Thursday, May 15, 2025

Playa del Carmen’s café culture shows a hidden side to the party capital

By
Ian Ostroff
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Ah Cacao coffee playa del carmen
There's more to Playa del Carmen than cheap tequila and beach life. Check out the best cafe spots the city has to offer. (Ah Cacao/X)

Have you ever wondered if Playa Del Carmen had more to offer than beaches? The city is globally renowned for its nightlife district and a fantastic vacation spot. But there’s a strong expat and digital nomad community here, which has led to a diverse variety of restaurants and cafés to choose from if you know where to look. 

Whether you’ve come to Playa Del Carmen for a quick getaway or want to dance all night, there is something for everyone. If you’re willing to explore this once sleepy fishing village of Quintana Roo beyond its resorts, here’s your guide to get started. 

Chez Celin

French inspired Chez Céline takes the cake as Playa’s best bakery. (Chez Céline/Facebook)

France is well-known for its café society, and you see that influence take shape at Chez Celine from the ambiance to the quality of the cuisine. With most of its tables situated outside, it also encourages you to socialize with friends and watch the world go by. 

This French styled bakery, café, and restaurant is a popular hotspot for breakfast in Playa Del Carmen. If you don’t make a reservation or arrive early in the morning, you could be waiting in line for hours until you can be seated. 

Highly ranked on Tripadvisor with thousands of positive reviews, you can find Chez Celine on 5th Avenue along Calle 34. From their smoothies, scrambled eggs, and sandwiches, you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu. 

Ah Cacao Chocolaté Café

As the name suggests, Ah Cacao offers visitors to the city the chance to try drinking traditional Mayan chocolate. (Ah Cacao/Facebook)

A trendy café found in the heart of Playa Del Carmen’s bustling 5th Avenue, Ah Cacao offers your traditional Mexican coffee fix at a fair price. It’s also the perfect spot to try Mayan chocolate in a beverage form, along with other drinks and pastries. 

If you care about supporting local farmers and understanding where ingredients come from, you’ll also be happy to know that’s a big part of this café’s mission statement. 

There are four locations overall in Playa. Three are between Calle 30 and 40 near plenty of resorts and beaches, while the fourth is on Calle 2—a short walk from the Cozumel ferry and the outdoor mall where the 5th Avenue strip begins. 

Café Italia

Combine remote work with great food at Café Italia. (Café Italia/Facebook)

Located a short walk outside of Calle 4, you’ll find this gem along a path where there are other incredible restaurants you won’t find on 5th Avenue. 

It’s a locally run business with delicious food and coffee. It’s never too crowded during the day, which makes it perfect for digital nomads, and it’s also a great spot to find other expats if you just moved to Playa and want to meet new friends. 

But on my recent stay in Playa last February, I explored their menu deeper instead of sticking to my usual. After having their empanadas, avocado toast, and a few of their pastries, I can say with confidence this is a phenomenal café and that everyone should try it at least once. 

Sabrina Pizzeria

Café Italia might offer great pastries, but Sabrina can’t be beaten when it comes to pizza. (Sabrina/Facebook)

If you want to teleport to Italy while you’re in Mexico, this is the place to go! Located outside 5th Avenue between Avenues 10 and 15, you’ll be happy to enjoy an authentic Italian dinner here for a better price than you’ll find anywhere else in Playa. 

There’s a present Italian and Argentinian expat community in Playa Del Carmen and not only can you see that influence in their menu, but also in their regular clientele. From their pizzas, pasta dishes, desserts, and coffee, Sabrina Pizzeria might be the most hidden gem on this list. Based on the reviews, most people who have been lucky enough to stumble upon this restaurant agree.

Marley Coffee

It’s all peace and love at Marley Coffee. (Marley Coffee/Facebook)

For those who love Bob Marley and Rastafarian culture, this is an essential café to experience. 

Marley’s Coffee is all about honoring the life and career of the legendary musician by spreading love, closeness, unity, and sustainability in everything it sells. You also see it in the number of paintings there are of Bob Marley at this café, as well as in the quality of its beverages and overall ambiance. 

From their frappés, smoothies, and coffee, you can’t go wrong with what you order. Better yet, the reviews speak for themselves!

 Excited about your next trip to Playa del Carmen?

(Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)

No matter what you’re craving, Playa Del Carmen has a restaurant, café, bakery, or market that is ready to meet those needs. From Italian, French, Argentinian, Middle Eastern, Kosher, Thai, Cuban, French-Canadian, and, of course, Mexican, there are so many different cuisines to explore in this part of Quintana Roo. 

So, do your research and enjoy being spoiled for choice! 

Not only will you contribute to the Mexican economy, but you’ll also be supporting the locals who make Playa what we all know and love. 

Ian Ostroff is an indie author, journalist, and copywriter from Montreal, Canada. You can find his work in various outlets, including Map Happy and The Suburban. When he’s not writing, you can find Ian at the gym, a café, or anywhere within Mexico visiting family and friends. 

Sea turtle nesting season begins in Campeche and Quintana Roo

By
MND Staff
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0
A small sea turtle hatchling
The sea turtle nesting season in Mexico typically takes place between May and June. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)

Sea turtle nesting season is underway in Mexico with turtle sightings reported in the states of Campeche and Quintana Roo, according to the La Jornada Maya newspaper.

