Best Carnitas in Mexico City: 3 Taco Stands Locals Love
Where to eat the best carnitas in Mexico City: 3 taco stands locals love, near Coyoacán, Mercado San Juan and Condesa, plus which pork cuts to order.
Food & Drinks | Oct 28, 2024
Tacos al pastor get the fame, but ask a local what they eat on a Saturday morning and there's a good chance the answer is carnitas. This slow-cooked pork comes from the state of Michoacán, but Mexico City has made it its own, with taco stands that sell out of it before lunch.
Here are the carnitas spots our Mexico City team loves, plus a quick guide to ordering like a local.
Key takeaways
- Carnitas are pork cooked slowly in its own fat until tender inside and crispy outside.
- They come from Michoacán, but they're a Mexico City favorite.
- Carnitas are daytime food. Go in the morning or at lunch, before they sell out.
- Beginners should order maciza. The adventurous can try buche, nana or a mix.
- Our favorite spots: El Venadito, El Cherán and El Rincón Tarasco.
What are carnitas?
Carnitas means "little meats". Different cuts of pork are cooked for hours in lard, traditionally in a large copper pot called a cazo, until the meat is meltingly tender and the edges turn golden and crispy. The meat is chopped to order and served on warm corn tortillas with salsa, onion, cilantro and lime.
How to order carnitas: a guide to the cuts
The best part of a carnitas stand is choosing your cut. Point, ask and don't be shy.
- Maciza: lean meat from the shoulder and leg. The mildest choice and the best place to start.
- Costilla: rib meat, juicy and rich.
- Cuerito: the skin, soft and gelatinous.
- Buche: pork stomach, tender and slightly chewy. A local favorite.
- Nana: pork uterus, for the truly adventurous.
- Surtida or campechana: a mix of several cuts, the way many locals order.
Bondabu tip: if you can't decide, ask for "una de maciza y una surtida". You'll taste the classic and the full experience in two tacos.
When to eat carnitas
Carnitas are daytime food in Mexico City. Most stands open in the morning and close once the pot is empty, often by mid-afternoon. Read our guide to eating street food safely in Mexico City to learn which dishes to eat at each time of day.
The best carnitas in Mexico City: our favorite spots
1. El Venadito: near Coyoacán
Close to the charming neighborhood of Coyoacán, El Venadito is a great stop on the same day as a visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum. Generous tacos and a loyal local crowd.
2. El Cherán: near Mercado San Juan
One of the best carnitas stands in town, close to Mercado San Juan. It's an easy and delicious stop on a downtown taco crawl.
3. El Rincón Tarasco: near Roma and Condesa
The closest great carnitas stand to the Roma and Condesa neighborhoods, and arguably one of the best in the city. If you're staying in that area, put it at the top of your list.
Eat Mexico City with a local
Carnitas are just one chapter of Mexico City's street food story. Our The Real Meal food tour takes you to the stands locals swear by, in a small group with a local guide.
About the author
Ernesto is a chef and the founder of Bondabu, where he designs food and culture experiences in Mexico City and Quito.
Frequently asked questions
What are carnitas?
Pork slowly cooked in lard until tender and crispy, then chopped and served in tacos. The dish comes from the state of Michoacán.
What is the best cut of carnitas for beginners?
Maciza, the lean meat. It's the mildest and most familiar option.
What is buche in carnitas?
Buche is pork stomach. It's tender and slightly chewy, and a favorite among locals.
When should I eat carnitas in Mexico City?
In the morning or at lunch. Most stands close once they sell out, often by mid-afternoon.
Where can I eat the best carnitas in Mexico City?
Our favorites are El Venadito near Coyoacán, El Cherán near Mercado San Juan and El Rincón Tarasco near Roma and Condesa.
