21 Mouth-Watering Foods To Eat When In Mexico

For all those who think that Mexico is all about beaches and ancient ruins, then you are highly mistaken. Mexico is a hotspot for some of the best dishes you’ll ever taste. If you don’t trust this, you must try them yourself to find out whether we are right or not! Also, before you go on a food voyage, let’s debunk a popular myth:  Authentic Mexican dishes are more than just tacos and burritos.

So, what should you add to your plate?

Don’t worry! You’ll soon discover that this country is a paradise for all those foodies who are always seeking to try some of the best flavors in every place they visit. Here, we have done our best to give you an insight into some of the popular foods in Mexico you must try. Wait no more; keep reading to learn about the most popular different types of Mexican food and the places you can try them!

1. Chilaquiles

A traditional Mexican breakfast dish made with tortillas. The simplicity and bold flavors make it a beloved staple across the country. Best served for breakfast with a fried egg or for lunch and dinner with a side of refried beans.

Where To Find?

✔ The chilaquiles verdes with chicken at Café de Tacuba are one of the best chilaquiles in Mexico City. The crispy tortilla chips, dressed with green salsa and topped with tender chicken, offer a burst of flavors and textures to your palette. 

✔ Lalo! is celebrated for its chilaquiles rojos with a sunny-side-up egg. It features crispy tortilla chips smothered in rich red salsa, topped with a perfectly cooked egg that adds delightful creaminess to the dish. 

✔ The chilaquiles con crema y queso is a standout dish at El Cardenal. The dish is prepared with crispy tortilla chips drenched in rich, creamy salsa and topped with melted cheese, creating a delectable combination of textures and flavors.

Quick Fact - “Chilaquiles” is derived from the ancient Aztec Nahuatl word for “chilis and greens.”

2. Mexican Birria

This is an authentic Mexican dish which is rich in flavors and textures. It can be enjoyed as a stew topped with cilantro, onion, and some fresh lime juice. 

It’s one of those classic traditional foods from Mexico that everyone loves and can’t get enough of. It is traditionally cooked for special events,  holidays, weddings, parties, and even baptisms.

Where To Find?

✔ The menu at Martha’s Food Garage not only has birria tacos but also birria tortas, quesadillas, and birria-style ramen. However, it is only available on Sundays. 

✔ Taco n Madre’s birria de res at Taco N Madre Taqueria Y Cevicheria is modestly outfitted with onion, cilantro, and jalapeños. And how can we forget to mention they serve birria tacos, too?

✔ Located on University Avenue in Frogtown, the Mexican Homi Restaurant is the best family-owned place known for its “wet tacos”. The tacos de birria are served with chopped onion, cilantro, lime, and a side of consomé. Just yummmm!!!!

Quick Fact -  "Birria comes from the northern Mexican region of Jalisco."

3. Pozole

A traditional Pozole is a soup or stew from Mexican cuisine. It is considered a festive dish typically served on New Year's Eve to welcome the new year. It is a quintessential Mexican comfort food which is rich in flavors and is often spicy. The dish is as satisfying as the Vietnamese pho.

Where To Find?

✔ Pozole at Potzollcalli is made with careful attention to detail, respecting the traditional ingredients of beef, broth, and corn. This restaurant invites you to experience the exotic flavors and vibrant culture of Mexico. 

✔ El Buen Pozole is a hidden gem in the center of Mexico City and every bowl of pozole in this heaven is like an ode to Mexico’s storied culinary history. Tender meats, rich broths, and precisely cooked corn here create a symphony of flavor and texture.

✔  For more than three decades, La Casa de Todos continues to serve their famous pozole. The rich flavors and textures will give you the taste of your home. This is a temporary home away from home eatery.

Quick Fact - “Pozole” also comes from the ancient Aztec Nahuatl language, meaning “hominy” or “foamy.”

4. Gorditas

A small Mexican corn cake, Gordita is a  fried, baked, or grilled and stuffed dish with various interesting fillings such as cheese, shredded meats or chicharrón (fried pork rind), mushrooms, potatoes, and refried beans.

Often eaten for lunch, Gorditas are accompanied by several types of sauces. It is a common street snack across most parts of Mexico. 

Where To Find?

✔  Prepared on the traditional Mexican comal, the Gorditas at Gorditas las Crucitas come with various meat and vegetarian filling options. 

