25 Places I Ate the Best Tacos in Mexico City
Every time I visit Mexico City, tacos are on the agenda. I don’t know what it is, but the city knows how to do street food and tacos are no exception.
I once heard a Mexican man describe visiting Mexico City as a baptism into the world of tacos. And he’s right. You can order every type of street taco in Mexico City—tacos al pastor, birria tacos, mixiote, tacos de canasta, suadero, longaniza, and the list goes on.
But with a taqueria on nearly every corner, how do you know where to find the best tacos in Mexico City?
Well that’s going to be a personal opinion. But I suggest you start by working your way through this list of Mexico City taquerías while keeping your eye out for other taco stands with a crowd of people.
To make it easy, I’ve grouped these together by location so that you can take yourself on Mexico City taco tour. And if you don’t know all the types of tacos in Mexico, don’t worry I’ve included a short run down at the end. A taco glossary, if you will.
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Tips for Eating Mexico City Tacos
- Many taquerias offer an order of tacos, such as 5 tacos al pastor for a slightly lower price. But I typically prefer to order individual tacos to try different ones.
- It’s common to continue ordering after eating your first tacos. Don’t be shy. Did you love the campechano taco? Order another one!
- Add more than one salsa. My preference is salsa roja but I often add both red and green, especially if the green is avocado (which still has chili but is sometimes less spicy).
- Salsas aren’t meant to burn your mouth off but they should be spicy. So if you can’t handle the heat, hold off. In my opinion, the best salsas balance the heat of the chili with the acidity of lime and other ingredients.
- Wondering why tacos in Mexico have two tortillas? Some say it’s to make a second taco with the filling that falls out. Others say it’s to make the taco stronger.
- Listen to your gut. Or in reality to your nose and your eyes. Every taco stand has off days. If it doesn’t look good to you, move on to the next street tacos.
Best Tacos in Narvarte Mexico City (+ Nearby)
I’ve always heard Narvarte Poniente is a local neighborhood known for some of the best tacos in Mexico City. But I never knew where to go until I started asking around.
This mostly residential neighborhood likely isn’t one you’ll frequent, unless you’re searching for tacos, so I wanted to start here. While the first one is technically a taco stand in Roma Sur, it’s on the border with Narvarte and close to the others after it.
1. Taquería el Tarasco
📍 Roma Sur Map Location
This Mexico City taco stand is known for milanesa de pollo—thin chicken breast that is breaded and fried. They use a small deep fryer to cook the chicken fresh, as quickly as the orders come in.
Once you get your tacos, you can top it with your choice of fries, chicharron, nopal cactus, pasta, cucumber slices, and salsas.
My Mexican friend and I agreed, they make the best milanesa de pollo we have ever eaten. I think it’s because the chicken breast is pounded a little thicker than normal and because they allow the breading to sit a moment before cooking.
Tip: Go early. While they’re open every day until 5 pm, most days the chicken runs out by 3 pm.
2. Arrachera Tacos el Tigre
📍 Narvarte Poniente Map Location
Tacos el Tigre serves some of the most tender arrachera tacos I’ve ever eaten. You can choose to order these tacos with or without cheese, then add potatoes and salsa to your liking.
In addition to the incredibly delicious arrachera, I really liked the potatoes which were boiled and then seared on the grill. It’s a nice change from the french fries served with most street tacos in Mexico City.
3. La Taquiza al Carbón – Tacos al Pastor
📍 Narvarte Poniente Map Location
I was on my way to the next taco spot when I passed by one of the freshest spits of tacos al pastor I’ve ever seen.
The marinade was a rich orange and it was sufficiently covering the pork, keeping it moist. The flavor matched and I later read reviews declaring La Taqueriza the best tacos al pastor in Mexico City.
And that’s what I recommend you order here. I also ate costilla tacos on the recommendation of the waiter. And they weren’t bad, but the tacos de pastor was some of the best I’ve ever had.
4. El Vilisto – More Tacos al Pastor in Mexico City
📍 Narvarte Poniente Map Location
I expected the second taco spot to be good but the bar was just set high. El Vilisto was featured on Taco Chronicles and from my experience, sometimes that means the quality decreases once it gets too popular.