Last week, the arrival of an endangered species of sea turtle on Playa Norte beach on Isla del Carmen, Campeche was cause for excitement. Onlookers watched as the turtle — reported to be either a hawksbill or a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, both of which are considered critically endangered — crawled out of the sea and dug a hole before depositing her eggs.

A marker of a sea turtle nest in Quintana Roo, a popular nesting area in Mexico
Quintana Roo also reported its first sea turtle nest of 2024. (Ayuntamiento de Solidaridad)

Civil Protection authorities were notified and — with the help of beachgoers — protected the nest from scavenging birds and dogs. La Jornada Maya reported that Isla del Carmen is a popular nesting area with a high hatch rate.

Over the weekend, after the arrival of a pregnant loggerhead sea turtle on a Quintana Roo beach, the Environment Ministry (Semarnat) issued a call to the public asking for help to protect turtle nests by informing the authorities if a turtle is spotted laying eggs. 

Semarnat did not disclose the location of the first nest but did reveal that the turtle laid 65 eggs. Officials also announced the installation of a monitoring station to protect the nest.

Mexico is one of the most important turtle nesting sites in the world: six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles nest on Mexico’s beaches. Sea turtles can lay up to 100 eggs which incubate in the warm sand for about 60 days before hatchlings emerge. 

Experts say the nesting season started late this year in Mexico due to high temperatures and a lack of rain, making the sand too hot for nesting.

The Tortuguero Isla Matamoros Camp — an organization that works to protect sea turtles, flora and fauna in the Laguna de Términos region which includes Isla del Carmen – last month warned of a negative outlook regarding sea turtle nesting season in Campeche.

Rosario Velueta Benítez, the president of the Tortuguero Isla Matamoros Camp, told the newspaper The Yucatán Times that the Easter holidays would negatively impact the nesting season, saying the massive influx of visitors would compact the sand and make it unsuitable for nesting.

State authorities implemented a control and surveillance plan along the Campeche coast in hopes of preventing excessive compaction of sand by designating specific areas for bathers in order to protect nesting areas.

Last year, Mexico established two new turtle sanctuaries in Oaxaca, bringing the total number of turtle sanctuaries in Mexico to 17 in eight coastal states.

With reports from La Jornada Maya and The Yucatán Times

Retrospective: The UK on Mexico News Daily

By
MND Staff
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0
Real del Monte, Hidalgo
The quiet mining town of Real del Monte, Hidalgo, which saw an influx of British miners in the 19th century. (Real del Monte/Instagram)

To conclude our “Global Mexico: U.K. in Focus” week at Mexico News Daily, we’ve compiled a selection of previously published stories that are related in one way or another to both the United Kingdom and Mexico.

They are presented below in the order they were published.

A British-Mexican woman whose art is ‘pure escapism’ 

In 2018, Susannah Rigg wrote about the life of Leonora Carrington – an English-born painter and novelist who lived in Mexico most of her life – and the San Luis Potosí jail-turned-museum that houses some of her works.

Leonora Carrington Museum is a surreal location for surrealist art

The Mexican towns where ‘being British’ is part of their identity

In 2021, Leigh Thelmadatter delved into the British legacy in Pachuca, the capital of Hidalgo, and the nearby town of Real del Monte, where Cornish miners first arrived in the 1820s.

The miners who brought British culture to Mexico

A Brit who became an authority on Mexican food

In 2022, we published this obituary of Diana Kennedy, a writer and cookbook author who became the foremost authority on Mexican cuisine in the English language.

Ambassador and ‘rock star’ of Mexican cuisine, Diana Kennedy dies at 99

Edward James – ‘crazier than all the surrealists put together’ 

Also in 2022, Leigh Thelmadatter took a look at the life of poet and patron of the arts Edward James and the sculpture gardens he created in San Luis Potosí.

Was Edward James’ magnum opus in San Luis Potosí art or egocentrism?

The Queen in Mexico – ‘Jovial, simple, smiling, much more beautiful than her photographs’ 

After the passing of Elizabeth II in September 2022, we looked back at the two trips the monarch made to Mexico during her 70-year reign.

Remembering Queen Elizabeth II’s state visits to Mexico

The remarkable story of how fútbol reached Mexico

Late last year, Gordon Cole-Schmidt recounted the story of how English miners introduced soccer to Mexico while working in the central state of Hidalgo.

Soccer: How the world’s most popular sport arrived in Mexico

All the “Global Mexico: U.K. in Focus” articles Mexico News Daily published this week can be found here. We hope you enjoyed the series. Cheerio!

PS: Stay tuned for our next Global Mexico week. And why not take a look back at our previous series on Australia and India?

Is senior health care an untapped opportunity in Mexico?

By
Travis Bembenek
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31
Young nurse with an elderly patient
Mexico News Daily CEO Travis Bembenek considers the market for elder care in Mexico aimed at the foreign population as a potential investment opportunity. (Shutterstock)

At Mexico News Daily, we highlight key growth industries and report on the major investments taking place in Mexico.

Just earlier this week, we reported on how Mexico has received announcements of foreign direct investment (FDI) from January to April 15 of this year totaling more than all FDI recorded in 2023, which was a record year.

We get a lot of questions from readers asking us about the big opportunities for investment in Mexico moving forward, and we try to highlight some of those as well.

