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What to eat in Mexico? Top 100 Mexican Foods

Last update: Sun Apr 27 2025
Top 100 Mexican Foods
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Mexican Foods

01
Quesabirria
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Quesabirria is a popular Mexican street food dish, a fusion between birria (a traditional Mexican meat stew) and quesadillas. The dish originates from Tijuana and typically consists of large tortillas filled with birria-style cooked meat (usually beef) and a generous amount of melted cheese.


The tortillas are cooked on the stove until the cheese melts and the outside of the tortilla becomes crispy. Quesabirria is often accompanied by a side of broth, or consomé, for dipping, adding another layer of flavor to the dish.

MOST ICONIC Quesabirria

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02
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Esquites is the name for popular Mexican street food that is usually consumed as a snack on the go. It is made with mature corn kernels, epazote, and salt. Corn is either grilled and shaved, or cooked with epazote, and it is then typically served in small cups, topped with chili peppers, lime juice, or cotija cheese.


Sour cream, mayonnaise, and pequin chili powder are sometimes served on the side so everyone can add the ingredients according to personal preferences. The name esquites is derived from the Nahuatl word izquitl, meaning toasted corn.

MOST ICONIC Esquites

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03

Pork Dish

YUCATÁN, Mexico
4.6
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Cochinita pibil is a Mexican pork dish originating from Yucatan. Pork is marinated in a combination of annatto paste, bitter orange juice, and garlic. It is slowly baked and then shredded and served on tortillas, tacos, or on its own with shallots, pickled onions, salsa, and various roasted vegetables.


Cochinita pibil is characterized by the red color of the meat, imparted by the annatto seeds from the marinade. Originally, pork was wrapped in banana leaves prior to baking, but today a foil or any other suitable wrapping can be used instead. Since cochinita means baby pig, and pibil means buried or underground, it acts as a proof that the original recipe used a whole suckling pig that was buried in a pit for roasting. 

MOST ICONIC Cochinita pibil

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04

Pork Dish

SINALOA, Mexico
4.6
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Chilorio is a Sinaloan dish consisting of fried pulled pork meat that is cooked in chili sauce and spices such oregano, garlic, and cumin. Originally, it was used as a way to preserve meat, but today it is usually used as a filling for numerous Mexican specialties such as tacos or enchiladas.


If chilorio is served as a main dish, it is traditionally accompanied by salsa, guacamole, Mexican rice, or refried beans on the side.

MOST ICONIC Chilorio

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05
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Antojitos (lit. little cravings) refers to a variety of Mexican foods that are prepared in market stalls and on the streets. Due to the fact that formal, substantial meals are consumed in the mid-afternoon, most antojitos are eaten either in the morning or the evening.


Typical antojitos include fajitas, tortas, tamales, tacos, tostadas, tlayudas, elote, chalupas, gorditas, empalmes, quesadillas, cemitas, empanadas, pambazo, chilaquiles, and nachos. However, vegetables, fruits, and soups such as pozole and menuda are also classified as antojitos. 
06
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Guacamole is a world-famous buttery delicacy dating back all the way to the Aztec empire of the 1500s. It’s a healthy blend of ripe, mashed avocados, onions, chiles, optional tomatillos and selected seasonings such as sea salt and coriander.


The star of this incredibly simple dish is the avocado, high in unsaturated fat, potassium, vitamins, minerals and protein, its name stemming from the Aztec ahuacatl, meaning testicle or testicle tree, which is why it was believed that it was an aphrodisiac by the Aztecs.


Guacamole is sometimes prepared in the molcajete, a traditional Mexican mortar and pestle where onions, chiles, and salt are ground to a paste and added to the coarsely mashed avocados. Of course, guacamole is only as good as the avocados it is prepared with, and among the best are the nutty and creamy Hass and smooth Fuerte avocados. 

MOST ICONIC Guacamole

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07
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Barbacoa is a term that is mostly associated with Mexico and refers to an ancient technique of cooking meat in underground ovens. There are numerous regional varieties, which usually differ in the type of meat or the cut, but the most common options include lamb, goat, or mutton—and animal heads are traditionally regarded as a favorite barbacoa specialty. Mexican barbacoa involved digging a hole in the ground, lining the bottom and the sides with rocks, and adding a layer of burning wood, which would then be covered with agave leaves.


They would then place the meat on the leaves, and the hole would be covered and sealed. An additional flame would be lit on top to keep animals away, and the meat would be left to cook overnight. Throughout history, the word barbacoa has been associated with numerous meanings. 

