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Host: Margarita

Mexico City, Mexico

USD
$58-$125 per person

Local Market Tour and Traditional Cooking Class in Mexico City

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Margarita

Margarita was born and raised in Mexico City, where her lifelong passion for food began in her grandmother’s kitchen. Inspired by her grandmother’s talent for traditional Mexican cooking, Margarita took her first cooking classes at just 15 years old. Her love for the culinary arts led her to pursue additional training and a successful 15-year career as a food stylist, during which her recipes and beautifully styled dishes were featured in several magazines. Seven years ago, Margarita turned her passion into a business, launching a cookie company that now offers over 60 unique varieties to local clients. She is also the co-author of a Mexican cookbook and is deeply committed to sharing her culinary heritage with others. Margarita believes that food is one of the most meaningful ways to understand a culture. As she says, “If you want to understand Mexico as a country, you have to taste its flavors. I want to share the richness of Mexico and its great culture of food with others.”

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-7 guests) Meet Margarita at her home on a quiet, residential street in Mexico City’s charming Tlacopac San Ángel neighborhood. Weather permitting, your experience will begin in her lovely garden, where you’ll be welcomed with a refreshing drink and appetizers as Margarita shares stories about her life and culinary journey. Her husband Gonzalo, an economist, may join you for evening or weekend experiences when he’s not working, adding to the warm and personal atmosphere. You’ll then move to their family dining table to enjoy a traditional, home-cooked three-course Mexican meal. Start with a comforting soup such as creamy corn soup or classic tortilla soup, followed by a flavorful main dish like chiles rellenos or chicken stuffed with cheese and served with a zesty salsa verde, accompanied by traditional Mexican rice. End your meal on a sweet note with a homemade dessert like rich chocolate mousse with vanilla crème or crepes drizzled with Mexican dulce de leche, paired with coffee or tea.

Cooking experience: (2-10 guests) Start your Mexico City cooking class in Margarita’s stunning and spacious home, where you’ll be welcomed with traditional Mexican appetizers like sopes served with fresh guacamole. This hands-on Mexico City cooking experience lasts about two hours and offers an immersive introduction to authentic Mexican cuisine. You’ll begin by learning how to make tortillas from scratch - a staple of Mexican cooking - which you might transform into delicious quesadillas filled with huitlacoche or flor de calabaza (squash blossoms). Enjoy your freshly made creations as you move on to prepare a comforting soup, such as creamy chorizo-bean soup or classic tortilla soup. Next, dive into a flavorful main dish like chiles rellenos or pork tenderloin in tamarind sauce. You’ll also learn to make Mexican rice from scratch, toasting the grains and cooking them with a medley of aromatic vegetables, a skill that’s essential to many traditional meals. Once everything is ready, sit down with Margarita to enjoy your home-cooked feast, either at her dining table or, during warmer months, outside in her charming garden. You’ll finish your experience with a sweet treat like traditional rice pudding or spicy chocolate mousse, served with coffee or tea.

Perfect for travelers looking for things to do in Mexico City - this is a rich cultural and culinary experience you won’t forget.

Market visit: (2-7 guests) Meet Margarita at her home, then take a short five-minute drive together to her neighborhood’s local covered market in San Ángel. This is a traditional Mexican market where locals shop daily for fresh ingredients. During your visit, Margarita will introduce you to a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs commonly used in Mexican cooking. You’ll see fresh tortillas being made, meet her favorite market stall owners, and help select the ingredients you’ll use later in your Mexico City cooking class. The market tour lasts about an hour, after which you’ll return to Margarita’s home to begin your hands-on cooking experience.

Notes:
1. Margarita is typically available for experiences Monday through Friday. If weekends are your only option, feel free to inquire as she may be able to accommodate you.
2. Your host can accommodate dietary restrictions including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. Please let her know your dietary preferences or restrictions when making your booking.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Sopes with beans and guacamole or panela cheese with dried chiles
  • Traditional Mexican soup such as tortilla soup or creamy black bean soup or pumpkin flower soup
  • Chile rellenos or stuffed chicken breast with cheese and salsa verde or pork tenderloin in tamarind sauce
  • Mexican red or green rice
  • Chocolate mousse with vanilla creme or traditional flan or rice pudding or dulce de leche crepes

