Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Steamed corn masa parcels wrapped in corn husk or banana leaf, filled with chicken in mole, pork in red or green salsa, rajas con queso or sweet versions with strawberry. Eaten with atole for breakfast.
Tamales date to Pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica, originally a portable food for the Aztec army made from nixtamalised corn masa wrapped in corn husks. Spanish lard transformed the texture after 1521. The modern Mexico City tamal includes the corn-husk style of the highlands and the banana-leaf style brought from Veracruz and Oaxaca. The Feria del Tamal runs every January 29 to February 2 at the Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares in Coyoacan for Candelaria.
4 editor picks for Tamales in Mexico City, ranked by editorial score. All Mexico City signature dishes · Tamales across every city.
Also in: Albuquerque, San Antonio.
El Cardenal in Mexico City is the Briz family's 1969 Centro Historico room on Palma, the traditional Mexican breakfast institution where hot chocolate.
OrderThe hot chocolate with pan de nata; chiles en nogada when in season July to September.
TipOpen 08:00-18:00; the Centro location seats four floors and still queues by 09:30 on Sunday morning.
Azul Historico in Mexico City is chef Ricardo Munoz Zurita's traditional Mexican kitchen inside the courtyard of the Downtown Mexico hotel on Isabel la.
OrderThe mole negro from Oaxaca; the cochinita pibil tacos.
TipSit in the open courtyard under the Indian laurel; ask for the table closest to the fountain. Brunch lasts till 17:00 weekends.
Cafe de Tacuba in Mexico City is the Mollinedo family's 1912 Centro Historico room on Tacuba, the colonial-palace dining hall that defines traditional.
OrderThe enchiladas de mole; the tamales served with hot chocolate.
TipOpen daily 08:00-23:00. The Sunday strolling student trio singing Aztec songs starts around 13:00; mariachi runs evenings.
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.
Tamales makes more sense with someone from Mexico City explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 4 hours
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...
Guided tour · 5 hours
Eat and walk through Downtown Mexico City, tasting the best traditional Mexican food whilst discovering foodie secret gems.
6 hours
Pioneers of Mexico City's original market tour & cooking experience. Professional chefs, authentic recipes, small groups, and the hospitality that makes Casa Jacaranda...