MOST ICONIC Barbacoa

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08

Pork Dish

MICHOACÁN, Mexico
4.5
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

Originating from the Mexican state of Michoacán, carnitas is a flavorful dish made from pork (usually front sections or pork shoulder) that is braised, roasted, or slow-cooked in its own fat for a long time until fully tender and succulent.


The heat is then turned up until the meat is crispy on the exterior and can be shredded. Carnitas, which translates to little meats, is often served with tortillas, accompanied by salsas, beans, guacamole, lime, or fresh vegetables. In Michoacán, carnitas are found everywhere from street stalls to upscale restaurants, although the dish is more often made for special occasions such as Christmas, anniversaries, or birthdays. 

MOST ICONIC Carnitas

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09
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Chilaquiles are, at their most basic, an assembly of fried tortilla pieces drenched in chili sauce with optional meat and vegetables. The dish is popular both in Mexico and the United States as a great way to use up leftover, stale tortillas. The name of the dish is derived from chil-a-quilitl, meaning greens or herbs in a chili broth.


Today, there is a great number of regional variations of the dish, so in Sinaloa it is prepared with a white sauce, and in Mexico City, the dish is traditionally topped with epazote sprigs.

MOST ICONIC Chilaquiles

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10

Soup

YUCATÁN, Mexico
4.5
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A traditional dish from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, sopa de lima is a spicy, flavorful chicken and tomato soup, contrary to its name that would make one think limes are the main ingredient in the dish. However, the soup is flavored with unique, bittersweet Yucatan limes and spicy habanero peppers.


Since native Yucatan limes are scattered throughout the peninsula, it is no wonder that they are incorporated in numerous recipes of Yucatecan cuisine. A hearty, healthy soup from a warm climate, sopa de lima is also great as a winter comfort food.


Although the origins of this soup are still a mystery, some food historians claim that it was most likely derived from an ancient Mayan dish.

MOST ICONIC Sopa de lima

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11
Soup
SONORA, Mexico
4.5
12
Street Food Sweets
GUADALAJARA, Mexico
4.5
13
14
Vegetable Soup
MICHOACÁN, Mexico
4.5
15
16
17
Cheese
OAXACA, Mexico
4.4
18
Wrap
MEXICO CITY, Mexico
4.4
19
Appetizer
SINALOA, Mexico
4.4
20
21
22
Wrap
CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Mexico  and  one more region
4.3
23
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26
Cheese
CHIHUAHUA, Mexico
4.3
27
28
29
Snack
YUCATÁN, Mexico
4.3
30
Street Food
OAXACA, Mexico
4.3
31
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36
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40
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42
43
44
Pancake
MEXICO  and  3 more countries
4.2
45
Snack
OAXACA, Mexico
4.2
46
Meat Soup
GUADALAJARA, Mexico
4.2
47
48
49
Vegetable Soup
PUEBLA DE ZARAGOZA, Mexico
4.2
50
Street Food
SANTO DOMINGO TEHUANTEPEC, Mexico
4.2
51
Snack
PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Mexico
4.1
52
Meat Dish
MEXICO  and  one more region
4.1
53
54
Appetizer
PUEBLA DE ZARAGOZA, Mexico
4.1
55
Goat Dish
MONTERREY, Mexico
4.1
56
Dessert
COLIMA CITY, Mexico
4.1
57
Snack
CULIACÁN, Mexico
4.1
58
59
60
61
62
Egg Dish
YUCATÁN, Mexico
4.1
63
64
65
Street Food
YUCATÁN, Mexico  and  one more country
4.1
66
67
Hot Dog
HERMOSILLO, Mexico
4.1
68
Flatbread
OAXACA, Mexico
4.1
69
Snack
MICHOACÁN, Mexico
4.1
70
71
Snack
ZACATECAS CITY, Mexico
4.1
72
73
74
Snack
PUEBLA DE ZARAGOZA, Mexico
4.0
75
76
Cheese
COTIJA DE LA PAZ, Mexico
4.0
77
78
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81
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84
Cookie
HERMOSILLO, Mexico
4.0
85
Pork Dish
YUCATÁN, Mexico
4.0
86
87
Salad
TIJUANA, Mexico
3.9
88
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90
Stew
MEXICO  and  2 more regions
3.9
91
92
93
Egg Dish
MOTUL DE CARRILLO PUERTO, Mexico
3.9
94
95
Rice Dish
MEXICO  and  4 more regions
3.8
96
97
Cheese
JALISCO, Mexico
3.8
98
99
Soup
TLALPAN, Mexico
3.8
100
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Mexican Food Products

01
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AWARDS

USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy

2023, 2022, 2021

USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100

2023, 2022, 2021

02
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Vago Ensamble de Barro is from Sola de Vega and has a soft bouquet of pine needles and fertile earth. Its full body has an essence of charred cinnamon and finishes with notes of pumpkin and chestnuts. Each release of this bottle has drastic differences in the percentages of each type of agave that is used.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024, 2023

USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100

2023, 2022

USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy

2022

03
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Cierto Private Collection Reposado is an exquisite tequila crafted from 100% Blue Weber agave, grown in Jalisco's Highlands. Aged for 11 months in French Limousin oak casks, this reposado delivers a smooth and refined experience with layered flavors.