Traveler reviews

5.0 (38)
Margarita was the most gracious, humble and interesting host. She lovingly welcomes you into her beautiful home and the fun begins. This is a true in-home cultural experience including a fabulous trip to her neighborhood market. Seasoned cooks and wannabes alike will truly appreciate Margarita, the food you make alongside her and the gorgeous setting. Worth every cent.
- Bridget May 02, 2025
Margarita was a terrific hostess and very accommodating. She checked in with us on menu since we had young children with us to make sure everything would be good for the whole family. The market tour was good and she helped us with navigating purchase of some things for our place as well. She was also very patient as I tried to improve my Spanish with her. Highly recommend.
- Harry April 27, 2025
Margarita offers a very good cooking class, with instructions in English & Spanish. She took time to make sure we both understood all the ingredients & steps to make an appetizer, a main dish with side item, and dessert. She explained different ways we could adapt the dishes to meet our needs when we return to our own kitchen. We particularly loved the sauces we prepared. We learned an entirely new-to-us way to make rice as well. We dined al fresco on a lovely patio that felt like perfect oasis for our meal. The class was relaxed & felt like being taught by a close friend or family member. We recommend this class wholeheartedly.
- Jenny April 24, 2025
I just had the best mole I have ever tasted, and I'm sure I can and will repeat this recipe at home. Our entire menu was fantastic, fun and not too complicated to replicate back home. There was so much food that we couldn't eat it all! Margarita is lovely, a fantastic cook and teacher, very patient. She has a beautiful home in an old neighborhood with narrow, cobblestone streets. Just visiting a home in this area is a treat. It was a beautiful day, and we ate outside on her patio. The market tour was fun, and even though we are familiar with Mexican markets and food ingredients, we learned more. Margarita was also helpful about suggesting things we might see and do in the area, so that we walked from her home through that beautiful neighborhood to our next adventure.
- Francis March 27, 2025
This was an absolutely wonderful experience, and it added so much to an already great trip. The sights and sounds of Mexico City are amazing. Meeting and cooking with Margarita - in her beautiful home - added another dimension. Margarita is fantastic - welcoming, warm, friendly, a fantastic cook -- and an excellent teacher. Our group of five enjoyed everything about this experience . From seeing the lovely home of someone who is a lifelong resident of the City, and working with her to prepare the meal -- and finally to enjoying a delicious meal and interesting conversation. Margarita was genuinely welcoming and we felt like we were friends from the moment we arrived. She was extremely well prepared for our lesson, and shared numerous helpful tips for recreating our feast when we returned home. Highly, highly recommend!
- Mariana March 23, 2025
This was an absolutely wonderful experience, and it added so much to an already great trip. The sights and sounds of Mexico City are amazing. Meeting and cooking with Margarita - in her beautiful home - added another dimension. Margarita is fantastic - welcoming, warm, friendly, a fantastic cook -- and an excellent teacher. Our group of five enjoyed everything about this experience . From seeing the lovely home of someone who is a lifelong resident of the City, and working with her to prepare the meal -- and finally to enjoying a delicious meal and interesting conversation. Margarita was genuinely welcoming and we felt like we were friends from the moment we arrived. She was extremely well prepared for our lesson, and shared numerous helpful tips for recreating our feast when we returned home. Highly, highly recommend!
- Marian March 23, 2025
My sister and I had a wonderful time shopping and cooking with Margarita. Her recipes were delicious and easy to follow, in fact, we have been making homemade tortillas ever since we left! ☺️ If you are a foodie I highly recommend you book this tour and take take foodie adventures to the next level!
- Melissa July 21, 2024
It was easy to get to the place by metro. Margerita was extremely nice and very informative on everything from the food to mexican culture in general. The food was really good and it was so nice that she prepared for us to cook the food that we suggested. A very good and authentic experience!
- Sofiel of July 11, 2024
What a special evening!! Margarita was exceptionally gracious and patient. An exceptional cook, she guided us in making a delicious meal that was also simple so we can make it at home. speaking of homes, hers is lovely and the perfect setting for our meal. Cannot recommend Margarita more highly!!
- avbindc July 09, 2024
I highly recommend the experience. The chef is an excellent host, attentive, knows the history of the dishes, real, elaborate Mexican food, top ingredients. (Google translated)
- ignacio June 12, 2024
My partner and I had an absolutely wonderful time cooking with Margarita! She was very warm, and knowledgeable, and I really enjoyed our chats, and meeting her beautiful dog, Lola. The procession of the day was great, starting with traditional Sopes entrées, followed by stuffed peppers & a fried rice for lunch, and an elegant dessert, with guava & berry compote. The ingredients were so fresh, and every bite was delicious! Margarita's hospitality was wonderful, and she went into well considered detail about the process & describing the ingredients we might be able to substitute at home if needed. Her home was so beautiful also. We sat outside in her backyard, had some drinks together, and it was such a perfectly intimate occasion, and definitely one of my highlights for our holiday. Looking forward to making these recipes at home!
- Christopher May 27, 2024
