When we first got to Mexico City, we looked through a variety of online lists to try to find the best tacos of the city. Turns out, the best tacos are the ones closest to you at that moment with a crowd of locals devouring the food. The following list of tacos is organized by neighborhood to give you inspiration based on where you are located or exploring. It is far from comprehensive but it does cover a variety of price points and styles, ranging from tacos from a street vendor to a two star Michelin restaurant. Read through this list and get inspired for the best Mexico City taco that you can devour.
El Centro
1
Restaurante Taqueria Los Cocuyos
This restaurant is a combination of a street food vendor and restaurant experience. The meat is cooked simultaneously and together on a grill in a street-facing kitchen, allowing all the juices to mix and combine into the delicious flavors. The menu is relatively extensive but the small size of the tacos can allow you to sample a variety from the menu. The servers can help you determine your order. And if you’re lucky, you could be dining with live music.
What We Ordered
Taco suadero (brisket)
Taco longiniza (sausage)
Taco campechano (brisket and sausage)
San Rafael
2
Taquería El Califa de Leon (Michelin Star)
Interested in eating at a Michelin Star street taco location? Well this is the spot for you. It has a limited menu, making it possible to try everything on the menu if you go with a 1-2 friends. The meat and tortillas are incredibly simple, displaying the pure quality of the meat and seasoning without using sauce or accompaniments to mask anything. We are not experts to say if it truly is Michelin quality food but it certainly is delicious. The stall itself is quite small but the clothing shop next door provides table and chairs. We recommend going between dining periods to have the fewest crowds possible.
What We Ordered
Taco de gaonera (filet)
Taco de bistek (steak)
Taco de costilla (rib)
Polanco
3
El Turix
If you are looking for delicious tacos with pickled onions, then this is the spot for you. Their juicy cochinita pibil is unmatched and it is the only meat that they make. You can get it in tacos, tortas, tamales, and panuchos. Their salsa on the side is spicy with rich flavor that complements the food. In addition, their location in Polanco is unique, placing an affordable street taco among a luxurious neighborhood. There tends to be a line waiting for the food and they run out once in a while, meaning that you may have to wait for them to make the next batch. And if you are looking to try some agua frescas or aguas de sabor (flavored water), this spot has a number of different ones that are refreshing and delicious.
What We Ordered
Cochinita pibil taco (worth getting more than one)
Agua fresca de fresa (strawberry water)
4
Pujol
This 2-Star Michelin restaurant is one that helped put Mexican cuisine on the map in terms of fine dining. They have two different tasting menus, both of which include at least one taco. The first is their traditional tasting menu with 7 courses that include vegetables, meat, and fish, all cooked in creative ways with strong Mexican flavors. In this menu, they serve a wagyu steak with tortillas where you can make your own taco. (This was the fanciest taco we had ever eaten!) Their second tasting menu is a taco omakase menu, which has a variety of tacos or takes on tacos. Their food is incredibly unique and, if within your budget, is worth the elegant night out. Look in advance for any reservation availability during your trip.
What We Ordered
Pujol Tasting Menu
5
Siembra Taqueria
This is a higher end taco joint in the Polanco neighborhood. Not all of their tacos stand out completely but some are truly delicious. Use the recommendations of the waiters to best tailor your order because there are a lot of options to choose from.
What We Ordered
Taco de camaron estilo ensenada (shrimp taco)
Taco arrachera (flank steak taco)
Taco pesca del dia al pastor (marinated fish of the day taco)
Taco gaona con queso (seasoned beef filet with cheese taco)
La Condesa
6
El Pescadito
Fried fish tacos is something that is mostly found on the pacific coast of Mexico and California. However, if you are craving one (Melina often is), then this small-chain taqueria could be a nice spot to check out. Much of their seafood and fish is breaded and fried, adding a nice crunch to the taco. They have locations in the historic center, La Condesa, Roma Sur, and more.
What We Ordered
Taco que-sotote (cheese and shrimp stuffed pepper with more cheese and shrimp)
Taco ta-cotote (tuna stuffed pepper with shrimp)
7
Tacos Don Juan
This taco joint is a popular lunch spot among the locals during the work week, and if locals are waiting in line to eat there, then it must be delicious! (This is a good way to pick the street stand that you want to try.) If you are curious about trying horchata (rice and cinnamon flavored water), this is a great place to get one.
