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Host: Margarita

Mexico City, Mexico

USD
$59-$129 per person

Local Market Tour and Traditional Cooking Class in Mexico City

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Round-Trip Transfers
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food Tour

Meet Margarita

Margarita was born and raised in Mexico City, where her lifelong passion for food was sparked in her grandmother’s kitchen. Inspired by her grandmother’s mastery of traditional Mexican cooking, she began taking formal cooking classes at the age of 15. Her love for the culinary arts grew into a successful 15-year career as a food stylist, with her beautifully crafted dishes and recipes featured in several magazines. Seven years ago, Margarita transformed her passion into a business, launching a cookie company that now offers over 60 unique varieties to a loyal local clientele. She is also the co-author of a Mexican cookbook and is deeply committed to preserving and sharing her country’s rich culinary heritage. For Margarita, food is one of the most powerful ways to understand a culture. As she puts it, “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 incredible food culture 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: (2-10 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: (2-12 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: (2-12 guests) Meet Margarita directly at the main entrance of Mercado “Melchor Múzquiz” also named “Mercado 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 class.

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 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.
  • Traditional Mexican soup such as tortilla soup or creamy black bean soup or pumpkin flower soup
  • Chiles rellenos stuffed with chicken or beef or mushrooms
  • Mexican rice
  • Chocolate mousse with vanilla crème or crepes drizzled with Mexican dulce de leche
  • Tea or coffee

Traveler reviews

4.99 (82)
Do you like to cook? Do you like to eat? Would you like to learn how to make traditional Mexican food that is both delicious and approachable? Would you like that instruction to come from a knowledgeable and kind woman who gives off strong abuela and nonna vibes? Then fellow traveler, look no further. I cannot possibly recommend this class enough. Come curious and leave with both your belly and heart full. (The poached guava with cream cheese filling floating in a guava simple syrup is SO GOOD!)
- Neil October 16, 2026
This class was absolutely incredible. Margarit was so helpful, knowledgeable, and an amazing teacher. Her home was beautiful, and we felt so welcome. We will recommend to everyone coming to CDMX.
- gwen October 01, 2026
This was the best experience we had on our entire trip! Margarita welcomes you graciously into her beautiful home. The whole experience is paced very well: from refreshments on the patio, to making and enjoying appetizers, then making and enjoying an exquisite lunch with dessert, wine, everything is perfect. Margarita gives a masterclass in hospitality. We learned so much, the food was delicious, and we enjoyed wonderful conversation that made CDMX come to life. Margarita’s husband, an accomplished economist, stopped by to say hello and the enjoyable conversation continued. The recipes are authentic and also simple that we can recreate them at home. Everything is perfecto, thank you Margarita, our new friend!
- jessie September 30, 2026
Margarita went above and beyond as a gracious host. I booked this activity for my father and a friend, who both raved about the experience, both saying it was beyond expectations. Margarita was helpful and clear about logistics, timing and made everything go smoothly. Beautiful food and company. So much appreciate about this activity. Highly recommend.
- berdine September 29, 2026
Our private cooking experience with Margarita Chaim was truly one of the highlights of our time in Mexico City. From the moment Margarita welcomed my wife and me into her beautiful home, we felt less like customers attending a class and more like honored guests visiting an old friend. Margarita’s warmth, generosity, and passion for Mexican cuisine made the entire experience incredibly special. Rather than simply watching her cook, we worked alongside her, learning the techniques, ingredients, and traditions behind each authentic dish. Everything we prepared was absolutely delicious, and sharing the finished meal together—accompanied by wonderful wine and lively conversation—made the afternoon feel intimate, personal, and completely unforgettable. What sets this experience apart is Margarita herself. She is gracious, knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely interested in the people she welcomes into her home. She created an atmosphere where we could relax, laugh, learn, and connect with Mexican culture in a way that no restaurant or conventional cooking class could possibly replicate. My wife and I left with full stomachs, wonderful memories, and a much deeper appreciation for the food and hospitality of Mexico. If you are looking for an authentic, meaningful, and truly personal experience in Mexico City, spending an afternoon cooking with Margarita is an absolute must. We cannot recommend her highly enough.
- jose September 19, 2026
Read More

Margarita

$59-$129 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 $69 $59
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $119 $109
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $129 $119
Alcohol
 $14 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $69 $59
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $119 $109
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $129 $119
Alcohol
 $14 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 1:00pm-4:00pm 7:00pm-10:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 9:00am-1:00pm 2:00pm-6:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-2:00pm 2:00pm-7:00pm

