Best Tacos in Mexico City

Mexico City’s best tacos are a rich source of culinary delights that food lovers shouldn’t miss. The city stands out with some of the best tacos and street food worldwide. You’ll find everything from simple street carts to Michelin-recognized spots that have become the talk of the town in 2024.

Visitors to CDMX’s bustling streets can grab street tacos for 12 to 30 pesos each. The prices range from 20 to 100 pesos based on where you eat and what you order. Tacos al Pastor leads the pack with its layered pork marinated in red chili sauce spinning on a rotating spit. The unique Tacos de Canasta (basket tacos) come packed with beans, potato, or adobo beef. Each neighborhood brings its own taco personality. Roma Norte and Centro Historico showcase different styles and flavors. Popular spots like Los Cocuyos have racked up over 10,000 Google reviews, while some hidden gems remain local favorites.

This piece takes a closer look at everything you need to know about finding and enjoying the best tacos in Mexico City’s neighborhoods. Your 2025 taco adventure awaits, whether you crave traditional al pastor, hearty birria, or meat-free options. This local’s guide points you to the right spots.

Best Neighborhoods for Tacos in Mexico City

Mexico City’s neighborhoods each have their own distinct taco personality. The city has everything from upscale fusion taquerias to humble street stands that have served customers for decades. You’ll need to visit these different colonias to find the best tacos in Mexico City.

Roma Norte: Trendy and diverse taco options

Roma Norte has become a taco lover’s paradise with both traditional and creative options. Taquería Álvaro Obregón remains a neighborhood staple that has weathered changing tastes through the years. People know it simply as “Tacos Álvaro” and the place comes alive between 10 PM and midnight on weekends when hungry post-bar crowds show up. Their signature item continues to be the tacos al pastor.

Castacán brings something different with its Yucatan-inspired tacos and fresh handmade tortillas. Their cochinita pibil tacos use hormone and antibiotic-free pork that delivers exceptional flavor. Tacos Los Alexis earned a prestigious Bib Gourmand recognition from the Michelin Guide in 2024 because they perfectly balance excellent cooking with affordable prices.

Taquería Orinoco splits opinion among locals – they either love it or call it overrated. Still, long lines of foreigners and chilangos (Mexico City locals) form outside regularly.

Condesa: Great for guisado and fish tacos

Many think Condesa is too upscale for authentic Mexican food, but this neighborhood serves some remarkable tacos. Tacos Hola (also known as El Güero) has been around since 1986 and specializes in guisados – hearty stews served on fresh tortillas. Taco lovers can choose from over 20 different guisado options, including healthy choices with nopales (cactus), chard, and wild herbs.

El Pescadito has made a name for itself with consistently delicious fried seafood tacos at several Mexico City locations. El Kalimán serves as the perfect late-night spot after enjoying Condesa’s vibrant nightlife.

Centro Historico: Classic street tacos and local legends

Some of Mexico City’s most beloved taco spots sit in the historic center. Los Cocuyos stays open 24/7, and diners gather on plastic stools along the curb at all hours. They’re famous for suadero (brisket) and tripe cooked in what locals lovingly call a “bubbly meat jacuzzi”. Taqueros work through the night, stirring the cauldron until it empties around 3-4 AM.

Tacos de Canasta Los Especiales gives you the unique basket tacos experience, while Los Callejeros sells tacos for about a dollar each. First-time visitors should head to Centro Historico because it packs so many traditional taco styles into one area.

Narvarte: Home of the best al pastor tacos in Mexico City

Tourists rarely visit Narvarte Poniente, but taco lovers make special trips here just for El Vilsito – a mechanical garage during the day that turns into a taco paradise at night. Many say their al pastor tacos are Mexico City’s finest, with perfectly cooked marinated pork from a vertical spit, topped with fresh pineapple, onions, and cilantro. Their creamy, zesty guacamole salsa makes these tacos even better.

Netflix’s Taco Chronicles put this neighborhood in the spotlight, showing off several exceptional al pastor spots. La Taquiza al Carbón makes a strong case for best al pastor with their juicy, well-marinated meat.

San Rafael and Juarez: Hidden gems and local favorites

San Rafael and Juarez hide some amazing taco spots. Local police officers flock to Tacos El Betín in San Rafael – always a good sign – for their outstanding suadero, tripa, and head tacos.

Juarez has treasures like Mixiote Tacos, serving since 1986 and specializing in mixiotes – sheep meat seasoned with spices and avocado leaf, steamed in parchment paper. Tizne Tacomotora stands out too, using quality tortillas with unique yet comforting fillings and fantastic salsas.