Water scarcity is a huge issue across the nation and we have been covering the risks as well as opportunities, and what some companies are doing to help address the problems. We have also covered the automotive, digital services, medical device production, semiconductors and aeronautics industries, which are attracting significant investment.

Other big opportunities that we have written about are in infrastructure, commercial, residential and industrial real estate, as well as in agricultural production. Just recently the CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico, Pedro Casas, highlighted 4 key growth industries in an article he wrote for Mexico News Daily.

A significant opportunity that I think is still in its infancy is the senior health care services industry.

Many people have asked me for my thoughts on this topic, specifically regarding the areas of senior living and care, as well as medical tourism. I don’t have expertise in these industries, and so far, our coverage has been limited to a recent article we did on Mexico’s first hospice care clinic, which is opening soon in San Miguel de Allende.

However, it is an intriguing topic for many reasons. Today there are at least 1.6 million U.S. citizens and over 12,000 Canadians already living in Mexico — many of them are retirees. Many more are coming every day. Many have been in Mexico for years and have no plans to go back to live elsewhere. As we all know, providing safe and affordable health care services is already a major concern in many parts of the U.S. and Canada.

Rapidly rising costs — from the products and services themselves, to the real estate, to labor — have all contributed to the skyrocketing total costs of care. To make matters worse, since the pandemic, many hospitals have been struggling with labor shortages that make it difficult in many areas to provide the care needed.

Surprisingly, there are very limited options for senior living and senior care in Mexico focused on the foreign market. I have heard of assisted living facilities focused on serving seniors in places like San Miguel de Allende, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Chapala/Ajiiic.  However, these types of specialized services being done in Mexico have their own challenges — language barriers, staff training, on-site specialized medical care, and healthcare insurance — just to name a few.

Mexico seems like a very logical answer to many of these problems considering that the country has a relatively young and well-trained workforce. In addition, the costs of everything from labor to real estate are often significantly lower. The ability to have 24-hour care in most parts of Mexico is far more economically viable. Mexicans culturally are accustomed to very close extended and multi-generational families. As a result, it is a culture that is known for a high degree of respect, warmth, care and empathy towards elders.

Most people I speak with who have had experiences with Mexican doctors, nurses, and health care providers overwhelmingly have nothing but positive things to say about the quality of care that they have received.

Health care is arguably one of the most complicated industries on the planet, so I am not saying that this opportunity would be easy. As with any business idea, it comes with significant risks and challenges. Building and managing adequate facilities with the properly trained staff in Mexico would not be inexpensive or risk-free. But the opportunity is too big to not gain more attention from the business and investment community.

Based on what I hear from talking to expats around the country, this is a large and growing market that is here to stay; there is a significant market need; and supply is extremely limited.

Let’s hope that some bright entrepreneurs and business folks go after it, as demand for these services increases.

Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for over 27 years.

What’s a jalapeño? It’s not always what you think

By
Bethany Platanella
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3
Jalapeños
This is a delicious jalapeño - but when is a jalapeño not a chile pepper? (Thembi Johnson/Unsplash)

Language learning website LanguagePlease describes cultural fluency as the ability “to communicate effectively within a culture, including picking up nonverbal and non-linguistic contexts. One might speak a language well but still not be culturally fluent”.

In other words, you might be able to perfectly construct your request for a taco al pastor in a local restaurant, but if that local restaurant is in Puerto Rico, you haven’t yet mastered cultural fluency. 

Havana
Spanish is spoken in many different forms from Havana to Huelva. (Spencer Everett/Unsplash)

Spanish is the dominant tongue of at least 20 countries and the second most spoken language in the world. The Spanish you hear in Spain, Colombia, or Cuba is quite different to that which you hear in Mexico, and the Spanish you hear in Mexico City is even different to the Spanish you hear in Yucatán. Each region’s language is developed within historical, religious, and geographical contexts, resulting in various ways to say the same thing. 

“What’s up”, is a great example. If you’re greeted with a “Qué bola,” you’re probably in Cuba. “Qué más” and you’re likely speaking to a Venezuelan. “Qué pedo,” you’re definitely in Mexico. The way people talk fluctuates from one country to the next and true fluency enables you to know the difference. It’s like being book smart and street smart, but in a language.

To understand the words and phrases that differentiate Mexican Spanish to Spanish of any other kind is attainable through traveling, watching Mexican TV shows, reading Mexican books, and hanging out with Mexican people. This exposes you to terms you might not otherwise come across while studying for your B2 language test. 

Like, jalapeño.

Xalapa jalapeños
Look closely – this photo is also full of Jalapeños! (Yerenia Rolón/Cuartoscuro)

Obviously, it’s a pepper. A spicy one. Used as a topping for tacos or diced in guacamole. 

But that’s not all.

The vibrant capital of Veracruz is also full of jalapeños. Some are growing on bushes while others are walking to school, texting a friend, or making coffee. Because in Xalapa, the term jalapeño refers to both the pepper and the people who were born there. 

Similar to “Londoner” or “New Yorker” or “Torontonian”, nicknames in Mexico are applied according to the city in which you were born. However, they’re not always so straight forward. As a matter of fact, they’re a lot more fun. For that reason, we’ve compiled a list of Mexican monikers to help you determine when someone is referring to a person from the Yucatán and not a nutty root vegetable.