What We Ordered
Taco de costilla (pork rib taco) - this was a special of the day
Taco surtida (assorted pork meats taco) – this was a special of the day
8
Taqueria el Greco
This taco spot is a fusion of Greek and Mexican cuisine, especially with the style that they cook their meat. They also have a large spread of salsas, allowing you to customize your taco to your personal flavor and spice tolerance.
What We Ordered
Taco de doneraky (doner-style taco)
Taco de arrachera (flank steak taco)
Taco de pollo (chicken taco)
9
Tacos Hola El Güero
A popular taco spot in La Condesa with both locals and tourists. It is recognized in the Michelin guide (but it does not have a Michelin star) and has withstood the test of time, having been open since 1968.
What We Ordered
Taco de chorizo con papa (pork sausage with potatos taco)
Taco de chile rojo (stuffed red chilli taco)
Taco de bistek en pasilla (steak in chilli taco)
Roma Norte
10
El Parrillon de Peter
This spot was the best tacos of our trip and it is not on any online lists. Sometimes the best food spots are the street stands on the corner with a crowd of locals. This particular one is a taco spot that freshly grills the meat you choose in front of you along with some fresh tortillas. Then, you can load up your taco with grilled veggies, salads, salsas, and guacamole to make it to your own taste.
What We Ordered
Taco de chorizo argentino (Argentine pork sausage)
Taco de chorizo español (Spanish pork sausage)
Taco de aguja (pork shoulder)
11
Taqueria Orinoco
This small chain taqueria is known for their simple tacos, served with simple toppings that add to the flavor of the meat along with grilled onions and potatoes. You will find both tourists and locals frequenting the taquerias to grab a quick meal.
What We Ordered
Chicharron suelto taco (soft pork rinds taco)
Trompo suelto taco (marinated pork taco)
Orinoco costra taco (the specialty here - a taco lined with crispy cheese and filled with meat and veggies)
12
Cariñito Tacos
If you are looking for a fusion taco joint, then this is the place for you. Their tacos are inspired by different Asian cuisine, including Thai and Cantonese flavors. They also have sides and tortas to try. This taqueria is able to balance flavors between sweet and spicy in a delicious way that will leave you wanting more. (Can you tell that we are still thinking about this spot?)
What We Ordered
Taco Issan (one of their Thai tacos inspired by the Isan region of Thailand)
Taco cochinita Thai (taco of braised pork with Thai flavors)
Taco Cantones (one of their Cantonese-inspired tacos)
Roma Sur
13
El Hidalguense
This place is a restaurant that has potentially the best tacos that we had while in Mexico City. An order of tacos here comes with three of them, making it sufficient for a full meal. And if you are tired of eating tacos, there are other items on the menu that will have you salivating. They also have an excellent spicy guacamole that could accompany the tacos.
What We Ordered
Tacos barbacoa (lamb barbacoa tacos)
Guacamole picante (spicy guacamole)
14
Taqueria los Parados
This taqueria (also a small local chain) has an extensive menu, allowing you to really pick tacos that you may not have tried elsewhere or that you really love. (We tried cactus at this spot because we were curious). The only downside is that some tacos come with two per order, so you may not be able to try as many different tacos as you might want. They also have a delicious horchata to help quench your thirst!
What We Ordered
Taco el nopal (pear cactus taco)
Taco poblano con queso (taco with cheese and bell peppers)
Horchata (water flavored with rice and cinnamon)
Narvarte Oriente
15
Tacos Tony
One of many taco restaurants in this area of Mexico City, Tacos Tony has a variety of traditional tacos and freshly made salsas. The menu includes tacos, gorditas (thick corn tortilla stuffed with meat or vegetables), tortas (sandwiches), and more so you can try a variety of Mexican casual food at this spot.
What We Ordered
Taco de campechano (taco with a combination of beef and pork meat)
Gordita de suadero (stuffed tortilla with beef brisket)
16
El Vilsito
This taqueria has both indoor and outdoor seating with waiters who mingle around the restaurant to take your order and serve your food. Find a table anywhere you can (the seating is communal) and approach the nearest server to place your order. Shared bowls of salsas are placed on the tables to add to your order. And if sitting outside, you will see the meat grilling around the exterior of the restaurant.
What We Ordered
Taco al pastor (tacos of grilled thin slices of pork from a rotisserie style of cooking)
Gringa al pastor (a quesadilla-like dish of grilled thin slices of pork from a rotisserie style of cooking)
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We are Kevin and Melina, two avid travelers who have decided to take our hobby of traveling into our new lifestyle.
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