Introduction
Día de la Candelaria, celebrated every 2nd of February, is one of Mexico’s most deeply rooted culinary traditions. Beyond its religious ritual, the date has become a crucial point for popular economy and urban gastronomy: millions of tamales are consumed that day in homes, offices, and streets, revitalizing everything from small family-owned businesses to contemporary projects that reinterpret maize.
In Mexico City, the offer is as diverse and ample as the city itself. From tamale shops with decades of history to vegan and gourmet proposals, the tamale remains a living, adaptable, and deeply identity-driven dish. That’s why the Bistronomie team researched, tasted, and selected three tamale shops guaranteed by their flavor, ingredient quality, and the tradition they represent.
Tamales Don Vic
When talking about tamales in Tepito, you’re talking about Don Vic. With over 40 years of experience and decades installed at the entrance 1 of Granaditas market, Víctor Zárate has become an emblematic figure of the neighborhood. His tamales, over 600 grams each, are known for their size and intense yet well-balanced flavor.
The menu is short but powerful: beef, chicken, and manchego cheese. Each piece results from a process taking up to three days and a precise blend of more than 20 spices. Don Vic sells only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, yet he usually sells out before closing. The Bistronomie team tested them and agrees: they’re not ordinary tamales; they are a complete experience that encapsulates craftsmanship, discipline, and popular character.
- Address: Entrance 1 of Granaditas market, Tepito, CDMX.
Tentación de Maíz
Founded in 2018, Tentación de Maíz represents a new generation of tamale shops that converse with changes in consumption habits without losing the maize focus. With branches in Nueva Santa María, Narvarte, and Clavería, this project specializes in traditional and gourmet tamales, including vegan options made without lard or animal-derived ingredients.
Their menu includes Oaxaca-style tamales wrapped in plantain leaves—such as mole, cochinita pibil, braised pork, or almond chicken—and a wide vegan line with flavors like mushroom in green salsa, corn and zucchini, black beans with chili, fig, guava with prickly pear, and blueberry with nut.
Addresses:
- Nueva Santa María – Membrillo 196
- Narvarte – Casa del Obrero Mundial 254
- Clavería – Calle Floresta 89
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Día de la Candelaria? It’s a Mexican culinary tradition celebrated annually on February 2nd, where millions of tamales are consumed in homes, offices, and streets, boosting both popular economy and urban gastronomy.
- Who is Don Vic? Don Vic, or Víctor Zárate, is a well-known figure in Tepito’s tamale scene. With over 40 years of experience, he sells tamales at Granaditas market’s entrance 1.
- What makes Tentación de Maíz unique? Founded in 2018, Tentación de Maíz offers traditional and gourmet tamales, including vegan options, while maintaining a strong focus on maize.
