Whether its tasty tacos, enticing enchiladas, or moreish moles, Mexican cuisine is among the most popular in the US. From favorite taco spots to long-running neighborhood joints and acclaimed restaurants serving modern takes on regional cuisine, here are the best places to get your Mexican fix in every US state.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Known for its urban décor and a menu that champions locally sourced ingredients, Birrmingham hot spot El Barrio is one of the highest-rated Mexican joints in Alabama. The restaurant offers all the classics like quesadillas and tacos, but customers love that the menu goes beyond Tex-Mex and adds its own tasty twists. The plantain nachos and green pozole soup are among the standout dishes.
With cheerful décor and dishes that burst with flavor, El Dorado is a go-to spot for many Anchorage residents and visitors. People love the fresh, zingy dishes, and the fact that the portions are more than generous – diners should plan for taking some leftovers away with them. Everything is delicious, from staples like rice and beans, to the tostadas and seafood chimichangas (a kind of deep-fried burrito).
Vividly decorated inside and out, Barrio Café has been serving chef-owner Silvana Salcido Esparza’s creative dishes since 2002, and it remains a wildly popular Phoenix haunt. For many, this isn’t just the best Mexican food in the city, or even the state – it’s some of the best in the US. The menu, including dishes like the acclaimed cochinita pibil (a slow-cooked pork dish) and guacamole with pomegranate seeds, has won the restaurant many fans – as has the extensive range of tequilas.
Little Rock favorite Baja Grill, which also has a location in Benton, is known for its flavorful food – in fact, the restaurant has won several awards, including best tacos in and around Arkansas. Diners love the range of burritos and tacos, (particularly the ones stuffed with blackened shrimp), as well as the enormous quesadillas and the Baja crab cakes, which are made with lump crab and drizzled with chipotle aioli.
Choosing the best Mexican restaurant in California, a state famed for the cuisine, is a tall order. However, one restaurant that consistently delivers is La Taqueria, in San Francisco’s Mission District. Many say this legendary no-frills spot serves the best burritos in the state, packed with meat, fish, or vegetables, and with no 'fillers' like rice. The tacos are pretty amazing too.
Tacos Tequila Whiskey started as a food truck, and now has two bricks-and-mortar restaurants in Denver. Chef Kevin Morrison pays homage to Mexican cuisine while putting his own spin on classics. Diners' favorite dishes include repollo tiernos (fried Brussels sprouts with spicy homemade dressing and cotija cheese), chicharrones (fried chicken skins with salsa), and tacos with beer-battered fish. The margaritas are also delicious.
Chic restaurant chain Bartaco has earned a reputation for its authentic tacos and fresh, zesty dishes – so much so that there are now 26 restaurants in 12 states, three of which are in Connecticut. The West Hartford spot is especially popular; people love the fun, beachy vibe, but mostly, it’s the food that keeps them coming back, from flavorsome cauliflower and mushroom tacos to crave-worthy street corn.
With its slogan proudly declaring 'burritos from scratch', El Diablo – which has four casual restaurants in Wilmington, and one in nearby Newark – has proved a hit with diners. Many describe the burritos and tacos as the best they’ve tasted, while the salad bowls, or 'naked' burritos, are delicious too. Thanks to its varied, crowd-pleasing menu, and standout dishes like braised short rib, it puts other Mexican restaurants in the shade.
Located in Coral Gables, a few miles south of Miami, Talavera Cocina Mexicana is named after Mexico’s famous pottery. The inspiring menu combines classic Mexican cuisine, regional street food, and seasonal specialties. The magnificent moles are made from scratch on a daily basis, and the el huarache grill – homemade corn masa flatbreads with black bean purée, salsa verde, and goats' cheese – is a customer favorite.
Newer Mexican restaurants may be snapping at the heels of this established Atlanta spot, which opened in 1992, but Nuevo Laredo Cantina remains as popular as always. The vibe is friendly, the décor is charmingly colorful, and the Mexican and Tex-Mex-inspired menu is full of crowd-pleasers, including the restaurant’s signature dish, brisket barbacoa. Even when there’s a line, it’s well worth the wait.
