Mexico City is a sprawling metropolis that boasts not only breathtaking architecture and lively streets but also a culinary scene that will awaken your taste buds and leave you craving more.
From street-side taco stands to elegant fine dining establishments, Mexico City offers a treasure trove of flavors that reflect the country’s rich heritage and diverse influences.
Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or simply someone with a passion for savoring the world’s culinary delights, Mexico City has something to offer that will leave you with memories as rich and flavorful as the dishes themselves.
Here are 11 dishes from Mexico City that are so delicious and iconic they’re worth traveling for:
Cochinita Pibil Tacos
Where to get it: El Turix
Cochinita pibil is a specialty from the Yucatán Peninsula. The tacos from El Turix are where to try it while in Mexico City.
The tortillas are dipped in the flavorful pibil marinade made of achiote and bitter orange. They’re then filled with incredibly tender, slow-cooked pork.
These tacos are so succulent and full of earthy and citrus flavors. They’re perfection.
📍 Av. Emilio Castelar 212, Polanco, Polanco III Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11550 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
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Mole Madre, Mole Nuevo
Where to get it: Pujol
From one of Mexico City’s most famous restaurants, the mole dish from Pujol is iconic. Made of both aged mole and fresh mole, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever tasted.
While it may appear simple, there are about 100 ingredients that go into Enrique Olvera’s mole.
Served with freshly made tortillas, the dish is incredibly complex in flavor and without a doubt some of the best mole you’ll ever have.
📍 Tennyson 133, Polanco, Polanco IV Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11550 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
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Torta de Pastor con Queso (Pastor Torta with Cheese)
Where to get it: Taquería Selene
You can’t have a list of iconic Mexico City dishes without including pastor.
While al pastor tacos are always a good bet, I urge you to try it in torta form. Specifically, the al pastor torta with cheese from Taquería Selene.
You’ll find some of the best al pastor in town at Taquería Selene. It’s even more delicious loaded into a soft roll, topped with melted cheese, avocado, onion, and salsa.
It’s so full of flavor, it may just become your new favorite sandwich.
📍 Leibnitz 51-C, Anzures, Miguel Hidalgo, 11590 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
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Taco en pan Arabe Doneraky (Doneraky Taco with Pita)
Where to get it: Taquería El Greco
Did you know that the beloved al pastor (the same meat referenced in the previous dish) originated from Lebanese immigrants recreating shawarma in their new home of Mexico?
To understand these origins more deeply, you must visit Taquería El Greco. Here, you’ll get a version reminiscent of shawarma – but it’s pork, not lamb.
Pork is seasoned with onions, parsley, and pepper, then slow-cooked on a spit (or trompo) and served on pita bread (pan árabe).
Topped with onions, cilantro, and salsa, a Taco Doneraky from Taquería El Greco is an ideal melding of cultures.
📍 Av Michoacán 54-B, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
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Poblano con Queso Tacos (Roasted Poblano and Cheese Tacos)
Where to get it: Taquería Los Parados
After tacos on tacos in Mexico City, sometimes a little variety is just what’s needed. Now, i’m not saying no more tacos because that would be crazy. What I am saying, is going the vegetarian route.
Taqueria Los Parados makes that easy with their cheesy roasted poblano pepper tacos.
Topped with their spicy selection of salsas, these tacos are so full of fire roasted flavor and loaded with melty cheesy goodness that you won’t even miss the meat.
📍Monterrey 333, Roma Sur, Cuauhtémoc, 06760 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
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Chilaquiles with Salami and Hotcakes Dollar (Silver Dollar Pancakes)
Where to get it: Klein's
If a Mexican restaurant and a Jewish deli had a baby, it would be Klein’s. Their menu features a variety of classic breakfast and lunch staples from both Mexico and a diner.
The highlight? The chilaquiles with salami – a combo you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else.
They allow you to customize your chilaquiles with whichever sauce you prefer, but the Salsa Verde, or Salsa Roja are always favorites. And if you can’t decide which you prefer, order them “devorciados” for half and half.
While you’re at Klein’s, getting the silver dollar pancakes as a dessert is probably a good plan.
