If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, you’ll quickly notice something unique about how we eat: meals aren’t random. We don’t eat tacos al pastor for breakfast or chilaquiles for dinner—there’s a specific rhythm to our meals, and every dish has its time of day. To truly experience Mexican food culture, you’ll want to know what to eat and when to eat it.
Here’s your guide to enjoying the best of Mexican culinary throughout the day, so you can savor every bite like a local.
Morning Meals: Kickstart Your Day the Mexican Way
Mornings in Mexico are all about fueling up for the day ahead. The streets come alive with vendors selling tamales and atole, while cafés buzz with people grabbing a quick bite before heading off to work.
What Makes a Morning Meal?
Quick and satisfying: Mexican mornings are often busy, so dishes are usually portable or not overly heavy.
Great for recovery: If you’re waking up after a big night out, many traditional breakfast options are perfect for a hangover.
Energizing ingredients: Think carbs and protein – staples like eggs, beans, and tortillas dominate.
Always with a warm drink: Whether it’s coffee, hot chocolate, or atole, no breakfast feels complete without something warm in hand.
Morning Favorites
Tamales and atole: Soft, steamed masa filled with savory or sweet fillings, paired with a thick, warm drink made from masa or chocolate. You can also try a guajolota, a delicious twist on the traditional tamale. A guajolota is a tamale stuffed inside a bolillo (Mexican bread roll).
Chilaquiles: Crispy tortilla chips smothered in salsa (red or green), topped with cream, cheese, and maybe a fried egg or chicken. Perfect for starting the day—or curing a hangover. You can also try it stuffed inside a bolillo!
Birria or barbacoa: If you partied the night before, head to a market or local barbacoa stand. These slow-cooked meats, often served with tortillas and a spicy consomé, are a lifesaver.
Quesadillas: Warm tortillas filled with cheese and extras like mushrooms or squash blossoms. Light and comforting, they’re perfect for a quick morning bite.
Pan dulce and coffee: Sweet breads like conchas or cuernitos are perfect for a light start to the day, especially with a cup of café de olla brewed with cinnamon and sugar.
Afternoon Meals: The Main Event
The afternoon meal, or comida, is the centerpiece of Mexican dining. It's not just lunch—this is a full experience meant to be enjoyed slowly and in good company. If there’s one meal you don’t want to miss in Mexico, it’s this one.
What to Expect in the Afternoon
A multi-course experience: A typical comida includes a soup, a main dish, side dishes, and a small dessert or coffee to finish.
Relaxed and unhurried: Don’t expect a fast-paced meal. Comida is meant to be savored, often lasting an hour or more.
Full of variety:Every region in Mexico brings its own flair to comida, so be ready to try something unique wherever you are.
Afternoon Must-Trys
Sopa aguada: A light starter soup made with pasta, rice, or vegetables.
Tacos de guisado: Tortillas filled with homestyle stews like tinga (shredded chicken in chipotle sauce), rajas, or chicharrón in green salsa.
Enchiladas: Corn tortillas rolled around a filling, then drenched in salsa and served with rice and beans.
Mole: A complex sauce made from chiles, spices, and sometimes chocolate, poured over chicken or pork. Each region has its own version.
Agua fresca: Refreshing drinks like jamaica (hibiscus tea) or horchata (sweet rice milk) to cool down.
Ceviche: A refreshing seafood dish made with raw fish, lime juice, and a mix of fresh herbs and veggies, typically found in coastal areas.
Fun Fact: Why Lunch Is Late?
Lunch in Mexico is served later than in many other countries—usually between 2 and 4 PM. This late start stems from a tradition of splitting the workday into two halves with a long midday break in between. If you’re hungry earlier, grab a snack or light breakfast to hold you over.
Evening Meals: Comfort and Cravings
Mexican evenings are a mix of comforting home-cooked dinners and irresistible street food. The mood is relaxed, and the food is often tailored to satisfy cravings or wrap up the day with something light yet satisfying.
What’s Special About Mexican Dinners?
Light but fulfilling: Dinner isn’t usually as heavy as la comida, but it’s still full of flavor.
Perfect for cravings: Evening is when street food shines, offering irresistible bites like tacos, elotes, and esquites.
Great drinks included: Depending on the mood, it could be a warm café de olla, a cold beer, or a refreshing agua fresca.
Evening Classics
Tacos al pastor: Thinly sliced pork marinated in spices, served with pineapple, onion, and cilantro. These tacos are a street food staple that defines nighttime in Mexico.
Pozole: A hearty hominy soup served with lettuce, radishes, lime, and tostadas—a favorite for cooler nights.
Esquites and elotes: Corn served on the cob or in a cup, topped with mayo, cheese, chili powder, and lime.
Churros: Crispy, sugary fried dough, often paired with hot chocolate or champurrado. These are a sweet and comforting end to any day.
Marquesitas: A crispy, sweet crepe filled with cheese and often topped with chocolate or other delicious fillings. Perfect for a late-night treat.
Tacos de suadero: A popular late-night snack, these tacos are filled with tender beef, usually served with onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Tips for Eating Like a Local
Follow the rhythm: Breakfast for energy, a hearty comida in the afternoon, and tacos or churros to end the day.
Embrace street food: Some of Mexico’s best flavors come from food stands. Look for the busiest ones—they’re often the best.
Try regional dishes: Wherever you go, ask about local specialties. Each region has its own magic.
Enjoy the experience: Meals in Mexico aren’t just about food—they’re about connecting with people, traditions, and history.
In Mexico, every meal is a journey—an opportunity to discover the heart of the country through its food.
With us, you can taste the very best food in Mexico, and get to know what to eat and when throughout the day. On our tours, we not only guide you to the most delicious spots but also share all the best insider tips you need to eat like a local.
Let your taste buds lead the way—your adventure in Mexican food culture starts here with us :)
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