✔ A little restaurant or food stand, Las Gorditas del Guero, specializes in preparing local Mexican dishes, mainly fried Gorditas with different filings slathered with salsa. 

✔ Carnitas El Chulo certainly serves the biggest Gordita in Mexico with a huge serving of cheese, carnita, cilantro, onions, and more cheese.

Quick Fact -  “Gordita” translates to “little fatty” in Spanish, referring to the round, thick shape of the tortillas."

5. Tacos al Pastor

Originally known as tacos árabes, Tacos al pastor is a dish introduced to Mexicans by Lebanese immigrants. Its flavor palette includes traditional Mexican adobada (marinade). It is a popular street food that has spread to the United States.

There is a myth that pork tacos are unhealthy, although, in reality, they are healthier than granola bars in many aspects. 

Where To Find?

✔  You can find the tantalizingly flavored Tacos al pastor at Taqueria El Califa stands out from any other place in Mexico. The menu here offers a feast of beef tacos and a delectable al pastor option. Vegetarian options are also available!

✔  For Tacos al Pastor with and without cheese, you must visit El Huequito. Their Mexican food menu includes a vast range of special and classic Tacos, which we bet you can eat at any time of the day. 

Quick Fact -  “Tacos al pastor” means “in the shepherd's style.” This name comes from the marinated pork traditionally cooked on a vertical spit, resembling the method shepherds in Mexico roast meat over an open flame.

6. Churros

With all the savory items on the list, how can we not talk about some dessert? Churros, although originally hailed from Spain, is now a popular food in Mexico. It is easy to prepare and serve, but this dish is incomplete without a chocolate dip on the side. 

A dessert option, churros offer a simple yet memorable flavor that everyone loves in Mexico and other parts of the world.

Where To Find?

✔  Churrería El Moro is by far the best place for churros nationwide. This place not only serves the best desserts but also lets you watch the entire mesmerizing process of making them.

✔  With a variety of churros rellenos (stuffed churros), Churrería General de la República is a great place in Playa del Carmen. The churro fillings on their menu include chocolate, Nutella, your choice of fruit, and much more. 

✔ A perfect combination of hot chocolate with crispy churros is served at Chocolatería San Ginés in Mexico City. Whenever in the city, make sure to take time to visit this joint for some sweets. 

Quick Fact -  Though their origins are slightly contested, churros were introduced to Mexico during the Spanish Inquisition in the 16th century.

7. Tostadas

A dish that originated from the idea of using tortillas once they were too stale for tacos, Tostadas are one of the popular foods in Mexico. They are typically served with cheese, meats, vegetables, and many garnishes.

The large, flat, and crispy tortillas form the base of the delicious combinations of flavors. 

Where To Find?

✔  You can find the most delicious Tostadas with gourmet flavors at Amatista Tostadas. With various toppings, including meat, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian options, this place has everything to please your palate.

✔  La Guerrerense is the place where Anthony Bourdain has tried tostadas, which, in his review, are one of the best places to try tostadas in the world.

Quick Fact -  Tostadas originated from Mesoamerican civilizations thousands of years ago.

8. Quesadilla

Earlier prepared with only tortillas and cheese, quesadillas have changed and evolved with time. You can now find it in different varieties of fillings, from just cheese to veggies and even meat. Quesadillas are very well-rounded nutritionally. It checks off the nutrition boxes we often discuss - carbs, protein, fat, and fiber.

Where To Find?

✔ Mexicano Riverside is by far the best place in Mexico that serves the authentic as well as the evolved versions of quesadilla.

✔ Jenni’s Quesadillas is a street joint that specializes in serving delicious vegan and vegetarian quesadillas. 

Quick Fact -  Tostadas originated from Mesoamerican civilizations thousands of years ago.

9. Chiles en Nogada

The dish looks as patriotic as it sounds. The ingredients of Chiles en Nogada represent the colors of the Mexican flag and include a mouthwatering mixture of fruits, spices, and chopped meat.

The mixture is stuffed into Poblano chiles, representing the green in the flag, and the drizzled walnut-based cream sauce (the white) and pomegranate seeds sprinkled atop hint at the red color in the Mexican flag.

Where To Find?

✔ As per the public selection, La Cueva del Chango is a great place to try infamous Chile en Nogada.

✔ Prepared by the famous chef Ricardo Muñoz Zurita, Chile en Nogada at Azul Condesa is a must-try. The options on their menu include fruity minced pork and shredded meat.

