If there’s one thing you’ll quickly discover when visiting Mexico City, it’s that food is everywhere. From busy street corners and traditional markets to small neighborhood eateries, eating is one of the best ways to experience the city like a local.
And when it comes to authentic Mexican street food, antojitos mexicanos are an essential part of the experience.
What are antojitos mexicanos?
Antojitos mexicanos are traditional Mexican snacks and casual dishes commonly found at street stalls, markets and local eateries. Many are prepared with corn masa or tortillas and served with ingredients such as beans, meat, cheese, nopales, cream, onions and, of course, salsa.
In Mexico City, some of the most popular antojitos include tacos, quesadillas, sopes, huaraches, gorditas, tlacoyos and tostadas.
The word antojito comes from antojo, meaning a craving — and once you start exploring Mexico City’s street food scene, you’ll understand exactly why.
So, what should you try during your trip to CDMX?
Here are seven Mexican antojitos you shouldn’t miss.
1. Tacos: Mexico City’s street food icon
You can’t talk about Mexican street food in Mexico City without starting with tacos.
Tacos can be found throughout Mexico, but every region has its own specialties. In Mexico City, one of the most iconic choices is tacos al pastor, made with marinated pork traditionally cooked on a vertical spit and served on small tortillas.
But don’t stop there.
Walk around CDMX and you’ll also encounter tacos filled with suadero, bistec, carnitas, barbacoa, birria and countless other ingredients.
And then there are the salsas.
Red, green, smoky, fresh, mild or seriously spicy — choosing your salsa is part of the taco experience. If you’re not used to spicy food, start with a little and work your way up.
What tacos should you try in Mexico City?
If it’s your first visit, put these on your food bucket list:
- Tacos al pastor
- Tacos de suadero
- Tacos de carnitas
- Tacos de barbacoa
- Tacos de birria
Barrio Tip 🌮: Don’t judge a taco stand by its size. Some of the most memorable food experiences in Mexico City happen around a tiny street stand surrounded by hungry locals.
2. Quesadillas: with cheese or without?
Here’s something every traveler should know before ordering a quesadilla in Mexico City:
A quesadilla doesn’t necessarily have to contain cheese.
Yes, you read that correctly.
It’s one of Mexico’s most entertaining food debates. In many parts of the country, cheese is considered essential to a quesadilla. In Mexico City, however, you may need to specifically ask for cheese.
Quesadillas are made with a tortilla — often freshly prepared corn masa — folded around fillings such as mushrooms, chicken tinga, squash blossoms, potatoes with chorizo, requesón or chicharrón prensado.
They can be cooked on a comal or fried and are usually served with salsa, cream, cheese or chopped onion depending on the preparation.
So when someone in CDMX asks, “¿Con queso?” (With cheese?), now you’ll know why.
3. Sopes: small but loaded with flavor
Sopes are another classic you’ll regularly encounter while exploring Mexico City.
They’re made from a thick, round corn masa base with raised edges, creating the perfect surface for piling on delicious toppings.
A traditional sope may include refried beans, meat or another filling, lettuce, nopales, cream, cheese, onion and salsa.
They’re small enough to look innocent, but don’t underestimate them — a couple of well-loaded sopes can quickly turn into a full meal.
4. Huaraches: the bigger cousin of the sope
If you like sopes, meet the huarache.
Huaraches are made with an elongated corn masa base and topped with combinations of beans, meat, nopales, cheese, cream, onions and salsa.
Their distinctive oval shape resembles a traditional Mexican sandal called a huarache, which explains the name.
They’re hearty, filling and an excellent option when exploring Mexico City makes you seriously hungry.
5. Gorditas: stuffed corn masa pockets
Next on your Mexican street food journey: gorditas.
Gorditas are made from thick corn masa shaped into small rounds. Depending on the preparation, they’re cooked or fried and then filled with different ingredients.
Popular fillings include chicharrón prensado, beans and requesón, although you’ll find plenty of variations across Mexico City.
Add some salsa, onion, cheese or cream and you’ve got another street-food classic worth trying.
Barrio Tip 🌶️: Before covering your gordita in salsa, ask whether it’s spicy. In Mexico City, “a little spicy” can mean something very different depending on who’s answering.
6. Tlacoyos: one of Mexico’s traditional masa dishes
With their elongated oval shape, tlacoyos are one of the most distinctive foods you’ll see cooking on a comal.
They’re made from corn masa and traditionally stuffed with ingredients such as beans, fava beans or requesón. They’re commonly served with toppings such as nopales, cheese and salsa.
