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Thinking about booking a food tour in Mexico City? Boy oh boy, are you in for a treat!
Mexico City is a huge culinary wonderland, and food tours are our favorite way to discover new neighborhoods and yummy local dishes.
As lovers of both food and Mexico City, we’ve taken a ton of tours here. So trust us when we say that there’s truly something for everyone here. Whether you want tacos and mezcal, a plant-based tour, or an authentic cooking class, there’s a tour for everyone, and we’ve got you covered with all of the need-to-know details. Hope you’re hungry!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this Historic Center walking food tour! We ate some amazing street food, navigated local markets, and learned the story behind the beautiful buildings in the Historic Center. It had a little of everything!
- Don't Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
- Best Food Tours in Mexico City
- 1. Evening tacos and mezcal tour
- 2. Walking food tour through the Historic Center
- 3. Regional food tour in the Polanco neighborhood
- 4. Mexico City’s trendiest neighborhood – La Roma food tour
- 5. Authentic Mexican cooking class
- 6. Bicycle and street food tour
- 7. Vegan and vegetarian food tour
- 8. La Merced market tour and tastings
- Other Activities to do While You're in Mexico City
- Where to Stay in Mexico City
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Renting a Car in Mexico
- AIRALO e-SIM Up To 15% Off With Code "DTRAVEL15"
- What’s an eSIM?
Best Food Tours in Mexico City
1. Evening tacos and mezcal tour
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Time: 6:30 pm
- Highlights: sampling tacos from different regions of Mexico, visiting an underground mezcal bar, exploring different neighborhoods, small group tour
- Inclusions: local guide, beer, mezcal tasting, air-conditioned transport, dinner
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 175+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
This taco and mezcal tour is an absolute MUST in Mexico City. It’s the perfect way to dive into the city’s vibrant food scene and discover some of its best neighborhoods, so we highly recommend booking it for your first night here. Plus, with so many 5-star reviews, we aren’t the only ones who loved it!
The evening kicked off in the charming neighborhood of San Rafael with juicy Norteño-style tacos. Then, we wandered into a traditional taqueria and enjoyed their handmade tortillas, which were out of this world!
After our first two tacos, we took a break for a mezcal tasting in a hidden underground bar. It was such a cool experience, we loved learning how to identify different notes and finding out which types of mezcal we each enjoyed. It came in very handy throughout the rest of our time in Mexico!
Feeling a little tipsy, we headed to Roma Norte, a hipster neighborhood, where we tried tacos with a creative, contemporary twist. I think my favorite stop of the night, though, was the Cuauhtemoc area, where we got to try al pastor tacos. These blend Middle Eastern and Mexican flavors – and yes, they were every bit as delicious as they sound!
This tour is not only an amazing way to find Mexico City’s best tacos, it’s also the perfect way to get to know the heart and soul of the city. So if you’re not sure where to start when it comes to street food, be sure to book this tour for an unforgettable evening.
Reserve this popular tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
2. Walking food tour through the Historic Center
- Duration: 5 hours
- Time: 12 pm
- Highlights: local Aztec market, traditional cantina, street food stall, local restaurant, tasting lots of different dishes and drinks, exploring the city on foot, small group tour
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, food tastings, alcoholic drinks
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 900+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
This was hands-down the BEST food tour that we did in Mexico – no contest! It was so much fun that I’m honestly jealous of anyone who gets to experience it for the first time. So if you’re a foodie or fancy a fun night in Mexico City’s historic center, you cannot miss this half-day culinary adventure. It’s epic!
The first stop was the Mercado de San Juan, where we had a blast exploring with our guide, Joss. We ate exotic fruits and delicious seafood tostadas, and Joss even encouraged us to try grasshoppers, which were a lot tastier than we expected them to be!
