If you love delicious food, CDMX is definitely one of the world's most exciting culinary capitals.
From tiny hole-in-the-wall taco spots, to the finest Michelin-starred restaurants, you’ll find amazing meals in every neighborhood.
For those who like discovering culture through food and trying new things, here are four culinary adventures you can't miss in Mexico City.
Tacos are, of course, one of Mexico’s most iconic foods. Wherever you go in our country, you’ll want to try the local versions.
Here in Mexico City, one of the best taco experiences is at Taco Tasting Room, where this simple street food gets the gourmet treatment. In an intimate space that allows just 14 people per tasting, you’ll get to sample 12 different courses from an inventive tasting menu.
Expect all kinds of corn tortilla bases (tacos, tlayudas, tostadas, etc.) paired with fresh ingredients from various Mexican states, like wagyu beef, foie gras, toasted yaca seeds, and mango pico de gallo.
The menu is the brainchild of renowned chef Pepe Salinas, who also heads up Balcón del Zócalo. From the bar, you can watch the team prepare each taco, and chat and laugh in a relaxed atmosphere that makes this one of our favorite eating experiences in the city's Historic Center.
Local Tips:
Bring: an appetite—the tasting menu is quite extensive!
Tasting Times: 1:30, 4:30, or 8:30 pm; open all days except Tuesdays
Location: Av. 5 de Mayo, #47, Historic Center
Information and reservations at: tacotastingroom.com
For more about Mexico City’s best tacos, get our taco trail itinerary!
If one restaurant captures the essence of Mexico City, it’s Balcón del Zócalo. Located inside the Zócalo Central Hotel, this restaurant’s terrace offers one of the Historic Center’s best panoramic views. Gaze down at the Metropolitan Cathedral, Zócalo, and Palacio Nacional, as you savor creative cuisine and unusual artisanal cocktails.
Led by Chef Pepe Salinas, Balcón del Zócalo is known for its ever-changing menus using interesting seasonal ingredients.
Our favorites include both the Chef’s Selection menu and the Seasonal Tasting menu with expressive names for dishes like “Forgiving History” and “The Moon’s Navel.”
These dishes use fresh ingredients from Mexico’s different regions in innovative ways, like an Ensenada sea urchin tamal with guanabana fruit and fried kale; or Totoaba fish with guajillo chile, piloncillo brown sugar, avocado puree and garbanzo-tomato salad.
Delicious food with gorgeous views and atmosphere: it’s a must-visit for any food connoisseur staying in the Historic Center.
Local Tips:
Bring: A sense of wonder, because you’re sure to taste something new
Best Time: Sunset, to watch not just the sky, but also the flag-lowering in the Zócalo, and the city lights coming on
Location: Av. 5 de Mayo, #61, inside the Zócalo Central Hotel
Information and reservations at: balcondelzocalo.com
Leaving restaurants behind, let’s head to an unusual market. Also located in the Historic Center, the San Juan Market is a top spot for anyone who loves trying new foods—and we mean new as in chile-covered scorpions!
This place is famous for the many exotic items it sells, including wild boar burgers, crocodile stews, edible insects, and giant root vegetables from ñame to malanga.
If you’re more into tamer fare, there’s also a wide variety of fancy cheeses, colorful premium-quality fruit, and international foods that are hard to find anywhere else.
With 350 different stalls, this market is popular with both chefs and foodies. Though it gets busy, the vendors are happy to chat, making your visit feel lively, authentic, and fun. If you're staying in the Historic Center at Central Hoteles, the San Juan Market is just a 15–20 minute walk, making it a great stop on any foodie itinerary.
Local Tips:
Bring: Bravery, so you can boast later that you tried some edible insects. We promise that roasted chapulines (crickets) are tasty!
Times: Open 8 am – 5 pm daily
Location: 2ᵃ Calle de Ernesto Pugibet, #21
The city’s gastronomy scene is so strong and diverse that one of the best ways to explore it is to join a culinary tour.
These guided experiences allow you to explore neighborhoods, learn about Mexican ingredients from chiles to chocolate, and chat with locals while you taste great food.
One excellent option is Sabores México Food Tours, whose guides take you through the streets, showing you Mexico City’s best food stands, markets, and restaurants.
You can stroll the Historic Center, Coyoacán, Roma, and la Condesa, among other neighborhoods, noshing on delicious street food or fancy gourmet treats. Or, sign up for a seasonally-themed food tour, like those focused on Day of the Dead.
You can visit Frida Kahlo’s old Coyoacán neighborhood and indulge in 13 different delicacies from esquites to Oaxacan snacks to artisanal beer. Or, bring that special someone to try 6 kinds of ancestral chocolate, paired with sparkling wine. It’s your chance to discover that cacao really is a food fit for the Gods!
Local Tips:
Bring: Good walking shoes, since you’re likely to spend as much time walking as eating
Good to Know: Sabores México can accommodate many diets, from vegan to gluten-free—just be sure to let them know ahead of time
Locations: These tours visit the Historic Center, Roma, and Coyoacán, among other areas
Information and reservations at: saboresmexicofoodtours.com
As you wander the city, here are a few last tips to help you out:
Q: Which neighborhoods have the best food in CDMX?
A: You can literally find amazing meals in every part of the city, but the Historic Center and Coyoacán are great places to start, because they have both famous markets and a huge variety of restaurants.
Q: Which Mexican chiles are most and least spicy?
A: Here’s a range:
Very mild: poblano, ancho
Moderately mild: guajillos, jalapeños
Medium: chile de arbol, serrano
Very hot: habaneros and chiltepines.
Q: Which Mexico City foods are the most traditional?
A: Archaeologists believe tamales were invented almost 10,000 years ago! Every state has its own version—many of which you can find in Mexico City. Try Tamales Madre not too far from Central Hoteles, where you can even learn to prepare these ancient treats yourself.
Q: Where can I get great coffee after all this eating?
A: Read our blog on Mexico City’s best coffee here.
When you stay at Central Hoteles, you’re in the heart of Mexico City—just a few blocks from several of these experiences, and many other culinary treats. From here, it's easy to try new flavors and discover everything that makes dining in Mexico City so special.
Every experience, from a traditional market to a chef’s signature dinner, showcases a different side of the capital and its incredible culinary diversity.
We look forward to welcoming you soon at Central Hoteles!
Travel, culture and traditions in Mexico City.