The initial notes of butterscotch and cooked agave evolve into hints of caramel and finish with a warm cinnamon spice, offering a rich and balanced taste profile.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024, 2023

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024, 2023

SWSC - Singapore World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2023

04
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Tequila Ocho Plata is a premium, 100% blue agave tequila known for its high quality and distinct taste. It is produced in small batches at the Ocho distillery, which is known for crafting tequilas with unique flavors that reflect the terroir of the agave plants used.


The Plata expression is unaged, offering a crisp and fresh flavor profile with notes of citrus, pepper, and agave. It's typically enjoyed neat or in cocktails like margaritas.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024, 2023

USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100

2022, 2020

USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy

2020

05
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Don Fulano Reposado is the great representative of the spirit of Don Fulano: a marriage of mature highland agave with French limousine oak. It’s rich and buttery, yet strangely delicate and ethereal at the same time. Cooked agave fully expresses itself and blends seamlessly with an herbal sweetness, hints of mature fruit compote and dark chocolate.


There’s also a slight spice element which emerges from its delicate finish. A joy to sip on its own, paired with food or in a great cocktail.
AWARDS

USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy

2023, 2022

USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100

2023, 2022

06
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1800 Milenio is a luxury tequila crafted from 100% Weber blue agave and carefully aged in French Oak Cognac barrels. This extra-aged tequila offers a balanced and unique flavor profile with notes of vanilla, red fruit, and cinnamon, and a smooth finish with hints of mint chocolate.


Milenio is the pinnacle of 1800 Tequila’s craftsmanship, embodying both tradition and innovation.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding

2024, 2022

07

Spirit

SAN LUIS POTOSÍ, Mexico
4.8
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Desolas Mezcal Blanco is delicately hand crafted from the Salmiana Agave in San Luis Potosi, Mexico creating a unique mezcal with a botanical and fresh aroma and smooth and balanced taste. Desolas is a brand that is inspired by traditional time-honored techniques of mezcal production, the artisanal process of crafting the agave spirit, the natural elements of the sun and the land, and a focus on the deliberate journey of creation and discovery.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024, 2023

08

Spirit

OAXACA DE JUÁREZ, Mexico
4.8
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As corn and agave are the essence of rural Mexico, Elote celebrates the importance of both to our heritage, culture and daily life. The adding of another ingredient before final distillation is typical of a traditional celebrational mezcal.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy

2020

USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100

2020

09
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Tequila Ocho Reposado is a premium tequila made from 100% blue agave. It is aged in oak barrels for a few months, giving it a smooth, rich flavor with hints of caramel, vanilla, and spice. This reposado offers a balanced profile, combining the fresh agave notes of blanco tequila with the complexity from aging.


Ideal for sipping or in cocktails, it showcases the craftsmanship of the Ocho distillery.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024, 2023

10
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AY! AY! AY!® Tequila Blanco is crafted from 100% Blue Agave from the highlands of Jalisco, the birthplace of tequila and mariachi. The spirit is presented in a unique, porcelain bottle inspired by Mexican folklore, decorated with "Papel Picado" elements that celebrate Mexican artistry dating back to 1930.


This tequila offers a crystalline, silver color with flashes of gold, a balanced herbal aroma with notes of agave, dried fruits, and caramel, and an ultra-smooth palate with a crisp finish featuring agave, citrus, and caramel undertones.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

11
Spirit
JESÚS MARÍA, Mexico
4.8
12
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Spirit
JESÚS MARÍA, Mexico
4.8
38
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42
43
44
45
46
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50
51
52
53
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80
81
82
Cheese
SANTIAGO DE QUERÉTARO, Mexico
4.7
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
Spirit
ATOTONILCO EL ALTO, Mexico
4.6
91
92
93
94
95
96
Cheese
TEPATITLÁN DE MORELOS, Mexico
4.6
97
98
Cheese
TEPATITLÁN DE MORELOS, Mexico
4.6
99
Cheese
TEPATITLÁN DE MORELOS, Mexico
4.6
100

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Mexican Foods” list until April 27, 2025, 28,909 ratings were recorded, of which 16,789 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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