Whether you’re just starting to explore Mexican food or you’re a longtime fan, our foodie map of Mexico is your ticket to delicious experiences. Suppose you’re in the mood for tasty street tacos filled with savory meats and zesty salsas. Here are some of Mexico’s top food spots and the must-try dishes that will make your visit unforgettable!
Oaxaca: A Food Lover’s Paradise.
If you ask anyone passionate about food where they’ve tasted the best Mexican dishes, they’ll probably tell you it was in Oaxaca. This city is known for its fantastic food scene, mixing flavors from indigenous cultures, Spain, and Africa. One of the stars of Oaxacan cuisine is mole, a rich sauce that comes in seven different varieties. People often rave about enjoying chicken or turkey smothered in mole negro, which is a type of black mole. Making mole takes a lot of time and care, making it feel extra special when you finally enjoy it!
- Tlayuda: Large, thin, crispy tortillas are topped with beans, cheese, meats like beef or cecina, avocado, and salsa. It’s a dish that many people love!
- Moles: complex sauces made from chilies, nuts, seeds, spices, and even chocolate! Each type of mole has its unique taste, ranging from spicy to sweet. It’s worth trying a few different ones when you’re in Oaxaca.
- Quesillo: a stringy cheese made from cow’s milk that is a must-have when shopping for food in Oaxaca.
- Tacos de huitlacoche: Huitlacoche is a unique edible fungus that grows on corn and has a delicious, earthy taste. It’s often cooked with onions and spices and makes for a tasty taco filling.
- Chapulines: or toasted grasshoppers, are a beloved snack in Oaxaca. They’re seasoned with spices like chili and lime, and while you can find them in other parts of Mexico, the freshest ones are said to be in Oaxaca. They’re great mixed with peanuts and enjoyed with a cold beer.
- Tacos dorados, or flautas: corn tortillas filled with meat (like chicken, beef, or pork), rolled up and fried until crispy. They’re usually served with toppings like lettuce, fresh cheese, tomatoes, onions, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.
- Tamales Oaxaqueños: these are tamales stuffed with mole, chicken, pork, or vegetables, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed to perfection.
In Oaxaca, food isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience full of unique flavors and traditions!
Merida: It is genuinely a delightful destination for culture and culinary offerings.
Mérida is a delightful destination for its culture and culinary offerings. Mérida, the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán, is a vibrant and culturally rich city steeped in history and tradition. I loved this city, especially the plazas and squares that are bustling with families spending time together in the evenings. The cuisine in Mérida was fantastic and very diverse.
- Panuchos: Tortillas stuffed with beans and topped with meat and vegetables.
- Sopa de lima: A clear chicken soup infused with lime juice, giving it a zesty and refreshing flavor. It typically includes shredded chicken, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices, often garnished with avocado slices, cilantro, and crispy tortilla strips for the crunch texture.
- Papadzules: Rolled tortillas stuffed with hard-boiled eggs and covered in toasted pumpkin seed sauce and tomato sauce, usually served with rice and beans.
- Tacos: There are many charming little taco houses (taquerías) in Mérida, offering a wide variety of fillings and toppings, but the local favorite is the brick-red pork called Cochinita Pibil that’s been slow roasted in bitter oranges.
San Cristóbal de las Casas: Is a charming city in the southern part of Mexico, in Chiapas.
This beautiful colonial town is nestled in a highland valley and boasts a vibrant food scene that reflects local customs and ingredients. One of the highlights of San Cristóbal is its outstanding coffee, which is made from beans grown right in the area. As you stroll through the narrow, cobblestone streets, you’ll notice women and girls dressed in traditional attire selling colorful handmade blouses and crafts. You’ll also find a tempting array of homemade sweets at every turn. Now, let’s explore some delicious local dishes you absolutely must taste.
- Sopa de Pan Chiapaneca: Is a hearty bread soup made with chicken broth, epazote, and vegetables. Topped with cheese.
- Chocolate Chiapaneco: Chiapas is famous for its high-quality cacao, and the local hot chocolate is particularly thick, rich, and hard to resist!
- Tamales Chiapanecos: Tamales are a classic in Chiapas cuisine, often filled with a delicious mixture of mole sauce, chicken, and potatoes, all wrapped in banana leaves for extra flavor.
- Café de Olla: This is a traditional Mexican coffee brewed with cinnamon and unrefined brown sugar molded into cone shapes called piloncillo, giving it a unique, sweet taste.
Veracruz: Vibrant flavors and culinary traditions of Mexico and Agustin Lara´s Hometown.
Veracruz boasts a delicious and vibrant cuisine that fuses flavors from various cultures, including local traditions, Spanish influences, African roots, and Caribbean tastes. Seafood plays a significant role in many popular dishes, with highlights such as fresh catches like red snapper and shrimp. Agustin Lara, regarded as a musical poet in Mexico, was born in Tlacotalpan and composed many songs celebrating its beauty.
- Enchiladas Veracruzanas: These are tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken or cheese, rolled up, and covered in a flavorful tomato sauce made with onions, garlic, and chili. They can be baked or fried until golden brown and usually topped with garnishes like avocado, cheese, and crema.
- Mojo de Ajo: This is a delicious sauce made with garlic, olive oil, and lime juice. It pairs perfectly with freshly grilled seafood.
- Huachinango a la Veracruzana: This dish features fresh fish, typically snapper, cooked in a tasty tomato sauce with olives, capers, onions, garlic, and a mix of herbs and spices.
- Caldo de Mariscos: A hearty seafood soup that includes a variety of shellfish, fish, and vegetables simmered in a flavorful broth.
