Slow-braised beef in dried-chili and spice consommé, served in deep bowls with the broth, raw onion, cilantro, and lime, or stuffed into tortillas dipped in the orange fat to make quesabirria tacos.
Birria originated in Jalisco in the 17th century as a method for cooking the tough meat of Spanish-brought sheep; the dish moved north to Tijuana with beef, then exploded internationally as quesabirria around 2018. Mexico City's birria boom is more recent (post-2020) with stands in Roma, Condesa, and the markets serving Tijuana-style quesabirria alongside the Jalisco-original beef consommé.
6 editor picks for Birria de Res in Mexico City, ranked by editorial score. All Mexico City signature dishes · Birria de Res across every city.
Los Cocuyos ★ 4.7
centro-historico · Bolivar 56, Centro Historico, Cuauhtemoc, 06000 Ciudad de Mexico
Los Cocuyos in Mexico City is the 24-hour Centro Historico taqueria on Bolivar since 1980, the Bib Gourmand counter known for melting suadero, longaniza.
El Hidalguense ★ 4.5
roma-norte · Calle Campeche 155, Roma Sur, Cuauhtemoc, 06760 Ciudad de Mexico
El Hidalguense in Mexico City is the Roma Sur weekend-only barbacoa pit on Campeche, the Hidalgo-style maguey-pit lamb that fills the room from Friday.
Mercado Roma ★ 4.3
roma-norte · Queretaro 225, Roma Norte, Cuauhtemoc, 06700 Ciudad de Mexico
Mercado Roma in Mexico City is the Roma Norte gourmet food hall on Queretaro, a three-floor market with 50-plus vendors covering Mexican, Italian, Venezuelan.
El Bajio ★ 4.3
polanco · Alejandro Dumas 7, Polanco IV Seccion, Miguel Hidalgo, 11550 Ciudad de Mexico
El Bajio in Mexico City is chef Carmen Titita Ramirez's Veracruz-rooted regional Mexican kitchen with locations across the city, with the Polanco branch.
El Califa Condesa ★ 4.3
condesa · Altata 22, Condesa, Cuauhtemoc, 06100 Ciudad de Mexico
El Califa in Mexico City is the Condesa taqueria chain on Altata since 1980, the late-night al carbon counter that runs to 04:00 and is the standard Condesa.
Tortas El Cuadrilatero ★ 4.2
centro-historico · Luis Moya 73, Centro, Cuauhtemoc, 06000 Ciudad de Mexico
Tortas El Cuadrilatero in Mexico City is the Centro torta counter on Luis Moya opened in 1991 by the family of luchador Super Astro, walls covered in masks.