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Mexico City, with more than 23 million people, is the largest city in Central America. With that comes many neighborhoods each with their own unique identity and food culture.
One of the best ways to taste the local food scene is to take one of the many Mexico City food tours.
With a local guide, you’ll explore the neighborhoods and learn about the local culture as you eat your way through the city.
While in CDMX, we took several food tours in different neighborhoods. To help you select the best tour that fits your needs, we put together this authentic guide to Mexico City food tours.
Here are 10 Mexico City food tours to make your travels fun and tasty.
Comparison Table of the Best Mexico City Food Tours
Food Tours in Mexico City | Price ($ USD) | Group Size | Start Time | Duration (hours) | Location | Best For |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Downtown Mexico City Food Tour | $109.99 | Max 10 | 12:00 pm | 5h | Historic Center | Overall |
Polanco Food Tour in Mexico City’s “Beverly Hills” | $99 | Max 12 | 11:00 am or 5:30 pm | 3h | Polanco neighborhood | Upscale Mexican food |
Mexico City Night Taco Tour with Beer and Mezcal | $124.99 | Max 10 | 7:00 pm | 3.5h | Mexico City Center | Tacos and Mezcal |
Mexico City Food Tour Adventure at La Merced Market | $95 | Max 6 | 11:30 am | 4h | La Merced Market | La Merced Experience |
Lucha Libre Tickets with Tacos, Mezcal and Beer Tastings | $93 | Max 20 | 6:30 pm | 3h to 4h | Mexico City Center | Wrestling Fans |
Mexico City Markets and Salsa Making With Local Family | $52.38 | Max 12 | 8:30 am | 5h | Mexico City Center | Cooking class |
Culinary Secrets of Centro Historico | $135 | Max 7 | 10:00 am | 5h | Historic Center | Street Food |
Colonia Roma Food Tour | $104.99 | Max 10 | 12:00 pm | 4h | Colonia Roma District | History lovers |
Teotihuacan & Tequila Tasting Tour | $55 | Max 35 | 8:20 am | 9h | Teotihuacan, Guadalupe Shrine, Tlatelolco | Archaelogy Lovers |
Frida Kahlo Walking Tour with Churros | $79 | Max 12 | 10:30 am | 3h to 4h | Coyoacan | Frida Kahlo fans |
Best Mexico City Food Tours To Choose From
1. Historic Mexico City Downtown Food Tour with Sabores Food Tours – Best Overall
Cost: $109.99 per person
Time and Length of Class: Approximately 5 hours. Tour starts at 12:00 pm
Group Style: Group tour, maximum 10 people
While Mexico’s historic center is filled with many local restaurants, it’s difficult to know the good local eateries in downtown Mexico City.
This 5-hour historic center food tour with Sabores Mexico food tour saves you the trouble of finding where to eat.
In the heart of Mexico City, you’ll discover the best-hidden gems for traditional Mexican food at more than 8 food stops.
You will visit the San Juan market, street food stalls, traditional restaurants, and iconic specialty stores.
This downtown walking tour combines Mexican gastronomy with legends and stories about Mexico’s capital city.
What You’ll Love About This Historic Mexico City Downtown Food Tour
- A wide variety of tastings at markets, street food stalls, and traditional restaurants.
- Discovering Mexico City from a different perspective on this historic downtown Mexican food tour.
- Connecting deeper to Mexico’s culinary heritage through entertaining stories and history.
2. Polanco Food Tour in Mexico’s “Beverly Hills” – Best For Upscale Mexican Food
Cost: $99 per person
Time and Length of Class: Approximately 3 hours. Tours start at 11:00 am and 5:30 pm
Group Style: Group tour, maximum 12 people
Polanco neighborhood boasts many Michelin star restaurants next to luxurious stores and stylish hotels.
Some of the best restaurants in Mexico’s capital can be found in Polanco. While in Mexico City, we took a Polanco food tour to discover the variety of Mexico’s culinary culture.
This 3-hour Polanco food tour takes you to a chic neighborhood for surprising traditional and local Mexican food specialties.
From Oaxacan food and Yucatan local cuisine, you’ll savor several tasty bites at some of the best restaurants in the city.
You’ll savor the best traditional Mexican cuisine with a touch of modernity at seven amazing eateries.
