Mexico City is a culinary paradise — home to some of the best restaurants in the world. But let’s be honest, street food here is just as legendary. Tacos, tortas, quesadillas — everything tastes amazing, and you’ll want to try it all. 🙌
BUT... if you don’t know where to go, you might meet a not-so-friendly ghost called Moctezuma’s Revenge (trust me, you don’t want that). This term refers to the stomach troubles some travelers experience when trying street food for the first time — named after the Aztec emperor Moctezuma, as a playful nod to the idea that he’s “getting revenge” on visitors. The truth is, it usually happens when people eat food that isn’t properly handled, so picking trusted spots is key!
The CDMX Street Food Lover's Guide will help you explore without regrets. Here are some killer spots to grab amazing street food — all delicious, safe, and 100% worth it.
💗 La Esquina del Chilaquil
💰 Price: $80–$100 MXN per person
If you see a massive line on a random street corner early in the morning, congrats — you’ve found La Esquina del Chilaquil. And yes, it’s WORTH the wait. You'll see this place all over social media, because they’re famous for their tortas de chilaquiles, a carb-lover’s dream: crispy fried tortillas soaked in spicy salsa, stuffed inside a fluffy bolillo (Mexican bread roll) with your choice of protein. The GOAT order? Torta de chilaquiles verdes con milanesa.
🧠 Fun fact: In CDMX, people make fun of us because we put everything in a bolillo — even tamales! But honestly, carbs on carbs just hit differently.
Go early, because they close by 1 pm (or earlier if they sell out). And trust me, you don’t want to miss this one!
🧀 Los Milaquesos
📸 Instagram: @losmilaquesos 📍 Location: Calle Tolsa 38, Colonia Centro, CDMX 💰 Price: $60–$90 MXN per person
Imagine a taco, but drenched in melty gouda cheese. 🤤 Los Milaquesos serve up taquitos bañados en queso, and their milanesa (breaded beef) version is the OG and still the best.
Want to switch it up? Try a campechano (a mix of meats) or ask for a flour tortilla — the cheese-to-tortilla ratio is even better. And don’t skimp on the salsas!
✨Pro tip: In Mexico, we have two types of tortillas — corn (the classic) and flour (softer, fluffier). Corn is traditional, but for cheesy tacos like these, flour takes the crown.
🌵 Taquería Los Caramelos
📍 Location: Bajío esquina Chilpancingo, Roma Sur, CDMX 💰 Price: $70–$120 MXN per person
Mexico’s food scene is insanely diverse, and in CDMX, you can try dishes from every state. Los Caramelos brings the flavors of the north of Mexico right to your plate.
Their specialty? Tacos de barbacoa on flour tortillas. Barbacoa is a slow-cooked meat (usually lamb or beef) that’s tender, juicy, and packed with rich, smoky flavor. Traditionally cooked in an underground pit, it’s a Sunday favorite across Mexico.
Or, if you're feeling adventurous, order a torta embarazada — a loaded bolillo stuffed with beans, a costra de queso (cheese grilled until crispy, forming a crust), carne asada, and even a barbacoa quesadilla INSIDE the sandwich. Yes, it’s as extra as it sounds, and yes, you need it.
🌶️ My order: 2 tacos de barbacoa with cebolla, cilantro, and ALL the salsas, plus a torta embarazada. Don’t forget the grilled cambray onions for the perfect combo.
🌈 Flautas Revolución
📍 Location: Ezequiel Montes 21-A, Tabacalera, Cuauhtémoc (outside Metro Revolución) 💰 Price: $30–$50 MXN per person (it’s a steal!)
These flautas (crispy rolled tacos) are a lifesaver. They have a massive tower of pre-rolled flautas ready to go, so you get your food super fast. Try one of each: papa, pollo, carne, and jamón con queso. Load them up with lettuce, cheese, cream, and salsa — but taste the salsa first, some are fire.
⏰ Bonus: They’re open 24/7, and a plate of 3 flautas costs just $30 MXN. They also have quesadillas for $12 MXN. It’s practically a crime not to go.
🌮 Tacos El Chaparrito de Puebla
📍 Location: Pilares 1307 esquina Mitla 1307, Letrán Valle, Benito Juárez, CDMX 💰 Price: $80–$120 MXN per person
💎 Taco wisdom: Tacos are like art — totally subjective. Everyone has their go-to taco spot, usually the closest one to home. But if you’re in doubt, always go for pastor. The big names like El Califa or Orinoco are famous for a reason — they’re delicious. But if you want a local gem that feels more personal, El Chaparrito is the move. Their tacos al pastor are juicy, flavorful, and perfectly grilled, and their horchata (sweet rice milk drink) is super refreshing.
🫶 Extra Recommendation: Tacos de Fer
📍 Location: Juárez 164, Bosques de Moctezuma, 53279 Naucalpan de Juárez, Méx. 💰 Price: $80–$120 MXN per person
These tacos can be found in a tianguis (a traditional open-air street market that only sets up on certain days of the week). The Tianguis de Alcanfores where Fer is located operates only on Tuesdays and Fridays in the State of Mexico. If you’re staying in the touristy area, it might be a bit of a trek, but trust me, they are absolutely worth it. These are my go-to tacos, and I visit them every week.
Fer specializes in tacos campechanos—a mouthwatering combination of meats, usually bistec (grilled beef) and longaniza (spicy sausage). But what makes them stand out is their generous toppings: potatoes, nopales (cactus), and grilled onions. I highly recommend trying them with both salsas (red and green), but be warned—they’re seriously spicy! If you’re looking for an authentic, off-the-beaten-path taco experience, these are a must.
💭 Final Thoughts:
CDMX street food is an experience you can’t miss. Just follow the CDMX Street Food Lover's Guide, trust your taste buds, and maybe carry a little Pepto-Bismol just in case. 😅
If you still have doubts, we recommend joining our Historic Center: Street Food Walking Tour! You’ll get to try the best Mexican dishes without fearing Moctezuma’s Revenge. Plus, we’ll show you the top spots in the Historic Center — you’ll learn, snap amazing photos, and eat like royalty (even if you're vegetarian, we're friendly to everyone!) 🌮📸 Book Now Here!
Happy eating! And remember, food is the best way to discover a city — especially one as delicious as this one. 🖤
xoxo,
Treep Troop 🦄🌈✨🍄🧚♀️💘🌟
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