Tasting the Traditional Cuisines of Mexico City
Mexican food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world, famous for its tacos and blend of spices. So we headed to the capital city to find out if Mexico’s food scene is as good as they say or just overhyped. This Mexican food guide is a love letter to flavor, and the most iconic signature dishes to try in the country. Prepare yourself for an endless variety of tacos, ridiculously cheap street food, and spicy salsa on this epic Mexico Food Tour!
Traditional Mexican Food
Tacos
No trip to Mexico is complete with out tasting a couple hundred varieties of tacos ubiquitous throughout the city. Here’s a list of the best types of tacos you need to try:
- Tacos Al Pastor – Perhaps the king of any Mexican food tour, Tacos Al Pastor is the one meal that never disappointed. It is marinated pork grilled on a vertical spit, nestled into a warm tortilla, and crowned with pineapple, cilantro, & onions. One of our favorite foods in the world, this taco alone justifies a flight to Mexico City.
- Tacos de Canasta – Literally meaning “basket tacos”, these are pre-made tacos steamed inside a basket, giving them a soft, almost melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Tacos de Barbecoa – Made from tender, pit-roasted lamb, these tacos are juicy, smoky, and flavorful.
- Tacos de Carnitas – Carnitas are slow-cooked in their own fat until perfectly crispy and tender.
- Tacos de Suadero – Another common type of taco, this one has a thin slice of beef and is pretty good topped with lime
Tostadas
A crispy tortilla loaded with seafood, tinga, or cochinita pibil, piled with toppings and a hit of salsa. Messy? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
Gorditas
These thick, handmade masa pockets are griddled until golden, then stuffed with meat, beans, cheese, or chicharrón. Think of them as the less attractive cousin to the Venezuelan Arepa.
Tlacoyos
Before tacos stole the spotlight, tlacoyos were the pre-Hispanic OG street food. Imagine a thick, oval-shaped corn masa cake, stuffed with refried beans, cheese, or fava beans, then griddled to crispy perfection.
Quesadillas
Unlike the uncultured American version, the quesadillas you’ll find in Mexico City typically are not served with cheese. Just a hand-pressed tortilla stuffed with a variety of meat ingredients. Still delicious though!
Elote & Esquites
Elote is a popular street snack consisting of a grilled or boiled whole corn on the cob, slathered with mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice. Esquites essentially has the same ingredients but the corn is off the cob. Both are amazing and a symbolic representation of Mexico’s obsession with corn.
Pambazo
A bread roll dipped in guajillo chile sauce, then stuffed with potatoes and chorizo, and topped with lettuce, cream, and cheese. Mexico’s answer to the sloppy Joe. A Sloppy Jose?
Chiles en Nogada
Chiles en Nogada is a stuffed poblano pepper covered in creamy walnut sauce, sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. Only available in August and September, this dish is the culinary representation of the Mexican flag.
Mole Poblano
A rich, complex sauce made with chocolate, chiles, nuts, and over 20 spices, typically served over chicken. It may look horrible, but has an interesting flavor profile.
Mexican Food: Breakfast
Forget coffee, nothing will wake you up more than a spicy Mexican breakfast. If you can’t handle the extreme heat, we suggest saying, “No Pique” for no salsa. If you can handle it, good luck.
Chilaquiles
Chilaquiles is similar to nachos, including tortilla chips smothered in salsa (red or green), topped with crema, cheese, onions, and eggs. The portions are huge, its extremely spicy, and is guaranteed to satisfy.
Huevos Rancheros
Two fried eggs on tortillas, bathed in ranchero sauce. Its simple and tasty. reminds us of our food tour through New Mexico.
Tamales
This basic Mexican breakfast includes steamed corn masa parcels filled with meats, mole, or sweetened with cinnamon and raisins. Some chilangos (Mexico City residents) take their tamales to the next level by stuffing them inside a bread roll to create the infamous “torta de tamal” (a tamale sandwich).
Pozole
Pozole is a hominy and pork stew, topped with shredded cabbage, radishes, lime, and oregano. A tasty soup that can also be ordered as a side dish.
Mexican Sweets
Churros
These crispy, golden spirals of dough are dusted with cinnamon and sugar and topped with chocolate. Many vendors around Mexico City offer them as a snack. Dip them in hot chocolate for an added boost of flavor we learned from our trip to Spain.
Pan de Muerto
Pan de Muerto is a soft, fragrant sweet bread, dusted with sugar and flavored with orange blossom. This “bread of the dead” is traditionally made for Día de los Muertos and is a must-try if you visit in late October or early November.
Mexican Beverages
Now to wash down this epic Mexican food tour with some traditional Mexican beverages! While the tap water might be questionable (don’t drink it), these libations are sure to complete the food scene.
Tequila
Can’t mention tasty Mexican beverages without this infamous alcohol. Tequila is much smoother than anything back in the states, and is often drank like water on a night out. especially if you visit the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco.
Mezcal
Another signature drink you’ll find in Mexico is Mezcal. This smoky, complex spirit is distilled from agave and is perfect for sipping. Mexico City also has tons of Mezcal bars to choose from. Hold the bug.
Michelada
A Michelada is a refreshing, tangy, and spicy beer-based drink that typically includes lime juice, salt, chili, clamato, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Similar to a bloody Mary. Bloody Maria? It’s a classic choice for sale during a Lucha Libre match!
Agua frescas
Don’t worry, Mexico also has some non-alcoholic alternatives that are hydrating and delicious. Agua Fresca is a light, fruit-based drink made with fresh fruit, water, and just the right amount of sugar. Popular flavors include tamarind, hibiscus (jamaica), horchata, coconut, maracuya and mango.
Pulque
Pulque is an ancient, slightly sour, fermented agave drink that dates back to Aztec times. It’s an acquired taste, but hey, so is life. We tried some free samples during our tour of the ancient temples of Teotihuacan.
A food tour in CDMX is an essential experience if you wish to immerse yourself in the cultural roots of Mexico. The food here tells the story of indigenous traditions, colonial influences, and street-side ingenuity, all wrapped in a warm tortilla and served with a side of salsa. So is Mexico’s the best in the world or grossly overhyped? We think its somewhere in the middle, with a great mix of cheap street food and bold flavors. The tacos al pastor were god tier but nothing else was quite on that level. Let us know if you agree! For more details on planning your trip to Mexico, check out this guide. Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
Find out if Mexico City’s food lives up to the hype in our latest food tour vlog!
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