How to Save Money on Food in Mexico City: 6 Essential Tips for Long-Term Slow Travelers
📸 All photos in this post are original and taken during my travels - Alan
Nowadays, a lot of people are talking about how expensive Mexico City is getting, and they’re not wrong. I don’t blame them, especially in places like Roma and Condesa where all the foreigners go—it’s getting a little pricey.
Exploring Roma, a vibrant neighborhood in Mexico City
To give you some perspective, not too long ago, I went to a Vietnamese pho restaurant in Condesa, and the amount I paid was around the same as what I’d pay at a restaurant in California, and I wasn’t even full! I felt like I needed to eat around two bowls of pho just to get full.
Enjoying a bowl of pho at a Vietnamese restaurant in Condesa, Mexico City
So, in this post, I wanted to share my tips on how to save money on food. I think this will be especially useful for people who are planning to stay here for maybe a month, two months, or even six months—pretty much long term. Hopefully, you find some good value here.
Tip #1: Try the Fondas
Colorful storefront of a fonda in Mexico City
So, my first tip is to go to these fondas. These fondas are amazing—they’re probably one of my favorite places to eat, not only because they’re cost-effective, but also because I feel like I’m immersing myself in the culture. If you’re into eating those traditional-style family meals that are made by a grandma or something like that, these are the places to go.
Senora and her daughter preparing traditional food in a fonda in Mexico City
The ones I go to are usually run by a señora, and sometimes her kids are working there. They use regular cooking supplies, not those industrial ones, and the vibe is just amazing. You kind of feel like Anthony Bourdain going to these kinds of places—it’s a cool, unique experience.
Enjoying mole poblano at a fonda in Mexico City, savoring the rich flavors of this traditional dish
I highly suggest going to these places! They usually cost around 70 to 100 pesos, and you get a three-course meal—appetizer, main dish, and a dessert, which is usually fruit, plus a fruit drink. It’s very cost-effective, and I’m sure you’ll love it if you’re into immersing yourself in the culture.
Senora and her daughter cooking at a fonda in Mexico City, allowing me to record their preparation of traditional food
Many times, you can’t really find these fondas on Google Maps, so you have to ask around or just ask your Airbnb host, or simply walk through the neighborhood and you’ll likely find them. However, if you want to try finding them on Google Maps, sometimes what works for me is simply searching “fondas” in the search bar.
Occasionally, they do show up in the results. I really can’t say enough about fondas—they’re just a great experience, and I definitely recommend them.
Tip #2: Check Out Tortilla Stands
Watching fresh tortillas being made by a machine, showcasing the traditional process in Mexico
My second tip is to go to these tortilla stands. When I first came to Mexico, I was amazed when I saw my first tortilla stand. I’m so used to buying tortillas in a package, so to see fresh tortillas being made right in front of me—I was amazed. I had my camera out, filming them, and it was a really awkward but really cool experience.
A friendly employee giving a peace sign while I wait for my fresh tortillas being made by a machine
If you’re like me and have never experienced this before, I think you’re going to love these tortilla stands. Now, after going to these, it’s the only way I buy tortillas. I don’t even buy tortillas at the supermarket anymore. They usually cost around 22 pesos per kilo, and you can get half a kilo too, though I’m not sure how much that costs. For me, I usually get the 1 kilo for around 22 pesos.
Tip #3: Visit Tianguis and Mercados
Exploring a busy outdoor market (tianguis) in Mexico City on Saturday
Next up, my third tip is to go to these tianguis and mercados. This is another experience that, if you enjoy immersing yourself in the culture, you definitely want to try. Tianguis are basically outdoor markets, and mercados are indoor markets that cater to the local community. You can buy all kinds of stuff here—fruits, vegetables, even cooked food and meat.
Buying fresh fruits at a busy outdoor market (tianguis) in Mexico City on a Saturday
The items you buy here are usually cheaper than what you’d get at the supermarket, and if you’re into supporting the local community, this is a great way of doing that. Every time I go to these tianguis or mercados, they’re always open and friendly to foreigners, even if you don’t know the language.
Tip #4: Look for Rotisserie Chicken Stands
Waiting for delicious rotisserie chicken at my local pollería
My fourth tip is to go to the rotisserie chicken places. I don’t see anyone talking about these places, but they’re almost everywhere. If you know about Costco and how they sell rotisserie chickens, they have these rotisserie chickens here in Mexico too, for around 80 to 100 pesos, which is about $4 to $5 per chicken.
