By the end of the workshop, you'll have a new appreciation for the humble ingredient that has underpinned Mexican cooking for centuries.

Our farewell lunch takes place at La Cocina de Humo, one of Oaxaca's most authentic and captivating dining experiences.

Here, cooking is guided by fire, smoke and tradition. Using wood-fired stoves and techniques that have been passed down through generations, the kitchen produces deeply satisfying dishes that capture the true essence of Oaxacan home cooking. Every plate celebrates local ingredients and time-honoured recipes, providing a fitting conclusion to our journey through one of the world's richest culinary cultures.

As we gather for one final meal together, we'll reflect on an extraordinary week spent exploring Mexico's remarkable diversity—from the cutting-edge restaurants of Mexico City to the ancient traditions of Oaxaca. We've met farmers, artisans and chefs, explored bustling markets and quiet villages, sampled iconic street food and some of Latin America's finest restaurants, and discovered the people and places that make Mexican cuisine so unique.

Following lunch, we'll transfer to Oaxaca Airport for our included Business Class flight back to Mexico City, where our culinary journey comes to an end.

We hope you'll leave not only with unforgettable memories, but with a deeper understanding and appreciation of one of the world's truly great food cultures.

Hyatt Regency Mexico City, Polanco

For the first four nights of our journey, we'll be staying at the outstanding Hyatt Regency Mexico City, perfectly positioned in the heart of Polanco—one of the capital's safest, most elegant and vibrant neighbourhoods.

Surrounded by leafy parks, luxury boutiques, world-class museums and many of Mexico City's finest restaurants, the hotel provides the ideal base from which to explore this remarkable city. Its central location allows us to spend less time travelling and more time enjoying everything that makes Mexico City one of the world's great culinary destinations.

The Hyatt Regency combines contemporary five-star comfort with warm Mexican hospitality. Spacious guest rooms, excellent facilities and exceptional service ensure you'll have the perfect place to relax between our carefully curated dining experiences and cultural excursions.

Guests also have access to the hotel's excellent leisure facilities, including a full-service spa, fitness centre and swimming pool, providing the perfect opportunity to unwind after a day spent exploring one of the world's most exciting food cities.

Just moments away you'll find Parque Lincoln, Avenida Presidente Masaryk—often described as Mexico's answer to Fifth Avenue—and countless cafés, bars and galleries, making Polanco a wonderful neighbourhood to explore during your free time.

After considering a number of luxury hotels throughout the city, I selected the Hyatt Regency not only for its exceptional standards of comfort and service, but also for its unrivalled location. With many of our restaurants and experiences either within walking distance or just a short drive away, it provides the perfect base for discovering the very best of Mexico City while allowing us to maximise our time experiencing the city rather than travelling across it.

Whether you're enjoying an early morning coffee before the day's adventures, relaxing with a treatment in the spa, or unwinding after an unforgettable evening of dining, the Hyatt Regency offers the perfect balance of luxury, comfort and convenience throughout our stay in Mexico City.

Quinta Real Oaxaca

For the final three nights of our journey, we'll stay at the magnificent Quinta Real Oaxaca, widely regarded as one of Mexico's most beautiful and historic luxury hotels.

Originally built in 1576 as the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena, this remarkable property has been painstakingly restored to create one of the country's most unique places to stay. Today, its tranquil cloisters, colourful courtyards and centuries-old architecture offer guests the rare opportunity to experience Oaxaca's rich history without sacrificing modern comfort.

Perfectly located in the heart of Oaxaca's UNESCO World Heritage city centre, Quinta Real places us within easy walking distance of the city's bustling markets, beautiful colonial streets and many of its finest restaurants. Its central location allows us to immerse ourselves fully in the atmosphere of one of Mexico's most captivating cities.

The hotel seamlessly blends historic character with contemporary luxury. Spacious guest rooms, elegant courtyards, a beautiful outdoor swimming pool and attentive service provide the perfect retreat after a day spent exploring Oaxaca's extraordinary culinary traditions.

Every corner of the property tells a story. From its peaceful stone arcades and hidden gardens to its original chapel and centuries-old walls, Quinta Real offers an authentic sense of place that perfectly complements the experiences we'll enjoy throughout our stay.

After considering a number of luxury hotels in Oaxaca, I selected Quinta Real because it embodies everything that makes the city so special. It is more than simply somewhere to sleep—it is an important part of the overall experience, allowing us to stay within one of Oaxaca's most significant historic buildings while remaining just a short stroll from the restaurants, markets and cultural landmarks that define this extraordinary destination.

Whether you're enjoying a quiet morning coffee beneath the arches, relaxing beside the pool after a day of sightseeing or taking an evening walk through Oaxaca's enchanting streets, Quinta Real provides a memorable and fitting home for the final chapter of our Mexican culinary journey.