Next up, we sampled tacos at a street stall and then visited a classic cantina, where we sipped mezcalitas and ate yummy empanadas. There was so much variety on this tour, and the samples we got were super generous – more like light meals, to be honest. So if we can give you one piece of advice, it would be to make sure you arrive hungry.
As well as all of the food, we loved exploring the historic city center on foot and admiring all of the beautiful architecture. The tour finished on a sweet note, with buñuelos and Mexican sweets for dessert. We were stuffed by this point, but they were so good that we couldn’t resist.
This tour was the best thing that we did in Mexico City. So if you’re looking for a great tour, be sure to book this one before it sells out.
Check out the 850+ 5-star reviews and book this popular tour here!
3. Regional food tour in the Polanco neighborhood
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 11 am – 5:30 pm
- Highlights: exploring the upscale Polanco neighborhood on foot, visiting seven different restaurants, tasting lots of local dishes and desserts
- Inclusions: all food tastings, cocktail, English-speaking guide, small group size
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 650+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you’re more into refined dining than street food, then booking this tour of Polanco is a must! It’s one of Mexico City’s most upscale neighborhoods, with tree-lined streets, elegant mansions, and a thriving restaurant scene.
Our guide, Isle, was a professional chef, so she knows everything there is to know about food! She took us to seven handpicked spots, where we were able to try seven different dishes from all over Mexico. We basically got a culinary tour of the entire country in a single afternoon!
From green chilaquiles to Yucatan-style pibil tacos and Oaxacan tuna tostaditos, we loved getting to know Mexico’s diverse regional flavors. As much as we love street food, it was a nice change to explore Mexico City’s upscale restaurants. In fact, I think it’s definitely booking this tour in addition to a street-food based tour, as they offer totally different experiences.
Exploring Polanco on foot was a ton of fun, too, as we really enjoy seeing all of the parks and art galleries. The tour ended with chocolate and ice cream for dessert, and then a mezcalita de Jamaica as a nightcap. It’s a super unique cocktail that’s sweet, smoky, and sour all at once, so don’t miss the chance to try it while you’re in Mexico City!
All in all, the Polanco food tour was a real highlight of our time in Mexico City. If you’re looking for a more upscale experience, be sure to book this ASAP!
Book this tour with over 650 5-star reviews here, before it sells out!
4. Mexico City’s trendiest neighborhood – La Roma food tour
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 12 pm
- Highlights: exploring the trendy Bohemian neighborhood, checking out the area’s coolest eateries, sampling lots of different dishes, drinking specialty coffee and cocktails
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, food tastings, alcoholic drinks, coffee, small group size
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 600+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
We couldn’t wait to check out the famously cool Colonia Roma neighborhood, and this food tour was even better than we imagined. It’s a Bohemian neighborhood that’s packed with personality – and flavor! You can’t miss the chance to check it out.
Our guide, Stephanie, was absolutely incredible and made the tour so much fun. She took us to several fantastic spots that showcased the neighborhood’s culinary scene. We ate everything from crispy fish tacos to ceviche and pork pasteles. Better still, we washed them down with mezcal and specialty coffee!
The food was amazing, but the unique vibe of Colonia Roma was what made it really stand out for us. We loved seeing the colorful colonial buildings, charming squares, and wide tree-lined avenues. We both remarked that we’d love to live here one day, so eating our way through the area like locals felt like the perfect practice run!
This tour truly was excellent from start to finish. We ended at a rooftop bar, where we took in views of the area as we sipped on cocktails. So if you’re looking for a food tour that’s just as much about atmosphere as it is about incredible eats, this is the one for you. Colonia Roma will steal both your heart and your taste buds!
Check availability and book this top-rated food tour here!
Related Read: For some more ideas on what to do in Mexico City, check out our top 10 favorite activities and day trips here!
