7 reasons to visit Mexico City’s hippest ’hood

For years, the Polanco district has been known as the epicenter of fashion, dining and art in Mexico City.

And while other neighborhoods may be trendier (Condesa) or edgier (Roma Norte), Polanco — with its haute-cuisine hotspots (Pujol, Biko), posh boutiques (Prada, Gucci) and cultural treasures (the Soumaya Museum) — isn’t going out of style any time soon.

Here are seven spots not to miss in the city where the latest Bond flick was shot.

1) ONCE A POND A TIME

While the vast Chapultepec Park isn’t far away, Polanco’s Lincoln Park is a neighborhood gem, an intimate green space where couples stroll shady paved paths and children commandeer motorized boats on large ponds. An outdoor theater at one end hosts concerts; on Saturdays, there’s a busy tianguis (open-air market) with street food, produce, clothing, housewares and various trinkets.

2) RAISE THE ROOF

Beneath the Júmex Museum’s distinctive sawtooth roof, within its boxy exterior, are several levels of gallery space displaying a rotating series of contemporary art exhibits.

Since it opened in late 2013, renowned artists such as Alexander Calder and Cy Twombly have been shown, but there’s an emphasis on Latin American art drawn from Júmex’s vast collection.

The outdoor platforms offer unbeatable views of the neighboring mirrored façade of the Soumaya Museum.

3) YABU DABBA DOO

Starwood recently added the boutique Las Alcobas hotel to its Luxury Collection; for those who know and love this sleek Yabu Pushelberg-designed stay — not to worry, all the amenities (like your choice of artisan soaps made with local ingredients) are still there, as is the warm service. The 35 modern guestrooms feature custom-made wood and leather furnishings and stitched wall treatments of traditional Mexican patterns. Opt for a higher floor that nets you a private terrace (from $340/night).

4) CHOW, BELLA

A minimalist interior allows the food be the star of the show at the farm-to-table Anatol, set on the ground floor of Las Alcobas. Highlights from chef Justin Ermini’s seasonal menu include salmon gravlax, cured with Hendricks gin and topped with fennel crème fraiche, a smoky black bean soup that expands on its humble Chiapas origins with foie gras substituted for bacon, and assorted flatbreads (try the burrata with delicate squash blossoms).

5. COMMON SENSE

The concept store Common People is four stories of fashion, art, design and food tucked inside a magnificent, 1940s-era Colonial mansion. Walking up the grand spiral staircase and through the various rooms, you’ll find eccentric, edgy international brands (Vivienne Westwood, Open Ceremony) stocked alongside lesser known Mexican designers such as Malafacha, handcrafted kicks from the French shoemaker Galet and quirky ceramics by Spaniard Guille Garcia-Hoz, as well as locally made jewelry and original artwork.

6. POUR FAVOR

Though evenings start late in Mexico City, go on the early side to score an outdoor seat on the multiple terraces of The Comrade, where the young and beautiful go to sip some of the most artful cocktails in town. Our picks: Lord Don’t Stop (gin, lychee, grapefruit juice and sauvignon blanc garnished with fresh rosemary) or for mezcal fans, Mike’s Smash, a Mexican take on the Old-Fashioned. To line your stomach, there are casual yet nicely executed bites like mini burgers and grilled cheese.

7. YES OUI CAN

The Provencal-style French restaurant Ivoire is a popular dining spot, but locals know that the top-floor, open-air patio bar offers one of the best views of neighboring Lincoln Park. Stop by for a pre-dinner drink; Thursday to Saturday nights there’s a live DJ.