Top Taco Types You Must Try

Mexico City’s taco scene reveals a world of flavors that tell stories of its rich culinary heritage. Each taco variety, from spinning trompos to steaming baskets, brings its own unique taste to this gastronomic capital.

Tacos al Pastor: The CDMX classic

Lebanese immigrants brought these tacos to Mexico in the early 1900s, and they became Mexico City’s signature contribution. This shawarma-inspired creation uses thin pork slices marinated in achiote (a Mexican spice) and cooks on a vertical rotisserie called a trompo. The meat’s distinctive orange hue stands out as it lands on corn tortillas with cilantro, onions, and fresh pineapple toppings. El Tizoncito in Condesa claims to be these tacos’ birthplace, while El Huequito has served them in Centro Histórico since 1959.

Birria Tacos: Rich, slow-cooked perfection

Birria tacos showcase slow-cooking at its best. These tacos originated in Guadalajara with goat meat, but Mexico City’s versions now use beef that cooks until tender. The consomme makes birria special – a rich broth that blends the meat’s fat and juices with onions, tomatoes, and spices. People love to dip their tacos in this delicious liquid or sip it alongside. Birria Don Chuy serves an exceptional bowl with tender beef in a well-balanced broth.

Suadero and Campechano: Beefy and bold

Suadero comes from the cow’s meat between its leg and belly. It cooks slowly in animal fat until it becomes “soft as room-temperature butter”. This creates a rich beef flavor that melts in your mouth and pairs well with spicy salsa, lime, and cilantro.

Campechano tacos combine two meats in one delicious package. Most versions mix bistec (steak) with chorizo, though some include crisp chicharrón (pork crackling) or longaniza sausage. Local residents love these tacos for their varied textures and flavors. They recommend Tacos Don Manolito for excellent campechanos.

Tacos de Canasta and Guisado: Breakfast and lunch staples

Morning crowds grab tacos de canasta (basket tacos), which stay warm throughout the day. These “sweaty tacos” start with filled tortillas stacked in cloth-lined baskets. Hot oil drizzles over them before everything gets sealed tight. Chicharrón, potato, and refried beans make common fillings. They cost about 5 pesos each, making them perfect budget breakfast options.

Tacos de guisado feature home-style stewed fillings. Red rice with eggs, nopales with onions, potato with chorizo, or tinga (chicken with chipotle and onions) fill these morning favorites. Markets and street corners serve these tastes of Mexican home cooking.

Seafood Tacos: Baja-style and beyond

Mexico’s Pacific coast gave birth to Baja-style fish tacos, which feature battered and fried fish in corn tortillas. El Turuleto Tacos Del Mar serves outstanding seafood options, including their Galan taco – creamy shrimp and beans in a crispy flour tortilla. El Pescadito has built its reputation on consistently tasty fried seafood tacos across multiple locations.

Vegan and Vegetarian Tacos: Plant-based delights

Mexico City offers amazing vegan taco options despite its meat-loving reputation. Por Siempre Vegana pioneered the city’s vegan taco scene with plant-based versions of al pastor, milanesa, and other classics. Mictlan Antojitos Veganos celebrates traditional corn while serving soy-based pastor, mushroom chicharrón, and almond cottage cheese. La Pitahaya Vegana creates eye-catching pink beetroot tortillas topped with creative plant-based ingredients.

Where to Find the Best Tacos by Type

The search for Mexico City’s best tacos requires a local’s knowledge to track down the finest version of each style. After eating my way through countless taquerias and getting tips from locals, here’s a detailed breakdown of the city’s most incredible tacos.

Best al pastor tacos in Mexico City

Los Güeros has been a neighborhood fixture in Narvarte since 1972. The locals rate their crispy, perfectly seasoned al pastor tacos among the city’s best. Their chile de árbol salsa adds a bright, spicy kick that pairs beautifully with the rich pork.

Tacos El Betin in San Rafael stands out with its unique al pastor technique. The pork slices fall to the bottom of the spit and develop an amazing crispy texture before landing on double corn tortillas. The marinade brings out fruity notes without overwhelming sweetness.

El Vilsito transforms from a mechanic shop during the day into a bustling taqueria at night. Netflix’s Taco Chronicles put this spot on the map, and taco lovers now flock here to taste some of CDMX’s most flavorful al pastor.

Best birria tacos in Mexico City

Don Chuy runs a cozy 24-hour spot with four decades of history behind it. The Jalisco-born founder serves exceptional beef birria with a perfectly balanced broth that hits all the right notes. The quesabirrias feature cheese brought straight from Jalisco.

El Compita has built a devoted following with their “100% Tijuanese” style birria. The meat juice-soaked tortillas create an intensely rich taco experience that keeps people coming back.