Meet Margarita

Margarita was born and raised in Mexico City, where her lifelong passion for food was sparked in her grandmother’s kitchen. Inspired by her grandmother’s mastery of traditional Mexican cooking, she began taking formal cooking classes at the age of 15. Her love for the culinary arts grew into a successful 15-year career as a food stylist, with her beautifully crafted dishes and recipes featured in several magazines. Seven years ago, Margarita transformed her passion into a business, launching a cookie company that now offers over 60 unique varieties to a loyal local clientele. She is also the co-author of a Mexican cookbook and is deeply committed to preserving and sharing her country’s rich culinary heritage. For Margarita, food is one of the most powerful ways to understand a culture. As she puts it, “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 incredible food culture 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: (2-10 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: (2-12 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: (2-12 guests) Meet Margarita directly at the main entrance of Mercado “Melchor Múzquiz” also named “Mercado 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 class.

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 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.
  • Traditional Mexican soup such as tortilla soup or creamy black bean soup or pumpkin flower soup
  • Chiles rellenos stuffed with chicken or beef or mushrooms
  • Mexican rice
  • Chocolate mousse with vanilla crème or crepes drizzled with Mexican dulce de leche
  • Tea or coffee

Traveler reviews

4.99 (82)
Do you like to cook? Do you like to eat? Would you like to learn how to make traditional Mexican food that is both delicious and approachable? Would you like that instruction to come from a knowledgeable and kind woman who gives off strong abuela and nonna vibes? Then fellow traveler, look no further. I cannot possibly recommend this class enough. Come curious and leave with both your belly and heart full. (The poached guava with cream cheese filling floating in a guava simple syrup is SO GOOD!)
- Neil October 16, 2026
This class was absolutely incredible. Margarit was so helpful, knowledgeable, and an amazing teacher. Her home was beautiful, and we felt so welcome. We will recommend to everyone coming to CDMX.
- gwen October 01, 2026
This was the best experience we had on our entire trip! Margarita welcomes you graciously into her beautiful home. The whole experience is paced very well: from refreshments on the patio, to making and enjoying appetizers, then making and enjoying an exquisite lunch with dessert, wine, everything is perfect. Margarita gives a masterclass in hospitality. We learned so much, the food was delicious, and we enjoyed wonderful conversation that made CDMX come to life. Margarita’s husband, an accomplished economist, stopped by to say hello and the enjoyable conversation continued. The recipes are authentic and also simple that we can recreate them at home. Everything is perfecto, thank you Margarita, our new friend!
- jessie September 30, 2026
Margarita went above and beyond as a gracious host. I booked this activity for my father and a friend, who both raved about the experience, both saying it was beyond expectations. Margarita was helpful and clear about logistics, timing and made everything go smoothly. Beautiful food and company. So much appreciate about this activity. Highly recommend.
- berdine September 29, 2026
Our private cooking experience with Margarita Chaim was truly one of the highlights of our time in Mexico City. From the moment Margarita welcomed my wife and me into her beautiful home, we felt less like customers attending a class and more like honored guests visiting an old friend. Margarita’s warmth, generosity, and passion for Mexican cuisine made the entire experience incredibly special. Rather than simply watching her cook, we worked alongside her, learning the techniques, ingredients, and traditions behind each authentic dish. Everything we prepared was absolutely delicious, and sharing the finished meal together—accompanied by wonderful wine and lively conversation—made the afternoon feel intimate, personal, and completely unforgettable. What sets this experience apart is Margarita herself. She is gracious, knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely interested in the people she welcomes into her home. She created an atmosphere where we could relax, laugh, learn, and connect with Mexican culture in a way that no restaurant or conventional cooking class could possibly replicate. My wife and I left with full stomachs, wonderful memories, and a much deeper appreciation for the food and hospitality of Mexico. If you are looking for an authentic, meaningful, and truly personal experience in Mexico City, spending an afternoon cooking with Margarita is an absolute must. We cannot recommend her highly enough.
- jose September 19, 2026
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $69 $59
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $119 $109
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $129 $119
Alcohol
 $14 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $69 $59
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $119 $109
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $129 $119
Alcohol
 $14 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 1:00pm-4:00pm 7:00pm-10:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 9:00am-1:00pm 2:00pm-6:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-2:00pm 2:00pm-7:00pm
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 4% 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. Transfers are typically charged on a per car basis, not per person. 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 round-trip transfers as an optional add-on. A driver collects you from your hotel or residence, takes you to the experience, and brings you back at the end. Pricing is quoted per car, not per person, so a group shares one fare. Your host's exact pickup instructions come with your confirmation details once the booking is accepted. A few hosts arrange transfers differently — a one-way ride, or a pickup from a central meeting point — and where that is the case their profile says so in place of the round-trip wording.

    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.