Wahiawa's brightly colored and hugely inviting Barrio Cafe serves up classic Mexican dishes with a twist, using locally sourced ingredients. The ceviche is a standout for customers, as are the birria tacos – though be warned, the latter are only available on Tuesdays, and sell out quickly. Don't miss out on the delicious breakfast options either; the churro French toast is a local favorite.
As well as being lauded for its award-winning salsa, which is made fresh daily, Despo’s is known for its focus on nutritious and regionally sourced ingredients like sustainable seafood, free-range meats, beans from Twin Falls, and cheese from Jerome. The tortilla soup comes highly recommended, while the street-style tacos and substantial burritos hit the spot with locals.
Chef Rick Bayless’ elegant, James Beard Award-winning Topolobampo, in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, takes inspiration from regional Mexican cuisine for its fine dining dishes. The sleek dining room offers an innovative tasting menu that changes every seven or eight weeks, and dishes are made with high-quality, sustainable ingredients. Previous show-stoppers include sopa Azteca (a tomato-based broth with pasilla chili and grilled chicken) and guinea hen mole. It’s on the expensive side, but it's worth the splurge.
There are several Bakersfield restaurants in the US, and the Indianapolis location is a real local favorite. Street food–inspired tacos and tostadas dominate the menu, while the margaritas, perfectly mixed and wonderfully fresh tasting, come highly recommended. The same goes for the fish tacos, which are packed with crispy mahi and citrus slaw, and the Johnny ensalada: a zingy, satisfying ensemble of mixed greens, bacon, cotija cheese, and hearts of palm.
La Regia Taqueria in Iowa City is many things – it’s a one-stop shop for Mexican groceries and supplies, from spices to piñatas; it does takeout; and there’s a sit-down restaurant. It also, according to fans, serves the best and most authentic Mexican cuisine around. As well as a variety of burritos, tacos, tortas, and quesadillas, there are plenty of vegetarian and seafood options, and the cooking is reliably excellent. The fried potato tacos are a customer favorite.
At Kansas City's El Camino Real, you can watch staff slice the meat and plate up the tacos in front of you. This unassuming spot, which has two locations in the city, is loved by customers for its tasty and authentic Mexican cuisine. The tacos al pastor are an absolute must-order, especially with added pineapple, but you won't go far wrong with anything on the menu.
Every plate served up at Mayan Café is oh-so-pretty, and packed with flavor too. The restaurant serves authentic Mayan food, overseen by chef Bruce Ucán, whose sustainable farm-to-table approach pays homage to his Yucatán heritage while drawing on the surrounding landscape for locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Diners say the spot serves up amazing ceviche, and the best cochinita pibil (a slow-roasted pork dish) outside Mexico.
Customers can’t get enough of the food at Juan’s Flying Burrito, which has four New Orleans locations and specializes in street tacos filled with the peppery, herby, smoky flavors of Creole cuisine. Food is fresh and made to order, the atmosphere is fun, and the margaritas are memorable. Gulf shrimp is on the menu, and the jerk chicken nachos (pictured) and signature Flying Burrito are must-tries.
Taco Escobarr is a local favorite in Portland, as much for its fun and festive atmosphere as for its food. There are soft, crispy, and puffy tacos, pazole (a brothy, flavor-packed soup), and chipotle sweet potato taquitos on offer – all served in a bright, colorful dining room whose ceiling is illuminated by multi-colored string lights after dark. The margaritas, mixed with fruit-infused tequilas, are highly recommended too.
Located in Baltimore’s Fells Point, Tortilleria Sinaloa is small, unassuming, and hugely popular. The restaurant is beloved by many for its tasty Mexican fare, from freshly-made tortillas to a dish with a Maryland twist: the tilapia fish taco with butter sauce is seasoned with Old Bay, a seasoning born in Baltimore that's traditionally used to flavor chicken wings, crab, and shrimp.