Quick Fact -  First made by Augustinian nuns, Chiles en nogada is a dish that celebrates Mexican independence and the arrival of Mexican Emperor Agustín de Iturbide.

10. Elote

Often enjoyed during festivals and celebrations, elote is a staple dish in the Mexican Indigenous diet. Elote means corn on the cob, but it is often served with abundant spices and garnishes in Mexico. 

With lime, sour cream, salt, chili powder, cheese, and other tasty ingredients, you can find Elote at the street food vendors. 

Where To Find?

✔ Expendio de Maíz Sin Nombre, a discreet spot in the heart of Colonia Roma.

✔ Outside the Anthropology Museum on Reforma Avenue, across the street in Chapultepec Forest. 

Quick Fact -  "Elote is one of the most popular street foods in Mexico."

11. Mexican Fajitas

Beyond its visual appeal, a fajita boasts a symphony of flavors and textures that dance harmoniously on the palate. It is a perfect combination of tender, smoky meat, the crispness of the caramelized onions and peppers, and the warmth of the tortilla. 

Where To Find?

✔ The beloved Louisiana Mexican chain Superior Bar & Grill serves up some of the best fajitas. Their menu offers a large variety of fajitas made with ingredients like mesquite-grilled skirt steak, whipped jumbo shrimp, and more. 

✔ Fajita Banana is a great family restaurant serving one of the best Fajitas and other food and drinks in Mexico. 

Quick Fact -  "In 1991, McDonald’s attempted to introduce their own Chicken Fajitas into the market."

12. Enchiladas

With the perfect combination of tortilla, meat, cheese, and sauce, enchiladas symbolize a traditional Mexican meal. Often consumed for breakfast in Mexico, this dish is topped with garnishes and some chili sauce.

Where To Find?

✔ One of Mexico's most recommended places to try enchiladas is Café de Tacuba. Their famous enchiladas are a true hangover cure; trust us, it works!

✔ Casa Valadez is a smart choice to visit to find some of the favorite Mexican culture food items.

Quick Fact -  "Featured in the very first Mexican cookbook published in 1831."

13. Mole

A culinary symbol of Mexico's mestizaje, the Mole is a mixed indigenous and European heritage because of its ingredients. It is characterized by a complex, layered flavor derived from intricate blends of dried chiles, spices, fruits, and seasonings.

Where To Find?

✔ Los Panchos, recommended by world-renowned Chef Enrique Olvera, is the home to the delicious house mole. The flavors are sweet, exotic, multi-layered, and pretty complicated. 

✔ Housed in a small, beautiful part of Mexico City, El Bajio is an excellent place to try chicken enchiladas with mole sauce.

Quick Fact -  "A part of the reason for its popularity is located in that Father Bernardino de Sagahún, a Spanish-born priest in the early 16th century, instructed the inhabitants of the then-Aztec area, which is Mexico now, to eat that."

14. Guacamole

A healthy and delicious dip, guacamole is readily available in Mexico in hundreds of different styles. It pairs well with sweet, savory, and spicy flavor profiles. Avocado is an interesting fruit and a versatile addition to many recipes.

A good Mexican guacamole will contain mashed avocados (of course), along with onions, chili peppers, lemon juice, and tomatoes. Delish!

Where To Find?

✔ Rossy's Restaurant has hands down the best guacamole in the Zihuatanejo. 

✔ Guacamole de Humo is another great spot where you can try guacamole and other common foods in Mexico. 

Quick Fact -   "Before avocados were avocados, they were known as ahuacate."

15. Shrimp Aguachile

The diverse combination of flavors has made Shrimp Aguachile a popular dish among Mexicans. Typically made with fresh shrimp, lime juice, chilies, onions, and cilantro, Aguachile is meant to be served cold. 

It satisfies the need to combine seafood and citrus while having its own distinct characteristics. 

Where To Find?

✔ A vibrant seafood restaurant celebrated for its authentic cuisine and exceptional flavors, Contramar features standout dishes such as the iconic tuna tostada, aguachile, and the signature red and green fish.

✔ Los Aguachiles Calle 34 is another great recommendation for trying amazing Shrimp Aguachile besides other types of Mexican food. 

Quick Fact -  "Unlike most ceviches, aguachile is meant to be served immediately upon tossing the shrimp with the lime."

16. Tamales

An excellent Mexican street food, Tamales are something that you can find just anywhere. 

