Adriana Paz’s most recent role, in the operatic Netflix narco drama “Emilia Pérez,” took her to the suburbs of Paris, where French director Jacques Audiard had designed a dark and lurid Mexico City on a soundstage. But the actress has spent much of her life in and around the actual Mexican capital, where she’s built a deep portfolio as a celebrated film and television mainstay.
A graduate of the theater program at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico’s most important university, Paz has appeared in more than 50 productions, becoming a household name in the Latin world after appearing on the Spanish crime drama “Vis a Vis” and winning three Ariel Awards, Mexico’s highest film honor.
“Emilia Pérez” represents an international breakout for the 44-year-old. In it, Paz plays Epifanía, a woman whose husband has been disappeared by a drug cartel. At the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, she became the first Mexican to win the best actress award, which she shared with her co-stars Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, and Selena Gomez.
With awards season in full swing – “Emilia Pérez” is the most nominated movie at this year's Oscars -- and a busy shooting schedule, Paz says she most enjoys a movie night at home with her husband and son between projects. Still, with more than two decades tapped into Mexico City’s stylish arts scene, she has amassed a surefire list of go-to spots around town. Here, she shares her favorite places to eat and things to do in Mexico City and the nearby city of Puebla, where she shares her time.
What are your favorite restaurants in the city?
My favorites in the city are Taverna, El Jamil, Los Danzantes, Agapi Mu, Rosetta (One Michelin Star), and Piloncillo y Cascabel. I also recently discovered Nudo Negro in the Roma neighborhood and I really enjoyed the fusion, the drinks, and the desserts.
I live part-time in Puebla, a city about three hours away from Mexico City. There, my favorites are La Casa de Frida and Ciudad Sagrada (in the nearby town of Cholula). We love to take visitors there.
And for tacos?
I’ve always loved Tacos Hola El Güero in Condesa and Tacos Tomy in Colonia Moctezuma near the airport. In Cholula, my favorite is Señor Asador in Camino Real.
Where do you go for a drink?
I don’t go out frequently – I much prefer to have a drink in my house with my friends or at their places. But when I am in Mexico City, I love to go to Don Keso in Condesa, which is owned by my friend Charlie. I have spent many of the best nights of my life in that place with people I love. It feels like home – and the mezcal, pizzas, and olives are amazing!
Salón Ríos in Cuauhtémoc is good too. The cocktails are awesome.
And once in a while, my husband David and l go to dance at electronic night clubs like Fünk in Condesa. We love the experience of the music and lights.
How do you spend your day off?
Because I spend so much time outside of my home with my work, I really enjoy being with my family when I finish a project. I love movie nights with my son and my husband, drawing with my child, taking our dogs for a walk at the Great Pyramid of Cholula, playing basketball, volleyball and football with our neighbors in our housing complex, visiting my mom, and going to the cinema.
I also relish having time to myself to read a book, stretch my body, or just spend a whole day sleeping or watching TV.
Where are your favorite places in the city to take in art and culture?
One of my favorite experiences is the Museo Frida Kahlo in Coyoacán, the museum set in the longtime home of Frida Kahlo. The Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo, the couple’s home and studio in San Ángel, is also very interesting.
I enjoy going to listen to classical music in Sala Nezahualcóyotl in Ciudad Universitaria, the main campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. In fact, the Centro Cultural Universitario in Ciudad Universitaria is one of the greatest cultural spots in the city, with excellent music, theater, books, museum, nature, coffee shops, and restaurants.
I also love the theater at the Centro Cultural del Bosque, a public arts venue in Chapultepec Park.
Address Book:
Taverna
Calle Gral. Prim 34, Juárez, Mexico City, 06600
El Jamil
Ámsterdam 306, Hipódromo Condesa, Mexico City, 06100
Los Danzantes
Parque Centenario 12, Coyoacán, Mexico City, 04000
Agapi Mu
Alfonso Reyes 96, Hipódromo Condesa, Mexico City, 06170
Rosetta
Colima 166, Roma Norte, Mexico City, 06700
Piloncillo y Cascabel
Torres Adalid 1263, Narvarte Poniente, Mexico City, 03020
Nudo Negro
Zacatecas 139, Roma Norte, Mexico City, 06700
La Casa de Frida (Puebla)
Av. Miguel Hidalgo 109, Centro, Cholula, Puebla, 72760
Ciudad Sagrada (Puebla)
Av 2 Ote 615, San Miguel, Cholula, Puebla, 72760
Tacos Hola El Güero
Ámsterdam 135, Hipódromo Condesa, Mexico City, 06100
Tacos Tomy
Av Emilio Carranza 192, Moctezuma 2da Secc, Mexico City, 15530
Señor Asador (Puebla)
Cam. Real a Momoxpan 2415, Santiago Momoxpan, Cholula, Puebla, 72777
Don Keso
Ámsterdam 73 B, Hipódromo Condesa, Mexico City, 06100
Salón Ríos
Río Nilo 71, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City, 06500
Fünk
Avenida Insurgentes Sur 377, Hipódromo Condesa, Mexico City, 06100
Museo Frida Kahlo
Londres 247, Coyoacán, Mexico City, 04100
Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo
Diego Rivera s/n, San Ángel Inn, Mexico City, 01060
Sala Nezahualcóyotl
Av. Insurgentes Sur 3000, C.U., Coyoacán, Mexico City, 04510
Centro Cultural Universitario
Av. Insurgentes Sur 3000, Coyoacán, Mexico City, 04510
Centro Cultural del Bosque
Av. P.º de la Reforma s/n, Polanco V Secc, Mexico City, 11560
Hero image: Adriana Paz / Zarazua
