Puebla Mexico food is rich in flavor, history, and diversity. The city is the birthplace of one of Mexicoโs most famous dishes, mole poblano. But visitors can also find dozens of other specialties unique to this region. We first visited Puebla in 2020 and instantly fell in love with the city because of its food scene.
If you are planning a trip to Puebla, here are 13 Puebla Mexico foods you have to try. Plus, recommendations on where to try them.
1. Taco arabes
I think itโs safe to say that tacos are the food most commonly and widely loved in Mexico cuisine. All across Mexico you can enjoy delicious and cheap tacos. But only in Puebla can you have a Taco Arabe. Tacos Arabes originated in Puebla during World War I when Middle Easterners came to Mexico bringing the shawarma with them.
This move is also the inspiration for Mexicoโs most famous taco, Taco al Pastor. However, Tacos Arabes don’t use the same spice as al pastor. They are also served on a flour tortilla similar to flat bread instead of a corn tortilla like most other Mexican tacos. These tacos are best enjoyed smothered in a spicy sauce and squeeze of lime. Be be warned; they are cheap, delicious, and addictive.
Where to Eat Tacos Arabes in Puebla, Mexico:
- Taqueria Viviana (where we went)
- Tacos Arabes Bagdad Centro
- Las Ranas
2. Mole
Mole is a Puebla food that everyone should try. This famous Mexican dish blends various Mexican spices together with chicken broth to create a decadent and rich sauce. Moles come in many different forms. But in Puebla, Mexico Mole Poblano is the mole of choice.
Legend has it that mole poblano, a rich, dark, spicy mole made with chocolate was created by a Nun who was short on food for the visit of an Archbishop.
Mole Poblano may be the most famous type of mole, but you can also enjoy delicious Mole Pipian in Puebla as well. This mole is made from a mixture of spices and nuts, which could be pumpkin seeds (Pipan Verde) or peanuts (Pipian Rojo).
We tried a variety of moles at El Mural de Poblano. This restaurant is on the nicer end, with a wide selection of lunch and dinner items. However, most come to try their delicious moles. If you’re looking for variety this is the spot to come.
Where to try Mole in Puebla, Mexico:
- El Mural de Poblano (where we went)
- Augurio
- La Ververa
- Antojitos Mellos
- Case Reyna
- El Viejo Rosario
- Comal
- Cemitas y Tortas la Poblanita
3. Pasita shot
La Pasita is an institution in Puebla. This well known drinking establishment has been in operation since 1916. The bar is named after its original liquor drink called a Pasita. A pasita is made from fermented raisin paste. Served with aged cheese, this sweet drink is the perfect break for a food tour of the city. Be careful though, this drink is over 20% ABV and can knock you off your feet if youโre not used to drinking.
There are two La Pasitas in the city of Puebla today. We recommend going to the one in the historic center on the corner of Calle 6 Sur and Avenida 5 Octubre.
4. Escamoles
Escamoles are a unique and seasonal Puebla food. That at first glance may sound off putting. But are 100% worth a try if in season.
Escamoles are ant larvae. And in the state of Puebla they are a delicacy. This ancient food, eaten by the elite of the Aztec is a seasonal dish, typically sautรฉed in butter and topped with basil is a unique dish you must try if youโre visiting Puebla in the spring months (Feb โ May).
We saw signs for fresh escamoles everywhere we drove which made it very apparent that this was a loved dish by Mexican natives. Escamoles are eaten like a taco, with fresh guacamole and have an earthy taste, but honestly are pretty tasty. If youโre adventurous and up for a new food โ give escamoles a try!
Where to Try Escamoles in Puebla, Mexico:
- El Mural de Poblano (where we went)
5. Chalupas
We got chalupas all wrong in the United States. Chalupas are a regional food in Puebla, Mexico. These lightly fried tortillas are covered in two types of salsa โ salsa verde and salsa roja. Topped with pork and raw onions, these crunchy yet soft chalupas are crazy good.
Where to Try Chalupas in Puebla, Mexico:
- Celiaโs Cafe
- El Pariรกn
- Fonda Tipica la Poblana
- Comal
6. Pelona
Pelona means baldy in Spanish. The name is given to this sandwich because the bread is deep fried having a slightly shiny top to the bun. Filled with shredded beef, lettuce, tomato, and cream; the Pelona is a must try Puebla, Mexico food. In all honesty, it didnโt hit the mark for us.
We’re not huge sandwich people to begin with so that may have been the issue. But we do recommend giving a Pelona a shot if you’re visiting Puebla, Mexico. You can get Pelonas just about anywhere in Puebla, especially in an Antojitos restaurant.