Waiting again for rotisserie chicken at a polleria close to my Airbnb
These are great because you can use the meat in sandwiches, with rice, or in tacos with those fresh tortillas you just got from the tortilla stand. One chicken can easily feed me for about two or three meals, so it’s pretty good value. They can be hit or miss, though—some places I’ve been to taste better than others. They also sell other items like rice, salsa, chips, etc., just in case you need more food to go with the chicken.
Tip #5: Indulge in Street Food
Tip five—and I think this is the obvious one—is street food. Man, I love street food! Not only is it typically cheaper than what you get from sit-down restaurants, but in my experience, it usually tastes better too. A lot of times, when I eat birria tacos or burritos from a street vendor, they taste so much better than what you’d get from a restaurant. Some of my favorites include:
Birria Tacos:
About to indulge in delicious birria tacos from a taco stand near the Zócalo in Mexico City
Birria tacos are amazing, especially with consome, the flavorful soup that comes with the tacos. The taste of the birria tacos and the consome is just incredible.
Adding lemon to my consomé at a taco stand near the Zócalo
The meat is tender and juicy, and the consome adds this amazing burst of flavor. Birria tacos cost around 17 pesos, depending on the taco stand you go to.
Tamales:
Another favorite of mine is tamales. Tamales are a bit easier to find than birria tacos, but they can be hit or miss because I like my tamales with a lot of filling.
About to enjoy delicious tamales wrapped in banana leaves
Some tamale stands have mostly masa (the dough) with little filling, which I’m not a huge fan of. There are so many types of tamales here, even dessert tamales (Tamales de dulce).
Dessert tamales made with pineapples, featuring a sweet flavor and no filling
One I tried was made with pineapple—no filling, but it was actually really good. Tamales usually cost around 20 to 30 pesos.
Chilaquiles:
Harder to find on the street, but I found some around the Zócalo. Street chilaquiles are typically available in the mornings and cost between 45 and 60 pesos.
Tortilla chips frying in oil, ready to be used for delicious chilaquiles
Enjoying delicious street food chilaquiles in the Zócalo
Tacos de Canasta and Burritos:
Tacos de canasta are often as low as 6 pesos each, while my favorite burrito in the Zócalo costs around 80 to 90 pesos.
Enjoying taco de canastas purchased in the Zócalo
Receiving a delicious burrito purchased from a vendor near the Zócalo
Helado de Queso:
And a surprising treat? Cheese Ice Cream. When I first heard of cheese-flavored ice cream, I wasn’t sure, but one taste and I was hooked! For around 15 to 25 pesos, it’s a unique and satisfying dessert.
A kind and sweet vendor serving us delicious helado de queso (cheese ice cream)
Close-up of delicious helado de queso (cheese ice cream)
Tip #6: Try These Local Restaurants
Waiting for my number to be called in front of La Casa de Toño
Last but not least, are two restaurants I like to go to. You don’t want to miss these! The first one is La Casa de Toño. Every time I ask my Airbnb host or locals where they like to eat, they always mention this place. It’s everywhere in Mexico City. To me, it’s kind of like a Denny’s or Chili’s—just a reliable place to go. I’ve been there a good number of times, and while
Enjoying delicious chicken enchiladas from La Casa de Toño
I’m a creature of habit, I’ve only tried the enchiladas with chicken in red and green sauce and the chicken quesadillas. Both are pretty good! The enchiladas cost around 100 to 120 pesos, and the quesadillas are about 50 to 60 pesos.
Enjoying several of the many dishes ordered at Central de Antojos
The second place I recommend, especially if you have a big appetite, is Central de Antojos. If you’re into all-you-can-eat places, this one is for you. They’re a bit rare here, so it’s a good find. Last time I went, it cost 129 pesos from Monday through Friday and 159 pesos on weekends and holidays.
So, these are my tips for saving money on food in Mexico City. I hope you find them helpful if you’re staying here long-term, and that you enjoy experiencing the culture through food just as much as I do!
Hello, I’m Alan!
I’m from California, slow traveling (slowmadding), staying productive, and exploring beyond the tourist spots—all on a budget.