Every Mexican state has their own cuisine, but they all share the love for tacos. That’s why we have tacos of everything (seafood, meat, vegetables, insects, etc, etc). They have become the symbol of Mexico.
If you are wondering where to eat tacos in Mexico City -land of taquerías-, these are our favorite go-to places for the exquisite tacos al pastor and many other combinations that will blow your mind.
El Charco de las Ranas
A classic when it comes to tacos, especially pastor ones. This restaurant offers a more fancy-big-restaurant approach to the authentic ‘taquerías’ in the middle of the street.
Don’t forget to try the ‘Chicharrón de queso’, and the ‘Taco de nopal’ (my favorite), with lots of lemon and salt. The menu is also filled with traditional Mexican dishes, like sopes, fried quesadillas, huaraches and chalupas.
Where: https://goo.gl/maps/MqMjmFFRAPx
Price: $$$$
Taco Express
It started out as a street stall and grew into a proper and successful business. You can eat your tacos sitting on the sidewalk or standing at the tables inside. Just be careful with the salsas, they are strong!
Their specialties are the ‘Gringa Especial’ (a quesadilla with pastor, cheese and bacon) and the ‘Orden de Bistec con Queso’ (3 beef and cheese tacos); you can add a mixture of tomato/onion and avocado. Thirsty? Ask for an ‘Agua de Horchata’–nobody makes it like they do.
Where: https://goo.gl/maps/zxtYvKU3vnq
Price: $$
Los Chupacabras
It’s hasn’t got the best location, but it certainly adds that local street-stall-under-a-bridge-vibe. Plus, they’re open 24 hours.
Try their signature dish: ‘El Chupas’, a taco with beef, chorizo and beef jerky. They also have beans, cream, fresh cheese, bell peppers and other toppings for you to add.
Where: https://goo.gl/maps/pgLFvzh4QhM2
Price: $
El Huequito
The star of the restaurant is the ‘Pastor Especial’, a tower of pastor with guacamole, onion and an orange homemade sauce (not spicy at all). You can get 10 tacos out of it. The pastor is really good and this combination is superb.
They also have ‘gourmet tacos’ made with really soft sirloin, beef tenderloin, prime rib, skirt steak and chorizo. Go nuts with the salsas -not at all spicy.
Where: https://goo.gl/maps/f6cobHAQKFp
Price: $$$
Taquería El Jarocho
This place has tons of casseroles with different kinds of Mexican stews; you name it, they have it. Our favorites are: ‘milanesa con frijol’ (breaded beef with black beans) and ‘chicharrón en salsa roja’ (fried pork rinds in red -not spicy- sauce).
Besides their excellent seasoning, the best part is their hand made tortillas. You can see the ladies making them through the counter.
Where: https://goo.gl/maps/Au7i7KNGGxQ2
Price: $$
El Parnita
A hipster/trendy beautifully decorated place with amazing tacos. Make sure to make a reservation in advance (especially on weekends), because they are always full.
Everything is delicious, but you must try these three: ‘Carmelita’ (breaded shrimp with lettuce, mayonnaise and purple onions), ‘Viajero’ (tenderloin and pork shank with habanero sauce) and ‘Huérfano’ (breaded shrimp with beans, cheese, guacamole and chipotle sauce).
Where: https://goo.gl/maps/GYFCKLJfGaN2
Price: $$
Villamelón
They’ve been around since 1961 and are the go-to place for those who assist the bullfights at Plaza de Toros México. My family was never into that dreadful ‘sport’, but we went for the tacos almost every Sunday; they’re amazing. Just don’t pay attention to the bull heads hanging from the walls as ornaments– 20 years later they still freak me out.
Order the traditional ‘Tacos Campechanos’ (beef jerky, longaniza -similar to chorizo- and fried pork rinds). If you like cheese, you can also ask for a ‘Quesadilla Campechana’. Be careful with the sauce, it is really hot.
Tip: the family who owned Villamelón split up, and one of the brothers decided to open ‘Tacos Don Manolito’ with the same recipe. It’s now a franchise, so you can find them everywhere.
Where: https://goo.gl/maps/dLABw4RtXL62
Price: $$
Los Sifones
It’s a proper restaurant with many traditional Mexican dishes, but they are known for their tacos with avocado. We ordered the ‘Bistecate’ (beef with avocado), tacos al pastor and a chorizo with cheese cazuela, and everything was delicious. The salsas aren’t spicy (truly), but they add a nice flavor.
The interesting part, that we hadn’t seen anywhere else, is their square tortillas. Yep, squared! Why??? Without that extra rim, food drops off the taco more easily…
Where: https://goo.gl/maps/auXc3HNQeZQ2
Price: $$
Zacapu
Nils’ family has come to this place since forever; his mother used to eat here when she was only three years old. They’re so good, that lately they have caught attention and appeared in lists of Best Taquerías.
Their specialty is the tacos of ‘carnitas con cuerito’, or roasted pork with fried pork skin. But you can also order tacos with just the roasted pork. Go gently with the sauce…
If you go, don’t forget to visit the Lagunilla, a famous antique bazaar. It’s just a three-minutes walk from the restaurant.
Where: https://goo.gl/maps/KZ3MXBKS7CM2
Price: $
Vege Taco
Vegetarians don’t have to stay out of the equation. This restaurant makes the most exquisite pastor out of wheat gluten. Even Nils (completely carnivorous), admitted it was delicious.
You can also try their other famous tacos: ‘setas en mole verde’ (mushrooms in green mole) and ‘brocheta con queso’ (pastor, cheese, bell peppers and onion).
Where: https://goo.gl/maps/BqS638KyoXo
Price: $
Now that you have tried the real deal, you will get why we Mexicans get offended when Tex-Mex restaurants claim to serve ‘tacos’. Let us know your thoughts on our recommendations, and tag us on Instagram or Facebook if you try any…
It’s a nice overview of the tacos… but it would be extremely helpful to include the address of each location so we can find these places faster on our phones by copy pasting them into our maps.
Author
Hi, Javier! Each taqueria has a link to google maps 😉 thought that would be more helpful than writing down the address to copy paste it.