7 Postcards
At El Califa de León, a Michelin-starred taqueria, enjoy expertly crafted tacos featuring juicy beef and fresh tortillas in a cozy, no-frills setting.
Av. Ribera de San Cosme 56, San Rafael, Cuauhtémoc, 06470 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico Get directions
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"Taquería El Califa de León is noted for being the first taquería to earn a Michelin Star, offering some of the finest tacos in the city." - The MICHELIN Guide
"Taqueria El Califa de León is now the first taco stand to ever receive a Michelin star, but there has been some debate on whether this modest stall with only four items on the menu should have been given the honor. The small 56-year-old shop has a crew of two: chef Arturo Riviera Martinez on the grill and an assistant pumping out fresh corn tortillas." - Katherine Alex Beaven
"Taquero Arturo Rivera Martínez, whose modest six-seat taco stand in Mexico City’s San Rafael neighborhood, named after bullfighter Rodolfo Gaona — better known as “El Califa de León” — just rang up international headlines by winning a 2024 Michelin star this past week." - Guy Martin
"El Califa de León has endured for more than half a century. This taqueria is known for its exceptional Gaonera taco made with thinly sliced beef filet and excellent corn tortillas prepared on the spot." - The MICHELIN Guide US Editorial Team
"There is a reason why El Califa de León has endured for more than half a century. This taqueria may be bare bones with just enough room for a handful of diners to stand at the counter but its creation, the Gaonera taco, is exceptional. Thinly sliced beef filet is expertly cooked to order, seasoned with only salt and a squeeze of lime. At the same time, a second cook prepares the excellent corn tortillas alongside. The resulting combination is elemental and pure. Other options are few but excellent, and include bistec (beef steak), chuleta (pork chop), and costilla (beef rib). With meat and tortillas of this caliber, the duo of house-made salsas is hardly even necessary." - Michelin Inspector
