Michelin Star Tacos: Elevating Street Food in Mexico City
2024
Where to Find Michelin-Star Tacos
In 2024, after almost 100 years of existence, Michelin stars have arrived in Mexico to recognize our culinary experiences, filled with diversity and richness of ingredients. Distributing 18 stars across Mexico City, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Nuevo León, Baja California, and Baja California Sur. And highlighting, just in our beautiful Mexico City, 62 restaurants. Among these, you can find everything from taquerías (Taco Shop) with an unexpected twist to restaurants offering the most complete dining experiences.
What are the Michelin Stars?
Indeed, Michelin stars originated from the Michelin tire company in France. Michelin stars are now an award given to restaurants that offer a unique and exceptional culinary experience. The criteria for being awarded include the quality of ingredients, harmony of flavors, mastery of technique, the chef’s personality reflected in the dish, and consistency and perseverance over time.
These stars are awarded annually by anonymous judges, hired full-time by Michelin, who were former hospitality professionals. They repeatedly visit the establishments to continuously taste the food and then make a joint decision. Each year, they also ensure that the restaurants that have already received this recognition continue to meet the criteria.
Establishments can receive one, two, or three stars. One star is for those restaurants that, using the highest quality ingredients, prepare dishes with distinct flavors and maintain a consistently high level. Two stars are for those chefs who reflect their inspiration, personality, and talent in their dishes and have a refined kitchen. Three stars, the highest recognition offered by Michelin, are for chefs who elevate cuisine to the level of art and propose dishes that tend to become classics.
Michelin Stars... but what's the story?
It all began in 1889 with the Michelin brothers, who founded their tire company in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Eleven years later, in 1900, the first edition of the Michelin Guide appeared, offering essential information for the adventurous traveler. It included maps, instructions on how to change a tire, and places to stay and eat.
For 20 years, the guide was published for free, until one day in 1920, André Michelin, one of the founders, noticed that a tire shop was using his guides to prop up a workbench. He decided to start charging 7 francs for the guide, believing that people only take care of what they pay for.
Three years later, in 1923, the section “Recommended Hotels and Restaurants” appeared for the first time, including independent restaurants, as previously it only covered hotel restaurants. Sensing the public’s interest, the Michelin brothers decided to recruit “mystery diners,” now known as inspectors, to anonymously evaluate restaurants. In 1926, they began awarding Michelin stars to establishments. Five years later, they introduced the hierarchy of one, two, and three stars, and in 1936, they made the evaluation criteria for earning stars public.
Today, Michelin stars are a global benchmark in gastronomy, thanks to their rigorous selection process and commitment to the public.
In the video, you can see more details how they evolved from being merely a guide by the Michelin tire company to what they are today.
Tacos Michelin Mexico City: Savor the Stars of Street Food
The Michelin Guide is globally renowned for highlighting the best in gastronomy, and Mexico City is no exception. While many associate this guide with expensive, high-end restaurants, it also recognizes affordable spots offering exceptional culinary experiences.
Among the standouts is Taquería El Califa de León, the only one with a Michelin star, known for its exquisite tacos. However, the guide also features several other taquerías that, while starless, deserve mention for their authentic flavors and unique experiences.
In fact, we’ve found the perfect way to explore several of these taquerías—by bike! This allows you to avoid traffic, make the most of your time, and create room to enjoy everything. Click here to discover this experience.
Some of the recommended taquerías include Tacos Charly, Castacán, Los Consentidos del Barrio, Taquería El Jarocho, Cariñito Tacos, Tacos Hola El Güero, Taquería Los Cocuyos, Molino El Pujol, and El Vilsito. Each offers something special, from traditional tacos to innovative flavor combinations.
While these spots aren’t as cheap as street tacos, they aren’t as pricey as fine dining either. It’s exciting to see traditional taquerías being elevated, potentially paving the way for more Michelin-starred taquerías in the future.
The World's First Michelin-Starred Taqueria
In a groundbreaking achievement for street food enthusiasts and culinary aficionados, Taquería El Califa de León in Mexico City has made history by becoming the first taqueria in the world to receive a Michelin star. Under the direction of Chef Arturo Rivera, this humble yet exceptional establishment has elevated the traditional taco to gourmet status, blending authenticity with innovation.
Taquería El Califa de León has long been a beloved spot for locals, known for its commitment to using high-quality ingredients and impeccable preparation techniques. Each taco is crafted with care, featuring freshly made tortillas, meat cooked and seasoned with lime and salt—a tradition in Mexico—and their excellent morita salsa. Chef Rivera’s dedication to preserving the essence of Mexican street food while introducing sophisticated culinary elements has earned his taqueria a place among the world’s finest dining establishments.
The Michelin star awarded to El Califa de León is a testament to the versatility and depth of Mexican cuisine. Whether these are the best tacos or not, time and the public will decide, though it always depends on individual taste.
Note: If you want to try these tacos, go with plenty of time and patience, as now that they have received a Michelin star, the wait can be up to 2 hours standing in line to taste these tacos and there are no reservations.
Mexico City's Michelin Star Restaurants 2024
As we mentioned earlier, in 2024, Michelin stars finally arrived in Mexico, and Mexico City was ready to shine. CDMX proudly boasts seven Michelin-starred restaurants, two of which have even earned two stars. Here are the distinguished establishments:
EM – Chef Lucho Martinez. 1 star.
Chef Lucho Martinez’s EM offers a modern culinary experience that emphasizes creativity and the finest local ingredients.
Sud 777 – Chef Edgar Núñez. 1 star.
Chef Edgar Núñez brings innovative flavors and sustainable practices to Sud 777, creating a dining experience that reflects the vibrant spirit of Mexico.
Esquina Común – Chef Ana Dolores. 1 star.
At Esquina Común, Chef Ana Dolores offers a cozy yet refined atmosphere where traditional Mexican dishes are elevated with modern twists.
Rosetta – Chef Elena Reygadas. 1 star.
Rosetta is celebrated for its sophisticated approach to Mexican cuisine, utilizing seasonal and locally sourced ingredients to craft exquisite dishes that highlight the depth and richness of the country’s culinary traditions.
Taquería El Califa de León – Chef Arturo Rivera. 1 star.
Taquería El Califa de León, under the guidance of Chef Arturo Rivera, has made history as the first taquería in the world to receive a Michelin star. Known for its impeccable tacos, it offers a unique blend of traditional street food with gourmet quality.
Quintonil – Chef Jorge Vallejo. 2 stars.
Chef Jorge Vallejo’s Quintonil is celebrated for its dedication to Mexican ingredients and culinary techniques, earning it two Michelin stars for its exquisite and thoughtful dishes.
Pujol – Chef Enrique Olvera. 2 stars.
Pujol, led by the acclaimed Chef Enrique Olvera, continues to set the standard for Mexican fine dining with its innovative menu and exceptional service, meriting two Michelin stars.
The parade of stars doesn’t stop there. Michelin has recommended 62 additional restaurants and taquerías in CDMX that offer exceptional cuisine. This recognition highlights the culinary richness and diversity found throughout the city, confirming Mexico City’s place on the global gastronomic map.
What else to do in Mexico City?
Street Food Bike Tour
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
