Karisma CDMX Review: Authentic Al Pastor Tacos & Tortilla Soup in Polanco

🌮 Dinner in Polanco: Karisma CDMX

Location:	Karisma (directly across from InterContinental Presidente)
The Soup:	Traditional Tortilla Soup "Antigua" ($210 MXN)
The Main:	Tacos al Pastor ($320 MXN)

After filling our bellies at Café Urbano, hubby and I set out for a lovely stroll to Chapultepec Castle. The weather was gorgeous, sunny, and beautifully hot. We spent a wonderful few hours taking in the sights before heading back to the hotel to rest and cool down.

By the evening, hubby had to head out to the welcome dinner for his conference, which is the entire reason we are in Mexico City. I was feeling a little lazy and was incredibly tempted to just order room service or wander down to one of the five different restaurants inside the InterContinental. But as I looked at the menus, nothing really caught my eye. I mean, we are in Mexico, so why would I want to eat Italian, French, or American food tonight?

Instead, I decided to cross the street and try a lively little joint called Karisma.

As soon as I sat down, they brought out a complimentary basket of tortilla chips served with fresh salsa and pico de gallo. They were fantastic! Honestly, even a bad tortilla chip is still a good tortilla chip, but these were crispy and satisfying.

Warm, crispy tortilla chips with salsa and pico de gallo to start the meal.

Next up was the Traditional Tortilla Soup "Antigua" ($210 MXN). I have written about some incredible versions of this dish in the past, like the garlic mushroom enchiladas and soup at Patrón in Vancouver, and the lovely version we had at Historico Central.

While those remain favourites, Karisma’s version brought something unique to the table. They include what feels like chicharrón in the broth, which adds a soft, rich, fatty pork texture to the very end of each bite. It was a comforting, savoury bowl of soup topped with fresh avocado and a swirl of cream.

The rich and comforting Traditional Tortilla Soup "Antigua".

Then, the main event arrived: a beautiful platter of five Tacos al Pastor ($320 MXN).

If you follow my taco adventures, you know I have had some incredible al pastor in the city before. I have written about the amazing pastor and suadero tacos at El Huequito, the tasty options at Tacos Manolo, the late-night bites at El Tizoncito, and the juicy street tacos from Orinoco. This meal officially marks my fifth al pastor experience in Mexico City!

I used to think the versions we get back home in Vancouver were top-notch. However, coming back here and tasting authentic pastor again reminded me that Canada still has a long way to go. Even though this might not be the absolute number-one best pastor taco in CDMX, it is still miles ahead of anything I can find at home.

Five beautiful al pastor tacos ready to be dressed up.

The pork marinade was absolutely excellent. I loved squeezing a generous amount of fresh lime over the meat, topping it with crisp raw onions, a touch of cilantro, and a spoonful of their fiery house salsa. Pure perfection!

That perfect bite: Squeezed lime, onions, cilantro, and bright salsa.

I have absolutely zero plans for tomorrow other than to eat, sleep, and repeat. I might even challenge myself to try three different dining spots right here inside the InterContinental and write a fun hotel food series about it, but we will have to see where my lazy bones take me!

Where is the best al pastor taco you have ever eaten? Tell me in the comments below!