El Califa de León — Restaurant in Mexico City

If you’re looking at photos and thinking “How could these tacos get a Michelin Star? They don’t look that special or good.” Then you would be correct. Before going we didn’t think it would be amazing based on the photos, but decided to give it a try since it got a Michelin Star. Waited 1.5 hours and our presumptions were correct. If the line isn’t too long I would definitely say it’s worth a try. The meat itself is good and tender, especially the “filet”. But these tacos are not worth waiting longer than 15-30 minutes. They only give you two types of salsa to garnish your piece of meat and tortilla, and the green salsa is pretty hot if you use a lot and the brown salsa just has a Smokey flavor that I just don’t particularly like. I guess I’m just not used to eating tacos that only consist of a slab of meat and tortilla, so putting on a lot of salsa to add flavor just made my mouth burn. Like other reviews there are definitely better tacos in Mexico City, even around the corner from this place. The Michelin Star is definitely a bit of a stretch. I guess if you just want to say you ate a Michelin Star restaurant then go ahead, but you probably won’t be that impressed. Also two of the best tacos they serve are pretty pricey...

Last year around this time, I still remember our very first evening in Mexico City. Just days before, this little taco stand, Taquería El Califa de León had been awarded Mexico’s first ever Michelin star for tacos. Naturally, we had to go.

It was raining hard that night, but nothing could stop us. We waited in line for nearly an hour and a half, soaked but excited. And let me tell you, it was absolutely worth it.

This place is the definition of simple perfection. No fancy toppings, no elaborate sauces. You just order by the meat all tender, flavorful cuts grilled to perfection, served on the most delicious, handmade tortilla. Add a bit of onion, maybe a dash of salsa from the little self-serve station, and that’s it. Minimal, but unforgettable.

What made it even more special was the setting: tucked inside a bustling clothing market, surrounded by mannequins, fabric rolls, and plastic stools scattered between vendor stalls. It’s gritty, chaotic, and oddly charming, a real slice of Mexico City life.

If you’re looking for a polished, sit-down Michelin meal, this isn’t it. But if you’re after the soul of a city wrapped in a tortilla, this is as good as it gets. Easily one of the best tacos I’ve ever had and a memory I’ll...

First of all, don’t confuse this place with the El Califa restaurant chain, which seems to cater primarily to gringos—though I know locals go there too. El Califa de León isn’t even really a restaurant; it’s just a small corner where they grill meat and serve tortillas. Together, that’s called a taco, in case anyone was wondering.

It became particularly famous among tourists after somehow—no idea how—it made it into the Michelin selection. That probably boosted business significantly, but the workers now have to deal with constant tourist attention and endless photos. No clue how long this hype will last, but the news has definitely spread worldwide.

As for the tacos themselves, no complaints—they’re tasty, though nothing groundbreaking. It’s worth noting that the prices seem set for tourists, because tacos at this kind of place are usually much cheaper. Also, I wouldn’t call these tacos super traditional, since they’re cooked on a metal sheet rather than a grill. So even though this isn’t a tourist trap and has been around since the ’70s, it still stands out as a bit different.

One last thing—please don’t come here if you’re not planning to eat. Don’t turn this place into a spectacle, and let the workers do their...