Vegan & Vegetarian in Mexico City: Best Plant-Based Food Tours and Restaurants

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After spending 8 days in Mexico City, doing 2 vegan food tours and eating almost exclusively at vegan restaurants, here’s my guide to eating vegan or vegetarian in Mexico City!

Traveling as a vegetarian

First, a little bit about my vegan/vegetarian journey in case you’re interested… I went vegan about 10 years ago when I was 15 years old, and it was what gave me my passion for food and cooking. In the past few years, I started incorporating dairy and eggs into my diet again, partially because I travel a lot. I wouldn’t say it’s hard to travel as a vegan, but being vegetarian allows me to be a bit more flexible with food and try more things in other countries, particularly desserts (I have trouble saying no to dessert!)

In the past ten years I’ve travelled to 20+ countries eating mostly vegan, and I actually think it makes traveling more fun! Although I’m usually not able to just stroll into a cafe on the street and get whatever is on the menu, I truly love searching for vegan and vegetarian food and finding unique restaurants that I wouldn’t have otherwise tried.

Eating Vegan or Vegetarian in Mexico City

Before going to Mexico City, I had heard that it is one of the best cities in the world for food, but I didn’t hear much about vegan and vegetarian options. Well, after spending some time there I can confirm, it is one of the best cities in the world for VEGAN food as well, you just have to know where to look!

Being that CDMX is a very large, international city, I knew that I would be able to find at least a few vegan restaurants, but my expectations were blown out of the water. There were countless vegan restaurants within walking distance of where I was staying in Roma Norte, from taco joints and street food trucks to fancy restaurants serving international cuisine.

I was especially impressed with the amount of authentic Mexican dishes I was able to try, particularly ones that I would never being able to find vegan versions of in the US. I grew up going to Mexican restaurants all the time, and as a vegetarian I would always order something like veggie fajitas with rice and beans, or a veggie burrito. These still are some of my favorite foods, but after trying real Mexican food in Mexico, the Mexican food in the US (specifically vegetarian) just doesn’t hit the same!

In Mexico City, I had the most flavorful vegan tacos of my life, and it’s because the restaurants cook the vegetables and mock meats the same way they would when making the meat version of the dish. For example, Tacos al Pastor are traditionally made with thin slices of pork marinated with chiles and pineapple. Instead of pork, seitan is marinated with the same ingredients and cooked in a similar way, making it taste like the real thing. Unfortunately, most Mexican restaurants in the US (at least where I live – I’m sure it’s better in CA) have not caught on to this, so I am stuck eating boring, under seasoned vegetables in a flour tortilla while I’m home.

I was surprised to find out that most street food stands will have something vegetarian, you just have to have the courage to ask (in Spanish!). Most places that serve quesadillas will make you one with just cheese and beans or nopales. 

Vegan Food Tours in Mexico City

I did two vegan food tours in Mexico City, one with a small, locally owned vegan tour company and one that I found on GuruTours, which is a travel app with free walking tours. Both of the tours were great and introduced me to vegan versions of Mexican dishes that I had never heard of before. Here’s a short description of each food tour.

Travelling Herbivore Vegan Food Tour

The Travelling Herbivore is a small, locally- and women-owned company that runs vegan tours around Mexico City. I love supporting small companies that align with my values when traveling, so I immediately booked their Vegan Street Food tour when I found it here on GetYourGuide.

The tour guide, Mena, who is a co-owner of the company, took us to three amazing vegan street-food restaurants and two places for dessert, while giving us insights on vegan culture in Mexico City. One thing I liked about the tour was that it was purposely focused on less touristy neighborhoods (not Condesa). The first restaurant we went to, VEGuerrero, was located in Colonia Buenavista, a neighborhood that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise visited. We walked around the neighborhood before getting on the public bus to Roma Norte, where we tried two other vegan spots, and ended the tour getting churros in Juarez.

The only downside of this tour was that it was kinda pricey, but given that it’s a small, locally run business, I didn’t mind paying the high price. The tour included three meals, a drink and churros, and was technically “all-you-can-eat”. But with all the different foods you’ll be trying, I recommend only having a little bit at each place so you don’t fill up too fast!