What You’ll Love About This Polanco Food Tour
- Discovering the gastronomic hotspots in the “Beverly Hills” of Mexico City.
- Expert local foodie guides with fascinating stories and insights about the dishes and drinks.
- Comfortable walking distances with restaurants and food stops in close proximity.
3. Mexico City Night Taco Tour with Beer and Mezcal – Best For Tacos and Mezcal
Cost: $124.99 per person
Time and Length of Class: Approximately 3.5 hours. Tour starts at 7:00 pm
Group Style: Small group tour, maximum 10 people
Tacos are the most emblematic Mexican food. Combine that with the Mezcal, the country’s national spirit, and you have an epic taste of the country’s rich history.
This 3.5-hour Mexico City taco night tour takes you on a fun night out indulging in traditional and contemporary tacos, including beer and mezcal.
You will four authentic Mexican taquerias for tacos al pastor, tacos de suadero, and others.
Your local guide will share fascinating stories as you sip on Mezcal, beer, and other traditional Mexican drinks.
Since this taco night tour includes alcoholic beverages, transportation is provided. Allowing you to enjoy drinking beer and mezcal safely without having to worry about where you are going next.
All the alcoholic drinks are included, which makes this tour more expensive than the others on the list. Also keep in mind good quality mezcal comes at a price.
Bring an ID card with you to show you are above 18 years, the minimum legal drinking age in Mexico.
What You’ll Love About This Mexico City Night Taco Tour with Beer and Mezcal
- Exploring Mexico City’s rich taco culture in different neighborhoods.
- Sampling and learning about Mezcal and other traditional drinks.
- The all-inclusive convenience of alcohol and transportation.
4. Mexico City Food Tour Adventure – Best for La Merced Market Immersion
Cost: $95 per person
Time and Length of Class: Approximately 4 hours. Tours start at 11:30 am
Group Style: Small group tour, maximum 6 people
La Merced is the largest retail market in Mexico City and the most iconic food market.
The market is huge and is spread out over several blocks and buildings, each one focused on a different specialty.
This 4-hour tour of La Merced takes you deep into daily Mexican life and local Mexican cuisine traditions.
On your market visit, you’ll explore the best-hidden gems at local favorite food stalls for moles, tortillas, and pozole.
You’ll also try a number of local drinks and snacks as you navigate the market.
Besides going to La Merced market, you’ll also visit Sonora market, which is famous for sorcery. And in Zocalo, at the end of the tour, you’ll visit an art market for other traditional tastings.
We created our own self-guided food tour of La Merced, which you can see on YouTube.
However, in retrospect, we wish we had gone with a guide to help us explore deeper. Don’t make the same mistake and take a guided tour of La Merced.
What You’ll Love About This Mexico City Food Tour Adventure at La Merced Market
- A deep immersion into Mexico City’s market culture.
- Small group size for an intimate experience.
- The adventurous spirit best for curious travelers.
RELATED: 7 of the Best Markets in Mexico City for Authentic Food
5. Lucha Libre With Tacos, Mezcal, and Beer Tastings – Best for Wrestling Fans
Cost: $93 per person
Time and Length of Class: Approximately 3 hours. Tours start at 6:30 pm
Group Style: Group tour, maximum 20 people
Lucha libre, or Mexican wrestling, is one of the most popular sports in the country. Part wrestling, part gymnastics, this sport is a part of Mexican history dating back to the early 1900s.
This unique tour in Mexico City promises tons of fun and a night to remember.
This 3-hour Lucha Libre tickets, with tacos, beer, and mezcal, promises to be your best night ever in Mexico City.
You’ll start savoring mouthwatering tacos as you learn about the nuances of professional Mexican wrestling.
This is followed by sipping on Mezcal, beer, and other traditional drinks at a local bar or cantina.
Next up, you’ll have the opportunity to see a live Lucha Libre show at Arena Mexico, the most important venue for the sport.
You’ll follow along as your guide explains the rules of playing as you dive into this fascinating and unusual food tour in Mexico City.
What You’ll Love About This Lucha Libre Tickets With Tacos, Mezcal, and Beer Tastings
- Having a former Luchador as your tour guide for insider knowledge about the sport.
- Delicious tacos, Mezcal, and beer tasting at a local Taqueria.
- A fun night out with incredible storytelling.
