Tex-Mex cuisine is amazing. But sometimes you crave actual Mexican food, the kind that has nothing to do with bowls and burritos and that goes way beyond tacos, though there’s no denying tacos are important.
The United States has a large Mexican-American population and is maybe the best place outside of Mexico for authentic Mexican food. Especially in the Southwest and the West Coast, you’ll be able to find flavors from different regions of Mexico and bite into food that will make you feel like you’re standing in the middle of Mexico City.
These are the best Mexican restaurants in the U.S.
30. Cosme
Note: Restaurant ratings are based on Tripadvisor reviews. We took the number of five-star reviews and divided them by the total number of reviews.
Location: New York City, New York
Rating: 46.8
Must-try dish: Wagyu beef huarache
Bottom Line: Cosme
Before coming to the U.S., chef Enrique Olvera had made a name for himself in the fine dining scene in the Mexican capital. Cosme is his successful attempt to bring his creations to the U.S. market.
Expect typical Mexican flavors with international hints like wasabi and goat ricotta cheese. Dishes are presented in an elegant fashion, proving that Mexican cuisine isn’t all about street food, as many Americans sometimes seem to think.
Visit Cosme.
29. El Sarape
Location: Braintree, Massachusetts
Rating: 47.3
Must-try dish: Guisado con chile ancho
Bottom Line: El Sarape
Since the late 1980s, this restaurant has been bringing great Mexican food to Massachusetts.
El Sarape prides itself on its famous homemade sauces, which help make its signature dishes like carnitas, enchiladas and chiles rellenos all the more flavorful.
Visit El Sarape.
27. El Charro Cafe (Tie)
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Rating: 48.7
Must-try dish: Carne seca
Bottom Line: El Charro Cafe (Tie)
This Tucson institution has been run by the same family since 1922. It claims to be the oldest Mexican restaurant in the U.S., a claim that’s difficult to prove but easy to believe.
The restaurant also claims that it invented chimichangas. Whether you believe it or not, it is true that their chimichanga is delicious.
So are their other Chicano dishes like fried burritos and its pepper-infused carne seca.
Visit El Charro Cafe.
27. Oyamel Cocina Mexicana (Tie)
Location: Washington, D.C.
Rating: 48.7
Must-try dish: Sauteed grasshoppers
Bottom Line: Oyamel Cocina Mexicana (Tie)
Spanish chef Jose Andres spent a considerable amount of time in Mexico learning the cuisine of different regions. He now shares the fruit of his studies with those living and visiting the U.S. capital.
The restaurant focuses on Mexican flavors, but mixes them with those of other countries, as is the case of the gaspacho Morelia. This Spanish soup is given a twist with ingredients typical of the Mexican city of Morelia.
Visit Oyamel Cocina Mexicana.
26. Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Rating: 51
Must-try dish: Monterrey Special
Bottom Line: Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery
This small cafe has been feeding the people of San Antonio since the 1940s.
It has dishes typical of the Monterrey region like the delicious menudo soup, which is one of the best hangover foods in the world.
But for those who want the option, there are also delicious Tex-Mex dishes.
Visit Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia.
25. Mezcaleria Oaxaca
Location: Seattle, Washington
Rating: 51.2
Must-try dish: Chicken tamal with salsa verde
Bottom Line: Mezcaleria Oaxaca
Yes, tequila is the bomb, but have you tried mezcal? This truly traditional drink has a much deeper, stronger taste than tequila and is finally being recognized in the international dining scene.
At this mezcaleria, you can get delicious food like tamales or pozoles while also enjoying a flight of different mezcals.
That’s a great night out, guaranteed.
Visit Mezcaleria Oaxaca.
24. Talavera Cocina Mexicana
Location: Miami, Florida
Rating: 51.9
Must-try dish: Puntas chipotle
Bottom Line: Talavera Cocina Mexicana
Though Miami is better known for its Cuban food than its Mexican fare, Tavalera brings flavors from Tijuana and other regions to the city.
The restaurant uses seasonal ingredients and has a menu that includes queso frito, huarache and pozoles, authentic Mexican dishes often missing from more Americanized restaurants.