Mexico City: Chilangos 

Chilangolandia, according to the Mexican language. (Oscar Reygo/Unsplash)

Why in the world are Mexico City residents known as chilangos? No one really knows. According to Luis Fernando Lara Ramos, a linguist and researcher at the College of Mexico, “We don’t know where the word came from. There are a lot of theories but none is trustworthy.” What we do know is that it’s derogatory, but locals still wear the badge with pride. 

Guadalajara: Tapatíos

The most widely accepted version of the pseudonym is that it’s a derivative of the Nahuatl word “tapatiotl” meaning “que vale por tres”, or how much for three? The phrase was used while shopping at the local tianguis and the money wasn’t a coin but rather a small sack of cacao beans. Over time, it warped into “tapatío” and the name stuck. Anything can be tapatío, from food to people to architecture. 

Monterrey: Regios

When you break up the word, Monterrey becomes monte and rey, monte meaning mountain and rey meaning king. King mountain doesn’t make much sense, but royal mountain does, in which case one would say monte regio. Hence the moniker regio.

Cuernavaca: Guayabos

There are a few theories behind this one but the most probable comes from the name Cuernavaca and its Cuauhnahuac origin. Cuernavaca means “cerca de la arboleda” or, “close to the groves of trees”. Aromatic guava trees, the pink ones to be precise, protruded from these groves and thus was born the nickname of guayabo.

Aguascalientes: Hidrocálidos

Did you know that Aguascalientes is flush with natural hot springs? The word hidrocálido is a play on the hot thermal baths in the region and the people that hail from it.

Veracruz: Jarochos

Veracruz
Veracruz: Home of the Jarocho. (Burkhard Mücke/Wikimedia)

According to historians, after the Spanish arrived at the port of Veracruz, a wave of African slaves followed. The indigenous had never seen black people before and didn’t know what to call them. Since the slaves were usually seen using garrochas (spears) to guide herds of animals in the style of Andalusian cowboys, they referred to them as jarochas. Today, anyone from Veracruz is known as a jarocho/a.

Xalapa: Jalapeños

One of the staples of Mexican cuisine hails from Xalapa, also spelled Japala, and it’s a little green spicy pepper known as a jalapeño. Why wouldn’t you call its residents by the same name?

Puebla: Poblanos or angelopolitanos

Just like Xalapa, Puebla is the womb of poblano peppers. And so, people from Puebla are known as the same. But once in a while you might hear a local referred to as an angelopolitano, harkening back to 1532 when the city was baptized la Puebla de los Ángeles. 

Mexicali: Cachanillos

Residents of Baja California North’s capital are called cachanillas after the bright pink pom-pom-looking flower native to the region.

Tabasco: Chocos

The pseudonym for tabasqueños is often misconstrued to be a derivative of chocolate, as Tabasco is a major producer of cacao. However, the true origin comes from the Maya word Yokot’an, meaning original, authentic, and true.

Yucatán: Yucas

Also self-explanatory, but a reminder to discern using context clues when the subject of conversation is a human or a tuber.

Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog, or follow her on Instagram.

How to travel in Mexico without the crowds

By
Sarah DeVries
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1
How to avoid the crowds in Mexico
Splendid isolation can be hard to find in Mexico, but here are some tips to cut down on the crowds. (Yoann Boyer)

It’s finally time: the Mexican beach vacation you’ve been planning for months is upon you, and you arrive to find, yes, sparkling blue water and soft sands, but also something you perhaps hadn’t envisioned: a whole lot of other people.

There’s a word in Mexico to specifically describe that feeling of discomfort from being around just too many people at once: engentar. (See the word “gente” (“people”) in there?)

How to avoid the crowds in Mexico
Mexico is a beautiful place for a trip, but it’s popular for a reason. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)

It’s a word I use a lot, because – wouldn’t you know it – every time I decide it would be lovely to take a little trip somewhere, it seems everyone else has independently decided on the exact same thing. 

What to do?

If you don’t mind the crowds, the extra time waiting in lines, and the elevated prices for everything from taxis to souvenirs, just enjoy yourself. Some people thrive on the particular kind of energy that lots of people in one place bring, and if that’s you, then carry on.

If that’s not you, then never fear: I’ve got some tips to make you feel a tad less engentado on your next trip, whether you’re coming to Mexico from abroad for a long vacation, or hopping over to the next town for a long weekend.

How to avoid the crowds in Mexico

  1. Check the holiday calendar (especially the SEP calendar).

    Long weekends are a prime time when people decide to get out of town for a bit, and if there’s any kind of prime tourist destination or big holiday event or festival within reasonable driving or bus travel distance during those times, chances are you’re going to find big crowds.

    If you really care about being present at a specific event, try to plan way ahead: make reservations for whatever you can (hotels, meals, even parking if you’re able), and be prepared to enjoy a baño de pueblo (literally, a “people bath”)!

  2. Try to avoid going out on weekend quincenas.

    A quincena, literally a “fortnight,” (15 days) is the term people use for “payday” around here, usually around the 1st and the 15th of every month. As everywhere, people tend to go out looking for some fun once they’ve got some money in their pockets, so everywhere from the movie theater to the grocery stores tends to get a heavier-than-usual volume of visitors.