6. Mexico City Markets & Salsa Making W/ Local Family – Best For Cooking Class
Cost: $52.38 per person
Time and Length of Class: Approximately 5 hours. Tours start at 8:30 am
Group Style: Group tour, maximum 12 people
Mexico City is famous for street food, with food vendors at every corner and in the local markets.
We teamed up with Urban Adventures Mexico City and had an immersive experience on this Mexico City market tour.
This 5-hour Mexico City markets and salsa-making class is an exciting culinary adventure.
You will visit two popular Mexico City markets and then take a cooking class with a local family.
Some of the delicious Mexican street food you’ll sample include tacos, and tamales, paired with coffee or delicious atole (masa warm drink).
As you navigate your way through the city, you’ll be using public transportation and experiencing daily life like locals.
The cooking class experience takes place at a traditional eatery run by a local family for almost 100 years.
Here, you’ll learn in the classic way how to prepare a traditional Mexican sauce, the famous salsa, using a molcajete.
What You’ll Love About This Mexico City Markets and Street Food Tour With Cooking Class
- Navigating Mexico markets like a local.
- Experiencing Mexico City’s public transportation.
- Making your own homemade Mexican sauce and pairing it with a classic huarache sandwich.
7. Culinary Secrets of Mexico’s Historic Center – Best For Street Food
Cost: $135 per person
Time and Length of Class: Approximately 5 hours. Tours start at 10:00 am
Group Style: Small group tour, maximum 7 people
Discover the secret local gems of the oldest quarter of Mexico City, the Centro Historico district.
You will be surprised to learn that this was the center of the Aztec Empire, formerly known as Tenochtitlán.
This 5-hour culinary secrets of Mexico’s historic center street food tour is a beautiful mix of food and history.
After an introduction to the palaces, churches, monuments, and museums in Centro, you’ll get off the tourist path to the best-hidden gems.
With your expert local guide, you’ll duck into the side alleys for the best tacos, enchiladas, fresh juices, and more.
Cultural stops are an important part of this food tour to learn about Mexican history. You’ll visit one of the oldest synagogues, a 1930s-covered market with important public art displays.
The tour ends at a storied Mexican cantina. You’ll savor famous botanas, or home-style bar snacks, along with traditional Mexican drinks.
What You’ll Love About This Culinary Secrets of Mexico’s Historic Center
- This food tour in Mexico City takes about 5-hours, but it will not feel like it. You’ll have an amazing time with a guide who feels like a friend while eating good food along the way.
- Getting a deep understanding of Mexico’s food, history, and daily life.
- Delicious and authentic street food bites in Centro.
8. Colonia Roma Food Tour with Sabores – Best for History Lovers
Cost: $104 per person
Time and Length of Class: Approximately 4 hours. Tours start at 12:00 pm
Group Style: Small group tour, maximum 10 people
Roma Norte is one of the most trendy neighborhoods in Mexico City. We stayed in this neighborhood in Mexico City and enjoyed discovering this popular area on a food tour.
This 4-hour Colonia Roma food tour takes you through Roma Norte, stopping at local eateries while learning about authentic Mexican cuisine.
You’ll savor 13+ Mexican food and drink specialties at over 7 local eateries.
In addition to the food, you will learn about the history of the fascinating European history and architecture in the neighborhood.
What You’ll Love About This Colonia Roma Food Tour
- An impressive variety of tasty local bites at both local and trendy eateries.
- Getting a local’s perspective of one of the most sought neighborhoods in Mexico City through food.
- Discovering the area’s key monuments and their cultural and historical significance.
9. Teotihuacan, Guadalupe Shrine, Tlatelolco & Tequila Tasting Tour – Best For Archaeology Lovers
Cost: $55 per person
Time and Length of Class: Approximately 9 hours. Tours start at 8:20 am
Group Style: Group group tour, maximum 35 people
Spend an unforgettable day visiting some of Mexico City’s most important historic landmarks.
With round trip transportation provided from Mexico City, this full-day tour takes you to Teotihuacán, Tlatelolco, and Basilica de Guadalupe.
Teotihuacan, the place where Gods were created, is UNESCO World Heritage Site with significant pyramids that you’ll explore.
Your understanding of Mexico’s rich prehispanic history will continue in Tlatelolco, a rival Aztec city and Plaza de las tres culturas.
