I Went to Mexico City to See TOOL—and Ended Up Falling in Love with the Whole Damn City

When my husband suggested we fly to Mexico City to see TOOL perform live at Azteca Stadium, I agreed, anticipating an adventure. He’s the true TOOL enthusiast. Me? I’m more about the food, the vibes, and exploring new places. By the end of the trip, not only was I vibing with TOOL—I found myself utterly captivated by Mexico City itself.

We packed the weekend with world-class cuisine, luxurious accommodations, an exhilarating Lucha Libre wrestling match on Friday, and the TOOL concert Saturday night. It was one of those transformative trips. Here’s everything we did, ate, and loved.

---

Where We Stayed: The Ritz-Carlton Mexico City (Yes, It’s Worth It)

Let’s start here: the service was impeccable. Room service delivered exactly at 1:17 a.m. as promised. The check-in desk starts at the 37th floor, and we stayed on the 38th—above the city skyline with panoramic views of Chapultepec Park and beyond.

The blooming jacaranda trees in March made everything feel surreal. The Ritz had that elevated, calming energy that made it feel like a true retreat.

Book through Expedia’s Ritz-Carlton Mexico City listing here!

---

What We Ate: Michelin-Level Magic, Tacos on Fire, and Sushi That Stunned Me

Let me just say this: CDMX did not miss when it came to food. We didn’t have one bad bite. And I’m already dreaming of going back just to eat my way through more of it.

Carmela y Sal

This spot absolutely blew me away. The creamy-but-chunky guacamole, those warm tortillas with fried black beans inside (maybe tlacoyos?), and mezcal cocktails that had the perfect smokiness. The flavors were layered, rich, and explosive in the best way.

Kill Bill Sushi

Who knew some of the best sushi of my life would be in a landlocked city? Every bite was tender, fresh, and elevated with touches like foie gras + unagi, crispy garlic, and truffle. Light jazz played in the background while my taste buds basically ascended.

Taquería Orinoco

A classic, and for good reason. I had the most melt-in-your-mouth al pastor tacos, and the salsas? Absolutely no joke. I’ve been slowly working on my spice tolerance, and this was the ultimate test—but I held my own.

What made it even more special was that we met up with new friends and after the Tool concert, they were so kind to share this incredible place with us after the concert. The vibe was vibrant and welcoming, and the tacos… next-level.

---

Friday Night Lucha Libre & TOOL on Saturday

On Friday night, we kicked things off with a totally wild, high-energy Lucha Libre wrestling match. It was theatrical, colorful, and way more fun than I expected.

Fun twist? We later realized that TOOL was sitting in the next section. We didn’t notice at the time, but saw their post on social later. The universe was clearly setting the tone for the weekend.

Then on Saturday, we all met up at the TOOL concert together that night at Estadio Azteca. TOOL fans, you already know, it was visually insane and sonically spiritual. And while my husband is the diehard fan in the relationship, I have to admit… I totally get it now.

---

Exploring the City (Between Bites and Shows)

• Chapultepec Park – Gorgeous, expansive, and peaceful.

• Zócalo Square – Historic and grand. That cathedral? Just… wow.

• Polanco – Refined, elegant, luxury meets laid-back.

I didn’t get to dive as deep into every neighborhood as I wanted (next trip!), but the energy in each spot was so unique and vibrant.

---

What I Missed (and Why I’m Already Planning My Return)

One word: Pujol.
I tried to book a reservation and it was completely full. Lesson learned—reserve it way in advance if you’re planning a trip to CDMX. It’s one of the top restaurants in the world, and yes, it’s worth the hype.

Still manifesting that next time it works out.

---

Final Thoughts: From TOOL to Tlacoyos, Mexico City Changed Me

I went for a concert. I came back a different person. Mexico City gave me beauty, flavor, art, music, warmth, and a kind of magic that I wasn’t expecting.

And while TOOL was incredible, it was the city that won me over. From the high-touch luxury of the Ritz-Carlton to the grit and flavor of a late-night taco spot with new friends, this was the kind of trip that sticks with you.

---

Planning your trip to Mexico City?

• Stay at The Ritz-Carlton Mexico City 

• Try to reserve Pujol early

• Prioritize tacos, walks, and spontaneous adventures

• And yes—say yes to the concert ticket. Even if it’s not your band, the experience might just change you