5. Authentic Mexican cooking class
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Time: 9:30 am
- Highlights: shopping for ingredients at a local market, preparing a 4-course meal, agua fresca tasting, lunch with a drink of your choice
- Inclusions: all ingredients and equipment, 4-course lunch, recipes to keep, English-speaking instructor, market tour, aqua fresca, choice of alcoholic drink
- Rating: 5 stars (check 200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
Learning how to make authentic Mexican dishes during this cooking class was one of the most rewarding experiences that we had in Mexico City. We also loved that it was in the Roma Norte neighborhood, which is always charming to be in.
We kicked off the day with a tour of Mercado Medellín, where we explored food stalls and learned about different local spices and specialties. We even got to taste a few treats on the way around, and our guide, Louisa, gave us some interesting insights into local market culture.
However, the real fun began back at the cooking studio! Louisa walked us through every step of preparing a four-course meal. She showed us how to make tortillas by hand, make perfect salsas, and master mole blanco! My favorite dish, though, was mextalpiques, although the cornbread we made for dessert was a very close second.
When we sat down to eat the meal we had created, it tasted even better than we had imagined! Plus, we got to enjoy artisanal mezcal and a Mexican craft beer alongside our feast, which was really the cherry on top of a fantastic experience. As if all of that weren’t enough, the meal ended with a rich mug of hot chocolate. Bliss!
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro when it comes to cooking, this class promises to be a blast. It was one of the most fun things that we did in Mexico City, so don’t hesitate to book.
Don’t miss out – book this immersive cooking class here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. Bicycle and street food tour
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Time: 9:30 am
- Highlights: cycling around Mexico City’s most interesting neighborhoods, tasting lots of different local foods, visiting street food stands and traditional markets, small group tour
- Inclusions: bike rental, food samples, drink, English-speaking local guide
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 275+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: no
- Price: Check price here!
We love bike tours and food tours, so REALLY loved this specific tour – it combines the two! I mean, what could be better than exploring Mexico City by bike and indulging in its incredible food scene all in one go?
We started in Juarez and kicked off the ride with a drink and a snack before we took to the streets on our bikes. The cycling was easy and enjoyable – no super steep inclines or crazy traffic.
We stopped frequently in some of the city’s most vibrant and interesting neighborhoods, no less! We loved exploring Roma and La Condesa, both of which are full of charm, with leafy boulevards, colorful street art, and best of all, tons of amazing food.
For us, the highlight was visiting an authentic local market, where we tried authentic Mexican dishes and learned about the stories and significance behind them. Then, we pedaled it off with a ride through the peaceful, green Chapultepec Park.
The itinerary was the perfect way to experience a little bit of everything that Mexico City has to offer, and our fantastic guides took it to the next level. Belia and Andrea were so personable and welcoming, and we loved hearing their stories about life in Mexico City.
Honestly, if you’re looking for a tour that’s great value for money, then you should definitely book this tour, because it’s a fantastic two-in-one experience: part sightseeing, and part culinary adventure. Just read the hundreds of 5-star reviews for yourself!
Book this tour here and get FREE cancellation before you go!
Related Read: Need help planning your trip to Mexico City? Our expert itinerary covers everything from the highlights and hidden gems to the best places to eat!
7. Vegan and vegetarian food tour
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Time: 2:30 pm
- Highlights: exploring four different neighborhoods, sampling lots of vegetarian and vegan street food, small group tour, specially designed plant-based tour
- Inclusions: all-you-can-eat vegan and vegetarian food, beer, tea and coffee, English-speaking local guide
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
It’s not often that we come across a plant-based food tour, so vegans and vegetarians, this one’s for you! Instead of booking a “regular” food tour and either missing out on certain stops or receiving bland substitutions, you can book this one that’s specifically crafted with you in mind.
Now, we both eat meat, but we also appreciate great vegetarian cuisine, so we couldn’t pass up the chance to take a food tour that’s specifically designed to showcase Mexico City’s plant-based eats. It showed us a whole different side of the city’s cuisine, and we got to enjoy so much amazing food, from tacos stuffed with fresh, spiced veggies to plant-based tamales and blue corn quesadillas. They were amazing!