Visit Tavalera Cocina Mexicana.
23. Nopalito
Location: San Francisco, California
Rating: 52.8
Must-try dish: Huarache con suadero
Bottom Line: Nopalito
If you want to do a culinary tour of Mexico but don’t yet have the money or time, head to Nopalito.
Here, you’ll find authentic food with regional specificities. The birria, for instance, follows the Zacatecas recipe.
The restaurant also follows the spirit of San Francisco by only using organic, local ingredients.
Visit Nopalito.
21. La Super-Rica Taqueria (Tie)
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Rating: 57.9
Must-try dish: Tacos de adobado
Bottom Line: La Super-Rica Taqueria (Tie)
As its name suggests, this taqueria is really delicious.
It may be small and humble, but it has gained the favor of Julia Child and other Santa Barbara residents who swear by the perfection of its tacos.
It’s not the absolute most authentic Mexican restaurant in California, but it does have amazing food.
Visit La Super-Rica Taqueria.
21. La Choza (Tie)
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Rating: 57.9
Must-try dish: Chiles rellenos
Bottom Line: La Choza (Tie)
The name of this restaurant translates to “shed,” which in this case is actually a good thing.
Inside this adobe shed, you’ll find a type of Mexican cuisine that is distinct to the Southwest. It’s not completely authentic Mexican, and it’s not Tex-Mex, but somewhere in between.
You’ll find the famed huevos rancheros, along with burritos and numerous vegan options. Don’t leave without trying the amazing housemade chiles.
Visit La Choza.
20. Guelaguetza
Location: Los Angeles, California
Rating: 58.1
Must-try dish: Mole estofado
Bottom Line: Guelaguetza
This Los Angeles restaurant claims to have the best mole in the U.S. Its focus is Oaxacan cuisine, which comes from the gastronomical capital of Mexico. But this isn’t a place where authenticity is borrowed.
The restaurant’s owner has strong Oaxacan roots, which explains why you’ll find dishes like delicious tlayudas, a thin fried tortilla covered in refried beans, meat, vegetables and Oaxaca cheese.
Visit Guelaguetza.
19. Casa Enrique
Location: Long Island City, New York
Rating: 58.2
Must-try dish: Pozole de mi tia
Bottom Line: Casa Enrique
Sadly and shockingly, Casa Enrique is one of the only Michelin Mexican food restaurants in the world. We know it makes no sense.
The fine-dining restaurant takes the food you know and love and makes it fancy without ruining the taste. Try the chicken with mole, the delicious ceviche or really absolutely anything on this fantastic menu.
Visit Casa Enrique.
18. Hugo’s
Location: Houston, Texas
Rating: 60.1
Must-try dish: Sopesitos
Bottom Line: Hugo’s
Another Mexican transplant bringing authentic to his neighbors, chef Hugo Ortega rocks the cradle of Tex-Mex food. In the land of burritos and nachos, he stands out by serving food you’d find in the streets of Mexico with a fine-dining touch.
The fact that you can find sopes — a thick fried masa topped with guacamole, beans, cheese and other ingredients — is a miracle in the U.S., where the heavenly dish is usually left off of menus.
Visit Hugo’s.
17. La Casita Mexicana
Location: Bell, California
Rating: 62.1
Must-try dish: Green pepian
Bottom Line: La Casita Mexicana
Calling themselves “the kings of authentic Mexican cuisine,” the chefs of this establishment are truly committed to being true to the title.
Unlike most Mexican restaurants in the U.S., La Casita Mexicana makes no concessions in order to cater to American tastes.
The fishes are delicious as is the chile en nogada.
Visit La Casita Mexicana.
16. El Naranjo
Location: Austin, Texas
Rating: 62.8
Must-try dish: Mole amarillo
Bottom Line: El Naranjo
Moles and chiles have a strong presence in this proudly Mexican restaurant.
The upscale establishment draws heavily from Oaxacan cuisine, but also includes dishes from other regions. It even has pastel azteca, a tortilla casserole that is difficult to find north of the border.
