From Thursday, September 7 through Sunday, September 10, join Houston Food Finder editor and publisher Phaedra Cook, her husband, Chuck Cook, and a dozen fellow food lovers on an all-inclusive, guided tour of Mexico City. In addition to dining and sipping at top restaurants in one of the world’s finest food cities, and staying at the four-star Hilton Mexico City Reforma, the group will enjoy activities such as sipping tequila on the Channels of Xochimilco, visiting the Frida Kahlo Museum and viewing the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon Pyramid at Teotihuacan. 

The cost is $2,250 per person and includes everything except airfare and additional purchases you make that’s not part of the itinerary, such as shopping, room service, additional meals or drinks. A private shuttle will transport travelers to destinations that aren’t near the hotel. There are only four spots left, and this tour opportunity closes on August 10. If you’d like to join us, send Phaedra an email and indicate your interest as soon as possible. 

Our tour guide is Pablo Valqui of Gourmet Tours World Wide. Valqui is a food, wine and spirits professional who started his Houston career at Phoenicia and Spec’s as a buyer. He’s also represented several high-quality wine and spirits portfolios from different countries. Pablo has operated Gourmet Tours World Wide since 2008, leading tours to Peru, Mexico, Germany and France. He’s fluent in English, Spanish and German. He recently returned from France after a tour with former longtime Houston Chronicle wine (and sports) writer Dale Robertson.

Here’s the complete itinerary for our tour. Please note that should any destination become unexpectedly unavailable, an equivalent activity will be substituted. 

Mexico City Trip Itinerary

Thursday, September 7 

• Morning: Guests take their independently arranged flights to Mexico City, arriving no later than 12:45 p.m. Please email Pablo at Gourmet Tours World Wide if you’d like assistance choosing a flight. A private shuttle will provide transportation from Benito Juarez Airport to the hotel (as well as other venues during the tour).
• 1:30 p.m. Check in at Hilton Mexico City Reforma. 
• 2:00 p.m. Street tacos at Taqueria Orinoco. 
• 3:50 p.m.: Tour “Blue House”, the Frida Kahlo museum.
• 5 p.m.: Visit the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, followed by boat tour of the Canals of Xochimilco with tequila tasting and botanas. 
• 8 p.m.: Dine at Sud 777, number 52 on the 2022 World’s Best Restaurants list/number 77 in 2023. Return to hotel after dinner. 

Friday, September 8

• 8:30 a.m.: Meet in hotel lobby and walk to San Juan Market.
• 9 a.m.: Breakfast at the cheese stand of La Holandesa Delicatessen with cheese and meat culinary instructor Jorge of Universidad del Valle de México. (Alternate activity: breakfast of “wild meat tacos” at stand across from La Holandesa.)  
• 12:30 p.m.: Walk to Presidential Palace to view the famous “History of Mexico” murals by Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo’s husband.
• 1:30 p.m.: Lunch at a downtown Mexico City cantina.
• 3 p.m.: Tequila or mezcal tasting at Cantina La Opera.
• 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Free time for shopping, pool, resting and getting ready for dinner.
• 7 p.m.: Meet in lobby and walk to dinner at Limosneros.
• 11 p.m.: Return to hotel.

Saturday, September 9

• 8 a.m.: Breakfast at El Cardenal.
• 10 a.m.: Visit the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon at Teotihuacan.
• 2 p.m.: Lunch at La Gruta; afterward, return to hotel and get ready for dinner.
• 6:30 p.m.: Farewell dinner at Rosetta, number 49 of 2023 World’s 50 Best Restaurants (number 60 in 2022) and helmed by Elena Reygadas, named World’s Best Female Chef of 2023.
• 9 p.m.: Free time for resting, packing or checking out a nearby local bar with others in our group (not included in tour package) .

Sunday, June 18

• 9 a.m.: Check out of hotel. Check bags with front desk to hold during final excursions.
• 9:30 a.m.: Early brunch on the terrace of The Gran Hotel.
• 11 a.m. Walk to the Templo Mayor for a tour.
• 1:30 p.m.: Return to hotel. Retrieve luggage and head to Benito Juarez Airport for departures.

Our guided tour of Mexico City will broaden our horizons, create lasting memories and most likely some lifetime friendships, too! Email Phaedra to secure one of the last available spots. 

Phaedra Cook

Phaedra Cook has written about Houston’s restaurant and bar scene since 2010. She was a regular contributor to My Table magazine (now closed) and was the lead restaurant critic for the Houston Press for two years, eventually being promoted to food editor. Cook founded Houston Food Finder in November 2016 and has been its editor and publisher ever since.