Our sunset cruise was everything we were hoping for. The Osprey (adults only) has comfortable cushioned benches lining the boat and a wee bar and restroom aft. The crew are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful and best of all, for us, the Osprey was not sold out. So, there was room for those so inclined to move around a bit. Finding the actual boat for boarding can be a bit challenging as it seems the docking area is not always the same, but we managed in the end and the crew rounded up those who were still lost before we cast off. After a brief safety review, we were invited to get a drink if we wanted from the bar. For me, just being on the water with a refreshing breeze is enough, but there was more. The Osprey sails through an area where dolphin families hunt together, and we were treated to the sight of these beauties cresting in a glistening arc before diving again. They do it in synch and it's magical to watch. The pod we were following was being pursued by one or two males and their efforts were resisted by moms and "aunties" who help raise the baby dolphins. The older females would rise straight up and smack the water with their tails, an energetic and often effective way to scare off predatory males. All of this was described by our on-board tour guide and deck hand (or self-described XO, Mary) who gave provided great info and answered all our questions. She had the right balance of giving info and letting us just enjoy the cruise! We also cruised past the Castillo de San Marcos and learned how the design and materials used in its construction effectively warded off attacks. For those who've been at sea, you know that the jaw dropping spectacular sunset is never a guaranteed thing. But we struck lucky again and got a gorgeous one. And everyone on board got the chance to photograph it, with crew offering to take over cameras for couples and group photos. On our last leg of the cruise, we got another treat--the Bridge of Lions was opening for tall watercraft. And as a kind of mini-finale, one of the local pirate ships engaged in a mock battle with a much smaller, but nevertheless feisty opponent. Good to know: Have an early dinner at the nearby Kingfish Grill, which offers indoor and outdoor seating, good food, great service, and a 10% discount to those going on the cruise. The Osprey and the Sunset Cruise are just one offering of Florida Water Tours. There are family-friendly and party cruises as well. Good to know: The dock area can be challenging to navigate, but especially for those with mobility concerns. Our crew was very helpful to one passenger who needed a walker. We loved this cruise and would go again.
- L7278K May 10, 2024
We had such an amazing day with Margarita at her home. She was such a kind and patient host with our kids and taught all of us how to make an amazing mexican meal. Our time with her was the highlight of our trip and we cannot recommend her enough for those looking for an experience off the beaten track.
- kcdono April 07, 2024
An incredible experience! Margarita is such a great teacher/guide. She was super patient with us and helpful throughout the cooking class! We were able to explore the market before rolling up our sleeves and get to cooking. Margarita taught us how to make stuffed poblano peppers along with appetizers and a fruit dessert. Everything was delicious! Highly recommend!
- 193nao April 02, 2024
We went as a family of four with our two kids age 8 and 9. Margarita was so welcoming and her house is absolutely lovely to spend the morning cooking in. We first went to the local market where she showed us local items and showed us common ingredients for Mexican cooking. I've never seen Molè paste before and such a variety. It was definitely an interesting experience for the kids, to see how locals live and shop which you would not get just by being on vacation while staying in a hotel. Margarita adjusted the menu for kid friendly cooking and the kids had a blast! We made sopes, queso fundido, two types of tacos and dessert that we will now be making on a weekly basis when we get home. Her house setting is magical and truly transports you to enjoy the meals we prepared. The kids said that her cooking class was the best part of their spring break!
- Rash481 March 13, 2024
Amazing food and education with Margarita. She had everything planned (including avoiding a food allergy). Clean and professional. Amazing experience.
- Deborah November 02, 2023
The best experience we could have asked for to kick off our México City trip. Margarita was a wonderful host. We made delicious traditional dishes and had wonderful drinks in her beautiful home. We cannot recommend this cooking class enough. Truly an amazing experience start to finish.
- sach_tr October 28, 2023
We had a quick visit to San Angles market. Margarita taught us to cook a three course meal. Weather was amazing and we enjoyed few drinks in her beautiful backyard. She is an excellent host.
- Jamal N May 29, 2023
We had such a great time with Margarita. Her home, where the cooking class was held, was welcoming and beautiful. Although we enjoyed the visit to the local market, it wasn’t really necessary to the experience. The best part about it was seeing the beautiful neighborhood around it. For the cooking lesson, Margarita had everything organized in advance and there was a lot of hands-on teaching which we loved. We learned how to make a variety of local dishes, and were given great advice on how to expand on the recipes to make other things. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone who enjoys cooking, experienced or not.
- 603abb April 03, 2023
Thank you, Margarita for a wonderfully immersive experience! The neighborhood and dining setting was so lovely and peaceful. We learned about a lot of the buildings nearby, trees, plants and then settled into the kitchen to try some new fruits and begin the cooking process. Everything was so delicious and we learned so much! And Lola is precious!
- aimeep March 15, 2023
I had an incredible time with Margarita! I highly recommend booking a class with her :) she is a wealth of knowledge.
- Maps78 March 15, 2023
Thank you, Margarita for a wonderfully immersive experience! The neighborhood and dining setting was so lovely and peaceful. We learned about a lot of the buildings nearby, trees, plants and then settled into the kitchen to try some new fruits and begin the cooking process. Everything was so delicious and we learned so much! And Lola is precious!
- aimee_P March 15, 2023
Wow!! What an awesome experience! My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed this unique experience! Imagine being welcomed into someone’s beautiful home and they feed you to your heart’s content?! Everything was beyond delectable. I will definitely recommend this experience to everyone!
- Karina March 10, 2023
Wow!! What an awesome experience! My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed this unique experience! Imagine being welcomed into someone’s beautiful home and they feed you to your heart’s content?! Everything was beyond delectable. I will definitely recommend this experience to everyone!
