Unlike New York City, where a handful of key spots get repped for best pizza or Austin, where there’s only one real BBQ mecca, Mexico City’s size and diversity has produced hundreds of contenders. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the most well-known and acclaimed taco and tostada joints in the capital — or CDMX as locals call it.

Top Taco Spots You Must Try in CDMX

A working car garage by day, this Narvarte taqueria becomes a shrine to pastor tacos at night. The el vilsito here are true masters of the craft, shaving the trompo and flinging pineapple slices in a show of taco acrobatics. Big molcajetes overflowing with salsas and a late-night crowd complete the picture. Try the gringa (two flour tortillas filled with pastor meat and a generous portion of melty cheese) and the taco al pastor to see why this place is such a legend.

This upscale tree-lined neighborhood in northwest CDMX has plenty of bars, restaurants and some of the most well-regarded tacos in the entire city. The stand at this taqueria gets particularly busy, but the long lines are a good sign of its popularity. Get there early to avoid a wait. The tacos are a combination of traditional, modern, and creative twists on old favorites like shredded beef or pork.

Though they’re better known for their barbacoa (grilled or smoked beef) tacos, this central CDMX location is also a must-try for seafood tacos. They have two main seafood styles, both from the state of Sinaloa: tacos mariscos (shrimp and fish) and tacos tepinos (octopus or lobster). I’m a fan of the latter, served in an open-face tortilla with a crunchy cabbage slaw and a zingy avocado salsa.