Since opening in Braintree, just south of Boston, in 1988, El Sarape has earned a reputation as one of the most consistently excellent Mexican restaurants in Massachusetts. Menu highlights include carnitas, enchiladas verdes, and the restaurant's specialty, guisado con chile ancho: chicken or beef casserole with potatoes, onions, and red chili sauce. The drinks menu is great too, with marvelous margaritas and a wide selection of Mexican beers.
The cuisine at El Asador is inspired by various regions of Mexico, including the coastal areas of Veracruz and Tamaulipas – and also by the chef’s mom. Made using regional produce, Luis Garza’s dishes are infused with the flavors and memories of his childhood, and everything is cooked fresh, from scratch. The result is nothing less than delicious, from mouth-watering seafood dishes to the legendary guacamole, made tableside. The décor is memorable too, particularly the detailed mural painted on an outside wall.
Translating as 'the laughing taco', El Taco Riendo is regarded as one of the best Mexican restaurants around, and has won lifelong fans thanks to its freshly prepared, authentic, and unfailingly delicious tacos, tostadas, and burritos. The restaurant has a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere, and everything is cooked to order. The foot-long 'big burritos' and 'big tortas' are local talking points.
Customers love the gluten-free tortillas and vegan and vegetarian options at Green Ghost Tacos, whose menu showcases family recipes passed down through several generations. The food is made in small batches, using the freshest ingredients – and for many diners, the birria tacos and caramel churros are standout dishes. There’s also a second location in nearby Jackson.
The first Mission Taco Joint opened in St Louis’ Delmar Loop in 2013 – and its fresh, bold flavors proved so popular that there are now several locations across the state. The restaurant takes inspiration from the Mexican-style cuisine of California (where owners and brothers Jason and Adam Tilford grew up), and diners love its breezy West Coast ambience. Dishes like baja fish tacos keep customers coming back for more, while the 'corn off the cob', served with garlic-lime mayo and queso fresco, is legendary.
With solid ratings and an excellent local reputation, Los Mayas is a warm, welcoming Tex-Mex joint owned by Luis and Lucy Maya, who hail from Guanajuato in central Mexico. The couple rustle up dishes infused with the traditional flavors of their home region, and are known to serve super-spicy salsa and a mean chili colorado, where the meat is stewed in a red sauce. The carnitas are also a customer favorite.
Omaha’s Agave Azteca offers traditional dishes, and lots of them. The comprehensive menu reads like an encyclopedia of Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, so there’s pretty much something for everyone. Standout dishes include the tableside guacamole, the superlative salsa, and the chile relleno. Noteworthy desserts include the tres leches cake and the fried ice cream. People also love the funky, modern décor; the walls are adorned with murals and plenty of bold colors.
It may not have the glamor of some of the more high-end restaurants in Vegas – but what Bonito Michoacán lacks in glitz, it more than makes up for in heart and authenticity. Year after year, diners rave about this family-run restaurant, which is loved for its housemade tortillas and tableside guacamole. The diverse menu is complemented by some gorgeous cocktails, such as the tempting mango margarita (pictured).
Vida Cantina, located on Route 1, draws people off the beaten track with its modern and vibrant approach to Mexican cuisine. Chef-owner Dave Vargas draws on his Mexican heritage to create the prettiest plates, with inspiration from the restaurant’s Portsmouth location. Diners love the inventive tacos, with delicious fillings like curried duck, octopus, and out-of-this-world pork belly.
The vibrant décor is the first thing people notice about Orale, which has locations in downtown Jersey City, Hoboken, and Morristown. Exposed brick walls are plastered with original murals, while pendant lamps create a warm atmosphere. The food doesn’t disappoint either, with popular menu options like bone marrow tacos and lots of types of guacamole. The cocktails, like the blood orange or blueberry margaritas, are equally innovative and delicious.