We have to give a huge shoutout to our guides, Mena and Sharon, who were both incredible. They were not only passionate about food, they were also very knowledgeable about Mexico City’s culinary history and committed to supporting local, minority, and women-owned businesses. They also shared lots of insider stories about the neighborhoods we explored – the kind you would never read in a guidebook!
By the end of the tour, we had full bellies and tons of insider recommendations for the rest of our trip! So if you’re vegan, vegetarian, or simply curious about local plant-based cuisine, booking this tour is a must.
Reserve this tour now and pay later when you book in advance here!
Related Read: Another highlight on our last Mexico City trip was visiting the Teotihuacan ruins. Click here to see the top 5 day trips that bring you there!
8. La Merced market tour and tastings
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 10 or 10:30 am
- Highlights: exploring the La Merced Market, trying lots of dishes, meeting local vendors, learning about the market’s history
- Inclusions: lots of food samples, agua fresca, coffee, beer, Mexican sweets, English-speaking local guide
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 275+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you’re a foodie, then visiting La Merced Market is a non-negotiable experience in Mexico City! By far the best way to explore is with a knowledgeable guide who can show you all of the locals’ favorite spots and must-try dishes. That’s why we booked this food and market tour!
La Merced is the city’s biggest traditional food market, and we not only loved eating our way through it, but also learning about it from our guide, Adrian! We were so glad that we were with him because navigating on our own would have been a bit overwhelming.
Adrian took us to his favorite food stalls, where we got to eat as much food as we wanted, and he introduced us to the owners behind them, which made the tour feel so much more personal and authentic. We loved hearing their stories and their witty observations about daily life at the market!
We tried so many delicious local dishes, from tacos to tamales, savory mole, exotic fruits, and Mexican candy. My personal favorite was the crispy pickle tacos, which we washed down with a cold bottle of beer – bliss! We also sipped on local coffee and refreshing aqua fresca along the way, so we were well-hydrated and well-fed.
This tour is a must for anyone visiting La Merced for the first time. It simplified the chaos and allowed us to focus on just enjoying the atmosphere, culture, and incredible food. If you’re into food markets, then book this tour and make sure that you arrive hungry!
Check out the HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews and reserve this tour here!
Other Activities to do While You’re in Mexico City
Going on a food tour is just one of the many fun things to do in Mexico City. Trust me, you’ll have no problem filling your itinerary in this bustling city. To give you an idea of what’s on offer, I’ve highlighted some of our favorite activities below.
- Watch a Lucha Libre show – Lucha Libre in Mexico City is one of the most entertaining performances I’ve ever seen. This wrestling show is so quintessentially Mexican and is a ton of fun. The best way to understand the traditions and characters is through this organized tour, which also includes a mezcal tasting!
- Visit ancient ruins – As one of the oldest cities, Mexico City has many ancient ruins. You can visit the Templo Mayor Museum right in the city or take a day trip to Teotihuacan. We recommend this full-day tour, which also stops at Guadalupe Shrine, Tlatelolco, and for a tequila tasting! And for thrill-seekers or romantic occasions, take a hot air balloon over the city at sunrise!
- Take a city tour – Mexico City is HUGE. To get your bearings and a feel for the place, take a Mexico City tour! This private tour is customizable, so you can see the sights that interest you most, along with some hidden gems. And if you’re on a budget, take the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus to check out multiple neighborhoods.
- Visit hot springs – If you’re looking to plan a day trip from Mexico City, the crystal-blue waters of Las Grutas de Tolantongo Hot Springs are the perfect remedy. It’s a picture-perfect location with a backdrop of gorgeous mountains. It’s a bit of a drive, though, which is why I recommend this full-day tour.