Merendero Biarritz tells a story that started in 1956. Esther Rosales, now 82, started her food journey in Mexico City at just 15 years old.

Best fish tacos in Mexico City

El Pescadito rules the seafood taco game with spots all over the city. A DIY topping and hot sauce station accompanies their fried fish and shrimp tacos. Two tacos make a satisfying lunch at about 48 pesos each.

El Turuleto Tacos Del Mar shines with its seafood offerings. The Galan taco combines creamy shrimp and beans in a lightly crisped flour tortilla, topped with smoky chipotle.

Best vegan tacos in CDMX

Por Siempre Vegana pioneered the city’s vegan taco scene. The owner started it because his plant-based lifestyle shouldn’t mean missing out on Mexico’s taco culture. Their vegan al pastor matches the traditional version’s bright orange color perfectly.

Mictlan Antojitos Veganos serves amazing vegan tacos in Narvarte Poniente. Each taco costs 30-35 MXN and features creative ingredients like soy-based pastor, seitan-based smoked pork chop, and mushroom-based chicharrón.

Best tacos de guisado in Condesa

Tacos Hola El Güero leads the neighborhood’s guisado taco scene. Since 1986, this spot has served more than 20 different stewed fillings at just 26 pesos each. The menu spans from meat options like chorizo and chicken tinga to vegetarian choices such as nopales (cactus), chard, and wild herbs.

These remarkable spots help cement Mexico City’s place as the world’s taco capital.

Tips for Navigating Mexico City Street Tacos

A bit of local knowledge will help you navigate Mexico City’s vibrant street taco scene. These tips will boost your culinary adventures as you learn to spot authentic stands and understand proper etiquette.

How to spot a good taco stand

Good taco stands attract high turnover and local crowds, particularly those with families and children waiting in line. This shows both safety and quality. Watch how vendors handle money and food—you’ll want to see one person cooking while another handles cash. Your first impressions count. Trust your instincts and walk away if something seems off or the ingredients don’t look fresh.

Understanding taco toppings and salsas

You’ll find traditional toppings like chopped onions, cilantro, and lime wedges at most stands. The salsa situation doesn’t follow any universal rules—start with a small amount (“poquito”) if spice isn’t your thing. The simple varieties include red (made from dried red jalapeños and tomatoes) and green (green tomatoes and jalapeños). Don’t let avocado-based salsas fool you—they can pack serious heat.

How to eat tacos like a local

Hold your tacos with your hands and tilt your head slightly to bite from the side. You’ll get the freshest food by eating at local meal times, especially with buffet-style dishes. Local folks drop fillings too, so don’t stress about making a mess.

Safety tips for eating street food

Clean your hands before eating—you might carry more germs than the cook. Fresh, hot food beats items sitting out in the open. Take extra care with seafood tacos and check that vendors clean vegetables with purified water.

How much do tacos cost in Mexico City?

Street tacos cost between 12-30 pesos each, depending on type and location. Middle-class neighborhoods and tourist spots charge more because they use quality ingredients and pay higher rents. The upscale taco spots still won’t break the bank compared to international prices.

Unique and Fusion Taco Experiences

Mexico City’s taco scene goes far beyond tradition, bringing exciting fusion experiences that redefine the limits of culinary innovation.

Michelin-rated taco stands

El Califa de León made history as Mexico’s first street food stand to earn a Michelin star. This modest 3×3-meter space in San Rafael serves only four taco varieties. Their signature gaonera (beef filet) taco earned them special recognition. The May 2024 award transformed their business completely. Wait times jumped from 10 minutes to three hours as food enthusiasts worldwide came to taste their “elemental and pure” tortilla-meat combination.

Asian-Mexican fusion tacos

Roma Norte’s Cariñito creates Southeast Asian-inspired tacos served on dried corn husks rather than plates. Their Thai Siu Yuk taco stands out with crispy roast pork and nam jim jaew sauce. Pato Manila takes a different approach with unique Peking duck tacos in wheat tortillas and hoisin sauce.

Tacos with handmade tortillas

Chef Santiago Muñoz’s Maizajo, established in 2016, gets native corn from small Mexican communities to make 100% nixtamalized tortillas. This place doubles as a tortilla shop and serves delicious tacos made with rib-eye, brisket, and longaniza.

Taco spots with craft beer and cocktails

San Rafael’s Porcino excels in house-smoked meats, especially pork that incorporates Mexican flavors through local chiles and salsas. Guests can enjoy craft beer on their terrace with slow-cooked specialties. Tacobar in Roma combines creative 60-peso tacos with 180-peso cocktails that showcase Mexican spirits.