Where to Try Pelonas in Puebla, Mexico:
- Antojitos Tony
- Antojitos Alcapulco
7. Molotes
Throughout the city of Puebla you will see signs for molotes at restaurants and street vendors. This flash fried tortilla is filled with cheese, vegetables, or your meat of choice. We almost ordered a molote with sesos by recommendation of a local but realized it was cow brains and opted for a more mild filled molote with cheese, jalapeรฑos, and basil. Molotes may be the most beloved Puebla, Mexico food and can be found in every Antojitos stall.
Where to Try Molotes in Puebla, Mexico:
- Antojitos Tony
- Antojitos Alcapulco
- Molotes Erika
- Molotes de Maximo
8. Tamales
We love tamales. Weโve had a tamales multiple times throughout our trip through Mexico including delicious acelgas (Swiss chard) tamales in Guanajuato. But none have been as good as the tamales we got from Tamales de Lupita.
This nondescript shop in Puebla is only open for a few hours during the week (check google or their sign out front) and will typically have a line well before they open. Tamales can only be purchased to go and come in about 7 or 8 different flavors. We opted for chipotle, mole, and a sweet tamale with crema.
We walked down the street to a Pulque bar where we devoured them and walked back for more. Honestly, they are the best thing weโve eaten in Mexico. We’ve literally returned to Puebla two more times just to enjoy these tamales. Hands down this is one of the best places to eat in Puebla, Mexico!
9. Camotes
Calle Santa Clara is a famous street in Puebla known for their sweets, and is often called la Calle de Las Dulces or the sweet street. Camotes is the most famous traditional Mexican candy made from sweet potatoes which can be ordered in a variety of different flavors including strawberry, coconut, or pineapple.
They arenโt very sweet, and definitely have a sweet potato consistency to them. They werenโt our favorite, but is by far the most famous sweet of the region. We did however, enjoy Tortitas de Santa Clara, a cookie made from marzapan that was so tasty we bought some to go. You can grab a camote or tortita de santa clara anywhere along Santa Clara Street. These beautiful wrapped Pubela candies make great gifts to bring to friends and family back home.
10. Chiles en Nogada
Chiles en Nogada is another seasonal speciality of Puebla, which is typically served in the summer months around Mexicoโs Independence Day. The poblano chile is stuffed with meats, fruits, and spices, and smothered in a walnut cream sauce topped with pomegranate seeds, resembling the colors of the Mexican flag.
There are a number of places that will serve this dish year round. But to truly appreciate itโs incredible flavors, try to order this when itโs typically served (July โ September). If youโre visiting outside of those months, opt for a different seasonal speciality available at that time.
Where to Try Chiles en Nogada in Puebla, Mexico:
- Mural de Poblanos is most famous for this dish (but only serves it when in season)
- Fonda โCemitas Robert y antojitos Lulรบโ
- Mesรณn de Santa Teresa
- Restaurante Casareyna
11. Cemitas
Named after the large brioche sesame seed covered bun used to make this puebla-style sandwich, cemitas are like tortas on steroids. Cemitas are usually filled with a fried pork or chicken cutlet called milanesa then loaded with stringy Oaxacan cheese, avocado, and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. In Puebla, cemitas are a popular option for a quick and filling lunch.
Where to try Cemitas
- Cemitas la Poblanitas
- Moyuelo
- Semitas Beto
- Cemitas As de Oros
- Antojitos Tomy
- Cemitas y Tortas Bang Bang
12. Enmoladas
Just like enchiladas except instead of being covered in salsa, the filled tortillas are drenched in rich mole sauce. Puebla is known for their delicious mole sauces and this is another interesting way to enjoy mole.
The tortillas can be filled with meat such as chicken, pork, or even scrambled eggs. Topped with crema, red onions and queso, enmoladas are a decadent treat.
We absolutely love the rich flavors of the mole as it blends with the tortilla. This has become one of our favorite Puebla, Mexico dishes.
Where to try enmoladas
- Antojitos Mello
- Flor de Maria Pozoleria y Antojeria
- La Casa del Mendrugo
13. Chanclas
a sloppy sandwich filled with meat, avocado, and onion best eaten with a fork and knife because itโs drowned in a spicy tomato-guajillo salsa. Typically served in pairs and oval shaped, this Puebla sandwich is named after chanclas or flip-flops.
Where to try Chanclas
- Taqueria el Pipirin
- Antojitos Mellos
- Antojitos Tomy
- Cemitas El Carmen (aka Memelas el Carmen)
- Comal
Puebla, Mexico food is unreal. The richness, and complexity of the flavors will have you coming back for more. Luckily there is so much more tasty food to try in Puebla, Mexico. Making it the perfect destination for foodies traveling to Mexico.
If youโve tried any of these foods leave a comment below letting us know which is your favorite. Or share any suggestions for other Puebla, Mexico foods we need to try when we return.
