Tamales in Mexico City 2024
Tamales are a very traditional in many parts of Latin America, however, in Mexico they are not only during a special celebration or holiday, Tamales here in Mexico City are the breakfast of millions of people every day, so being a traditional breakfast it is something you must try during your trip.
One thing you should know about tamales, is that for us as Mexicans they are part of our breakfast and also for some people during dinner, but never during lunch, that’s why if you want to get tamales it should always be in the morning and probably before 10 or 11 am or with the people on a bicycle selling tamales during the evening.
Where to eat Tamales in Mexico City?
If you want to try tamales during your visit to Mexico City, we decided to share with you 3 places where to eat them.
These are very easy to identify because in the mornings in the streets of Mexico City, you will see the huge pots with steam and a small table with plastic cups or also with pastries or sandwiches, because in these small stands people provide various breakfast options or you can also hear them through your window with a speaker with a loud volume and pedaling a cargo bike with pots full of Tamales.
This is the recording that will tell you that there is a tamales vendor on the way, click on the video.
Normally you will find 4 flavors which are the most known and traditional ones:
- Green (Green sauce with chicken)
- Red (Mole with chicken)
- Rajas (Red Sauce with sliced Poblano Pepper)
- Dulce (basically means sweet)
I recommend that if you have the opportunity to try them, because it is quite an experience to see the bike or the stand with all the food they can offer for the price, just remember that as they are usually moving all the time by bike and their price is very cheap, you may not be a big fan of tamales at that time, but that is why we share more options with a more gourmet flavor.
The price of a tamale on the street is between $15 to $20 Mexican pesos, which is about 75 cents or 1 dollar (USD).
This is a wonderful place that brings tamales to a different level, because, although it is something traditional from the streets, here in Tamales Madre they have been able to combine the flavors and especially the different types of corn we have in a delicious dish such as the tamale. Every day they make *nixtamal, grinding and dough to make a unique variety of tamales. Using only creole corn and fresh, local ingredients.
We think that in Mexico City is one of the few places where you will find tamales with these traditional flavors with a gourmet touch. All tamales are very tasty but we recommend you:
- Frijol y Hierba Santa : Filled with savory bean paste, paired with tomato “caldillo”.
- Mole y Plátano Macho: Filled and bathed with different “moles”.
Also, you can ask for the seasonal “Tamal” that may surprise you depending on the time of the year.
Price per “Tamal” is around $70 Mexican pesos, which is about $3.5 USD.
Service Hours –Tuesday to Sunday
8:00 AM – 18:00 PM
44th Liverpool Street, Col. Juarez, Cuauhtemoc,
06600 Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico
Website: https://tamalesmadre.com
We love these tamales because we think they have a perfect balance between a traditional street food flavor and a gourmet tamal. The place is super simple but do not get carried away by the appearance because the taste of the tamales they serve here is delicious, plus this business was established more than 65 years ago and you can simply tell that they have improved their recipe with the experience they have acquired.
That’s why these tamales are part of our Street Food Bike Tour in Mexico City, because for us they are the most delicious tamales in the city, and this stop gives us the opportunity not only to share the process of how to make the tamales, but also so you can meet the Tamales Doña Emi team and ask them about the history of the place, the flavors, how it all started, etc.
Also, we love to share this stop with our guests as it gives us the opportunity to talk about the history of Tamales, all the flavors that exist, what is the way we eat a Tamal in Mexico City and of course the traditional drink called “Atole” which simply a Tamale and an Atole in Mexico we think is the perfect combination, as the “Atole” is also a pre-Hispanic hot drink made with corn that we Mexicans drink, which I could describe it as if it was a drink you would have at Christmas time.
In a nutshell, you simply have to try it.
Service Hours –Tuesday to Sunday
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Jalapa without number, corner, Cda. Tlaxcala, Roma Sur, Cuauhtémoc, 06760 Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico
What else to do in Mexico City?
Explore over 200 neighborhoods in Mexico City effortlessly on a bike. Avoid traffic and parking hassles, delve into the city’s parks, savor street food, and immerse yourself in its stories and vibrant culture. Check out these bike-friendly options, and click ‘More Info’ to discover further details about our tours and guest experiences.
Below, you can also find videos featuring our foodie guests during the tour and their reactions to tasting authentic Mexican street food.
Street Food Tour Reactions
Get in touch
164 Sonora Avenue, Condesa Neighborhood ZIP Code 06100, Mexico-City
Phone: +52 55 4001 3430
Email: [email protected]
Mon-Sat 09:00 - 19:00
Sunday 10:00 - 14:00