This tour also stops at the Shrine of Guadalupe, one of the most important and holiest sites for Roman Catholics, honoring Mexico’s patron saint.
Along the way, you’ll stop for lunch and quench your thirst with a fun Tequila tasting.
What You’ll Love About This Teotihuacan, Guadalupe Shrine, Tlatelolco & Tequila Tasting Tour
- Visiting important and impressive archaeological and religious sites.
- Transportation provided with free time to explore on your own.
- Fun and educational Tequila tasting experience.
RELATED: Food in Mexico – Top 15 Local Foods You Want to Have
10. Frida Kahlo VIP Walking Tour with Churros – Best For Frida Kahlo Fans
Cost: $76 per person
Time and Length of Class: Approximately 3 to 4 hours. Tours start at 10:30 am
Group Style: Group tour, maximum 12 people
Frida Kahlo, one of Mexico’s greatest artists, is an icon that continues to inspire a vast audience around the world.
This 3 to 4-hour Frida Kahlo walking tour with churros takes you on an intimate journey into her life in Coyoacán.
You’ll first start by exploring the Coyoacan neighborhood and the Frida Kahlo park.
As you walk through the different gardens, you’ll learn about her life with Diego Rivera and what they represented for Mexico.
At the lively Coyoacan Market, you’ll try a delightful mix of traditional foods like churros, atole, tostadas, and agua frescas.
The tour ends at the Frida Kahlo Museum, where you will be free to visit it at your own pace.
What You’ll Love About This Frida Kahlo Tour with Churros
- A total immersion into the life of Frida Kahlo.
- Exploring Coyoacan neighborhood and tasty bites at the market.
- VIP access to the Frida Kahlo Museum.
What to Consider When Choosing a Mexico City Food Tour
While the basics are the same for many food tours in Mexico City, things like tour length, location and food experiences vary.
As you plan for your Mexico City food tour, here are a few considerations.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Make your culinary travels worry-free! With the right travel insurance, you’ll enjoy a delicious experience. From medical emergencies, flight cancelations, car rental protection, or tour cancelations, a good travel insurance has got you covered. Check out our travel insurance review for food lovers to get started.
What Kind of Mexico City Food Tour Experience Do You Want
There is nothing better than exploring Mexico City than with a local guide. All these food tours in Mexico City are run by locals who will take you to all the food stops off the beaten path.
Before booking any Mexico City food tours, take a note of your preferences.
Are there any particular neighborhoods in Mexico City you want to explore?
How do you prefer to navigate the city? By taking a walking food tour or a tour with transportation provided?
Do you prefer taking a small group tour with other travelers, or is taking a private Mexico City tour more your style?
What time of day do you prefer? Food tours in Mexico City are offered in the morning, middle of the day or evening.
With these considerations in mind, simply pick the best food tours in Mexico City for you.
What Is Your Budget for Food Tours in Mexico City
The kind of experience you are looking for will play largely into your budget considerations.
The best food tours in Mexico City range from $55 USD to $124.99 USD per person.
However, depending on the size of your group, you may be able to negotiate discounted rates.
On a positive note, all these food tours in Mexico City allow free cancellation up to 24 to 72 hours before the tour.
Safety and Other Practical Aspects To Consider
Safety in Mexico City can be a concern for visitors. We found Mexico City to be safe for the most part. However, like in any big city, you want to watch out for your belongings.
Some of the Mexico City Food tours take you to local markets. On these food tours, we recommend dressing conservatively to blend in.
Carry your cash in a safe place and keep a close eye on your cameras and personal belongings.
Most of the tours we’ve highlighted are family-friendly. The only exception are the Mezcal tours which require guests to be of legal drinking age.
Typically, the food tours will accommodate your dietary needs given advanced notice.
Although, some tours might not be appropriate for vegans. Please inquire at the time of booking.
More Local Food Experiences and Recipes
Top 20 Best Foods in Mexico City (And 32 Restaurants To Have Them)
15 Authentic Guadalajara Foods You Want to Have
Authentic Oaxaca Restaurant Guide – Top 14 Restaurants You Want To Try in Oaxaca
The Best Guide to Mexican Chocolate in Oaxaca
The 10 Best Mexican Cookbooks For Every Latin Kitchen
The Best Authentic Mexican Guacamole Recipe (Easy and Creamy)
Love These Food Tours in Mexico City? Pin It!
Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. Since 2015, with her partner, Rosemary, she has been traveling the world as a digital nomad, creating content about local food experiences.
Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. She has also co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
An ex-mechanical engineer, Claire is responsible for SEO, keeping the website running, and the fun food & travel videos on YouTube.
When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Find out more about Authentic Food Quest
The street foods seems so amazing, I’m not ready for the grasshoppers though. Such a great experience you had.
Glad you enjoyed the article. You’d be surprised, the grasshoppers were not that bad. A little crunchy though tasty!! Give it a try when you can. Thanks for stopping by.
I love Mexico City! I have been twice and I agree the markets and shopping are fantastic. I hope to go back again sometime.
Awesome to hear, Melissa. Do you have any favorite Mexico City markets? Can’t be the market experience in Mexico for sure. Cheers.
I’d love to do a food tour in Mexico City. I’m sure the flavors, sights, and sounds would be a little overwhelming, but so worth it.
I love Mexican food! I’ve never been to Mexico City. I’d love to go there and go on a food tour! It sounds fun!
Thanks, Rika. Hope your travels take you to Mexico soon!!
Mexico is climbing my list of places to travel to. They have such a rich closer, and they are so close to home.
You are right, Tiffany, Mexico’s rich culture and cuisine make it a destination worth checking out. Thanks for stopping by.
Ah these photos make me want to get in my car and road trip to Mexico right now! I love travelling through my tastebuds!
Great to hear, Brit. Traveling through food is one of the best ways to experience Mexico City.
I love street food and all the picture of the taco is mouth-watering. I’d love to visit Mexico City one day.
Glad the article got you thinking about delicious Mexican tacos. Hope you make it to Mexico City soon.
Wow, I want to tour cities with you! I love taking food tours when I visit new cities, the tours introduce me to foods that are popular in the area and offers a nice tasting of different dishes.
I love food and that is definitely my kind of tour. And Mexican food is one my favorites. That would be a fun tour, for sure.
Mexico city is the heaven for the good food! I would like to try all this food. Looks amazing!
Wow! Having this food tours are really exciting! I am definitely going to try these when I go to Mexico! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Dennis. Do let us know what you think of the tour when you go. Thanks for stopping by.
Oh my goodness! If we are ever in Mexico City again I am going to have to pick a couple of these to go on! I love mexican food, especially when it’s authentic.
No worries, Lisa. Keep these in mind for your future Mexico City trip. Cheers 🙂
Sign me up for these tours! I would also love to do cooking classes!
Learn about the food and then discover the ingredients in a cooking class. The perfect combination!! Cheers.
I am all about food tours! I love trying different foods from the places I travel to. This is a great way to try different things.
So true, Amber. Not to mention, food tours are a lot of fun 🙂 Do you have a favorite one? Please let us know. Cheers.
Mexico City is so full of great markets and food. I have never been but any of these tours se.em amazing and full of the culture we can find in Mexico
Indeed, Melissa, these tours do provide an inside view of all the delicious Mexican flavors. Thanks
I can’t wait to plan my next trip to Mexico. So many yummy treats! I would love to go on this tour.
All of this food looks so amazing! I love adding lime to everything!!
Kileen
I have heard such awesome things about Mexico City and I can only imagine how incredible the food would be! Food tours are such a fun way to see the city and try all of the authentic foods. Saving this for my future trip!! 🙂
Indeed, Katherine, food tours are a wonderful way to experience a city. The food in Mexico City is incredible and with a local guide, you’ll be sure to discover the best local gems. Glad you enjoyed the article.
All this wonderful street food looks amazing! Even the grasshoppers! Would love to try that witchcraft market. What an inspiring post!
So glad you enjoyed the article, Helen. Mexico City markets are quite unusual and an experience to be had. Hope you make it to Mexico’s capital soon so that you can enjoy the markets for yourself. Thanks for stopping by.
OMG YUM! Last time I was in Mexico, I ate non-stop. Everything was so good.
That’s great to hear. Did you have any favorite foods? Cheers.
Your posts tempt me to travel so much! The issue is, my bank account snatches me back to reality! LOL! I’ll keep saving and living vicariously through you, though.
Lol…Marta 🙂 Glad you enjoy reading about the different local food experience. Cheers!!