Where to Stay in Mexico City
Now let’s talk about where to stay! The city is huge and quite spread out, but we think the Historic Center (Centro Histórico) is the best area for first-time visitors. You’ll be surrounded by landmarks, museums, and incredible food. Plus, most of the tours and activities in this itinerary either start here or include hotel pickup from the area.
It’s certainly convenient, but the Historic Center is one of the city’s most atmospheric neighborhoods, so it’s always a pleasure to stay here. It’s a popular area, so there are tons of accommodation options to choose from, and we’ve sifted through the best of them all to find the best picks for every budget. Here are a few of our favorites!
Luxury – $$$
For luxury travelers, Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico is a top choice. This incredible 5-star hotel has the BEST location since it’s right in the Zócalo – the main plaza in the city. This is a beautiful, historic hotel with a lobby that looks like it belongs in a movie! You’re within walking distance of so many of Mexico City’s best sights, and the rooms are spacious. Plus, breakfast on the rooftop terrace is a highlight!
Rooms start at $220 USD per night, but you’ll save a lot on transportation costs since you can walk to so many amazing places! Book a room online here.
Mid-range – $$
The NH Collection Mexico City is a premium hotel at a moderate price! Amenities at this 4-star hotel include a restaurant with a vegetarian and gluten-free menu, a fitness center, airport transfers, and free Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel.
All rooms include a minibar, coffee machine, and air conditioning for a price ranging from $100 to $250 USD. Check prices and availability at NH Collection Mexico City here!
Budget – $
Hostel Mundo Joven Catedral is an excellent option for travelers looking to save a little and get a comfortable stay. It offers tours around the Historic Center and is located only 10 minutes away from the beautiful Palacio de Bellas Artes, right next to the Zocalo.
A few years ago, we stayed here ourselves when we were on a tight budget, and we actually enjoyed it a lot! You can save money by using the shared kitchen to prepare your own meals, and there’s free WiFi, plus a bar with a terrace that offers lovely views of the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Dorm rooms start around $20 USD per night, or you can book a private room for $70 to $180 USD, depending on the number of people you have! Check prices and availability at Hostel Mundo Joven here!
Related Read: For a complete breakdown of the best neighborhoods and hotels, check out our full guide on where to stay in Mexico City here!
Renting a Car in Mexico
Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to get around Mexico is in a rental car.
I struggled to get around by bus and taxi for the longest time. But after renting a car in Cancun in 2023, I never looked back. It allowed me to explore the country without worrying about tours or taxis. It was why I fell in love with Mexico and eventually decided to live here periodically.
I refuse to use local services whenever I rent a car in Mexico. The truth is they sometimes can’t be trusted or come with hidden fees (or costly insurance that doesn’t make sense.) There are even rental car scams! So instead, I use Discover Cars, the company most experienced travelers or ex-pats in Mexico recommend. Read my honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
The rates on Discover Cars are cheap, too, with the average rental costing around $25 USD per day. Full coverage insurance can be added for an extra $10 USD a day too.
Driving in Mexico also only requires a driver’s license using the Roman alphabet. If yours uses another like Japan and China, you simply need an international driving permit.
Insurance is required, but if you book with Discover Cars and get the full coverage, that’s all you need! Oh, and being over 18 is required, and if you’re over 25, your rental will be much cheaper!
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We’ve tested a bunch of eSIMs over the years, and after a few frustrating experiences, we’ve found our favorite — Airalo. It’s fast, reliable, and incredibly easy to use. You can set it up in minutes (even my mom managed it solo on her first try!), and the prices are some of the best out there.
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Thanks for reading!
Mexico is world-famous for its food scene, so taking a food tour is an absolute must! In fact, the food tours were so amazingly different that we’d recommend taking more than one if you have time for it. We can’t get enough!
Before you go, check out our other Mexico blogs. We have traveled all around this vibrant country and love sharing our favorite places and experiences. Here are a few other blogs to help plan your next big adventure – cheers!
10 Best Things to do in Mexico City, Mexico