All Destinations, Mexico, North America, Protecting Animals, Sustainable Travel
Mexico City Vegan Food Tour Review – Tasty Bites
If you know me, you know I love/ live to eat. But since learning about what is really behind animal products and educating myself in the amazing reasons to be vegan, my eating has been completely plant-based.
And so many people ask me how I travel as a vegan. I’m not going to say it’s 100% easy, but it is 100% worth it. While language barriers and new cuisines can throw even the savviest vegans off, with the right research it is completely possible to eat a cruelty-free diet while globetrotting. Watch this space for plenty more articles about travelling Mexico and South East Asia (and hopefully, later next year, Central Asia!) while following a plant-based lifestyle.
It’s possible to be vegan anywhere, but somewhere that really struck me as a vegan haven was: Mexico City.
I wasn’t expecting it. I wasn’t even vegetarian when I last visited CDMX 8 years ago, so have never delved into its plant-based culinary avenues. But Mexico City delivered, delivered and delivered.
The vegan pastries at Pan Gabriel in Coyocan, the plant-based ‘hotdog Mexicana’ in Condesa, the delicious falafel at the chain stand ‘Falafelito’… the list goes on and on.
And on my last day in Mexico, I got the chance to do an amazing food tour with Tasty Bites. Read on for my complete Tasty Bites Food Tour Mexico City review!
The food tour was located in Roma, under 5km from the city centre. It’s a trendy neighbourhood that has a really Parisian feel – due to Porfiro Diaz wanting to replicate the city for his French wife. I met Rob, the business co-owner and tour guide, and he showed me around the most delicious stalls and restaurants in the area.
We tried vegan tacos al pastor, tacos with a curry potato filling and more tacos with deep fried cauliflower, avocado, tomato and lettuce (which are a take on tacos from Baja California). I hadn’t actually eaten many tacos during my time in Mexico, due to most in Oaxaca being meat-based, so this tour more than made up for it!
We also got the chance to try a delicious vegan burger with a gluten-free bun; I’ve eaten a lot of gluten-free products in my time but this bun was definitely one of the best. The burger was a delicious beetroot-based patty with all the trimmings.
If you eat a gluten-free diet, this tour can cater to you well – all of the tortillas (like in most of Mexico) are made from corn, so you won’t miss out. Plus, if you are a picky eater, you don’t have to eat exactly what is recommended by Rob; there are other options at each place so your order can be customised.
The tour also includes a few drinks – we stuck to agua del dias (Mexico’s delicious mix between flavoured water and juice) – but if you’re really hankering after a beer, they are available as well. Because of all of the food, I think the beer might have meant game over for me that day!
Rob also gave lots of information about Roma, which was really interesting. It’s a great neighbourhood to walk around and take in, but doesn’t have any huge tourist attractions, so it’s a great idea to see it this way. We chatted about the history of the area, its street art, the 2017 earthquake, how the area’s dynamic has changed over the last century and much more. As Rob has been living in Mexico City for two years, he’s very happy to give any recommendations and advice about the area.
The tour finished with a galleta (biscuit) in the park; which has a tale to tell as well! It was really interesting to see Roma on foot, while eating delicious food at the same time.
I found the tour perfect for myself – so much food (that it was hard to pick a favourite) at some tucked away places that I wouldn’t have found myself, lots of interesting information about the area and friendly company. I seriously ate so much that I’m wondering if I’ll be hungry for my Sunday roast when I arrive back in the UK this weekend (and right now it’s Thursday night…).
The only thing worth noting is that it does involve a fair amount of walking on flat terrain (it took about 3 hours including restaurant stops – the website advises it is about 1.4 miles/ 2.25 kilometres), so if you are mobility impaired it might be a good idea to discuss your particular needs with Rob.
Also, if you’re visiting during rainy season, pack a brolly and/ or a rain mac. Even though I’ve been caught in the rain in Oaxaca so many times, I still managed to forget my mac. Luckily, although the clouds over Mexico City threatened to burst during our tour (similar to my entire time in the city), it remained mostly dry.
So grab your walking shoes, venture out with an empty stomach, and chow down on some delicious vegan food in the capital of Mexico. Even if you’re a meat eater, I’m confident that you’ll find your new favourite food.
To reserve your spot on the tour or to get more information, you can check out the Tasty Bites website or drop Rob an email at [email protected]. Make sure to let him know that you were sent there from Claire’s Footsteps!
Disclaimer: I was invited on the Tasty Bites Food Tour as a guest. All opinions remain my own.
Hey Claire!
I’m from Australia and hopefully (HOPEFULLY) I’ll be travelling to Mexico at the end of the year with my bf. 🙂
He’s vego (and sometimes vegan) and I’ve been concerned about what’s available for him to eat once we arrive there.
Food is such an important thing for me, especially when I travel to a new country, so I just hope that he’ll be able to enjoy Mexico whilst being vegan.
Thank you for this post!
It has given me an idea to explore Mexico City as well as indulge in what vegan treats it has to offer.
😀