Summing all up

Mexico City stands without doubt as the world’s taco capital and gives food lovers a unique culinary experience. Each neighborhood in the city shows its own taco personality. You’ll find trendy spots in Roma Norte and classic street vendors in Centro Historico. The variety of taco styles across CDMX gives visitors endless chances to explore.

Food lovers should make it a priority to try the iconic tacos al pastor. This dish shows the beautiful cultural fusion that makes Mexican cuisine special. Going beyond this classic into birria, suadero, canasta, and even vegan options rewards brave eaters with flavors you can only find in this vibrant city.

The city’s taco scene shines through its diversity and easy access. Street tacos won’t break the bank. Most cost between 12 to 30 pesos each, though prices change based on location and ingredients. This means you can try many different tacos while staying within your travel budget.

The countless options might seem overwhelming at first. Start your taco experience at popular spots like El Vilsito for al pastor or Los Cocuyos for their famous suadero. Then you can move on to special places like the Michelin-starred El Califa de León or try innovative Asian-Mexican fusion tacos at Cariñito.

Don’t let safety concerns stop you from enjoying street food. Simple precautions will give you a great experience. Look for busy stands with high turnover and watch how they handle food. These simple street stands often serve the most authentic and memorable flavors.

Mexico City’s taco scene keeps changing while staying true to tradition. Each visit brings new finds alongside classic favorites. CDMX has the perfect taco for every moment – from late-night pastor after a night out to morning tacos de canasta.

This local’s guide will help you explore Mexico City’s amazing food scene with confidence. Your biggest challenge won’t be finding great tacos. You’ll just need to decide which delicious option to try next.

Here are some FAQs about the best tacos in Mexico City:

What is the most popular taco in Mexico City?

The most popular taco in Mexico City is undoubtedly al pastor, featuring marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit with pineapple. These best al pastor tacos in Mexico City are found throughout the city’s streets and markets, representing the quintessential Mexico City taco experience. Their popularity makes them a must-try for anyone seeking the best tacos in Mexico City.

Where did Anthony Bourdain eat tacos in Mexico City?

Anthony Bourdain famously visited Taquería Los Cocuyos for their suadero (brisket) tacos during his Mexico City episode. He also enjoyed tacos at El Califa, which is known for its high-quality meat preparations. Both establishments are frequently mentioned among the best street tacos in Mexico City that food enthusiasts should experience.

Is there a Michelin starred taco stand in Mexico City?

No, there are no Michelin starred taco stands in Mexico City as the Michelin Guide has not yet expanded to rate restaurants in Mexico. However, several taquerías have received international acclaim and are considered among the best tacos in Mexico City by food critics and locals alike. The Michelin recognition remains limited to other countries.

What part of Mexico has the best tacos?

While excellent tacos are found throughout Mexico, Mexico City is widely regarded as having the best overall taco scene due to its incredible variety and quality. The capital city offers everything from the best street tacos in Mexico City to innovative modern interpretations. This concentration of taco excellence makes it the ultimate destination for taco lovers.

Why are tacos El Gordo famous?

Tacos El Gordo is famous for its authentic Tijuana-style tacos, particularly its adobada (marinated pork) tacos that are similar to al pastor. While originally from Tijuana, their reputation for quality has made them a benchmark for those seeking the best tacos in Mexico City style preparations. Their popularity has led to expansion while maintaining quality.

Where to get birria tacos in Mexico City?

For excellent birria tacos, visit El Paisa de la Roma or Birrería Los 3 Reyes, both known for their flavorful stewed goat or beef tacos. These establishments are frequently recommended for the best birria tacos in Mexico City, served with consommé for dipping. The search for the best birria tacos in Mexico City will lead you to these celebrated spots.

Which tacos in Mexico have a Michelin star?

No tacos in Mexico have Michelin stars because the Michelin Guide does not currently rate restaurants in Mexico. The distinction of Michelin stars is limited to restaurants in countries where the guide operates. However, many Mexican taquerías would certainly deserve stars if the guide expanded, particularly those serving the best al pastor tacos in Mexico City.

Which Mexican taco shop was awarded a Michelin star?

No Mexican taco shop has been awarded a Michelin star since the Michelin Guide does not operate in Mexico. The acclaimed taquerías that serve the best street tacos in Mexico City operate outside the Michelin rating system. Their excellence is recognized through local praise and international food media rather than formal star ratings.

What is the taco capital of Mexico?

Mexico City is universally recognized as the taco capital of Mexico, offering the greatest variety and highest concentration of exceptional taquerías. From the best birria tacos in Mexico City to innovative contemporary versions, the capital represents the pinnacle of taco culture. No other city matches its depth and breadth of taco offerings.

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