- Karina March 10, 2023
Cooking with Margarita and a private market tour was unquestionably the most amazing experience my husband and my friends have ever haGbeautiful, she wAas a gracious host and a wondertfuk chef. My friends, my husband and I love it MARGARITA is just superb!
- Pam L February 16, 2023
Just amazing!!! We chose this experience as a birthday gift and it was the best! Margarita welcomed us to her beautiful home as she took the time to share her wisdom in teaching us how to cook traditional Mexican food! She was extremely organized as she had prepped a lot of the food! She would model what we had to do and encourage us to try our best in making it! We ate our food in her beautiful garden! She will e-mail all recipes that we practiced and definitely keep in touch! We whole-heartely recommend this experience!
- LaRosa February 10, 2023
Have been eating out every day on our CDMX vacation so a great change up to cook our own food. Great way to chop, prepare, cook, and eat as a family (with 2 teenagers) with Margarita and the lovely dog Lola in a lovely residential area. Ingredients were mostly prepared but still had few final preps. The kids chipped i. Which normally they would not. Learned a few thing to take with us in our own cooking. Great experience and especially on a US Thanksgiving Day.
- Spike H November 27, 2022
My partner and I booked this class with Margarita this past August and had an amazing time! we chose to do a private class as I am no chef and wanted to ensure I could ask as many questions as possible and not feel left behind. Margarita is incredibly knowledgeable and patient and we really enjoyed the class. Margaritas neighbourhood was also interesting to visit. We left totally full, learned a lot and she also sends you the recipes so you can cook these dishes at home! Would definitely recommend!
- 97chippyb September 22, 2022
Margarita went above and beyond! She was so patient, caring, and knowledgeable. She was very organized, and made the process of learning the recipes so simple! She also had lots of wonderful recommendations for our time in Mexico City that we truly enjoyed. We definitely recommend this experience if you are looking to cook some great food and have a conversation with someone who understands the pulse of Mexico City.
- 846Kristin July 06, 2022
What a great experience it was! Margarita hosts the event in her beautiful home in Mexico City. She taught us several new cooking techniques and flavors which we will take home with us to share with friends and family. She also giving us great and unique recommendations for our time in Mexico. She is knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and has an inspiring appreciation for food and art.
- tswag00 May 02, 2022
Margarita is a wonderful and engaging host. Our remote team was looking for a fun activity for a remote get-together so we weren't just staring at each other and talking (like we do most of the day as it is), and this class really wowed us. Great experience all around, and we're looking forward to trying another class (plus recommending Margarita's class to all of our friends).
- hasselfox February 26, 2021
Margarita was an amazing teacher! She went at a perfect pace and offered helpful feedback when we had questions about the recipe. The food turned out great! We never thought we would be so successful at making delicious homemade tortillas. We would recommend this experience to everyone!
- Jill and Alex October 12, 2020
Visitamos la casa de margarita fue una excelente experiencia, aprendimos a cocinar comida típica mexicana. #calidad #buen ambiente #buena ubicación #buen precio
- Voyager39110 December 26, 2019
My wife and I had the good fortune of visiting the home of Margarita and her husband, Gonzalo, in Mexico City as part of a Traveling Spoon experience. It was so enjoyable! She is a food genius as well as an official "food stylist." Margarita made a variety of delicious food courses and explained the pertinent background details about them. I would highly recommend this if you are remotely a "foodie."
- dgh6636 December 13, 2019
If you like cooking (or if you want to learn more about cooking) this experience is perfect. Margarita taught us how to make homemade tortillas, chili rellenos, and green salsa, among many other things (I'm just listing my favorites). My husband and I love to cook and bake, and this class provides something that a cookbook can not - a hands on approach. We learned what the texture of the masa/water ratio should feel like to make tortillas and the technique to roasting, peeling, and removing the veins and seeds from the poblano peppers before stuffing them for the chili rellenos . We were most excited at the opportunity to join Margarita in her home for the class. I think that is what makes it extra authentic, to be able to learn and cook in the same kitchen Margarita makes meals for her family and friends. The duration of our visit felt like spending time with a friend. We made appetizers, then enjoyed them in the garden with hibiscus tea and beer. Then we returned to the kitchen to complete the main course, before heading back out to the patio to eat, talk and drink wine. Her sweet dog Lola enjoyed laying in the sunshine and getting pets from me too!Come hungry and be prepared to leave full and satisfied.
- cstrang4 November 23, 2019
We (mother/daughter) had an incredible day with Chef Margarita! Everything from her warm welcome, beautiful home, market tour, and of course the cooking lesson were all wonderful! Having one on one lessons in the kitchen was definitely worth it. This also gave us a chance to enjoy an intimate setting and great conversation with Margarita. I highly recommend this experience, and I plan to schedule more cooking lessons in the future.
- Christi B November 22, 2019
Our host, Margarita, was incredible. Her home is lovely; she is knowledgeable, organized, and had all 3 of us participating in many aspects of preparing our multi course meal. Started out in a local market with many stalls offering a variety of local fresh ingredients. There is not enough room to describe this amazing experience, I cannot recommend Margarita more highly.
- Lorraine P November 15, 2019
I had an incredible time with Margarita! I highly recommend booking a class with her :) she is a wealth of knowledge.
- maps78
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C2029be7 758e 4899 ad8d b0a268bdfde9

