Puebla Mexico Food Guide: 13 Dishes You Can’t Miss!

Last updated on July 2, 2025

Puebla Mexico food is rich in flavor, history, and diversity. As the birthplace of one of Mexico’s most famous dishes, mole poblano, it has gained a reputation for being a foodie destination. It was one of the first cities we visited that made us realize we knew nothing about Mexican food. There are dozens of unique dishes to try in Puebla, Mexico that go beyond its infamous mole.

If you’re planning a trip to Puebla, Mexico this year–here are 13 Puebla Mexico foods you can’t miss and where to try them.

About Puebla Mexico Food

Puebla’s cuisine is a blend of Indigenous, Spanish, and Middle Eastern foods. The pre-Hispanic staples of corn, beans, and chilies, are mixed with Spanish ingredients such as rice, wheat, and dairy. There’s a unique Lebanese influence in Puebla Mexico food that you won’t find elsewhere in Mexico. This cuisine was introduced during the Great War after Middle Eastern immigrants moved to this region.

Its Aztec roots remain a large part of Puebla Mexico food, using ingredients that are local to this area for thousands of years like:

• Peppers, tomatoes, corn, and beans: staples of Mexican cuisine. Peppers play a huge role in mole.
• Turkey: one of the meats the Mayans would have eaten.
• Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin seeds are the backbone for certain moles.
• Eggs: typically fried but can also be used in other ways for breakfast.
• Worms, ants, ant larvae(escamoles) and grasshoppers (chapulines): Worms, ants, and grasshoppers are commonly fried or cooked in butter for added protein. This was a common snack and delicacy for the Aztecs.

After Spanish colonization in the 1500s, many new ingredients were introduced to Puebla. Even influence from the Middle East created a new, modern-day Puebloan cuisine. This hybrid of Aztec and global influence is still seen in its dishes today with ingredients like:

• Flour tortillas: These tortillas are thicker than you would find in the north, more like a pita.
• Slow-roasted meats on a trompo: Inspired by schwarma, slow-roasted meats on the spit.
• Pork: a meat that was introduced to Mexico from Spain.
• Flour: Many Puebla Mexico foods are based around bread, typically deep-fried or in a sandwich.

Now, let’s dive into the 13 Puebla, Mexico foods you need to try on your trip!

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1. Taco arabes

I think it’s 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 Mexico’s 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 flatbread 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 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, this drink is over 20% ABV and can knock you off your feet if you’re 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 Aztecs is a seasonal dish, typically sautéed in butter and topped with basil is a unique dish you must try if you’re visiting Puebla in the spring months, February through 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 you’re adventurous and up for a new food — give escamoles a try!

Where to Try Escamoles in Puebla, Mexico:

• El Mural de Poblano (where we went)

5. Chalupas

Chalupas are one of the most well-known Puebla Mexico foods that most people have all wrong. These lightly fried tortillas are covered in two types of salsa—salsa verde and salsa roja. Topped with pork and raw onions, these crunchy yet soft chalupas are out of this world and nothing like the chalupa’s you’ve tried in the United States.

Chalupas are super popular across Puebla. You’ll find them in almost every menu and restaurant however, below are a few of the top places to try Chalupas.

Where to Try Chalupas in Puebla, Mexico:

• Celia’s Cafe
• El Parián
• Fonda Tipica la Poblana
• Comal

6. Pelona

Pelonas is another popular Puebla Mexico food. Meaning, ‘baldy’ in Spanish its name comes from the deep-fried bread 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.

However, if we’re being honest, it didn’t hit the mark for us. We’re not huge sandwich people, so that may have been the issue. Don’t let our preferences deter you. Give the Pelona a shot if you’re visiting Puebla, Mexico.

You can get Pelonas just about anywhere in Puebla, especially in an Antojitos restaurant or food cart. This is a common street food made to fill you up and get you back on the road.

Where to Try Pelonas in Puebla, Mexico:

• Antojitos Tony
• Antojitos Alcapulco

7. Molotes

Throughout Puebla, there are 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, before realizing it was cow brains.🧠

Instead, we opted for a more common filling for our US palate and got a molote with cheese, jalapeños, 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. We’ve 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 we’ve 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 aren’t very sweet, and definitely have a sweet potato consistency to them. They weren’t 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 specialty of Puebla, which is typically served in the summer months around Mexico’s Independence Day (September). 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.

Several places will serve this dish year-round, but to truly appreciate it’s incredible flavors, try to order this when it’s typically served (July – September). If you’re 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 “Cemitas Robert y antojitos Lulú”
• Mesón 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

Enmoladas are similar to enchiladas, but instead of being covered in salsa, the filled tortillas are drenched in rich mole sauce. The thing Puebla Mexico is best known for is its mole sauces. This is another interesting way to enjoy mole and celebrate its complex flavors.

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 breakfast. We love the complex 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 it’s 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 like no other state. It’s become our favorite place to eat in Mexico (even more than the foodie destination, Oaxaca). Luckily there is so much more tasty food to try in Puebla, Mexico making it a top destination for foodies.

If you’ve tried any of these Puebla Mexico foods, leave a comment below letting us know what your favorite is. Also, if you have suggestions for other Puebla, Mexico foods to try when we return, leave them in the comments below.