Besides authenticity, El Naranjo also takes care of using the best organic ingredients.
Visit El Naranjo.
15. L&J Cafe
Location: El Paso, Texas
Rating: 62.9
Must-try dish: Chile relleno plate
Bottom Line: L&J Cafe
Travel back to the Wild West in this Texas saloon that’s been operating since 1927. Given El Paso’s proximity to the border, it is inevitable that Mexican cuisine spills into and mixes with its own.
The family-run restaurant is more on the Tex-Mex side, but the flavor of its fajitas and burritos are closer to the ones you’d find in Mexico than the blander chain-restaurant style Americans are too used to.
Visit L&J Cafe.
14. El Dorado Cantina
El Dorado Cantina (Las Vegas Strip) / Facebook
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Rating: 63.8
Must-try dish: Chile relleno
Bottom Line: El Dorado Cantina
Las Vegas is not known for its authenticity, and yet you’ll find it at this cantina where nothing is frozen and everything is fresh.
The menu is Tex-Mex, with fajitas and Mexican burgers. But if you want to keep it real Mexican, there are dishes that stay true to their roots like the chile relleno, carnitas and carne asada.
Visit El Dorado Cantina.
13. Barrio Cafe
Barrio Cafe by chef Silvana Salcido Esparza / Facebook
Location: Phoenix Arizona
Rating: 63.9
Must-try dish: Cochinita pibil
Bottom Line: Barrio Cafe
This Phoenix restaurant focuses on bringing dishes from Oaxaca, Puebla and Yucatan. The focus on specific regions has helped it perfect the dishes on its menu, giving it a strong reputation for its cochinita pibil.
This typical dish is made with slow-roasted pork that is wrapped in banana leaves and cooked for an entire night before being served perfectly juicy and tender on your plate.
Visit Barrio Cafe.
12. Las Cuatro Milpas
Location: San Diego, California
Rating: 64
Must-try dish: Chorizo con huevo
Bottom Line: Las Cuatro Milpas
This no-frills restaurant isn’t trying to impress anyone with a fancy interior and elaborate food presentations. It doesn’t have to — the food speaks for itself.
The cafeteria-style establishment has garnered a faithful following in San Diego with its fresh tortillas and amazing tamales. On Saturdays, it also serves menudo to help those nursing their Friday hangovers.
Bring cash and expect to wait in line.
Visit Las Cuatro Milpas.
10. El Modelo (Tie)
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Rating: 67.3
Must-try dish: Pork and chorizo chile
Bottom Line: El Modelo (Tie)
El Modelo has an interesting history that goes back to 1929, when it started as a tortilla factory in someone’s house.
Almost 100 years later, the restaurant no longer operates out of a spare room, but it continues to serve homemade tortillas.
Its menu has expanded to include enchiladas, sopapillas, tamales and other mouth-watering dishes.
Visit El Modelo.
10. El Chingon (Tie)
Location: Denver, Colorado
Rating: 67.3
Must-try dish: Chicken flautas
Bottom Line: El Chingon (Tie)
The one bad thing about Mexican food is that it is not always vegetarian friendly. Staying faithful to the cuisine’s flavors and recipes, El Chingon fixes this issue in an upscale dinning setting.
And don’t worry if you love meat. That’s also available on the menu and meat lovers will not be disappointed. Mole made with duck fat and the classic chicken flautas are as delicious as the butternut squash soup.
Visit El Chingon.
9. Coni’Seafood
Location: Los Angeles, California
Rating: 67.6
Must-try dish: Camarones rancheros secos
Bottom Line: Coni’Seafood
People are often too focused on carnitas, adobos and stuffed chiles to appreciate Mexican-style seafood. This Los Angeles restaurant changes this with dishes inspired by cuisine from the Nayarit region.
The coastal state has a number of delicious ceviches, fish tacos and lots of shrimp dishes. Coni’Seafood imports most of its seafood from Mexico, keeping the flavor truly authentic.
Visit Coni’Seafood.
8. Topolobampo
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Rating: 68.6
Must-try dish: Ceviche
Bottom Line: Topolobampo
This one Michelin-star restaurant is the creation of celebrity chef Rick Bayless. As is almost routine for modern upscale restaurants, the menu is seasonal to ensure the freshness of ingredients.