Margarita

$58-$125 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
Not offered $66 $58
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $115 $107
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $125 $115
Alcohol
$14 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
Not offered $66 $58
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $115 $107
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $125 $115
Alcohol
$14 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
1:00pm-4:00pm 7:00pm-10:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
10:00am-2:00pm 4:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
9:00am-2:00pm 3:00pm-8:00pm

Meet Margarita

Margarita was born and raised in Mexico City, where her lifelong passion for food began in her grandmother’s kitchen. Inspired by her grandmother’s talent for traditional Mexican cooking, Margarita took her first cooking classes at just 15 years old. Her love for the culinary arts led her to pursue additional training and a successful 15-year career as a food stylist, during which her recipes and beautifully styled dishes were featured in several magazines. Seven years ago, Margarita turned her passion into a business, launching a cookie company that now offers over 60 unique varieties to local clients. She is also the co-author of a Mexican cookbook and is deeply committed to sharing her culinary heritage with others. Margarita believes that food is one of the most meaningful ways to understand a culture. As she says, “If you want to understand Mexico as a country, you have to taste its flavors. I want to share the richness of Mexico and its great culture of food with others.”

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-7 guests) Meet Margarita at her home on a quiet, residential street in Mexico City’s charming Tlacopac San Ángel neighborhood. Weather permitting, your experience will begin in her lovely garden, where you’ll be welcomed with a refreshing drink and appetizers as Margarita shares stories about her life and culinary journey. Her husband Gonzalo, an economist, may join you for evening or weekend experiences when he’s not working, adding to the warm and personal atmosphere. You’ll then move to their family dining table to enjoy a traditional, home-cooked three-course Mexican meal. Start with a comforting soup such as creamy corn soup or classic tortilla soup, followed by a flavorful main dish like chiles rellenos or chicken stuffed with cheese and served with a zesty salsa verde, accompanied by traditional Mexican rice. End your meal on a sweet note with a homemade dessert like rich chocolate mousse with vanilla crème or crepes drizzled with Mexican dulce de leche, paired with coffee or tea.

Cooking experience: (2-10 guests) Start your Mexico City cooking class in Margarita’s stunning and spacious home, where you’ll be welcomed with traditional Mexican appetizers like sopes served with fresh guacamole. This hands-on Mexico City cooking experience lasts about two hours and offers an immersive introduction to authentic Mexican cuisine. You’ll begin by learning how to make tortillas from scratch - a staple of Mexican cooking - which you might transform into delicious quesadillas filled with huitlacoche or flor de calabaza (squash blossoms). Enjoy your freshly made creations as you move on to prepare a comforting soup, such as creamy chorizo-bean soup or classic tortilla soup. Next, dive into a flavorful main dish like chiles rellenos or pork tenderloin in tamarind sauce. You’ll also learn to make Mexican rice from scratch, toasting the grains and cooking them with a medley of aromatic vegetables, a skill that’s essential to many traditional meals. Once everything is ready, sit down with Margarita to enjoy your home-cooked feast, either at her dining table or, during warmer months, outside in her charming garden. You’ll finish your experience with a sweet treat like traditional rice pudding or spicy chocolate mousse, served with coffee or tea.

Perfect for travelers looking for things to do in Mexico City - this is a rich cultural and culinary experience you won’t forget.

Market visit: (2-7 guests) Meet Margarita at her home, then take a short five-minute drive together to her neighborhood’s local covered market in San Ángel. This is a traditional Mexican market where locals shop daily for fresh ingredients. During your visit, Margarita will introduce you to a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs commonly used in Mexican cooking. You’ll see fresh tortillas being made, meet her favorite market stall owners, and help select the ingredients you’ll use later in your Mexico City cooking class. The market tour lasts about an hour, after which you’ll return to Margarita’s home to begin your hands-on cooking experience.

Notes:
1. Margarita is typically available for experiences Monday through Friday. If weekends are your only option, feel free to inquire as she may be able to accommodate you.
2. Your host can accommodate dietary restrictions including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. Please let her know your dietary preferences or restrictions when making your booking.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Sopes with beans and guacamole or panela cheese with dried chiles
  • Traditional Mexican soup such as tortilla soup or creamy black bean soup or pumpkin flower soup
  • Chile rellenos or stuffed chicken breast with cheese and salsa verde or pork tenderloin in tamarind sauce
  • Mexican red or green rice
  • Chocolate mousse with vanilla creme or traditional flan or rice pudding or dulce de leche crepes