You may even encounter tlacoyos made from blue corn masa, making them especially easy to recognize at markets and street stalls.
They’re simple, filling and a great example of how important corn is to Mexican cuisine.
7. Tostadas: crispy, fresh and endlessly versatile
Last but definitely not least: tostadas.
A tostada starts with a crisp corn tortilla that becomes the base for an enormous variety of toppings.
Depending on where you eat them, you may find tostadas topped with beans, chicken, meat, seafood or other ingredients, along with lettuce, cream, cheese, onions and salsa.
Crispy tostadas are also commonly served alongside traditional Mexican dishes such as pozole.
Just remember: eating a heavily loaded tostada without breaking it is practically an art form.
Where can you find Mexican street food in Mexico City?
One of the best things about street food in CDMX is that you don’t have to look very far.
You’ll find antojitos at:
- Street food stands
- Traditional mercados
- Tianguis or temporary street markets
- Taquerías
- Small local eateries
- Neighborhood food stalls
Mexico City’s Historic Center is particularly interesting for travelers because sightseeing and food exploration naturally go hand in hand.
You can spend the day walking around landmarks such as the Zócalo, Metropolitan Cathedral, Palacio de Bellas Artes and Alameda Central while keeping an eye out for local food stalls and traditional eateries along the way.
The best strategy?
Walk, explore and follow the locals.
A busy stand filled with local customers is usually worth a closer look.
Mexican street food in Mexico City’s Historic Center
Staying in the Historic Center makes discovering Mexico City’s food culture even easier.
The area is packed with street stalls, taquerías, markets and casual eateries where you can try different Mexican dishes without having to travel across the entire city.
And that’s exactly where you’ll find Hostel Barrio Downtown.
Located on República de Uruguay in the Historic Center, Hostel Barrio puts you right in the middle of one of Mexico City’s most exciting areas for travelers.
Step outside, start walking and your next taco, quesadilla or unexpected food discovery may be just around the corner.
That’s one of our favorite things about staying downtown: Mexico City isn’t something you have to travel to experience — it’s happening right outside your door.
A local tip for exploring Mexico City’s food scene
Don’t try to find only the “best taco in Mexico City.”
Part of the fun is trying different places.
Order one taco here. A quesadilla somewhere else. Try a tlacoyo when you spot someone making fresh masa on a comal. Visit a mercado and order something you’ve never heard of.
Mexican street food isn’t just about finding one famous restaurant or checking an item off your travel list.
It’s about exploring the city through its flavors.
And remember: if you’re not sure what something is, ask. Food vendors are part of the everyday rhythm of Mexico City, and discovering something new is part of the experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mexican Street Food
What are antojitos mexicanos?
Antojitos mexicanos are traditional Mexican snacks and casual dishes often made with corn masa or tortillas. They are commonly sold at street stalls, markets and local eateries and include foods such as tacos, quesadillas, sopes, gorditas, tlacoyos and tostadas.
What street food should I try in Mexico City?
Some must-try street foods in Mexico City include tacos al pastor, quesadillas, sopes, huaraches, gorditas, tlacoyos and tostadas. You’ll find many variations depending on the neighborhood and vendor.
What is the most popular street food in Mexico City?
Tacos are one of Mexico City’s most iconic street foods. Tacos al pastor and suadero are particularly associated with the city’s everyday taco culture, alongside many other regional and local styles.
Are antojitos the same as Mexican street food?
Not exactly. Antojitos are a category of casual Mexican dishes and snacks. Many are sold as street food, but you can also find them in markets, fondas, taquerías and restaurants.
Where can I find street food in Mexico City’s Historic Center?
Street stalls, taquerías, traditional markets and small local eateries can be found throughout the Historic Center. Exploring the area on foot is an easy way to combine sightseeing with discovering different Mexican foods.
Is Mexican street food always spicy?
No. The dish itself isn’t necessarily spicy. Much of the heat comes from the salsa added afterward, so travelers who aren’t used to spicy food can ask about the heat level before adding it.
Ready to taste Mexico City?
Tacos, quesadillas, sopes, huaraches, gorditas, tlacoyos and tostadas are only the beginning.
The more you walk around Mexico City, the more flavors you’ll discover.
And if you want to experience it all from the heart of downtown, Hostel Barrio Downtown is waiting for you in Mexico City’s Historic Center.
Stay close to the history, culture, nightlife — and, most importantly for this adventure, plenty of incredible Mexican food.
Come hungry.
See you in the Barrio! 🌮🇲🇽
