Mercado de San Juan ★ 4.6
Mercado de San Juan in Mexico City is the gourmet specialty market on Ernesto Pugibet in Centro Historico, the city's only such market with exotic meats.
A whole steamed tamal slipped inside a soft bolillo roll, the carb-on-carb breakfast Chilangos eat at dawn from street tamaleros. Heretical outside Mexico City, well-regarded within.
The guajolota is a Mexico City invention from the late 19th century, born of the city's tamalero street trade. The name comes from the Nahuatl guajolote (turkey), a joke about fattening up the eater. By the early 20th century, the format had become the canonical pre-work breakfast for working-class Chilangos; tamaleros set up at metro exits and bus stops by 5am every weekday. The most common fillings are rajas con queso, mole negro, salsa verde con pollo, and dulce de fresa for the sweet version. Costs 20 to 30 pesos at street level; the format is unique to Mexico City and considered insane by the rest of Mexico.
5 editor picks for Guajolota (Torta de tamal) in Mexico City, ranked by editorial score. All Mexico City signature dishes · Guajolota (Torta de tamal) across every city.
Mercado de Coyoacan ★ 4.5
Mercado de Coyoacan in Mexico City is the southern neighbourhood market on Ignacio Allende near the Frida Kahlo Museum, a 350-vendor traditional market.
Mercado Roma ★ 4.3
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.
Mercado Medellin ★ 4.3
Mercado Medellin in Mexico City is the Roma Sur Latin American import market on Campeche, the pan-Latin grocery hall with Cuban, Colombian and Argentine.
Tamales Dona Emi ★ 4.2
Tamales Dona Emi in Mexico City is the Roma Norte morning tamal cart on the corner of Alvaro Obregon and Cordoba, the weekday breakfast stand that wraps.
OrderA guajolota (tamal in a torta) with atole de fresa; one tamal mole on the side.
TipOpen until the masa is gone, usually by noon. Cash only; the regulars start queueing at 07:30 on weekdays.
Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide
Guajolota (Torta de tamal) makes more sense with someone from Mexico City explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Book food experiences in Mexico City
Guided tour · 4 hours
Mexico City: Roma Norte Food Walking Tour
A mouthwatering walk of contemporary Mexican food. Taste the flavors that the chefs have created at some of Colonia Roma’s best specialty restaurants, sharing their st...
from$110 Check dates
Guided tour · 5 hours
Mexico City: Authentic Downtown Food Tour
Eat and walk through Downtown Mexico City, tasting the best traditional Mexican food whilst discovering foodie secret gems.
from$115 Check dates
6 hours
Mexico City: Cooking Class & Market Tour at Casa Jacaranda
Pioneers of Mexico City's original market tour & cooking experience. Professional chefs, authentic recipes, small groups, and the hospitality that makes Casa Jacaranda...
from$235 Check dates