Traveler reviews

5.0 (38)
Margarita was the most gracious, humble and interesting host. She lovingly welcomes you into her beautiful home and the fun begins. This is a true in-home cultural experience including a fabulous trip to her neighborhood market. Seasoned cooks and wannabes alike will truly appreciate Margarita, the food you make alongside her and the gorgeous setting. Worth every cent.
- Bridget May 02, 2025
Margarita was a terrific hostess and very accommodating. She checked in with us on menu since we had young children with us to make sure everything would be good for the whole family. The market tour was good and she helped us with navigating purchase of some things for our place as well. She was also very patient as I tried to improve my Spanish with her. Highly recommend.
- Harry April 27, 2025
Margarita offers a very good cooking class, with instructions in English & Spanish. She took time to make sure we both understood all the ingredients & steps to make an appetizer, a main dish with side item, and dessert. She explained different ways we could adapt the dishes to meet our needs when we return to our own kitchen. We particularly loved the sauces we prepared. We learned an entirely new-to-us way to make rice as well. We dined al fresco on a lovely patio that felt like perfect oasis for our meal. The class was relaxed & felt like being taught by a close friend or family member. We recommend this class wholeheartedly.
- Jenny April 24, 2025
I just had the best mole I have ever tasted, and I'm sure I can and will repeat this recipe at home. Our entire menu was fantastic, fun and not too complicated to replicate back home. There was so much food that we couldn't eat it all! Margarita is lovely, a fantastic cook and teacher, very patient. She has a beautiful home in an old neighborhood with narrow, cobblestone streets. Just visiting a home in this area is a treat. It was a beautiful day, and we ate outside on her patio. The market tour was fun, and even though we are familiar with Mexican markets and food ingredients, we learned more. Margarita was also helpful about suggesting things we might see and do in the area, so that we walked from her home through that beautiful neighborhood to our next adventure.
- Francis March 27, 2025
This was an absolutely wonderful experience, and it added so much to an already great trip. The sights and sounds of Mexico City are amazing. Meeting and cooking with Margarita - in her beautiful home - added another dimension. Margarita is fantastic - welcoming, warm, friendly, a fantastic cook -- and an excellent teacher. Our group of five enjoyed everything about this experience . From seeing the lovely home of someone who is a lifelong resident of the City, and working with her to prepare the meal -- and finally to enjoying a delicious meal and interesting conversation. Margarita was genuinely welcoming and we felt like we were friends from the moment we arrived. She was extremely well prepared for our lesson, and shared numerous helpful tips for recreating our feast when we returned home. Highly, highly recommend!
- Mariana March 23, 2025
This was an absolutely wonderful experience, and it added so much to an already great trip. The sights and sounds of Mexico City are amazing. Meeting and cooking with Margarita - in her beautiful home - added another dimension. Margarita is fantastic - welcoming, warm, friendly, a fantastic cook -- and an excellent teacher. Our group of five enjoyed everything about this experience . From seeing the lovely home of someone who is a lifelong resident of the City, and working with her to prepare the meal -- and finally to enjoying a delicious meal and interesting conversation. Margarita was genuinely welcoming and we felt like we were friends from the moment we arrived. She was extremely well prepared for our lesson, and shared numerous helpful tips for recreating our feast when we returned home. Highly, highly recommend!
- Marian March 23, 2025
My sister and I had a wonderful time shopping and cooking with Margarita. Her recipes were delicious and easy to follow, in fact, we have been making homemade tortillas ever since we left! ☺️ If you are a foodie I highly recommend you book this tour and take take foodie adventures to the next level!
- Melissa July 21, 2024
It was easy to get to the place by metro. Margerita was extremely nice and very informative on everything from the food to mexican culture in general. The food was really good and it was so nice that she prepared for us to cook the food that we suggested. A very good and authentic experience!
- Sofiel of July 11, 2024
What a special evening!! Margarita was exceptionally gracious and patient. An exceptional cook, she guided us in making a delicious meal that was also simple so we can make it at home. speaking of homes, hers is lovely and the perfect setting for our meal. Cannot recommend Margarita more highly!!
- avbindc July 09, 2024
I highly recommend the experience. The chef is an excellent host, attentive, knows the history of the dishes, real, elaborate Mexican food, top ingredients. (Google translated)
- ignacio June 12, 2024
My partner and I had an absolutely wonderful time cooking with Margarita! She was very warm, and knowledgeable, and I really enjoyed our chats, and meeting her beautiful dog, Lola. The procession of the day was great, starting with traditional Sopes entrées, followed by stuffed peppers & a fried rice for lunch, and an elegant dessert, with guava & berry compote. The ingredients were so fresh, and every bite was delicious! Margarita's hospitality was wonderful, and she went into well considered detail about the process & describing the ingredients we might be able to substitute at home if needed. Her home was so beautiful also. We sat outside in her backyard, had some drinks together, and it was such a perfectly intimate occasion, and definitely one of my highlights for our holiday. Looking forward to making these recipes at home!
- Christopher May 27, 2024