You can book this tour here on GetYourGuide or directly on their website. Make sure you plan ahead, as they don’t run the tour everyday. Travelling Herbivore also runs some other vegan tours around Mexico City, including to visit Teotihuacan and see Lucha Libre.

Vegan Tour on GuruWalk

If you’re traveling on a tight budget, I’d recommend doing this free (tip-based) vegan food tour on GuruWalk. The tour was pretty similar to the one with Travelling Herbivore, but you pay for your own food as you go. I ended up spending about $20 on food, and $20 for a tip for the guide. We stopped at 4 different vegan spots around Roma Norte and Condesa, trying tacos, vegan seafood, and ice cream. We also stopped at a market and tried a few different tropical fruits.

My favorite part of this tour was getting try Tlacoyo for the first time at a small street food cart. It’s a popular Mexican street food, consisting of a blue corn tortilla with toppings such as meat, cheese, beans, nopales and onions. As this was a vegan/vegetarian street food tour, we got ours with just cheese, beans, nopales, and onions. It was similar to a taco, but the tortilla was much thicker. It was delicious and I loved getting to try a new food that I had never heard of!

Vegan Restaurants in Mexico City

These are all of the fully vegan (and a few vegetarian) restaurants that I tried while in Mexico City! I’ve included a little price guide for those following a budget. Thankfully, most these are more street food spots than restaurants so they are very affordable. You’ll be able to find filling vegan meals for less than $5.

$- less that $100 MXN / $5 USD
$$- $100-200 MXN / $5-10 USD
$$$- more than $200 MXN / $10 USD

Vegetal $
My favorite taco place I visited in CDMX that I kept going back to. They have versions of all the classic tacos made with vegan meats like seitan and soy. Get the “orden de 3 tacos” and try a mix. I usually just asked “¿Qué me recomiendas?” (What do you recommend?) and got whatever they said. El pastor was my favorite!

(2026 update) Unfortunately on my most recent, Vegetal was closed, I’m not sure if permanently or temporarily.

Gatorta $
A street food cart serving delicious and filling vegan tortas, which is a Mexican sandwich. They’re also popular for their desserts, like vegan tiramisu.

VEGuerrero $
This vegan taco restaurant is located near Centro Historico, so it’s a great option if you’re in that area, which doesn’t have many other vegan restaurants. Similar to Vegetal, they serve classic Mexican tacos, tortas and gringas made with mock meats.

Por Siempre Vegana Taquería $$
I learned on one of my vegan food tours that this was the first vegan street food cart in the city. They recently moved to a larger restaurant, but still serve the same delicious tacos. On the menu you’ll find tacos, gringas, and tortas, along with larger plates like vegan Alambre and Parrillada.

Taco Santo Vegano $
A great option if you’re looking for healthier tacos without missing any flavors. This place doesn’t use any mock meats- only things like beans, veggies, mushrooms, jackfruit, etc. to replace the meat in their tacos. They season and cook them as you would meat, so the flavors are really great and unique!

Paxil – Plant Based Seafood $$
Similar to Taco Santo, this place uses veggies, such as mushrooms and even unripe tomatoes, to create mock seafood that is incredibly delicious. If you’re looking for something different, definitely try the Nori Taco. It’s a taco made with a sheet of Nori instead of a tortilla and filled with Asian-inspired flavors. I didn’t eat anything else like it in Mexico!

La Plantisqueria $$
Another vegan seafood spot that’s similar to Paxil. I tried the Aguachile Verde and it was so refreshing! Just what I needed after eating a lot of heavy Mexican food.

Gracias Madre Vegan Tacos $$
Often referred to as the best vegan restaurant in Mexico City, I finally got to visit Gracias Madre on my recent trip and it was amazing! I tried the birria tacos, since I very rarely find vegan versions of them and the waitress said it was her favorite thing on the menu. They were incredibly flavorful and paired well with the margarita I ordered as well.

