Tourist Trap Guide / The Terraces of Zócalo
Hands reached out towards my body as if Virgil himself were guiding me through the surroundings of Zócalo square.
By: Jajo Crespo / Photo by Luis Andrés Villalón Vega
And here I was, having been swindled by the shell game and clairvoyant canaries, keeping my focus like Dante: eyes forward, not allowing souls to ensnare me. In reality, I wasn't wandering through any circle of hell. The spirits were workers from the various terraces and restaurants surrounding the square, trying to persuade me to come in and eat.
Then I recalled the numerous bad experiences with these places that have gone viral. They all share the same tone: someone convinces you to go up to the restaurant, tells you the food costs a hundred pesos, but when the bill arrives, you realize it's over a thousand pesos for some chilaquiles and a soda. We know not all terraces operate this way, but here, as in the Bible, the righteous pay for the sinners. So, to prevent you from being surprised, I've prepared some tips:
1. Leave room for surprises but go in with a plan.
If you plan to visit the National Palace, Templo Mayor, or simply want to explore Zócalo, think about where you'll eat beforehand. It's good to let the city surprise you—perhaps with a Toluca-style huarache in the Zócalo plaza or some chips with Valentina sauce—but a bad surprise can ruin a vacation day. Don't be swayed by the cheap prices you'll hear; instead, prepare to visit one of the options recommended by Food Police. A few blocks away, for example, you can visit a Mexican cantina with over 100 years of history: La Dominica, about which we've already published an article.
2. Don't accept the printed menus they offer you.
If you're walking around the Zócalo square, there will be vendors offering you menus, but don't accept them. It might sound harsh, but these people are often very persuasive, and if you allow them to approach you, they may convince you to go up to their restaurant.
3. Don't trust prices that sound too good to be true.
If they've already approached you, they will likely try to convince you with initially cheap-sounding prices, but remember, that's the hook. Once inside, they may want to charge you for "entrance," "cover charge," "seating," "tip," or any other category you can imagine. They might also avoid these methods to avoid trouble with authorities, but what about gray areas like charging almost 400 pesos for a beer?
4. Do not go up to the terraces.
This is the most important point. Many social media users who fell into these traps reported that once inside, the staff intimidated customers who refused to pay. Avoid letting a bad experience ruin your tourist day and simply do not go up to the restaurant.
Mexico City receives around 14.5 million tourists annually. This isn't surprising considering the amount of history that lives among its streets. This city harbors pre-Hispanic roots, Baroque architecture, functionalist buildings, and a cuisine that's an ongoing clash between tradition and innovation. Trust our advice, visit the places recommended by Food Police, and avoid tourist traps.