Our sunset cruise was everything we were hoping for. The Osprey (adults only) has comfortable cushioned benches lining the boat and a wee bar and restroom aft. The crew are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful and best of all, for us, the Osprey was not sold out. So, there was room for those so inclined to move around a bit. Finding the actual boat for boarding can be a bit challenging as it seems the docking area is not always the same, but we managed in the end and the crew rounded up those who were still lost before we cast off. After a brief safety review, we were invited to get a drink if we wanted from the bar. For me, just being on the water with a refreshing breeze is enough, but there was more. The Osprey sails through an area where dolphin families hunt together, and we were treated to the sight of these beauties cresting in a glistening arc before diving again. They do it in synch and it's magical to watch. The pod we were following was being pursued by one or two males and their efforts were resisted by moms and "aunties" who help raise the baby dolphins. The older females would rise straight up and smack the water with their tails, an energetic and often effective way to scare off predatory males. All of this was described by our on-board tour guide and deck hand (or self-described XO, Mary) who gave provided great info and answered all our questions. She had the right balance of giving info and letting us just enjoy the cruise! We also cruised past the Castillo de San Marcos and learned how the design and materials used in its construction effectively warded off attacks. For those who've been at sea, you know that the jaw dropping spectacular sunset is never a guaranteed thing. But we struck lucky again and got a gorgeous one. And everyone on board got the chance to photograph it, with crew offering to take over cameras for couples and group photos. On our last leg of the cruise, we got another treat--the Bridge of Lions was opening for tall watercraft. And as a kind of mini-finale, one of the local pirate ships engaged in a mock battle with a much smaller, but nevertheless feisty opponent. Good to know: Have an early dinner at the nearby Kingfish Grill, which offers indoor and outdoor seating, good food, great service, and a 10% discount to those going on the cruise. The Osprey and the Sunset Cruise are just one offering of Florida Water Tours. There are family-friendly and party cruises as well. Good to know: The dock area can be challenging to navigate, but especially for those with mobility concerns. Our crew was very helpful to one passenger who needed a walker. We loved this cruise and would go again.
- L7278K May 10, 2024
We had such an amazing day with Margarita at her home. She was such a kind and patient host with our kids and taught all of us how to make an amazing mexican meal. Our time with her was the highlight of our trip and we cannot recommend her enough for those looking for an experience off the beaten track.
- kcdono April 07, 2024
An incredible experience! Margarita is such a great teacher/guide. She was super patient with us and helpful throughout the cooking class! We were able to explore the market before rolling up our sleeves and get to cooking. Margarita taught us how to make stuffed poblano peppers along with appetizers and a fruit dessert. Everything was delicious! Highly recommend!
- 193nao April 02, 2024
We went as a family of four with our two kids age 8 and 9. Margarita was so welcoming and her house is absolutely lovely to spend the morning cooking in. We first went to the local market where she showed us local items and showed us common ingredients for Mexican cooking. I've never seen Molè paste before and such a variety. It was definitely an interesting experience for the kids, to see how locals live and shop which you would not get just by being on vacation while staying in a hotel. Margarita adjusted the menu for kid friendly cooking and the kids had a blast! We made sopes, queso fundido, two types of tacos and dessert that we will now be making on a weekly basis when we get home. Her house setting is magical and truly transports you to enjoy the meals we prepared. The kids said that her cooking class was the best part of their spring break!
- Rash481 March 13, 2024
Amazing food and education with Margarita. She had everything planned (including avoiding a food allergy). Clean and professional. Amazing experience.
- Deborah November 02, 2023
The best experience we could have asked for to kick off our México City trip. Margarita was a wonderful host. We made delicious traditional dishes and had wonderful drinks in her beautiful home. We cannot recommend this cooking class enough. Truly an amazing experience start to finish.
- sach_tr October 28, 2023
We had a quick visit to San Angles market. Margarita taught us to cook a three course meal. Weather was amazing and we enjoyed few drinks in her beautiful backyard. She is an excellent host.
- Jamal N May 29, 2023
We had such a great time with Margarita. Her home, where the cooking class was held, was welcoming and beautiful. Although we enjoyed the visit to the local market, it wasn’t really necessary to the experience. The best part about it was seeing the beautiful neighborhood around it. For the cooking lesson, Margarita had everything organized in advance and there was a lot of hands-on teaching which we loved. We learned how to make a variety of local dishes, and were given great advice on how to expand on the recipes to make other things. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone who enjoys cooking, experienced or not.
- 603abb April 03, 2023
Thank you, Margarita for a wonderfully immersive experience! The neighborhood and dining setting was so lovely and peaceful. We learned about a lot of the buildings nearby, trees, plants and then settled into the kitchen to try some new fruits and begin the cooking process. Everything was so delicious and we learned so much! And Lola is precious!
- aimeep March 15, 2023
I had an incredible time with Margarita! I highly recommend booking a class with her :) she is a wealth of knowledge.
- Maps78 March 15, 2023
Thank you, Margarita for a wonderfully immersive experience! The neighborhood and dining setting was so lovely and peaceful. We learned about a lot of the buildings nearby, trees, plants and then settled into the kitchen to try some new fruits and begin the cooking process. Everything was so delicious and we learned so much! And Lola is precious!
- aimee_P March 15, 2023
Wow!! What an awesome experience! My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed this unique experience! Imagine being welcomed into someone’s beautiful home and they feed you to your heart’s content?! Everything was beyond delectable. I will definitely recommend this experience to everyone!
- Karina March 10, 2023
Wow!! What an awesome experience! My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed this unique experience! Imagine being welcomed into someone’s beautiful home and they feed you to your heart’s content?! Everything was beyond delectable. I will definitely recommend this experience to everyone!
- Karina March 10, 2023
Cooking with Margarita and a private market tour was unquestionably the most amazing experience my husband and my friends have ever haGbeautiful, she wAas a gracious host and a wondertfuk chef. My friends, my husband and I love it MARGARITA is just superb!
- Pam L February 16, 2023