  3. Stay in the city when everyone else leaves.

    Semana Santa, summer break, long weekends…these are the best times to explore the urban landscape, as traffic is usually down and the hot spots are a little roomier than usual. City folk who can afford to get out of town mostly do get out of town during those times, so they make for rare moments of feeling like you’ve got the whole place to yourself!

  4. If you can, do your traveling and exploring during the off-season.

    This is likely a logical conclusion you’ve come to given the above, but it bears repeating: if you can travel during the times that most people are not traveling, you’ll have a lot more breathing room.

    Another advantage is that prices tend to fluctuate up and down with the comings and goings of crowds of vacationers. If you can go when demand is low, you’ll likely find you can hold onto your funds for a bit longer – perhaps for your next trip!

  5. Get off the beaten path.

    We all know the hot spots in Mexico right now, and we know how popular they are. But Mexico has much more to offer than its beaches and popular-with-expats cities.  Especially if you can speak/read Spanish, have a look at some Mexican travel sites to get a glimpse of some of the lesser-known areas, or take a look at the “travel” section of Mexico News Daily! Sometimes a little extra research majorly pays off, particularly if you are looking to avoid crowds.

So, those are my tips! If you’ve got any for your fellow travelers – or recommendations for great places to visit that people might not know about and how to avoid the crowds in Mexico – drop them in the comments below!

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, sarahedevries.substack.com.

Where are the best tacos in Mexico City?

By
Monica Belot
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10
Mexico City best tacos Orinoco
It's an age old question, but where exactly are Mexico City's best tacos? Monica Belot explores the options. (Taquería Orinico/Facebook)

When we think of Mexico, one of the first things that springs to mind is surely the taco. And rightly so – this culinary powerhouse of a country has elevated the simple taco to an art form, with an array of complex flavors, fillings, and regional specialties that would make even the most seasoned gastronome weep tears of joy. But the most important question is obviously this: Where can I find the best tacos in Mexico City?

From the bustling streets of the capital, we bring you a survey of the crème de la crème of the Mexico City taco scene. We’ve sampled a wide spectrum of famous haunts to hidden gems, casting our net across the hundreds of varied vendors to bring you a curated roundup of the city’s taco treasures.

No matter how upscale the neighborhood, there is always a local taco shop providing delicious and authentic food. (Tacos Hola El Güero/Facebook)

Whether you crave the classics or seek to explore the bold and new, we’ve got you covered. Read on for our take on the nine best taco spots in CDMX. 

The (unofficial) best tacos in Mexico City

Tacos Hola El Güero (Condesa)

I’m hesitant to share this one since it’s my regular lunch spot and already quite buzzy, but it is more than well-deserving of an accolade. Tacos Hola sits squarely in the heart of Avenida Amsterdam in Condesa (and squarely in my heart), and offers a selection of consistently mouthwatering tacos de guisado (stew tacos) with fillings ranging from varieties of meat to vegetarian offerings cooked and sauced in ways one can only dream of. My go-to’s are the Chicken Tinga and Rajas (strips of peppers, potato, and onions) tacos, topped with beans and guacamole. Don’t forget to spoon over El Güero’s proprietary blend of fresh radish, onion, and jalapeño in a vinegary sauce.

Taqueria Selene (Anzures)

Those in the know are obsessed with Selene, and it’s easy to understand why. A beloved neighborhood favorite since 1964, it’s evident that this welcoming, family-run restaurant takes great care with every dish. Locals are enamored with Selene’s juicy and flavorful Al Pastor tacos, which are widely considered the best in the city. These tacos feature generous heaps of marinated pork, caramelized onions and pineapple, and plenty of cheese, all balanced with the perfect ratio of a blend of sweet, salty, tangy, and buttery flavors. Personally, my mouth waters for their gringa beef rib taco, similar to a quesadilla but with an incredible crispy texture. Order a side of guacamole and be sure to add it to every dish, along with their flavorful authentic salsa roja. 

Cariñito Tacos (Rome Norte)

At Cariñito, tradition meets innovation with a Southeast Asian-inspired menu offered in a classic Mexican-style street taqueria setting. Creatively plated on dried corn husks, each taco serves up a burst of complex flavors mixed with tangy sauces and unique oriental spices. You can’t go wrong with anything you opt for here, but my favorites include the Laos Eggplant taco topped with a handful of fresh herbs, and the Cochinita Thai taco, with its perfect soft pork belly-to-hoisin sauce ratio, complemented with crisp Asian cucumber salad. Whether patrons are taco aficionados or just looking to try something new, Cariñito offers a flavorful adventure that’s anything but ordinary.

If you’re stuck trying to decide between tacos and Thai food, don’t worry – Roma Norte’s Cariñito has you covered. (Cariñito Tacos/Instagram)

Autentico Pato Manila (Polanco, Roma, Hipódromo)

Autentico Pato Manila offers only one main ingredient: duck. And it is exceptional. I was so taken with their duck tacos on my first visit that I returned the very next day for another round. Offering small portions perfect for a light meal or snack, Autentico expertly blends the flavors and styles of Mexico and the Philippines into a refreshingly concise menu featuring just four items, and a garnish of five different types of sauces. For those eager to sample a bit of everything, half-orders are also available. My personal favorite is the tacos Kim, showcasing baked duck with hand-made flour tortillas and plum sauce. The combination of sweet and spicy flavors in all of their dishes is beautifully balanced, with crisp fresh cucumber accents to round them off. 

