As a director of Grupo Habita, the company that first introduced truly stylish boutique hotel experiences to Mexico, Rafael Micha Smeke knows a thing or two about what’s hot in Mexico City (after all, his company’s hotels are located in some of the most in-demand neighborhoods, including Polanco, Condesa, Santa Fe and the historic city center). But if you ask him to talk about the hippest new places in Mexico City, it’s all about Calle Havre, a street in the Juárez district that crosses Chapultepec Avenue and the grand boulevard called Paseo de la Reforma.
“Right now, everything has moved to Havre,” he told LatinFlyer.com in an exclusive interview. “It’s an amazing, small, turn-of-the-20th-century street with gorgeous, Porfiriano-style buildings. All the houses have been restored.”
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This strategically located Mexico City neighborhood first rose when Porfirio Díaz and his architects decided to build a city fashioned after Paris. And several of the impressive works of architecture now house must-visit venues for dining and shopping. “It’s zero pretentious, and it’s up-and-coming,” said Micha. “It has the architecture, it has the character.”
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Anyone looking for Mexico travel tips from an insider will do well to note Micha’s recommendations on where to shop and dine on Havre Street in Mexico City:
• Havre Cancino: “I love that pizza place, said Micha of this attractive Mexico City restaurant. “They have jazz bands.” In addition to pizza, panini and salad, Havre Cancino serves mezcal and wine.
• La Panadería Rosetta Juárez: Natural yeasts and a variety of grains and flours are the base for this bakery’s well-regarded creations, which which include both savory and sweet options, ranging from peasant bread to cinnamon rolls and baguettes.
• Sioux Boutique: For a “really in-the-know” selection of men’s and women’s clothing, Micha recommends Sioux, a concept store that brings together brands from New York, Japan, Europe, Australia and Mexico — including A.P.C., BLK DNM, Comme des Garçon, Spitfire and Stylestalker. Whether you’re looking for Mexican fashion designers or creations from abroad, you’ll likely find something noteworthy here.
• Common People: For clothing, Micha also recommends Common People, which describes itself as a “showcase for independent design.” A curated collection of both big and small names populate the racks here, offering an interesting array of fashion possibilities.
Grupo Habita’s stylish Mexico City hotels include Habita, Condesa DF, Downtown Mexico and Distrito Capital. Its newest hotel, Casa Fayette, opens this fall in Guadalajara.