Eating tacos is part of everyday life for many Mexicans. In Mexico City, anything can be a taco — you just need to put something delicious on your tortilla.
There are many options to eat tacos in Mexico City, so we divide them into two main categories: morning tacos and night tacos.
Morning Tacos: The Perfect Way to Start Your Day in Mexico City
These kinds of tacos are perfect for starting your day full of energy. From my point of view, they make a great breakfast.
Popular Morning Tacos in Mexico City:
Barbacoa Tacos
Barbacoa is an ancient Mexican cooking method where meat is slow-cooked in a ground oven. The flavor is amazing, and the meat becomes super soft. Most barbacoa vendors operate on the street, starting early in the morning and usually selling out by lunchtime. These tacos are especially popular on weekends.
What to order:
- Taco de pancita
- Taco de costilla (rib)
- Taco de espaldilla (back)
- Consomé (optional), served with onion, cilantro, and lemon
Carnitas
Carnitas are made by cooking pork in a large pot for around five hours with various seasonings, sometimes including orange juice or cola. The result is juicy, tender pork full of flavor.
What to order:
- Taco de surtida (mixed cuts)
- Taco de chamorro (pork shank)
Tacos de Canasta (Basket Tacos)
Easy to recognize, these tacos come in a big basket lined with blue plastic. Traditionally, they are sold by men riding bicycles around the city.
What to order:
One of each: potato, beans, chicarrón and adobo
Night Tacos: Classic Mexican Street Food for Evening Cravings
Night tacos are the classic option to give you a boost late at night — perfect after a party or for dinner.
Two popular favorites in Mexico City’s taco scene are Tacos al Pastor and Suadero. Pastor is pork marinated and cooked on a vertical spit, while suadero is tender beef meat.
If a taqueria offers pastor tacos, it often means they take pride in their preparation — it takes time and skill to make them well.
Suadero is seasoned to bring out its flavor and is often combined with longaniza, a flavorful Mexican sausage. This combination is called a Campechano taco.
Other night taco options include tacos de tripa (beef intestines) and tacos de cabeza (beef head meat).
Essential toppings: onions, cilantro, lemon, and a good green or red salsa.
What to order:
- 2 de pastor
- 2 de suadero
- 1 campechano
Taco Budget: How Much Does It Cost to Eat Tacos in Mexico City?
Prices vary depending on the place:
- At a specialized taco restaurant, expect to pay around USD 15 per person.
- At traditional street taquerias, tacos cost about USD 8 per person.
Final Recommendations for Enjoying Tacos in Mexico City
- Choose taquerias with lots of customers — busy places usually mean better tacos.
- If you eat street tacos, carry antibacterial gel to reduce the risk of stomach issues.
- Don’t hesitate to try different taco varieties — that’s part of the fun!
Now that you know the variety of tacos Mexico City offers, it’s time to enjoy and try them all!
Local Connections
If you want to dive deeper into tacos and discover even more Mexican cuisine, I recommend checking out Local Connections — a space designed to connect you with locals who speak your language. It’s a unique opportunity to experience authentic Mexico alongside real people.