Where to Eat the 7 Best Tacos in Roma and Condesa

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The list of the best tacos in Roma and Condesa was seriously hard to narrow down, but these seven spots just stand out above the rest.  

From sticky carnitas tacos eaten by one of the top chefs in the country to barbacoa so special it’s only served on weekends and everything in between, this article will take you on an unforgettable food journey through Mexico City’s most popular neighborhoods.

Ready to go?

Skip the food tours and chow down on your own DIY adventure with this guide to the best tacos in Roma and Condesa!

 

Tacos El Azul: The Vibe

 

1. Tacos El Azul

Av Chapultepec 317, Juárez, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Best for: Carnitas (pork) tacos
Large tacos are 13 mxn / .67 usd each

If you can only eat one taco in Roma and Condesa, please, please make it the mouthwatering carnitas from Tacos El Azul.

Articles around the web (from reputable sources like Parts Unknown, Anthony Bourdain’s travel show) claim that this is Mexican chef Enrique Olvera’s favorite carnitas in Mexico City. (If you don’t know who that is, a quick Google search will convince you that his word is gold.) 

I can’t find the interview where he says it himself, but does it matter? I ate here and it changed my life. Tacos El Azul has 21 Google reviews, so it’s truly a hidden gem in Mexico City. 

 

Tacos El Azul: The Tacos

 

Impress your friends and bring them to this humble taco shop where you’ll quickly learn that there isn’t only one type of meat when you butcher up a pig – beyond the carnitas meat you’re familiar with, you can also eat the stomach, the liver, the shoulder, and much, much more. 

I ordered three tacos: the carnitas, the costilla (rib), and for the last, I asked for a recommendation and was given a taco mixto with a bit of everything. Squeeze the lime on them, douse them in the homemade salsa (that’s not too spicy, especially by Mexican standards) and enjoy.

These are the carnitas tacos you’ll be telling your grandkids about. 

 

Tacos Don Juan: The Vibe

 

2. Tacos Don Juan

Calle Juan Escutia 35, Colonia Condesa, 06140 Cuauhtémoc, CDMX, Mexico

Best for: Trying a variety of taco types
Tacos start at 24 mxn / 1.25 usd each 

Tacos Don Juan serves up some of my favorite tacos in Roma and Condesa and they’re a great place to stop by because they don’t specialize in anything – everything here is good. 

Take a look around at what other people are eating for inspiration (I’m not to shy to ask people what they’ve ordered) and get two or three of these delicious beasts. It’s standing room only, and the service is fast. 

 

Tacos Don Juan: The Tacos

 

Once you get your tacos, load them up from the salsa bar (be careful, in Mexico City the green salsa is much spicier than the red, unlike most people are used to from the US and the rest of the world), squeeze some fresh lime on them, and chow down.

Then, head back to the counter to order more. 

 

Las Costillas: The Vibe

 

3. Las Costillas

Eje 2 Sur, Calle Juan Escutia 104, Colonia Condesa, 06140 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Best for: Costilla (t-bone) tacos, as the name implies
Tacos are 3 for 80 mxn / 4.15 usd

Las Costillas is the kind of place you can smell before you see.

Sometimes the nose just knows, and the first time I passed by Las Costillas on an evening walk I immediately made a note of it to return to again because the scent was so heavenly. Luckily, the flavor didn’t disappoint either. 

 

Las Costillas: The Tacos

 

Packed even on a rainy evening, Las Costillas serves up a wide range of taco types but the t-bone costilla tacos with cheese are their specialty.

The tacos are small, but every order also comes with a bean soup (I recommend adding the salsa on the table to this too) to help you fill-up. Then, it’s on to the main course which I was delighted to see had the cheese grilled on top for extra flavor. 

If you’re going out for lunch or just don’t want a super heavy meal, the smaller serving at Las Costillas is ideal. My mouth is watering just thinking of it!

 

El Hidalguense: The Vibe

 

4. El Hidalguense

Campeche 155, Roma Sur, 06760 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Best for: Lamb barbacoa tacos
Tacos cost 150 mxn /  7.65 usd for an order of three

According to the Taco Chronicles on Netflix (which should be your bible when you travel to this country), the best barbacoa in Mexico is an hour outside of Mexico City in the town of Texcoco. But, El Hidalguense in Roma Sur is a good substitute if you can’t make the trip. 

 

El Hidalguense: The Tacos

 

I tried El Pica 1 in Texcoco and ate at El Hidalguense, and I can honestly say the barbacoa at El Hidalguense is just as good as the first – plus, it’s much easier to reach! The husband and wife duo at El Hidalguense only cook up the lamb tacos on the weekend and they only cook it with agave leaves in the same traditional way as their ancestors before them.  

Expect a wait at the restaurant and expect to get your mind blown. After this, you won’t be able to eat any other restaurants’ poor excuse for barbacoa in the rest of the world, but I count that as a good thing.

 

5. Tacos El Califa / El Farolit0 / El Tizoncito

Altata 22, Hipódromo, 06170 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Best for: Al Pastor tacos

Al pastor tacos are basically synonymous with Mexico City. You’ve probably seen them everywhere without even realizing it: al pastor tacos were brought to Mexico by Lebanese immigrants, so they’re cut off a stack of meat like a kebab and topped with pineapple. 

Diving into the rabbit hole of the best al pastor tacos in Mexico City will have you reading debates for days, but three major chains seemed to be mentioned regularly: El Califa, El Farolito, and El Tizoncito.

While they may not be the absolute best in the city they’re a great place to start because all three have locations in Condesa. So, have fun doing your own al pastor taste test to determine which famous CDMX taco chain is your favorite! 

 

 

Ready to go?

Explore unique stays on Airbnb – like these light-filled lofts in Roma and Condesa – and the top-rated hotels on Booking.com to plan the perfect night, weekend, or long-term stay in Mexico City. 

Then, check out the top food, cultural, and outdoors experiences in Mexico City to round out your itinerary (or, book a multi-day Mexico tour with Intrepid to finish your travel planning in once click!).

 

This article is part of the Mexico City Gluttony Guide. Read the rest below: 

Mexican Food Guide: 101 Mexican Dishes, Drinks, and Desserts

Unique, Traditional, and Top-Rated Restaurants in Mexico

The Complete Guide to Craft Beer in Mexico City

Explore Roma From Above With This DIY Mexico City Rooftop Bar Crawl

Where to Find the 6 Best Coffee Shops in Condesa

Or, check out the complete Mexico Series for 40+ more articles on what to see, do, eat, drink,, and discover in the country.