It was good. And I took the opportunity to order a side of nopales, although it was a toss up for the order of grilled onions. Overall I liked the flavor of the other better. But El Vilisto was solid.
Mexico City Taco Tours
Rather than present this list randomly, I grouped these together by location so that you can take yourself on a Mexico City taco tasting. That’s what I did when I found a pocket of some of the best street tacos in Mexico City all within a few blocks of each other.
But if you’re intimidated by ordering in Spanish or unsure what to order, you can check out these Mexico City taco tours to help you navigate the terrain.
Prefer to just book a taco tour? I’ve included my top picks below.
- Narvarte At Night: Tacos, Chelas & Mezcal
- Bike Taco Tour in Roma Norte
- Private Taco Tour in Mexico City at Night
15 Best Tacos in Roma and Nearby
This neighborhood is known as one of the best areas to stay in Mexico City, so I was surprised to find many great street tacos in Roma Norte. My top picks are a blend of traditional street tacos as well as some creative offerings.
5. Tacos Beto
📍 Roma Norte Map
My mom and I discovered Tacos Beto when we took ourselves on a Mexico City taco tour. They serve some of the best tacos in Roma Norte and for an incredibly fair price.
They offer a variety of tacos, including carne enchilada, suadero, longaniza, and campechano, all of which are incredibly flavorful. Plus they have a fire hot green salsa and a less so, but flavorful red salsa. Open from midday into the early morning hours, this is a great spot for tacos in CDMX.
6. Taquería el Gato Volador
📍 Roma Norte Map Location
When the taco stand my mom and I were trying to find wasn’t open, we let our eyes and nose lead us to Taquería el Gato Volador. Of all the taco stands on this corner of Roma Norte, this one was super busy and the wide selection of tacos looked fresh.
There were so many options I had to ask him to repeat himself and explain what chupa tacos are (essentially a mix of everything). Options include birria and consomé, bistek, campechano, alambre, and enchilada.
Toppings are similar to other taco stands in Mexico City—grilled onions, potatoes, and cucumber. As well as red and green salsa, pickled onions and habanero. From what I saw, you can’t go wrong with any of the taquerías on this corner.
7. Taco Mio
📍 Roma Norte Map Location
I would come back to Taco Mio for the shoestring potatoes alone. The crispy bites are the perfect topping to these meaty tacos.
If you want to try a taco you don’t see everywhere, I recommend ordering the carnero mixiote. The meat is marinated in a red sauce of chiles and spices. It’s then wrapped in a film that is peeled off of the maguey leaves before being cooked in the ground, similar to barbacoa.
Mixiote is traditionally from the area northeast of Mexico City, including the states of Hidalgo and Queretaro. The meat used varies from mutton and rabbit to lamb and chicken. At Taco Mio, they serve ram (male sheep).
8. Cariñito
📍 Roma Norte and Cuauhtémoc
At Cariñito they put an Asian spin on Mexican tacos and the result is mouth-watering deliciousness. My mom and I tried several tacos here—each one more delicious than the next.
For us the standouts were the Thai Siu Yuk and the vegetarian taco of fried cauliflower with an eggplant confit. While these are street taco prices, they are worth trying if you’re looking for a different flavor profile.
Do you love Asian food? You won’t want to miss my guide to the best Japanese restaurants in Mexico City
9. Tacos Roma
📍 Roma Norte Map Location
Located on the edge of Roma Norte, this taco stand features pastor negro. Instead of the traditional spices, the pork is marinated in chile ancho before being cooked on the spit.
Each taco is then topped with pickled cactus and french fries, although you can choose just one if you prefer. I would classify Tacos Roma as slightly gourmet street tacos. To top it off, the salsas are fire.
10. Taquitos de Mixiote Castelan
📍 Roma Norte Map Location
If you’re as big a fan of barbacoa de borrego (lamb) as I am, take yourself to Taquitos de Mixiote. The lamb is cooked in a similar style called mixiote. Essentially the chile marinated meat is wrapped in a thin layer of maguey or agaves leaf.
When I ate here, the tacos were loaded with tasty, juicy lamb which I then topped with slices of nopal cactus and salsa. The people behind this taco stand were super friendly and patient to explain the cooking process to me.