These pancakes are fluffy, delicious, and the perfect size. Butter and maple syrup or cajeta (caramel made of goat milk) come on the side for a sweet and tasty treat.
📍Av. Pdte. Masaryk 360B, Polanco, Polanco III Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
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Chicharrón Taco
Where to get it: Taquería Orinoco
What’s better than crispy pork belly? Nothing. The answer is nothing.
This taco from Taquería Orinoco embraces the perfection of chicharron (or fried pork belly) and serves it in an even more perfect taco.
The meat is rich and salty and gets topped with sliced avocado and pickled red onions and peppers.
Served with a tray of 5 different salsas and fresh-cut lime, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure situation to make the taco truly your own.
You can’t go wrong though since all their salsas taste great. And with the chicharron, it really is just a winning combo.
Pro tip: Order 3 tacos and they’ll add a few of the Papas Orinoco onto your order. Small seasoned potatoes that are smashed and fried.
They’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Extra delicious dipped into any of their salsas.
📍Av. Álvaro Obregón 179, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
📍Florencia 18, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
📍Av. Yucatan 3, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
📍Av. Horacio 400, Polanco, Polanco V Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
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Carnitas Tacos
Where to get it: Meche y Rafael
Located inside Mercado Medellín, you’ll find a butcher shop serving some of Mexico City’s best carnitas. The catch? You can only get them on Saturdays.
The carnitas from Meche y Rafael are insanely good and come on freshly made tortillas. You’ll also get a variety of salsas and guacamole to garnish your tacos however you’d like.
As an added bonus, Meche y Rafael serves fresh chicharrones to snack on as well. Crunchy pork rinds that taste incredible on their own, but even better with lime or dipped in salsa or guacamole.
So while you can only get Meche y Rafael’s famous carnitas on Saturdays, it’s well worth it.
📍Interior Mercado Medellín local 349 , col . Roma, Mercado Melchor Ocampo, Roma Sur, 06760 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
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Exquisitos Tacos Kim
Where to get it: El Auténtico Pato Manila
Flavors of Beijing are probably not what you’re expecting on a list of travel-worthy dishes from Mexico City. But hey, here we are.
At El Auténtico Pato Manila, they’ve created a taco inspired by Peking duck. And let me tell you, it’s a beautiful thing.
Coated in Peking duck inspired spices, the roasted duck is shredded and stuffed into handmade flour tortillas. Topped with sliced green onion, fresh cucumber, and sweet hoisin sauce, it’s a taco you’re sure to remember.
The Tacos Kim also come with their homemade salsa for a nice touch of heat.
Two tacos come in each order which is perfect since it’s guaranteed you won’t be able to stop at one.
📍 Culiacan 91, código 2, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
📍 Guanajuato 19, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
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Tostadas de Atun (tuna tostadas)
Where to get it: Contramar
Contramar is synonymous with seafood in Mexico City. For over 20 years, it’s been the go-to spot for leisurely lunches featuring the freshest seafood in the city.
One dish that’s always a hit is the tostadas de atun – or tuna tostadas.
Homemade tortillas fried till crispy topped with orange and soy marinated fresh tuna, chipotle mayo, fried leeks, and sliced avocado.
While this dish is now replicated all over, Contramar gets credit for starting the trend back in 1998. It’s a dish that has stood the test of time and well worth traveling for.
For more info on dining at Contramar, read our Contramar restaurant feature.
📍 Calle de Durango 200, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
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Torta de Chilaquiles
Where to get it: La Esquina Del Chilaquil
There’s been a lot of hype around these tortas over the years. And fortunately, for these street-side tortas, the hype is real.
Red chilaquiles stuffed into a soft roll with breaded chicken, refried beans, sour cream, onion, and cheese. There’s an option for green chilaquiles as well, but in my opinion, the red is superior.
And if you’re not familiar with chilaquiles, they’re fried tortilla pieces that are simmered in salsa.
This carb-heavy torta is as indulgent as it sounds and some of the best street food around. Some even deem this torta the perfect hangover cure.
📍 Alfonso Reyes 139, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
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For more Mexico City dining recommendations, check out our Mexico City Dining Guide.