Gold Taco Roma $
Located inside of Mercado Roma, this is a great vegetarian spot with Mexican classics. I tried Enfrijoladas (like enchiladas but refried beans instead of enchilada sauce) for the first time here and WOW. I think it’s my new go to Mexican dish. 

V Ramen $$$
This Japanese restaurant is actually half regular half vegan, but as a full vegan menu. They serve almost every Japanese dish you could think of. Get the Sampler so you can try a few appetizers and a mini ramen. 

Veguisima $$$
Not my favorite place I tried, but this place has lots of Mexican classics made vegan and some cool drink options, and I loved their outdoor patio. A little pricey, as are most places in Condesa.

Los Loosers $$$
Also in condesa and a bit pricey, but their dishes are super unique and delicious! I tried Tetela for the first time which was served with a really flavorful Mole sauce.

Santa Hoja $$
A healthy, vegetarian restaurant right down the block from the Museo de Frida Kahlo in Coyoacan. Great coffee and healthy brunch options.

Places with Vegan and Vegetarian Options in Mexico City

Tamales Madre $$
A famous tamale spot with amazing vegan and vegetarian options- both sweet & savory!

Panadería Rosetta $$
If you’ve seen anything on social media about Mexico City you’ve probably heard of Panadería Rosetta, and I can confirm it’s worth the hype. There’s usually a line out the door but they are very efficient. Their pastries and breakfast sandwiches are incredible, and there’s lots of options without meat!

Restaurante Rosetta $$$$
This Michelin star restaurant, with the same owners as Panadería Rosetta, is worth making a reservation for, especially if you’re vegan or vegetarian. About a third of the menu is vegetarian, including two of their most popular dishes, the corn tamales and pink mole. These were truly two of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted.

Most of the menu changes daily, but there’s always a few vegetarian appetizers, pastas and main dishes. If you can’t get a dinner reservation, try making one for lunch instead – we were able to get one last minute!

Taqueria El Califa $
This is a famous taco chain in Mexico City that happens to have a vegan version of their famous Tacos al Pastor. I only learned about this place on the last day of my trip so I didn’t get to try it, but I will definitely be going on my next trip!

Churrería El Morro $
Did you know that churros are traditionally vegan?! Almost all churros that you’ll find in Mexico City are vegan, but make sure to ask if you want to be sure. Churrería El Morro is a famous churro place with a few locations in Mexico City, and the churros are labeled vegan on the menu. They also serve dipping sauces to go with the churros, traditional hot chocolate, and churro ice cream sandwiches.

The Green Corner Condesa $$
An organic supermarket with plant-based products that you can’t find in normal Mexican supermarkets, like mock meats, tofu and vegan cheese. Great if you’re staying in an AirBNB and want to cook some of your own meals!

Teponieves Condesa $
Nevería Roxy $
Michoacana $
These ice cream shops serve traditional Mexican “snow” with very interesting flavors. Many of the flavors are ice-based and fully vegan. 

Spanish Phrases to know for ordering Vegetarian or Vegan

Although you will find that many people in Mexico City speak English, it’s important to be able to order in Spanish, especially when making special requests for vegetarian or vegan food. Here’s a few phrases that I used when ordering at a restaurant that didn’t have something labeled vegetarian on the menu.

“Soy vegano/a. No como carne, pollo, pescado, leche ni huevos” – I am vegan. I don’t eat meat, chicken, fish, milk, or eggs.

“Soy vegetariano/a. No como carne, pollo ni pescado.” – I am vegetarian. I don’t eat meat or fish.

“Tienes algo vegetariano?” – Do you have something vegetarian?

“Tienes unos platos sin carne?” – Do you have a dish without meat?

“Este plate contiene carne?” – Does this dish contain meat?

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I hope this Vegan & Vegetarian Mexico City guide gave you some confidence that you will find AMAZING plant-based food in Mexico City. The food is the thing that I miss the most about Mexico, and I can’t wait to go back soon to have some vegan tacos and a margarita!

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