The Mexico City Taco Shops Experts Recommend (Including Anthony Bourdain)
In search of the best Mexico City TACOS?
You’re in the right place because I have lived in Mexico since 2018, and spent about two years of my time in Mexico City.
Let’s just say I ate wayyyy more than my fair share of the best tacos in Mexico City, so as a bonafide taco addict, you’ve come to the right guide for CDMX taco info.
Oh, and if you watched shows like Netflix: Taco Chronicles, Somebody Feed Phil, and Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico, you’ll recognize some of the best tacos in Mexico City featured below.
In this article, we’re going to discover all of those places, and more — including one Mexico City taqueria that has a Michelin Star.
Ready to discover the 50 best tacos in Mexico City? Let’s get to it!
1. Taquería El Califa de León
⭐️ A Mexico City Michelin star restaurant
Open since 1968, Taquería El Califa de León received a coveted star from the Michelin Guide Mexico 2024 — the first year the guide came to Mexico.
They are famous for their taco de gaonera, as well as other taco options like with bistec (steak), chuleta (pork chop), and costilla (ribs).
El Califa de León is located in Colonia San Rafael, just a quick Uber ride from the main tourists spots in Roma, Condesa, and Reforma.
2. El Hidalguense Mexico City
⭐️ As seen on Netflix Taco Chronicles Mexico City
Looking for the best barbacoa in Mexico City? El Hidalguense (pronounced hee-dal-gen-say) is the real deal when it comes to barbacoa tacos in CDMX.
Chilangos (locals) flock here in droves from every corner of CDMX to get their weekend Mexico City barbacoa fix.
In short: When it comes to barbacoa, these are the most famous tacos in Mexico City.
Besides some of the best food in Roma CDMX, the ambiance at this classic taqueria is also top-notch.
Although blue corn tortillas are considered the traditional tortilla for barbacoa, not everywhere serves them — but El Hidalguense does.
They also go the extra mile to offer the traditional salsa borracha (drunk salsa), a thick red salsa made with pulque.
This smoky salsa, made with chili pasilla, is the perfect compliment to barbacoa cooked in a banana leaf.
3. Taqueria los Gueros de Boturini
⭐️ As seen on Netflix Taco Chronicles Mexico City
Calle Lorenzo Boturini is probably the most famous street for tacos in the world — and Los Güeros is one of the old school taco joints that helped put it on the map.
To those looking for a truly authentic tacos al pastor in Mexico City experience, you must eat here.
This is where chilangos (CDMX locals) and Mexico City chefs eat their pastor, though sadly, very few tourists venture.
However, this place is always crowded because it’s among the locals’ favorite places.
4. Taqueria Los Parados
⭐️ Mentioned in the Mexico City Michelin Guide
While it is hard to label any one place as the “best taqueria in Mexico City,” this is certainly my favorite place for the best tacos in CDMX.
In addition to their delicious tacos al pastor, Los Parados is also known for having the best tacos al carbon in Mexico City.
Al carbon means the meat is cooked over charcoal to imbue it with that delicious smoky flavor.
Rumor has it that some Mexico City taquerias claim they’re still using this labor-intensive technique, though many aren’t.
At Los Parados, you can watch them cooking the carne asada al carbon, so you know it’s legit.
5. Taqueria El Vilsito
⭐️ As seen on Netflix Taco Chronicles Mexico City
El Vilsito is the famous car mechanic garage that has become one of the best places for late night taco in Mexico City. Don’t ask — just go!
They are famous for their tacos al pastor, which have been featured a ton of places, including La Ruta de la Garnacha.
This is one of the most popular Mexico City food YouTube channels, and it’s a great place to discover hidden gems in CDMX (though it is in Spanish).
6. Taqueria El Huequito
⭐️ As seen on Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico, and Somebody Feed Phil
This CDMX taco shop chain serves up some of the best tacos of Mexico City for al pastor lovers.
There are locations all over, but the one in Centro Historico near the Mexico City Zocalo is my go-to.
While there are a tonnn of amazing al pastor tacos in Mexico City, all the good ones seem to be in more hectic locations, or grab-and-go street stands.
By contrast, the slogan here is “Taco al Pastor Gourmet.” I also loved eating at Taqueria El Huequito because it was always calm and peaceful.
When you come here, you get the bonus of a nice break from all the hustle and bustle of downtown, as well as some damn good tacos in CDMX.
7. Taqueria los Cocuyos
⭐️ As seen on Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Mexico City
For fans of the late, great, Anthony Bourdain, he ate at Taqueria Los Cocuyos when he filmed in Mexico City for his No Reservations show.
Señor Bourdain recommends the suadero — and in fact, Taqueria los Cocuyos is said to have some of the best suadero tacos in Mexico City.
In short: If you’re looking for the best suadero tacos in Mexico City, you’ll find them here!
For those who want to get a glimpse of Mexico City street food culture, this is one of the real deal, locals-approved, $1 taquerías in Centro Historico (Historic Downtown).
You can eat quickly on the busy streets like the locals and office workers on lunch break do, or grab a table inside.
