Where can I find the best tacos al pastor in Narvarte?
Narvarte lights up after 20:00 when the vertical spits of pork spin under glowing orange bulbs. This neighborhood is the spiritual home of pastor in CDMX. Head straight to El Vilsito, a mechanics shop by day that transforms into a legendary taquería by night. The carver here is an artist, slicing thin sheets of marinated pork and catching a flying wedge of pineapple on a double tortilla. Order three gringas or tacos al pastor and stand on the sidewalk to eat.
What locals actually do
Chilangos know that Narvarte's wide streets and mid-century apartment blocks hold the highest concentration of top-tier pastor in the city. While visitors flock to El Vilsito, locals also split their loyalty with Tacos Manolo, just a few blocks away. Manolo is famous for its namesake taco—a mix of chopped beef and bacon cooked on the plancha—but their pastor is incredibly consistent and slightly sweeter. The move is to start at El Vilsito for the theater and the perfectly charred pork, then walk 10 minutes to Manolo to compare. Pair your tacos with a cold Boing juice or a Victoria beer.
Order two tacos al pastor and one gringa on flour tortilla at El Vilsito around 22:00, washed down with a cold hibiscus water on the sidewalk.
Practical notes
- 01El Vilsito opens as a taquería at 19:30 from Monday to Saturday, and at 15:00 on Sundays, operating late into the night.
- 02Expect to pay around 150 MXN to 200 MXN for a very satisfying meal of four tacos and a drink.
- 03Cash is highly preferred at El Vilsito and mandatory at smaller stands nearby, so keep small bills on hand.
Good to know
- ✗The street side can get crowded, so watch your pockets while waiting for your plate.
- ✗Always tell the carver "con todo" to get your tacos with onions, cilantro, and pineapple.
- ✗Tacos Manolo has indoor seating, while El Vilsito is mostly a standing-room-only sidewalk affair.