Vegan Mexico City | Tacos, Pyramids & Activism

Imagine eating tacos made by animal rights activists. Then picture sharing a home-cooked meal with a family near ancient pyramids.

This is Vegan Mexico City.

Here, food is activism. Travel supports communities. And every meal tells a story.

In Episode 224 of The World Vegan Travel Podcast, I speak with Mena Espejel, founder of Travelling Herbivore. She explains how ethical travel in Mexico City can create real impact.

Mena has worked in the travel industry for more than 16 years. However, she began to question the system.

She noticed that large travel companies often extract money from local communities. At the same time, vegans and vegetarians were left with poor food options.

So she built something different.

Travelling Herbivore became Mexico City’s first 100% vegan and vegetarian tour company.

Her mission is simple:

• Support minority-owned businesses
• Pay fair wages
• Work with grassroots communities
• Keep money local

As Mena says:

“Veganism is about empathy and choosing to do the least harm.”- Mena Espejel

For her, Vegan Mexico City is about fairness — not just food.

Most tours treat the pyramids like a photo stop.

Mena does not.

On her Teotihuacan tour, guests meet local guides from the community. They visit Casa Meztli, a generational family of obsidian artisans. Obsidian is volcanic glass used in pre-Hispanic times.

Guests learn how it is carved. They taste homemade marmalades. They try pulque, a fermented agave drink.

Then they share a home-cooked vegan meal in a family’s house.

This is not extractive tourism. It is connection.

Vegan Mexico City has grown quickly, especially after the pandemic.

But the roots go deeper.

Mexico has a strong political memory. Activism is visible in daily life. As a result, veganism is closely linked to:

• Animal rights
• Feminism
• Anti-speciesism
• Decolonization

For many young Mexicans, veganism is not just a diet. It is part of a wider social justice movement.

That is why the vegan scene feels powerful here.

Instead of influencer hot spots, Mena highlights local heroes.

These businesses often sit outside gentrified areas. However, they deserve attention.

Veguerrero: Tacos with an Activist Edge

A women-owned taco stand in Colonia Buenavista.

This taco inspired Mena to start her street food tour.

The owner chose to open in a working-class neighborhood. She wanted vegan food to be accessible to everyone.

Dystopia: Where Pozole Saves Animals

Dystopia serves rare vegan pozole, a traditional Mexican stew.

They also run Mamma Pizza. Part of their profits go to animal rescues, including farm animal sanctuaries.

So when you eat here, you help animals.

Gatorta: The Street Stall That Started It All

One of the first fully vegan street food stalls in Mexico City.

Women-owned. Activist-led. Famous for tortas and unforgettable tiramisu.

They also help organize the Anti-Speciesism March each year.

Mena also runs whale watching tours in Baja California.

Here, animals set the rules.

Boats do not chase whales. Guides do not force contact.

If whales approach, it happens naturally.

As Mena explains, ethical wildlife travel means letting animals choose the interaction.

This philosophy extends to sea lion snorkeling as well.

Large booking platforms often take high commissions.

That means less money stays in local communities.

If you want to support Vegan Mexico City in a meaningful way, book directly with Travelling Herbivore.

It is usually cheaper for you. More importantly, it protects small businesses.

In Vegan Mexico City, every taco tells a story.

Every pyramid visit builds connection.

Every restaurant supports activism.

When you travel with intention, you strengthen communities instead of displacing them.

So if Mexico City is on your list, consider choosing ethical experiences.

Eat the tacos.
Visit the pyramids.
Support local activists.

Travel differently.