Because of this, you never step into the same Topolobambo twice. If you want to try a little bit of everything, we suggest going for one of the tasting menus, which are usually composed of the establishment’s signature dishes.
Visit Topolobampo.
7. Fonda San Miguel
Location: Austin, Texas
Rating: 69.3
Must-try dish: Cochinita pibil
Bottom Line: Fonda San Miguel
Handmade tortillas and a killer mole poblano have kept this restaurant on the map since 1975.
Patrons enjoy the hacienda setting, which is both on theme and aesthetically interesting.
If you’re not into mole, Fonda San Miguel is also famous for its absurdly tender cochinita pibil.
Visit Fonda San Miguel.
6. Xochi
Location: Houston, Texas
Rating: 71.9
Must-try dish: Chilaquiles
Bottom Line: Xochi
Another excellent Oaxacan restaurant, Xochi focuses solely on the culinary capital of Mexico. But it’s not just the region’s dishes that the restaurant brings to Houston. It also uses traditional cooking methods that have been around for centuries.
Enjoy the bitterness of Mexican chocolate made in-house. Have toasted grasshoppers with your mezcal and try traditional tlayudas.
This place might be the next best thing to actually going to Oaxaca.
Visit Xochi.
5. Elote Cafe
Location: Sedona, Arizona
Rating: 73.4
Must-try dish: Buffalo mole poblano
Bottom Line: Elote Cafe
Two things set Elote Cafe apart. One is the quality of the food. The other is its gorgeous view of the Red Rocks.
The restaurant has some very traditional meals, including elotes, or Mexican-style corn on the cob. But it also has a distinctive Southwestern twist that adds some variety to the menu.
Visit Elote Cafe.
4. Nuestra Cocina
Location: Portland, Oregon
Rating: 74.4
Must-try dish: Braised short ribs
Bottom Line: Nuestra Cocina
Meaning, “our kitchen,” Nuestra Cocina seeks to bring everyday Mexican comfort food to Portland. It focuses on various regions of the country, like the often overlooked Veracruz.
The food is casual but top quality, and guests are never left dissatisfied with the fresh, homemade tortillas included in almost every meal.
If you live in Portland, the restaurant also offers cooking classes for those who want to take this food experience to their kitchen.
Visit Nuestra Cocina.
3. Birrieria Zaragoza
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Rating: 77.1
Must-try dish: La Barca-style birria
Bottom Line: Birrieria Zaragoza
They say you should always trust a restaurant that specializes in a single thing, and Birrieria Zaragoza proves this is true.
The restaurant focuses on birria, a traditional stew from Jalisco that uses goat meat in adobo with tomatoes and generous spices and herbs. You can see them making the meal right in front of you, which makes the whole experience even more enjoyable.
There are other things on the menu, of course. But, really, just go for the birria.
Visit Birrieria Zaragoza.
2. South Philly Barbacoa
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Rating: 77.3
Must-try dish: Barbacoa lamb tacos
Bottom Line: South Philly Barbacoa
Philadelphia’s most beloved Mexican restaurant has been through a wild ride. The establishment began as a food cart and then a pop-up before becoming a permanent restaurant.
Its specialty is the barbacoa, or slow-roasted lamb that is served in tacos, consomme and other dishes.
The family-owned restaurant brings strictly traditional Mexican flavors to the city, which is perhaps why there are always people willing to line up for a taste.
Visit South Philly Barbacoa.
1. Carnitas Uruapan
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Rating: 86.5
Must-try dish: Pork carnitas
Bottom Line: Carnitas Uruapan
As its name suggests, this Chicago restaurant’s specialty is carnitas. Their specific way of making pork leaves the meat so tender that it practically melts in your mouth.
There are many ways to eat carnitas, so you can choose whatever fits you best, knowing that you’re in good hands.
After all, Carnitas Uruapan has been bringing cuisine from the Michoacan region to residents of the Windy City since 1975.
Visit Carnitas Uruapan.