Siembra Taqueria (Polanco)

Offering a menu of classics with a gourmet twist, the food at Siembra Taqueria is undeniably delicious, earning it a reputation as a Polanco standout. The neighborhood spot is renowned for favorites like the Gaona with cheese tacos (my choice) and succulent fish pastor, all served on delectable blue corn tortillas from the eatery’s mill, topped with fresh onions and cilantro for a burst of flavor in every bite. Be sure to try the standout Fideo seco con tuétano, featuring dried noodles with bone marrow. With its inviting atmosphere and intimate outdoor seating, Siembra offers a delightful dining experience. And (you didn’t hear it from me) it’s rumored that their tuna tostada is whispered to rival even Contramar’s famed version. But let’s keep that between us, shall we?

Taqueria Orinoco (Locations throughout the city)

Taqueria Orinoco has been likened to the “In and Out Burger” of Mexico City – and with their bright red branding, hype, and pared-down menu, I can see why. The chain restaurant is admittedly quite touristy, but worth checking out (even if only to throw your opinion in during debates on the Mexico City food scene with friends). Best for late nights as it’s open until at least 3:30 am, the classic spot draws in crowds for a good reason. Their Trompo (Al Pastor) tacos are spectacular, as are the beef tacos. A sure crowd-pleaser is the taco de chicharron, which is soft on the inside yet crispy on the outside, and – unusual for a taqueria – they offer a side of tasty smashed potatoes to dip into the many salsa options they provide. 

El Turix (Polanco) 

Upon approaching El Turix, the first thing you’ll notice is the euphoric faces of noshers filling their mouths with tacos on the curb outside of this tiny, no-frills Polanco spot. Their expressions are reminiscent of painted Renaissance scenes of religious ecstasy, and the divine culprit is more often than not the cochinita pibil taco. With slow-roasted pulled pork cooked with achiote paste and citrus adobo, cochinita is the main specialty of this Yucatan-style kitchen. There are no tables or chairs here, but that doesn’t matter because you’ll be ripping into your order the moment after it touches your outstretched hand. Seating be damned. Spicy, juicy, and flavorful, every bite feels like a mouth fiesta at this eatery.

For a dose of pork served on the sidewalk, El Turix can’t easily be beaten. (El Turix/Instagram)

Los Guiris (Condesa) 

A trendy newcomer to the scene, Los Guiris is a hidden treasure. This modest setup with exquisite food operates from a window of the kitchen of Felina bar and offers wines for pairing in a casual outdoor table setting. Los Guiris chef Alexander Suastegui whips up a short selection of six experimental taco dishes with ingredients that take you from the chinampas of Xochimilco to the coast. While every option is outstanding, my favorite is the Chen Kai- Korean-style fried chicken served on a roti-esque tortilla. The runner-up is the deeply flavorful Shrimp taco on a Costa crust of cheese. I couldn’t tell you what they put in that taco sauce, but it had me surreptitiously licking my fingers, grieving over the final bite. 

Taqueria Gabriel (Zona Rosa)

In a welcoming locale nearly as lively as its neighborhood surroundings, Taqueria Gabriel is the definition of near-perfection when it comes to their taco offerings. Their street-style tacos are slightly smaller than usual, neatly folded to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. Made with fresh handmade corn tortillas and the ideal balance of protein, cheese, garnishes, and salsas, these tacos are a delight. The shrimp tacos are my favorite, along with the carne asada and mushroom tacos, but anything you order will be a treat to the senses. For an extra layer of texture, order your tacos “volcanes” style, featuring a crispy fried corn tortilla exterior topped with melted cheese, and wash it down with one of the spot’s famed mezcal margaritas.

Honorable Mentions: Tizne Tacomotora (Roma & Del Valle), El Rey Del Pavo (Centro), El Vilsito (Narvarte Poniente), Por Siempre Vegana Taquería (Roma Norte), Don Guero (Cuahtemoc), Molino El Pujol (Condesa), El Habanerito (Roma Norte, Narvarte), Taqueria El Greco (Condesa)

While we’ve highlighted nine delicious spots, it’s impossible to list all the amazing options that exist. Let us know your best Mexico City taco spots in the comments below.

Monica Belot is a writer, researcher, strategist and adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she teaches in the Strategic Design & Management Program. Splitting her time between NYC and Mexico City, where she resides with her naughty silver labrador puppy Atlas, Monica writes about topics spanning everything from the human experience to travel and design research. Follow her varied scribbles on Medium at https://medium.com/@monicabelot.

How Mexico claimed a classic British food as its own

By
MND Staff
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5
Cornish Pasty Mexican Paste
The pasty has become a symbol of two cultures, united in a shared history. (Ray Hedgehog/Unsplash)

Like so much of Mexican history, this story begins with treasure. Deep in the mountains of the central state of Hidalgo lie significant quantities of silver. Despite the mineral wealth contained within, mining conditions were incredibly difficult, with flooding and tunnel collapses common. Understanding how much money there was to be made, local mine owners and engineers (including legendary Mexican engineer Gabriel Mancera) formed the Real del Monte Mining Company and spared no expense in hiring the very best miners that the world had to offer.