El Modelo started out as a flatbread factory in 1929, when Carmen Garcia would rise in the early hours to make tortillas to sell for breakfast. Today, this no-frills spot shows no signs of losing its reputation as the best place for tortillas and tamales around. The huevos rancheros and sopapillas – small fried pastries – are wonderful too. New Mexico's homegrown green and red chiles play a starring role in the menu.
Located in New York City's Flatiron District, Cosme is a stylish restaurant serving contemporary, Mexican-inspired cuisine. Helmed by chef Enrique Olvera, the brains behind Mexico City’s much-praised Pujol, the restaurant has a terrifically creative menu that marries regional ingredients with Mexican flavors. Dishes change seasonally, but examples include a bone marrow salsa, avocado stuffed with seafood and horseradish, and husk meringue with sweetcorn custard.
Chic yet unpretentious, Limones in downtown Asheville combines Mexican chef Hugo Ramirez’s love of Californian cuisine with flavors and inspiration from his native country (plus some tips from his mother). The restaurant has a charming vibe and décor, and serves up delicious dishes like a ceviche sampler, lobster nachos, and enchiladas with short-rib beef, plantain, and guacamole.
Vinyl Taco looks like a hip dive bar from the outside, but it matches its cool vibes with some seriously good food. The restaurant, which has plenty of wall art and a patio fenced in by bicycle wheels, is famed for its menu of moreish dishes, inspired by Mexican street food. People come for the food – like tacos stuffed with pork belly – and stay for the laid-back atmosphere and great music (as its name would suggest, the restaurant has a wide selection of vinyl records). There are also locations in Grand Forks and Sioux Falls.
Nada offers bright, contemporary food inspired by Mexican flavors and traditions. While tacos and cocktails are at the heart of the menu, diners can also expect some classic dishes with a tasty twist. Crispy Brussels sprouts are laced with chipotle honey, for example, while taco fillings include caramelized cauliflower with garlic-whipped goats' cheese. The service and atmosphere are fantastic too. There’s a sister restaurant in Columbus, plus a few locations in other states.
Located just south of Oklahoma City, Tarahumara’s is a family-run cantina and true local gem. The menu centers around the cuisine of the Mexican state of Chihuahua, with salsas made daily from scratch using red and green chiles grown in the region. Customers can expect rustic, generously sized plates of chicken mole and chile relleno, paired with some stiff margaritas.
Husband-and-wife team Benjamin and Shannon Gonzales offer hearty Mexican cooking in their smart but chilled-out restaurant, Nuestra Cocina, whose name translates as 'our kitchen'. Diners rave about the chile relleno, the enchiladas, and the range of complex, deeply flavored mole sauces. There’s a dedicated in-house Señora de la Tortilla, whose sole responsibility is to roll and press corn tortillas by hand – an authentic touch that customers adore.
Blue Corn Mexican Restaurant and Bar is situated in foodie hub Philadelphia. Family owned and run, the restaurant was established in 2014, and aims to show its customers 'real Mexican food' through its authentic menu and wide range of tequilas and handcrafted cocktails. Menu highlights include the Huarache Azteca (cactus topped with mushrooms, cheese, and pico de gallo) and Ceviche de Pulpo, an octopus ceviche with pico de gallo and avocado.
Hip Providence eatery Tallulah’s Taqueria, which also has a spot in Jamestown, offers a counter service with build-your-own bowls, burritos, tacos, tortas, and quesadillas. New and regular customers rave about the burrito bowls, the barbacoa meat, and the deliciously spicy signature shrimp cocktail, packed with fresh and tender seafood. The carnitas tacos are particularly popular, and come filled with meat that’s been cooked to perfection.
Funky Charleston hangout MESU marries two complex, crave-worthy cuisines: Mexican and Japanese. The menu offers a selection of reliably delicious creations inspired by the culinary cultures of each country. Diners can stick to tacos (with favorites like baja fish and barbacoa braised beef), order a platter of sushi – or grab a combo of the two. The fusion element is subtle, with tomatillo salsa in some of the sushi rolls, and tacos lifted with daikon: a type of Japanese radish.