Besides the famous fatty suadero tacos, you can also get tacos al pastor at Taqueria Los Cocuyos, and organ meat tacos from the giant pot of stewed meats simmering at the entrance.
The menu includes all things offal — from eye to brain to inner ear (you read that right) to surtida, which basically means “whatever mix of things you happen to get.”
For those who don’t eat offal (organ meat), opt for the “less adventurous” meats like longaniza (chorizo sausage), pastor (pork) and suadero (flank steak).
8. Taqueria Orinoco
⭐️ Featured in Conde Nast Traveler Magazine’s “Best Restaurants in Mexico City” List
Tacos Orinoco Mexico City is one of the most famous and most-visited taco shops in CDMX, and what many consider the best tacos Roma Norte has.
Visitors and locals alike converge on this unique and delicious taco restaurant — and it’s one place no food lovers will want to miss.
On a personal note: When I visit Mexico City, I look for places to stay near Taqueria Orinoco, so I have easy access 🤣 For me, these are the best tacos in Roma Mexico City.
This taco shop is an import from the northern Mexico city of Monterrey.
Orinoco is therefore unique to the CDMX taco scene in that they serve tacos norteños (northern Mexican style tacos).
This puts Tacos Orinoco on a short list of places you can get both amazing tacos al pastor (pork) and amazing carne de res (beef steak) under one roof. (🌮 Another option is Taquería La Tonina CDMX).
Wondering, Are these the best tacos al pastor in Mexico City?
That will depend on who you ask, but the long lines at Tacos Orinoco CDMX are a good indicator that they’re a strong contender.
While al pastor is the #1 taco meat in Mexico City, northern Mexico is cattle and beef country.
When you eat at Taqueria Orinoco Mexico City, don’t skip the chicharron (fried pork skin).
They prepare it norteño-style here, so it’s going to be different than most other Mexico City restaurants and street food stands.
9. El Turix
⭐️ As seen on the Eater Mexico City tacos list
For the best tacos in Polanco Mexico City, and the best cochinita pibil in Mexico City, you have to visit El Turix. It’s even a stop on this Best Polanco food tour.
Don’t let the long lines at this no-frills, locals spot deter you; they move quickly.
While cochinita isn’t local to CDMX or Central Mexico, it’s one of the most delicious types of meat tacos in Mexico, and El Turix (pronounced tour-eesh) is the place to try it.
If pastor is the king of meats in Mexico City, in the Yucatan Peninsula, it’s all about cochinita pibil — where this dish originates.
Cochinita pibil are the favorite tacos in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
10. Tacos Hola el Guero
⭐️ As seen on Netflix Taco Chronicles Mexico City
Tacos los Güeros CDMX has been a hot spot in La Condesa for tacos guisados for 30-plus years.
Wondering, What are guisado tacos? Guisado means “stew,” and these are home cooking-style fillings you wrap in a tortilla.
At Hola el Güero, don’t miss their steak and short rib in tomatillo sauce, mole verde con pollo (green mole with chicken), chulata (pork chops), and chicharrón en salsa verde (pork skin) tacos.
On Fridays, head there for the famous carnitas (fried pork) tacos at Hola el Güero.
Depending on who you ask, they may tell you these are the best tacos guisados in Mexico City.
You’ll also find many other kinds of tacos guisados fillings, like these: frijoles charros (beans cooked in pork sauce), tinga de pollo (shredded chicken in tomato sauce) and rajas con crema (roasted poblano peppers in cream sauce).
11. Por Siempre Vegana Taqueria
⭐️ Rated 5 Stars on Happy Cow
In Mexico, the country, pork is a staple food; but in Mexico City, the city, the emerging vegan scene is definitely challenging the status quo.
For most, they’d say Por Siempre Vegana Taqueria is the undisputed king of Mexico City vegan tacos, and the long lines will prove it.
Seriously, get there when they open if you want to avoid the long lines.
For me, these were the best vegan tacos in Mexico City, by far. In fact, this is one of the few places both vegans and non-vegans alike seem to champion.
🌱 Note: I’m not vegan. However, I love all vegetables and enjoy all delicious food equally, so I dabbled in Mexico City vegan taco shops while living there.
12. Contramar Mexico City
⭐️ As seen on Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico
Looking for the best seafood tacos in Mexico City?
Contramar is definitely the fanciest restaurant for tacos on the list, but it’s also one of the best restaurants in Mexico City, so don’t overlook it.
Contramar is on every foodie’s CDMX bucket list, and constantly gaining more and more international attention thanks to Chef Gabriela Camara’s seafood creations.
The hype is worth it though — their seafood is always fresh, the people watching is entertaining, and you’ll get some amazing food photos.
Their signature red and green pescado a la talla is one of the most is Instagram worthy Mexico City dishes.
Ready to Visit Mexico City?
Did you know Mexico City is the largest city in North America? (And yes, Mexico is in North America; not South America.)
I lived there for about two years, off and on, and visit every chance I get. My boyfriend grew up there, so I also have the luxury of a “local guide.”
Here are some additional food guides we made to help you visit CDMX like a local (and of course, eat and drink with the locals), even if it’s your first time there.