The area around Real del Monte, Hidalgo is some of the most beautiful countryside in Mexico. The thick forests and high mountains create a temperate climate. Lush green forests cover the mountainside as far as the eye can see. The architecture is unlike any other in Mexico, with tall brick chimneys and Victorian-era mills and mines. Tourists travel from across the country to take in the sites and enjoy an authentic paste, the traditional miners lunch that was baked for the silver miners who once plied their trade in the plentiful mines of the area. 

The quiet mining town of Real del Monte, Hidalgo has become known as “Little England” thanks to its history of British migrant mine workers. (Real del Monte/Instagram)

Thousands of miles away, on England’s southwestern tip, tourists flock to see the tall brick chimneys and Victorian-era mills and mines of Redruth, Cornwall. Many, like in Mexico, enjoy a  traditional miners’ lunch called a pasty. 

Despite hailing from southern England, the pasty has become a revered piece of Mexican cuisine. While Mexico has taken on elements of several countries that have helped shape it over the centuries, few imports have been received so enthusiastically, and have become so deeply ingrained in Mexican culture as the pasty.

From England to Mexico

The British miners hired by the Hidalgan mine syndicate were from the town of Redruth, Cornwall. Armed with cutting-edge British mining technology of the 1800s, around one hundred miners set off with their families making the journey from Falmouth across the Atlantic Ocean. 

The journey was not easy. The port of Veracruz, the original landing point, was blockaded by the Spanish, and the miners were forced to land further away. During the 250-kilometer trek, which lasted 14 months, many Englishmen died. Those who survived the journey found themselves in an unfamiliar world. But as the precious metal finally flowed, more miners eventually came, not just from Redruth, but the surrounding towns of Camborne and Gwennap.

State capital Pachuca’s main square, unusually European in its design, was the product of one of these Camborne transplants. Francis “Francisco” Rule left the town aged just 17 to seek his fortune in Mexico. In Hidalgo, Rule found exactly that and used it to build much of the opulent state capital, including what is now the City Hall, formerly his private residence. The impressive main square, which includes a monumental clock tower that chimes to the same tune as Big Ben and a number of traditionally British buildings including a Methodist Church, was also built thanks to the enormous fortune Rule amassed in Mexico. 

Ultimately, the Mexican Revolution sent many of the unattached Cornishmen back home. Those who had taken Mexican wives however, including Rule himself, stayed. Today, their descendants still proudly carry the names of those who first made the journey. 

From a worker’s lunch to a national icon

Pastes el portal Mexican paste
Pastes el Portal is an international award winning shop in Real del Monte, and perfectly demonstrates the fusion of cultures that has created the paste. (México Desconocido)

But what of the miner’s lunch that has become symbolic of both regions? The Cornish pasty is said to have been invented as a way for miners to eat a filling lunch while remaining hard at work. A hard pastry shell, with a thick braided crust, is filled with meat, potato and swede (or sometimes cheese and onion), and the end with fruit or jam. To eat it, the pasty is held by its thick braid, allowing miners in filthy conditions to eat without dirtying their food any more than necessary. Pasties are small enough that they could be placed in a trouser pocket, and hard enough that they would stay intact until lunchtime.  

The paste, meanwhile, has had an illustrious history in its new country. While the British staple remains staunchly tied to the highly traditional meat and potato or cheese and onion variants, the Mexican version has evolved into a range of flavors that the miners of Redruth could scarcely have imagined. Fillings such as tinga de pollo, hawaiana and of course, mole, have transformed the paste into a perfect representation of the cultural exchange that took place between the two countries. 

The Cornish pasty has spread across the world, becoming popular on almost every continent in one form or another. Despite this prodigious expansion, no country has adopted it as their own in quite the same way as Mexico. Mimicking the popularity of the pasty back in native Britain, where the pastry is often sold as a snack in bakeries, train stations and cafes, the Mexican paste can be found on street corners across the country. In Hidalgo, every neighborhood has a paste shop of its own, and in the old mining towns, there is one on almost every street.

If you’re headed to Real del Monte to try the authentic paste, stop by Pastes el Portal, which makes pastes so good that they took the top prize at the Cornish World Pasty Awards. Manned by a cheerful owner dressed from head to toe in a traditional British Policeman’s uniform, pastes are available in 14 flavors, to eat in or take away (I took 2 boxes last time I visited). The tiny restaurant, which often has a queue, also serves as an impromptu mining museum, and many of the staff are former miners who carry on the paste tradition today.

Hidalgo and Cornwall today

Redruth, Cornwall
Today, Redruth is a quiet tourist town, much like twin Real del Monte. (visitcornwall.com)

The mines in Hidalgo have long since closed. Tourism has filled the gap, and the annual International Pasty Festival has become a staple of the town. At the inauguration of the first event in 2011, then mayor of Real del Monte Omar Mariano Skewes paid tribute to the food. “Cornish people rebuilt our shattered mining industry giving us work, and now again, after we have lost that industry, the Cornish have given us pastes and a new source of income,” he said. The three-day food festival has since become a huge draw for the region. 