Just amazing!!! We chose this experience as a birthday gift and it was the best! Margarita welcomed us to her beautiful home as she took the time to share her wisdom in teaching us how to cook traditional Mexican food! She was extremely organized as she had prepped a lot of the food! She would model what we had to do and encourage us to try our best in making it! We ate our food in her beautiful garden! She will e-mail all recipes that we practiced and definitely keep in touch! We whole-heartely recommend this experience!
- LaRosa February 10, 2023
Have been eating out every day on our CDMX vacation so a great change up to cook our own food. Great way to chop, prepare, cook, and eat as a family (with 2 teenagers) with Margarita and the lovely dog Lola in a lovely residential area. Ingredients were mostly prepared but still had few final preps. The kids chipped i. Which normally they would not. Learned a few thing to take with us in our own cooking. Great experience and especially on a US Thanksgiving Day.
- Spike H November 27, 2022
My partner and I booked this class with Margarita this past August and had an amazing time! we chose to do a private class as I am no chef and wanted to ensure I could ask as many questions as possible and not feel left behind. Margarita is incredibly knowledgeable and patient and we really enjoyed the class. Margaritas neighbourhood was also interesting to visit. We left totally full, learned a lot and she also sends you the recipes so you can cook these dishes at home! Would definitely recommend!
- 97chippyb September 22, 2022
Margarita went above and beyond! She was so patient, caring, and knowledgeable. She was very organized, and made the process of learning the recipes so simple! She also had lots of wonderful recommendations for our time in Mexico City that we truly enjoyed. We definitely recommend this experience if you are looking to cook some great food and have a conversation with someone who understands the pulse of Mexico City.
- 846Kristin July 06, 2022
What a great experience it was! Margarita hosts the event in her beautiful home in Mexico City. She taught us several new cooking techniques and flavors which we will take home with us to share with friends and family. She also giving us great and unique recommendations for our time in Mexico. She is knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and has an inspiring appreciation for food and art.
- tswag00 May 02, 2022
Margarita is a wonderful and engaging host. Our remote team was looking for a fun activity for a remote get-together so we weren't just staring at each other and talking (like we do most of the day as it is), and this class really wowed us. Great experience all around, and we're looking forward to trying another class (plus recommending Margarita's class to all of our friends).
- hasselfox February 26, 2021
Margarita was an amazing teacher! She went at a perfect pace and offered helpful feedback when we had questions about the recipe. The food turned out great! We never thought we would be so successful at making delicious homemade tortillas. We would recommend this experience to everyone!
- Jill and Alex October 12, 2020
Visitamos la casa de margarita fue una excelente experiencia, aprendimos a cocinar comida típica mexicana. #calidad #buen ambiente #buena ubicación #buen precio
- Voyager39110 December 26, 2019
My wife and I had the good fortune of visiting the home of Margarita and her husband, Gonzalo, in Mexico City as part of a Traveling Spoon experience. It was so enjoyable! She is a food genius as well as an official "food stylist." Margarita made a variety of delicious food courses and explained the pertinent background details about them. I would highly recommend this if you are remotely a "foodie."
- dgh6636 December 13, 2019
If you like cooking (or if you want to learn more about cooking) this experience is perfect. Margarita taught us how to make homemade tortillas, chili rellenos, and green salsa, among many other things (I'm just listing my favorites). My husband and I love to cook and bake, and this class provides something that a cookbook can not - a hands on approach. We learned what the texture of the masa/water ratio should feel like to make tortillas and the technique to roasting, peeling, and removing the veins and seeds from the poblano peppers before stuffing them for the chili rellenos . We were most excited at the opportunity to join Margarita in her home for the class. I think that is what makes it extra authentic, to be able to learn and cook in the same kitchen Margarita makes meals for her family and friends. The duration of our visit felt like spending time with a friend. We made appetizers, then enjoyed them in the garden with hibiscus tea and beer. Then we returned to the kitchen to complete the main course, before heading back out to the patio to eat, talk and drink wine. Her sweet dog Lola enjoyed laying in the sunshine and getting pets from me too!Come hungry and be prepared to leave full and satisfied.
- cstrang4 November 23, 2019
We (mother/daughter) had an incredible day with Chef Margarita! Everything from her warm welcome, beautiful home, market tour, and of course the cooking lesson were all wonderful! Having one on one lessons in the kitchen was definitely worth it. This also gave us a chance to enjoy an intimate setting and great conversation with Margarita. I highly recommend this experience, and I plan to schedule more cooking lessons in the future.
- Christi B November 22, 2019
Our host, Margarita, was incredible. Her home is lovely; she is knowledgeable, organized, and had all 3 of us participating in many aspects of preparing our multi course meal. Started out in a local market with many stalls offering a variety of local fresh ingredients. There is not enough room to describe this amazing experience, I cannot recommend Margarita more highly.
- Lorraine P November 15, 2019
I had an incredible time with Margarita! I highly recommend booking a class with her :) she is a wealth of knowledge.
- maps78
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
Not offered $66 $58
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $115 $107
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $125 $115
Alcohol
$14 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
Not offered $66 $58
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $115 $107
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $125 $115
Alcohol
$14 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
1:00pm-4:00pm 7:00pm-10:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
10:00am-2:00pm 4:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
9:00am-2:00pm 3:00pm-8:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.