11. Birria el SR de los Tacos
📍 Roma Norte Map Location
This Mexico City taco stand serves one thing – birria de res. And they do it well. I don’t know the actual name of this taco stand but I believe it got its google map name for being some of the best birria tacos in Mexico City.
The birria is already cooked, you simply need to choose the preparation. Options include birria tacos, birria ramen, quesabirria, and of course a bowl of birria that is served like a soup.
12. Los Tacos de Homero
📍 Roma Norte Map Location
If you like the slow cooked pork from the Yucatan called cochinita pibil, this is your taco spot. Los Tacos de Homero generously bathes the cochinita in a red sauce, which prevents the meat from being too dry.
The tacos are topped with pickled red onion with your choice to add the habanero salsa, another Yucatan staple. They also offer cochinita tortas, panuchos, tostadas, and chilaquiles.
13. Tizne Tacomotoro
📍 Roma Norte and Del Valle
This Mexico City taco spot specializes in smoked meat tacos. From brisket to ribs to pulled pork and pork belly, it’s really a unique menu.
Each taco has been curated with a particular salsa to create a unique flavor combination. They even have an ice cream taco with caramel.
My favorite was the baby back rib taco glazed in a chile morita (one of my fav Mexican chiles) and topped with verdolagas, or purslane—a hearty green that looks similar to a succulent.
If you’re looking for slightly different tacos in Mexico City, Tizne is a good option. Their original location is in De Valle and there is a second in Roma Norte.
14. El Wauchi – Tacos de Guisado
📍Roma Norte Map Location
During the 5 years I’ve lived in Mexico, I’ve noticed that quite a few people seek out guisado tacos. And the tacos de guisados at Mexico City taco stand, El Wauchi are no different.
Guisados, which translates to stew are precooked, kept warm, and added to the tortillas per order. Options include chile relleno, chicharrón prensado, papas con chorizo, costillas (ribs), nopales con crema, and others.
When I arrived there was a row of people chowing down on these tacos and a second row overflowing onto the sidewalk behind them. The orders were flowing as people ordered seconds and thirds.
15. Tacos La Soledad
📍 Juarez Map Location
Between orders of bistek, longaniza, campechano (a combo of the two) and and other types of meats, the grill stays busy at Tacos La Soledad.
Each taco is topped with nopales and french fries which are fried in small batches next to the grill. I recommend adding a little of both red and green salsas.
16. El Turuleto – Fish Tacos in Mexico City
📍 Juárez Map Location
El Turuleto Tacos Del Mar is one of Mexico City’s top spots for seafood. This laid-back eatery is known for piling flavorful seafood high on its tortillas, offering a variety of delicious options.
Standout options include the Galan taco—creamy shrimp with beans in a lightly crisped flour tortilla with a smoky chipotle kick. Pulpo fans should try the Vallarta taco, featuring pan-fried octopus over a smear of beans, topped with crunchy chicharrones.
Once a humble street food stand, El Turuleto has kept its bold flavors and relaxed vibe intact, earning a loyal following among taco lovers. It’s a must-try for anyone seeking the best tacos in Mexico City.
17. Porcino
📍 San Rafael Map Location
Pork is king at Porcino. This Mexico City taco spot specializes in house smoked meats with a emphasis on pork. While the cooking style is more similar to the southern US, I loved how they incorporate Mexican flavors through the use of local chiles, salsas, and verdolagas.
To top it off, it was clear to me that the chef really respected the woman making tortillas fresh to order next to his grill. Porcino also serve a variety of craft beers to wash it down.
Keep in mind, the location is a bit further north, but totally worth it if slow cooked swine is your preference or you’re looking for Mexico City tacos that are a bit different.
Best Tacos in Condesa Mexico City
I love walking around Condesa and I was equally surprised to find lots of street tacos in this area of Mexico City as well. Most of these are low-key taquerias and taco stands.
18. Taquería el Greco
📍 Hipodromo Condesa Map Location
Since 1976 Taquería el Greco has been serving some of the best tacos árabes in Mexico City.
