What to Eat in Mexico City: Dishes and Food Experiences Not to Miss
Some links may earn Jet Set LatAm a commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations remain editorially independent.
Mexico City is one of the world’s great eating cities, and much of the best food costs very little and comes on a paper plate. Pace yourself: breakfast, a mid-morning snack, a long late lunch and tacos at night is a perfectly reasonable schedule here. Use this list alongside our Mexico City guide to eat your way across the capital.
Tacos, Tacos, Tacos
Tacos al pastor are the city’s signature. Pork is marinated in chiles and achiote, stacked on a vertical spit called a trompo and shaved onto small corn tortillas with a sliver of pineapple — a technique that traces back to shawarma brought by Lebanese immigrants. Add onion, cilantro and salsa, and order more than you think you need.
Don’t stop there. Look for suadero (tender beef confited in fat), tacos de canasta (soft, steamed “basket tacos” sold from bicycles in the morning) and weekend barbacoa, slow-cooked lamb served with a cup of rich consommé.
Breakfast Like a Local
- Chilaquiles — fried tortilla pieces simmered in salsa verde or roja, topped with cream, cheese and onion, often with egg or chicken. The ultimate morning comfort food.
- Tamales and the guajolota — tamales sold from street carts at dawn, sometimes tucked into a bolillo roll to become a “guajolota,” a carb-on-carb classic.
- Café de olla and pan dulce — cinnamon-spiced coffee and a sweet roll such as a concha.
Masa Snacks: Tlacoyos, Quesadillas and More
Much of the city’s street food begins with masa. Tlacoyos are oval corn cakes stuffed with beans, fava or requesón, griddled and topped with nopales, salsa and crumbled cheese — often made from blue corn. Sopes, huaraches and gorditas are close relatives.
A local quirk: in the capital, a quesadilla doesn’t automatically include cheese. Fillings like squash blossom, huitlacoche or mushrooms are common, so ask “con queso” if you want it.
Market Culture
Markets are where the city’s appetite is on full display. Neighborhood mercados are ideal for a cheap, hearty lunch at a counter — think pozole, quesadillas or a comida corrida set meal. Bigger markets reward a wander:
- Mercado de la Merced — sprawling and intense, with produce, chiles and snacks in every direction.
- Mercado de San Juan — known for specialty and unusual ingredients, from imported cheeses to exotic meats.
- Mercado de Coyoacán — a popular stop for tostadas after visiting the southern neighborhood.
- Mercado de Jamaica — primarily a flower market, but worth it for the color alone.
Sweet Things and Late-Night Treats
Churros dunked in thick hot chocolate are a classic any time of day. Street carts sell esquites (corn kernels in a cup with mayo, lime and chile) and elote on the cob, while ice-cream vendors scoop fruit flavors like mango, guanábana and tamarind.
What to Drink: Mezcal, Pulque and Beyond
Mezcal is sipped slowly, often with orange slices and sal de gusano. Ask for an espadín if you’re new, or explore wild agaves once you’ve got your bearings. Unlike tequila, which must come from specific regions and blue agave, mezcal can be made from many agave species, and its smoky flavor comes from roasting the hearts in earthen pits. Pulque, the milky fermented sap of the maguey, predates the Spanish and is served in traditional pulquerías — sometimes curado, blended with fruit or oats.
For something lighter, try an agua fresca like horchata or jamaica, or a michelada — beer with lime, salt and spicy seasonings.
Practical Tips for Eating Well
- Choose busy stalls with high turnover — locals are the best quality control.
- Eat your main meal in the afternoon, as many locals do; comida is the day’s big event.
- Carry small bills and coins; many street vendors only take cash.
- Go easy on salsas until you’ve tested their heat.
- Stick to bottled or purified water, and start gently with street food if your stomach is sensitive.
Hungry for a plan? Our three-day Mexico City itinerary leaves plenty of room for tacos between the museums.
Your next good read
Keep exploring with Jet Set LatAM
Go deeper into the destination or follow a shared interest through these stories.
Turn inspiration into a journey
Make room for this in your next trip.
Notes from the Jet Set world
A little inspiration.
A beautiful next trip.
New stories, city discoveries and the Jet Set edit, delivered to your inbox.
Free to join. Unsubscribe whenever you like. Privacy & disclosure
Planning this trip? Save the places you love and build your itinerary in the Jet Set LatAM app.