10 Things You Must Eat in Mexico City Besides Tacos

Mexico City is the heartbeat of Mexico, connecting all of the various areas and giving life to the entire country. It’s not because it’s the capital city, or even because it’s the largest metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere, though both of those things are true. Mexico City is the heart of Mexico because it is the perfect culmination of all things Mexican. (Many Mexican’s even drop the word “City” when referencing it, just simply calling it Mexico.)

It’s historical and architectural prominence, financial significance for the America’s, plethora of museums and monuments, communication centers and its cultural displays are all clear indicators of the importance of this city to not only the country of Mexico but to the entire world. All those reasons aside though, there’s another major factor contributing to the status of this fabulous city – it’s cuisine.

My name is Haley, and I’m the founder and blogger behind Love ‘N’ Luggage. After my recent travels to Mexico City, I was absolutely blown away by the taste and quality of every bite. I don’t know about you guys, but for me, half (if not more) of the opinions I develop when visiting a new country are determined by how well I eat and the variety of cultural cuisine available to try. I used to be hesitant to try new things, but traveling has truly taught me to be brave, from the food I try to the adventures I embark on.

Being able to taste a country’s culture, gives you a much better understanding of it. In all cultures, but especially Mexican culture, so much of life revolves around cuisine and the celebration of it.

Today I’m sharing 10 foods you must eat in Mexico City besides tacos, that I guarantee will impress you from the moment they set the plate down or hand you that Mexican street food. Make sure to add these tasty dishes to your Mexico City itinerary. 

Savory

In the savory and hearty category, you absolutely must try the following:

Sopa de Tortilla

This traditional starter to many a meal is made from tomatoes, onion, garlic, ancho and pasillas chiles as well as some epazote (a type of Mexican herb). This delicious soup is typically topped with fried corn tortilla strips, avocado, crème fraiche and cotija cheese. Mexican restaurants throughout the city serve up their flare of this staple starter.

Chiles en Negoda

This dish is not for the light-hearted. Chiles en Negoda are green poblano chilis stuffed with picadillo and doused in a delicious sauce with pomegranate seeds. The picadillo typically contains shredded meats, spices and fruits, while the sauce is a walnut cream. The colors of the dish are green, white and red just like the Mexican flag. Long-standing restaurants like Restaurante San Angel Inn are the ideal place to indulge in this dish.

Tostadas

These small, bite-sized treats are bursting with flavor. Tostadas come in a wide variety of flavors, however, the base is always a small crispy fried tortilla topped with a spread (usually refried beans or guacamole). The toppings can be any number of combinations, though my favorite are de atun (raw sushi-like tuna) or de pollo (chicken).

Tortas

When in Mexico, don’t miss out on visiting a Torteria. Many torterias in Mexico City are family run, and have been serving their featured recipes for decades. Tortas are scrumptious filled sandwiches on freshly baked bolillo rolls. The options are pretty much endless and will satisfy virtually every craving you have. Some of my favorites are pork with chorizo bits, chicken with egg, cheese, refried beans and avocado and carne asada tortas. They are also very budget friendly. Establishments like La Texcocana and Tortas don Polo are best known for both their tasty tortas and stories.

Queso Fundidos

This is paradise for anyone who’s a cheese lover. Queso fundido is pretty much just cheese heaven, a gooey, cheesy appetizer melted in a cast iron skillet. Grab a tortilla chip and dig in while it’s hot.

Chicharrón de Queso

If you can’t already tell, I absolutely love cheese and so do the people of Mexico City. The texture of Chicharron de queso is similar to that of a taco, however, it’s all cheese. These are made on a flattop grill where the cheese is scattered over oil and fried until it is a firm, crispy texture. These can be ordered at taquerias throughout the city and eaten on the go or as an appetizer.

Cebollitas Sazonadas

Though this is probably the tiniest dish on the list, the flavor is one of the biggest. Cebollitas Sazonads, like its name indicates, are small onions tossed in a seasoning sauce like salsa Maggi and grilled for some flavor and char. These can be found at restaurants and many street food stands and are a perfect snack or side dish for tacos.

Sweet

You can’t leave Mexico before you’ve indulged in these sweet-tooth satisfying treats:

Candies

Throughout the city, you’ll find a plethora of charming candy stores and street stands filled with handmade Mexican style candies, which can be sweet, sour or spicy so watch out. Many street vendors also sell Pulparindos and candied apples with tamarind, a popular Mexican spice. The sweet Mazapanes de la Rosa, made from peanuts, are my personal favorite. Chewy sweets called Borrachitos are also widely popular, taking their name from the alcohol infused in them like tequila, coffee liquor and wine.

Islas Flotantes

If you like sugary meringues, this will by far be your favorite dessert in Mexico City. The literal translation of this dessert is floating islands, and that’s exactly what it looks like. This satisfying after-meal delight is a poached meringue, made from whipped egg whites, vanilla and sugar, that’s floating in crème anglaise sauce. These mouthwatering treats are served at many restaurants and are perfect for sharing.

Churros

Perhaps the best known one on this list due to its assimilation into other countries, churros are another very popular sweet that can be found throughout Mexico City. These are often served by street vendors or in Churreria’s like El Moro and are an absolute must during any trip to Mexico City, especially when they’re dipped in coffee.

Though I always love eating my way through each new country I visit, I was particularly impressed with the level of flavor in each and every bite into Mexico City’s cuisine. From the most sophisticated restaurants to the vendors you pass on the streets, the multi-dimensional tastes and variety of options are extraordinary and unforgettable. 

If you’d like to follow along with my travels, connect with me on social media or at my blog, which can be found in my bio below. See you out there!

About the Author

Haley is the founder of Love ‘N’ Luggage, a travel blog all about love, life and the pursuit of travel. In 26 years, she’s had the honor of exploring more than 26 countries with another 100+ to go on her ever-growing list. You can find her traveling the world with her permanent travel partner and aisle seat stealer, also known as her husband. Whenever she’s not traveling the world or working her full-time hospitality marketing job, she either has her head in a book or is trying to catch their crazy Morkie dog, Riley. Join Haley on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.