The menu options go like this. Choose your meat: doneraki (similar to pastor), bistec, costilla, arrachera, chicken, or mushrooms. Then choose the style of taco: pan árabe (a doughy pita), traditional corn tortilla, or gringa (pita bread with cheese).
I highly recommend the doneraki pan arabe for something different. The pita bread makes it particularly comforting. It was easily one of the best tacos in Mexico City that I ate. And if you have room after, their traditional flan looks delicious.
The menu also includes other options such as volcanes (tostada with meat and cheese), tortas, soups, or alambre which is a plate of grilled meat, veggies, and/or cheese served with tortillas.
19. Tacos de Canasta “El Don”
📍 Hipodromo Condesa Map Location
In the mornings, you’ll see vendors selling tacos in Mexico City from a basket. Tacos de canasta (basket) get their name from the form in which they are transported rather than what’s inside—fillings are often beans, potato, and adobo beef.
While they are typically sold by bicycle with the basket of tacos and salsas on the back, El Don has been selling tacos de canasta at this corner since 1986. If you’re looking for a cheap breakfast in Mexico City, tacos de canasta are a great option. They’re small so you can try different fillings!
20. Barbacoa Dani
📍 La Condesa Map Location
Barbacoa is a Sunday tradition in Mexico, although you’ll find a few spots that serve barbacoa all the time or on Saturday and Sunday, like Barbacoa Dani.
When you order you can choose your cut of meat for your tacos—I recommend espalda (back) or costilla (ribs) and order a small bowl of consomé. Don’t forget to top it with a squeeze of lime and their delicious salsa roja.
21. Tacos Hola el Güero
📍 Hipodromo Condesa Map Location
With over 20 different stews to choose from, this taqueria in Condesa specializes in tacos de guisado. Not only are they delicious, but it allows you to get some veggies in your tacos since many of their stews feature nopales, chard, quelites (wild herbs) and other greens.
I highly recommend the tinga de pollo, bistek en pasilla, and whatever other guisados catch your eye. I think I asked him to mix a couple of the veggie options together too which was great.
22. Tacos de Arrachera
📍 Hipodromo Condesa Map Location
One word – arrachera. That’s what I recommend you order at this Mexico City taco stand if you want tender, succulent beef piled high atop two tortillas.
After you receive your tacos, feel free to add what you want—sauteed onions, roasted nopal cactus, french fries, and several types of salsa are available. Two tacos de arrachera were enough to fill my belly, especially since I topped them off with the extra garnishes.
Best Tacos in Centro Historico Mexico City
You would think you would find the best tacos in centro historico Mexico City, but this is where I struggled a bit. That was until I thought to ask a friend about some of his favorite places to eat tacos in Mexico City.
23. Tacos Los Paisas
📍 Centro Map Location
On my most recent trip to Mexico City, my Oaxacan friend insisted we try Tacos Los Paisas, one of his favorite places to eat tacos when he went to college here 10+ years ago.
He recommended the bistek which was being laid on the grill when we arrived. This is another Mexico City taqueria whose toppings get creative. Options include mashed potatoes, pinto beans, nopal cactus, and cucumber slices which are located next to the grill.
Tacos Los Paisas is a full stop shop. Not only were they pressing tortillas on the spot, there is a fresh fruit juice bar that looks as though it could be a whole separate business. And they were also preparing the spit with layers of heavily seasoned pork for tacos al pastor.
Tip: Order and pay at the cashier to the right of the grill. Then give your token to the person working the grill so that he can prepare your tacos.
24. Taquería el Torito
📍 Centro Map
This Mexico City taco spot has been making a variety of tacos since 1957. The menu includes tacos de cabeza, tacos al pastor, sudadero, and campechano. The tacos were flavorful and the agua de jamaica just perfect, without too much sugar.
On the walls they advertise several packages that include an order of tacos and a drink. And as a bonus they sell artisanal paletas (popsicles) in a variety of fun flavors.
25. Best Tacos in Mexico City
📍 Centro Map Location
This female run taco stand is actually called Tacos de Guisado Dona Mary. I met her daughter who told me a foreigner added their taco stand to Google maps, declaring that they are the best tacos in Mexico City.
