- The International Kitchen
- Mexico
- Magical Mexico City Culinary Vacation
Mexico City Food Tour & Culinary Vacation
-
-
Select Your Trip Details
Magical Culinary Vacations in Mexico City
Mexico is world-famous for its rich gastronomic traditions and flavorful ingredients, from smoky chiles and handmade tortillas to complex sauces and fresh produce. You can experience them all on our culinary vacations in Mexico City, where every bite tells a story of heritage, creativity, and passion.
When Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mexico, they brought ingredients and cooking techniques from Europe, Asia, and Africa that merged with local traditions. This fusion gave rise to traditional Mexican cuisine, culminating in beloved dishes such as mole, chiles en nogada, pozole, and more.
But it didn’t stop there; as Mexican culinary art has continued to develop in the past several years Mexican chefs have brought in different techniques and ingredients from other parts of the world to create a unique and renowned contemporary Mexican cuisine. On our Mexico City food tours, you’ll witness how the country’s culinary evolution combines artistry and authenticity to create some of the most amazing food in the world.
Located at the heart of the country, Mexico City was built atop the ancient Aztec ruins of Tenochtitlan and is now a vibrant capital that captures the essence of Mexican culture. Its cobbled streets, grand colonial buildings, and bustling local markets form a colorful backdrop for exploring both the city’s street food stalls and its fine dining restaurants.
At the heart of Mexico City is Zócalo. A zócalo in Mexico is a public plaza or square, and the most famous is Constitution Square (Plaza de la Constitución) in Mexico City. This has been the heart of the city since the days of the Aztecs, the site of ceremonies, swearings in, festivals, celebrations, and protests for hundreds of years. From there the city sprawls outward, a huge metropolis that offers an endless mix of market tours, street vendors, and hidden gems serving tasty treats like tacos al pastor, tamales, and freshly prepared seafood dishes.
During your Mexico City culinary journey, enjoy a hands-on cooking class with a knowledgeable local guide, sample mezcal, and visit lively market stalls overflowing with fruits, cheeses, and spices. From historic food stalls to elegant restaurants, every meal is a reflection of Mexico’s diverse regions and enduring food traditions.
To continue your culinary adventure, pair this unforgettable experience with our Taste of Puebla and Oaxaca culinary vacation for a deeper dive into regional specialties and the best Mexican food the country has to offer.
Trip Details
Enjoy a hands-on cooking class in which you will learn to prepare two staples of Mexico cuisine: corn tortillas and guacamole.
Itinerary
-
Day One
- Arrival at Mexico City international airport and meet your English-speaking guide.
- Transfer to your hotel, check in and rest of evening on your own.
- Overnight.
Day Two
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Begin your Mexico City culinary vacation with a guided walking tour of the city’s Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage site rich in culture and architecture. Marvel at the stunning baroque buildings that line Constitution Square (Zócalo), including the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace, two of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
- The Cathedral, the largest in Mexico, exemplifies colonial architecture in Latin America and stands atop the ruins of the largest Aztec temple. Inside the National Palace (closed Mondays), admire Diego Rivera’s famous murals depicting Mexico’s vibrant history and culture. You’ll also enjoy a panoramic view of the Templo Mayor, the principal temple of the ancient Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, unearthed only in recent decades.
- At noon, continue your Mexico City food tour, immersing yourself in the city’s incredible culinary diversity. Experience authentic flavors through carefully selected food stops that highlight traditional Mexican cuisine — from pre-Hispanic dishes to contemporary creations. Visit a lively local market bursting with fresh ingredients, enjoy a refreshing drink in a typical cantina, and sample the best street food in Mexico City, including tacos, tamales, and other tasty treats from local vendors.
- Return to the hotel in the evening, with dinner on your own (if you are still hungry).
- Overnight.
Day Three
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Depart for Teotihuacán, one of the most important archeological sites of the Valley of Mexico.
- You will see the site where the Teotihuacán civilization flourished between the 1st and 6th centuries. Their vast influence reached as far as Tikal in Guatemala, where traces of Teotihuacán culture remain among the Mayan ruins. By the time the Aztecs arrived, the city had long been abandoned and burned in the 8th century. Awed by its scale and mystery, they believed it was built by gods or giants.
- Teotihuacán has three large buildings distributed around what is called the “Avenue of the Dead.” The Pyramid of the Sun is the primary among these, while the more modest Pyramid of the Moon lies to the north. The Citadel, like the others, reflects the art and astronomical knowledge of its builders.
Head to a local restaurant for lunch, where you will learn to make an authentic guacamole sauce from chilies, green tomatoes, avocado, and other spices. Enjoy it as a snack or with assorted tacos or tortas, including hand-made tortillas that you will prepare yourself with corn masa. Tortillas are, of course, a primary ingredient in so many classic Mexican dishes: tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, totopos, entomatadas, chalupas, flautas, chilaquiles, quesadillas, and more.