In Cornwall, pasties (unsurprisingly) remain serious business too — and the community recognizes the important role that Mexico plays in the history of the meal. In fact, the Mexican ambassador to the U.K. was an invited guest at the 2022 World Pasty Championship. Britain’s King (then Prince) Charles and Queen Camilla even made a personal appearance in Real del Monte in 2014, joining in the paste making themselves. 

Seven hundred British miners and their families lie at rest at the Panteón Ingles in Real del Monte, having given their lives to building a tiny slice of England deep in the Mexican mountains. In recognition of the life of Francis Rule, Pachuca and Camborne are now sister towns. Redruth and Real de Monte have been twinned since 2008, the bond of their shared history stretching across the ocean. 

This article is part of Mexico News Daily’s “UK in Focus” series. Read the other articles from the series here. 

By Mexico News Daily writer Chris Havler-Barrett

Got 1 min? Animals beat the heat with paletas in Mérida zoo

By
MND Staff
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0
Animal licking a popsicle in Mérida zoo
A zoo in Mérida has found a novel way to help keep its animals cool during punishing temperatures. (Ayuntamiento Mérida)

Ever had a rabbit popsicle? How about a chicken popsicle?

Well, you probably wouldn’t have unless you live at a certain Mérida zoo.

Merida zoo popsicle
Biologists at El Centenario Zoo have created the frozen treats to help animals stay cool, and provide novel experiences for them to enjoy. (Ester López Huan/X)

Biologists at the El Centenario Zoo in Mérida, the capital of the state of Yucatán, decided that popsicles (paletas) would help the animals endure the sweltering heat that is typical of the region. It is not uncommon for the temperatures to push the mercury up to 40˚ C (104˚ F) or higher.

It’s not the first time that a zoo has decided to provide chilled food to the animals under its care, reports the newspaper Infobae. When prepared properly, animals receive the proper nourishment while also properly hydrating and cooling.

Biologist Walter Rosado, in charge of preparing the popsicles, carefully observes the dietary needs of each species. Infobae reported that 60% of the 609 animals living in the zoo, including 85 species, are the beneficiaries of the “Paletón” (popsicle) program. 

“The big cats get meat popsicles made of beef, chicken and rabbit, and the primates get fruits and vegetables,” he said. The bird population gets fruits, seeds and insects in their popsicles.

Big cats get meat-based popsicles to enjoy. (Ester López Huan/X)

In addition to the restorative qualities of the iced treats, Rosado said the ingredients and preparation also aim to heighten the animals’ experience. 

“Beyond the goal of hydration and refreshment, we hope [the popsicles] provide them with sensations they wouldn’t normally experience,” he said. “We want them to feel the texture, the consistency, the flavors.”

So far, the plan appears to be a big success. The animals are benefiting from the cooling snacks, while visitors are entertained by the spectacle.

“We’ve observed some animals react happily, they run around more, they move more,” Rosado said. “Sometimes they even fight over the popsicles.”

The big cats are popular with visitors as some of the leopards, jaguars, tigers and lions will play with their frozen blocks as if they are prey.

El Centenario is not alone among zoos relying on iced treats to address the searing heat. Animaya Zoo in western Mérida and municipal zoos in Tizimin and Valladolid in central Yucatán are also treating their animals to iced treats.

With reports from El Financiero and Infobae

Chetumal free zone status extended to stimulate the regional economy

By
MND Staff
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0
Chetumal
Chetumal will remain a Free Economic Zone until 2030, President Andres Manuel López Obrador has decreed. (Kayak)

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has extended until 2030 Chetumal’s status as a free economic zone.

Located just north of Mexico’s border with Belize, the Quintana Roo capital has been a free zone since January 2021.

Chetumal is located near the border with Belize. (Programa Destinos México)

A presidential decree published in the federal government’s official gazette earlier this week extended until Sept. 30, 2030, fiscal incentives including an import tax exemption for goods entering the municipality of Othón P. Blanco, where Chetumal is located.

The decree also outlines a range of other tax benefits for businesses located in Chetumal.

At his morning press conference on Friday, López Obrador said that consumers will be able to buy “goods from all over the world” at “a very low price” in Chetumal, “as was the case before.”

Chetumal “used to be so important from a commercial point of view that people from the entire southeast went there to buy,” he said.

From 1934 until the introduction of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, Chetumal was located in its own special economic zone.

Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama took to the X social media platform on Friday to thank López Obrador for “making Chetumal and Othón P. Blanco a free zone.”

“This decree adds to the determined work [we have done] to reactivate the economy and continue returning the shine to the capital of our state,” she wrote.

In an earlier post, Lezama noted that eligible companies with annual income below 50 million pesos (US $2.9 million) will be exempt from paying Mexico’s value added tax (IVA), income tax (ISR) and “taxes related to importation.”

“This stimulus will reactivate the economy of our capital, turning it into an epicenter of development and wellbeing in the south-southeast of Mexico,” she wrote.

Among the beneficiaries of the fiscal incentives will be tenants of a “well-being market” that is set to be established in Chetumal.

The Tianguis del Bienestar Yum Kaax, which was first announced last September, will accommodate retail businesses selling duty-free imported goods across approximately 14,000 square meters, according to reports. It will also have a larger section which could house vendors of fresh produce, offices, a hotel, warehouses and even light industry, El Economista said.

With reports from El Universal, La Jornada, Infobae and El Economista

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