How Narvarte & Del Valle Eat

Join Lydia on a three-hour walking street food tour of Narvarte and Del Valle, residential neighborhoods in Mexico City that are rarely included on tourist routes yet offer some of the city’s best street food. Deep-fried pork carnitas, tacos al pastor shaved straight from the spit, battered and fried poblano peppers — these are some of the iconic dishes you’ll try, each reflecting distinct techniques, flavors, and regional traditions. Street food in Mexico preserves culinary knowledge, supports local livelihoods, and remains central to daily life. It is where regional flavors stay alive and accessible. Each stop is chosen for quality and character. You’ll end with a cold beer or a coffee, depending on your style, and a deeper understanding of how food and neighborhood life intersect in Mexico City. This exploration of flavors and textures also provides an excuse to see another side to the city and local life.

This experience takes you away from Mexico City’s tourist-focused food districts to see how street food functions in everyday neighborhood life. You’ll explore areas you’re unlikely to visit on your own. Narvarte is lively and residential, with a relaxed local rhythm and consistently good food. Del Valle is quieter and more spacious, known for its parks, wide streets, and family-oriented atmosphere. You’ll learn about the city through the perspective of a long-time transplant who has spent years researching its food culture and eating at hundreds of street stands. She curates the walk around vendors who represent different styles, histories, and techniques, rather than chasing hype. Each taco or dish reflects a distinct approach to Mexico City street food. You leave with a clearer sense of how the city eats, how its neighborhoods function, and how food connects daily life and place — along with a full stomach.

Lydia has lived in Mexico for ~20 years, including more than a decade in Mexico City, where she works as a food and travel writer and runs her tours. For the past nine years, she has guided guests through the city with a particular focus on street food and everyday eating culture, built on years of research, reporting, and constant exploration. Her writing centers on Mexican food, urban history, and daily life. She has contributed to dozens of international publications and is a recurring author for the Louis Vuitton Mexico City Guide. She also writes a monthly Substack covering the city’s evolving food scene. Lydia’s tours reflect the way she works as a writer: curious and grounded in context. She focuses on vendors and neighborhoods that reveal how the city actually eats. Guests are invited not only to eat well, but to ask questions, understand local rhythms, and gain insight into what it means to live in the second largest city in the Americas.

An empty stomach — you’ll have plenty to eat. From May to October: a raincoat or umbrella. From November to April: sunscreen or a hat. Comfortable walking shoes. This tour is entirely on foot and may not be suitable for guests with mobility limitations. A reusable water bottle to help reduce single-use plastics. ** Guests with food restrictions should reach out in advance to see if the tour can be adjusted to accommodate them.