Mexican Food: Authentic Dishes You Need to Try

When we travel, we put good food at the top of our list—and Mexican food delivers in abundance. Mexican cuisine offers a rich blend of indigenous staples like corn, beans, and chilli peppers, infused with Spanish influence to create the vibrant culinary scene we know today. As we explored different regions, we discovered mouthwatering local dishes you absolutely need to try. (Don’t worry—we’ve got a separate list just for tacos!) Now that we’ve uncovered these regional gems, we’re constantly on the lookout for them back in London to remind us of how tantalising the Mexican food culture is! You can check out our detailed itinerary and food adventures during our 2 weeks in Mexico here!

These pork tacos are made using a traditional Mayan technique. Specifically, the cochinita comes from rare black hairless pigs raised by the Mayans, while the pibil refers to the underground oven used for cooking. Wrapped in soft tortillas, then topped with pickled red onions and paired exquisitely with salsa, these tacos deliver an authentic taste of Yucatán cuisine—making them one of Mexico’s most iconic regional dishes.

Best place to get it: Chef Rosalia Chay, Yaxunah

Granted, you can find cochinita pibil elsewhere—but this is more than just a meal; it’s a top-notch culinary experience. Chef Rosalia warmly welcomes you into her home, offering a rare glimpse into Mayan culture through her food. Just a short 45-minute drive from Chichen Itza, this unforgettable experience is well worth adding to your itinerary when visiting the famous archaeological site. And if you recognise Rosalia from the Netflix series Chef’s Table BBQ, then visiting her in person to savour her mouth-watering traditional cochinita pibil is an absolute must.

Excellent (and cheaper) alternative: Taqueria El Trigrillo, Valladolid

A tlayuda is a large, thin, crispy corn tortilla from Oaxaca, often referred to as a “Mexican pizza.” Street vendors and restaurants grill the tortilla to a golden crisp, then slather it with refried beans, crumble on rich Oaxaca cheese, and pile it high with your choice of meats—like chorizo, tasajo, or cecina—alongside fresh lettuce, avocado, and salsa. Each bite delivers a smoky, savoury crunch that showcases the bold flavours of Oaxacan street food. Locals and visitors alike seek out this beloved dish for its satisfying texture and shareable size—perfect for a casual night out or a vibrant market meal.

Best place to get it: Las Tlayudas de Mina y Bustamante, Oaxaca

It is an unassuming stand near the Mercado 20 de Noviembre, but it was the best tlayudas we had the whole trip. We got ours with beef and chorizo, and the meat to tortilla ratio was perfect. You’ve also never tasted cheese like Oaxaca cheese before. It’s stringy, buttery, and slightly salty, a definite must for cheese lovers.

Great alternative: Casa Oaxaca Antojitos, Valladolid. This local gem also made the list of our top 5 restaurants in Mexico!

A breakfast staple among Mexican food variety. It consists of fried corn tortilla pieces cooked in salsa, accompanied with a mixture of beans, cream, cheese and protein. Chilaquiles delivers the perfect balance of texture and bold, zesty flavour. This comforting dish is a local favourite on Mexican morning tables and a must-try for anyone looking to start their day with a taste of tradition.

Best place to get it: The jungle themed La Cueva del Chango, Playa Del Carmen

Ordered with eggs your way and your choice of sauce. The waitress allowed us to order two sauces. Watch out because they can get spicy!

Excellent alternative: Panaderia Rosetta, Mexico City

A marquesita is a dessert originating in the Yucatan region consisting of a thin crepe filled with spread and fruit and rolled into a thin pipe and topped with cheese. These crispy treats offer a perfect blend of crunch, saltiness, and sweetness. If you’re a sweet tooth like me, you’d LOVE this.

Best place to get it: An unassuming marquesitas stand, Guerra’s, Bacalar

We ordered ours with nutella and asked for less cheese. The vendor spread the crepe so thin that each crispy shard shattered with every bite—an absolute treat to savour!

A protein filling inside corn dough, wrapped in corn husk or bamboo leaves. Whether it’s mole, shredded meats, cheese, or vegetables, each tamale reflects the region’s local ingredients and traditions. You’ll often find them in morning markets or as comfort food during special celebrations—steaming hot and ready to delight. We absolutely loved the yellow mole tamale—it quickly became our favourite and stood out as the best tamale we had during our entire trip.

Best place to get it: From a street vendor Tamales Doña Mari, Oaxaca

We ordered the yellow mole tamale, wrapped in fragrant banana leaves, while the green and red mole tamales came tucked in traditional corn husks. Some vendors also serve tamales in a baguette for a delicious twist. The stand offered an English menu and served atole—a warm, comforting corn-based drink perfect for pairing with tamales.

Good alternative: Cafe De Tacuba, Mexico City

We cannot talk about Mexican food without the mentioning of their moles. Growing up in the western world, I only knew guacamole and never imagined the incredible variety of mole sauces. (Technically, guacamole isn’t a mole since it’s not cooked like traditional Mexican sauces.) Each mole delivers a unique flavour profile, shaped by the choice of peppers and added ingredients. When poured over meats or tamales, mole layers smoky, sweet, and savoury notes that highlight the richness of Mexican cuisine—every version tells its own regional story. I especially loved the yellow mole, which stood out over the black mole we tried in Oaxaca, with its more complex balance of sweet and savoury.

Best guacamole: Casa Oaxaca Antojitos, Valladolid

Most interesting mole: shrimp with guava mole at Levadura de Olla, Oaxaca. This one Michelin star restaurant ranks number 1 in our top 5 restaurants in Mexico!

Complex mole: Negro mole at Restaurante Las Quince Letras, Oaxaca

From savoury street snacks to hearty traditional meals, Mexico’s regional dishes left a lasting impression on our taste buds—and our hearts. Each bite told a story of heritage, community, and flavour passed down through generations. We hope this list inspires your own Mexican food adventures. Let us know which dishes you loved, or if we’ve missed any must-tries. ¡Buen provecho! 🌮🇲🇽