In the afternoon, stop at a cooperative food factory in the village of San Martín de la Pirámides. They produce honey, jam, sweets, and hots sauces from the nopal (cactus) fruits known as tuna and xoconoxtle.- Next, head to an obsidian workshop. You can watch the artisans work the raw material to shape unique pieces of regional handicraft. Taste the local liquor called pulque, which is made from the Agave plant.
- Return to Mexico City.
- This evening, continue your Mexico City culinary vacation at a local restaurant for dinner. The eatery is found in the heart of the city’s trendiest quarter, Colonia Roma, and it combines the aesthetic of the Mexican architect Javier Sordo de Haro with the building’s original 20th-century architecture. The bistrot’s menu offers a variety of regional dishes from throughout Mexico.
- Return to your hotel and overnight.
Day Four
Breakfast at the hotel.- This morning, depart for the southern part of Mexico City to explore Coyoacán, one of the city’s most charming colonial neighborhoods. Built during the 18th and 19th centuries, Coyoacán was once a countryside retreat for Mexico’s elite, who constructed elegant haciendas surrounded by lush gardens. Today, it remains a cultural gem filled with cobblestone streets, colorful facades, and a vibrant local food scene.
- Visit the iconic Frida Kahlo Museum, also known as La Casa Azul (“The Blue House,” closed Mondays). This striking cobalt-blue residence is where the celebrated Mexican artist Frida Kahlo was born, lived, and died.
Lunch at a restaurant in the Coyoacán.- In the afternoon, take an idyllic boat ride on a trajinera, the traditional colorfully painted, flat bottom wooden boats. Cruise along the pre-Hispanic canals of Xochimilco, Mexico City’s floating gardens, a place where the Toltecs took refuge during the fall of Tula. Its inhabitants have been dedicated to agriculture since ancient times.
- In the evening, transfer to a local restaurant for dinner, where you will taste ceviches, tostadas, stews, as well as an impressive array of colorful and contemporary Mexican dishes.
- Return to your hotel and overnight.
Day Five
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check out and transfer to the Mexico City airport. (If you would like to continue your journey, you can continue on with our Taste of Puebla and Oaxaca culinary vacation in Mexico, the ultimate extension of your exploration of Mexican cuisine and culture. Inquire for details!)
Trip Details
-
Included in the 4-Night Trip
AccommodationsFour nights in a 4* or 5* hotel in Mexico City
Food & Beverages- Daily breakfast
- Three lunches
- Two dinners
Classes & InstructorsEnjoy a hands-on cooking class in which you will learn to prepare two staples of Mexico cuisine: corn tortillas and guacamole.
Excursions- Guided tour of Mexico City’s historical center, including food tasting tour
- Excursion to Teotihuacán
- Visit of a local food cooperative and obsidian workshop
- Excursion to Coyoacán neighborhood, including Frida Kahlo Museum
- Trajinera boat ride in Xochimilco
- Private transportation for all excursions
- English-speaking local guides
Transfer DetailsRoundtrip transfer from/to Mexico City airport
Miscellaneous- Porter services at airports and hotel
- Entrance fees to archeological sites and museums
Not Included
- Beverages, paid locally
- Tips
- Overnight Mexico tourist tax, paid locally
Accommodation Information
Stay at the 4* Historico Central (or similar). Or, an upgrade to the 5* Sofitel (or similar) is also possible, please inquire.
Pricing & Dates
-
Mexico City Culinary Vacation 2026 Sample* Pricing
See moreUS$2680 per person based on double occupancy
*Pricing can vary by week and hotel. Please inquire with dates.
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Single occupancy supplement: please inquire.
Upgrade to 5* hotel: please inquire.
Pricing for groups of 4+: please inquire.Tour Dates
See moreAvailable year-round for a minimum of 2 people. (Please note many museums and monuments are not open on Mondays).
2025 – 2026
Please inquire for availability!
Let’s Plan Your Perfect Culinary Adventure in Mexico
From exploring ancient ruins to tasting authentic street food and fine dining, your Mexico City culinary vacation can be as immersive as you wish.
Our team can assist with every detail — from flights and extra nights to private food tours, cooking classes, and wine tastings across Mexico’s most flavorful destinations. If you’d like to continue your culinary journey, consider extending your stay with our Taste of Puebla and Oaxaca food tour, or contact us to create a custom itinerary designed around your interests.
Let us help you experience the best of Mexican cuisine, culture, and history — one unforgettable dish at a time.
You May Also Like Our Other Mexican Food and Wine Tours
Culinary Yucatan: Merida Food Tour & Mexico Cooking School Vacation