Ana Line Munoz, from the western Mexican state of Michoacán, runs Sabor a Mexico with love, and a passion for serving dishes inspired by her own family recipes. The modest spot is a local hidden gem, and customers rave about its enchiladas, tacos, moles, and tamales. The carne asada fries (pictured) are particularly tempting.
Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana opened in 2002, when owner Pepe Magallanes saw a need for genuine, 'un-Americanised' Mexican food in the Memphis area. Years later, the restaurant, which also has a location in the suburb of Germantown, is still a family affair, serving no-nonsense dishes made with ingredients sourced from local markets. The tamales, tacos, tortilla soup and, of course, the tortugas (sandwiches) are all highly rated.
Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega's Houston restaurants include Hugo’s, a much-loved Mexican spot, and Xochi, which brings the flavors of Oaxaca to the city. Xochi serves upscale Mexican-inspired dishes, beautifully presented in an elegant space. Diners recommend the mole dishes (the restaurant even offers a mole tasting), and inventive dishes like crispy wood-roasted octopus served with a masa pancake.
Red Iguana is a family-run restaurant with pedigree – it’s been featured on national TV and in the press countless times, has won numerous awards, and remains one of Salt Lake City’s best-loved eating spots (so much so, there’s now a Red Iguana 2). The cantinas are on the small side and there’s often a wait, but it’s worth the trouble to experience the extensive menu, with its excellent enchiladas and irresistible moles.
Located in a quirky 1950s-style diner, El Cortijo in Burlington serves up fresh, flavorful Mexican food with an emphasis on local produce and ingredients. The menu is filled with a delicious array of Mexican classics like burritos and tacos, and there's an extensive selection of creative margaritas to wash your meal down with.
Starting life as a food truck in Arlington’s Rosslyn neighborhood in 2009, District Taco proved a runaway success; there are now around a dozen locations, most of which are in Virginia. The cuisine is inspired by the Yucatán, the home region of owner Osiris Hoil, and everything is made daily and served fresh, with an emphasis on healthy, sustainable food. The fish tacos, incredible guacamole, and tasty salsa are some of the menu highlights.
The Dominguez family opened this popular spot in Capitol Hill in 2014, and it's been going strong ever since. As you might expect, the menu focuses on the delicious cuisine of Oaxaca, a city and region famed for its spicy dishes and rich, complex mole sauce. Customer favorites at Mezcaleria Oaxaca include the mole negro, the tlayuda (a sort of Mexican-style pizza with a tortilla base), and the cabrito (stewed goat leg).
Black Bear Burritos, which has a new location in Evansdale, is less of an authentic Mexican restaurant, and more of a modern burrito spot, serving what it describes as 'burritos of all ethnic cuisines'. That could mean tortillas wrapped with Italian sausage, Swiss cheese, and turkey; tofu with Thai-style curry sauce; or a Greek-inspired mix of feta and salad. With generous portion sizes, the burritos are great value, and you can opt to build your own or choose from the house specialties.
Café Corazón, which has three locations in Milwaukee, prides itself on using fresh, local produce – which it sources from nearby farms, as well as its own land and urban garden. Customers can expect tortas, tacos, and burritos, plus a terrific brunch menu with options like migas: eggs scrambled with corn tortilla strips and melted cheese. The margaritas are also perfect.
Merry Piglets has been serving Jackson Hole residents and visitors since 1969, when it began as a small taco shop before growing into a fully fledged restaurant. The décor is enjoyably kitsch (and features pigs, of course), and customers love the lively ambience, friendly service, and solid, old-school Mexican and Tex-Mex fare. Favorite dishes include the juicy, perfectly seasoned carne asada, and the homemade seafood dishes, made with sustainable, wild-caught fish.