Usually wrapped in cornhusks or banana leaves while steaming, tamales are pockets of dough made from corn and stuffed with various fillings, including chilies, vegetables, meats, fruits, and cheeses.

Where To Find?

✔ You can find this treat almost anywhere in the city every morning. However, Tamales Madre is a great place that takes the taste of tamales to a different level. They combine the flavors and different types of corn to prepare the delicacy. 

Quick Fact -  "Were originally eaten during religious and cultural celebrations by ancient civilizations like the Aztecs, Maya, and Olmecs."

17. Caesar Salad

The simplicity of this salad makes it less offensive to picky people. With fewer ingredients and the usual dressing on the side, it is a fairly amazing and healthy Mexican dish. 

The saltiness from the anchovy and parmesan, perfectly balanced by the acidic lemon juice, makes it an amazing dish for everyone to try. 

Where To Find?

✔ At El Mirador de Chapultepec, you can try the most authentic and old-fashioned Caesar salad in Mexico City. 

✔ Lola's Cocina is another great place to try the classic Tijuana Caesar salad. It is prepared with romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, crunchy croutons, and a light, creamy dressing.

Quick Fact -  "Caesar salad was invented in the early 1920s by Caesar Cardini, an Italian chef, and not by Julius Caesar himself. (A common myth debunked)"

18. Fish Veracruz Style

A delicious 30-minute, one-pan dish, Fish in Veracruz Sauce, features white fish fillets simmered in a zesty tomato sauce flavored with capers, olives, and onions. It is one of the most famous seafood dishes from Veracruz on the Caribbean coast of eastern Mexico.

Where To Find?

✔ Villa Rica Mocambo, a Mexican Latin cuisine restaurant best known for its seafood all over Veracruz. 

✔ Another popular Mexican restaurant, Restaurant Paradise serves the most delicious Fish in Veracruz Sauce. Besides, their menu also has a vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free options. 

Quick Fact -  Veracruz is also home to plantain quesadillas and peanut salsas, smoked pork loin, and chicken cooked in fruit liqueurs.

19. Huarache

Delicious combination of corn, beans, and various types of cheese and meats, Huarache is an excellent choice all layered onto a flat, oval-shaped tortilla. The best part is that it can be enjoyed as an appetizer, a main course, or even as a snack.

You will find the bean fillings, made with different colored masas; the toppings could be chorizo, shredded chicken, or thinly sliced steak, but always garnished with lettuce, salsa, cheese, crema, and radishes.

Where To Find?

✔ You can find it pretty much anywhere, from streets to high-end restaurants!

Quick Fact -  "Huarache is a type of Mexican sandal and also a Mexican dish, which got its name from its long and flat shape, resembling a shoe sole."

20. Mexican Empanadas

A staple in Mexican food, Empanadas are commonly sold by street vendors and enjoyed as a quick and delicious meal on the go. It is with special occasions and celebrations. 

The popularity of empanadas has led to their influence on other cuisines. They can be filled with a wide range of ingredients, such as meat, cheese, vegetables, and even sweet fillings like fruit and chocolate.

Where To Find?

✔ An adorable little spot, La Bruja, is a great place for you to try the best empanadas in the entire of Mexico. 

✔ Empanadas d Loreto is an amazing restaurant that most people don’t know about. However, besides empanadas, you can enjoy a variety of other Mexican delicacies. 

Quick Fact -  "Empanadas are often eaten right after cooking while still warm and fresh. However, they can also be enjoyed at room temperature or even cold."

21. Cochinita Pibil

Made with an achiote (annatto) paste and citrus marinade, Cochinita Pibil is a famous dish wrapped in banana leaves and cooked until tender. The dish is an infusion of Mayan and Spanish cultural influences.

Not only the flavors but also the name is a mixture of civilizations — Pibil derives from the Mayan word píib, which means earth oven, and Cochinita is Spanish slang for small pig.

Where To Find?

✔ Taqueria La Lupita is an inexpensive and authentic Mexican food vendor that offers the yummiest Cochinita Pibil in Merida. 

✔ La Cochi-loka is a perfect place to order tacos with Cochinita Pibil, chicken, and other toppings. This is an absolute must-visit place in Playa del Carmen. 

Quick Fact -  "Cochinita Pibil or Pork Pibil is a dish from the Yucatan peninsula of Mayan origins."