The new results of the 2026 Michelin Guide are in, and they bring important news for the capital’s culinary scene: the Califa de León taqueria in Mexico City has lost its Michelin star.
The small, legendary spot in the San Rafael neighborhood, which had made history in 2024 as the only taqueria with this distinction, bids farewell to its star status in this year’s update.
Although the famous recognition is no longer displayed on its façade, the business is not leaving empty-handed. The inspectors from the French guide decided to keep the establishment on their official list of recommendations. This means that, according to the organization’s standards, the quality and flavor of the place continue to meet the necessary criteria to appear in the prestigious international guide.
For those wondering if anything has changed at Ribera de San Cosme, the answer is no. The concept has remained unchanged since its founding in 1968, offering its classic menu centered on steak, pork chop, and rib tacos, as well as the classic “gaonera,” created in honor of the bullfighter Rodolfo Bernal Gaona. The cornerstone of the place remains the same: serving the meat on plastic plates with puffed corn tortillas, handmade and prepared fresh.
Want to see if the flavor is still intact now that the Califa de León taqueria in Mexico City has lost its Michelin star? Make plans and head out to try its legendary gaonera, and let us know in the comments if you think they deserved to keep the award or if you prefer their new status as an official recommendation.