And I have to agree, they are tasty tacos. I was super excited to see vegetables added to the campechano tacos. Which I suppose is why these are labeled tacos de guisado. You can choose two fillings per taco by the way, which is also a plus to me.
Dona Mary’s daughter also suggested I try the next taco stand on this list which you’ll find just across the way.
26. Tacos de Cabeza Los Gueros
📍 Centro Map
Another taco people often seek out are tacos de cabeza, which are tacos using meat from the head of the cow. Options include lengua (tongue), trompo (snout), sesos (brains), oreja (ear), and others.
I like tacos de lengua occasionally, although I didn’t expect this taqueria to serve me a slab of beef tongue. It was tender but I later realized that most people ordered their lengua chopped up.
27. Auténtica Birria de Jalisco “El Jalisquillo”
📍 Centro Map
Other than barbacoa, birria is one of my favorite foods in Mexico. And this is another stand that serves some of the best birria tacos in Mexico City.
A hot mug of consomé comes standard with your taco order. Or you can order a bowl of birria which is served like soup. This taco stand is conveniently located downtown, next to La Ciudadela, one of the artisan markets in Mexico City.
Quick Guide to Mexico City Tacos
- Tacos de Canasta – Keep your eye out in the morning for vendors on a bicycle with a basket of tacos and a tub of salsa strapped on. They are small and slightly steamed from being in the basket.
- Tacos de Guisado – A variety of stews that are pre-cooked, kept warm and layered into a tortilla upon order.
- Tacos al Pastor – The most popular tacos in Mexico. Tacos al Pastor layer pieces of pork marinated in a red sauce of chilis and spices on a rotating spit in front of a flame. Thin slices are shaved off along with a small slice of pineapple from the top of the spit.
- Suadero – A smooth cut of beef cooked in oil, confit style.
- Longaniza – A long pork sausage seasoned with spices
- Campechano – Two fillings in one taco, in Mexico City it’s most commonly suadero and longaniza.
- Carnitas – Originally from Michoacán carnitas is pork slow cooked in its own fat.
- Cecina Enchilada – Thin pork (sometimes beef) seasoned with chiles and spices.
- Birria Tacos – Slow cooked beef often served with consome, a broth created in the cooking process.
- Mixiote – Slow cooked meat wrapped in a thin film of agave or maguey leaves.
FAQ About Tacos in Mexico City
Are tacos from Mexico?
Yes, tacos originated in Mexico and are a staple of Mexican cuisine. It is believed that tacos originated with the silver miners in the 1800s. Although the tortilla has a rich history, dating back to pre-Hispanic times.
Where are the best tacos in Mexico?
The best tacos in Mexico vary by region, each offering its own spin on this iconic Mexican food. Mexico City is a melting pot of cuisine and is known for some of the best tacos and street food. You can find delicious tacos in Mexico City everywhere.
How much are tacos in Mexico City?
Street tacos in Mexico City usually range from 12 to 30 pesos each, depending on the type of taco and where you buy them. Some higher-end taco spots may charge more, but even then, tacos in Mexico City are quite affordable.
Where to eat tacos in Mexico City?
You’ll find places to eat tacos in Mexico City at almost every corner, from street stands to upscale taquerías. But knowing where to eat tacos in Mexico City is another story. For street tacos, head to Tacos Beto in Roma Norte or El Vilisto for classic tacos al pastor. For more of the best tacos in Mexico City, check out my guide.
Do they eat tacos in Mexico?
Yes, everyone eats tacos in Mexico. Tacos are a beloved and essential part of Mexican food. While mostly a dinner item, there are some tacos that are eaten for breakfast. In Mexico City, you’ll find a wide variety of tacos, from the famous tacos al pastor to unique regional specialties, making them a go-to meal for locals and travelers.
Final Thoughts About the Mexico City Tacos
Mexico City tacos take your tastebuds through a whole new world of flavors. From suadero and tacos al pastor to tacos de canasta and birria, tacos come in a wide range of fillings and flavors.
The only way to know which are the best tacos in Mexico City for you is to start tasting, one taco at a time. And remember my tip—it’s common to continue ordering, so don’t be shy. ¡Buen Provecho!