Los Angeles is known for its rich and diverse food scene, and Mexican cuisine is undoubtedly a significant part of it. From classic street tacos to contemporary fusion dishes, LA has some of the best Mexican restaurants in the country. In this blog post, we will explore the top Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles, highlighting their unique dishes, atmosphere, and overall dining experience. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, this guide will help you discover the best Mexican food LA has to offer.
Joselito’s Mexican Food
Address: 7308 Foothill Blvd, Tujunga, CA 91042
Phone: +1 (818) 951-2275
Website: Joselitos.com
Details: $$, Mexican restaurant
Joselito’s Mexican Food in Los Angeles has become a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike, offering authentic and delicious Mexican cuisine in a beautiful and serene atmosphere. The menu is diverse, including popular dishes such as tableside guacamole, steak fajitas, and special burritos. Reviewers highly recommend the Strawberry Margaritas and mention that they are a must-try.
The wait staff is consistently mentioned in reviews as friendly, accommodating, and efficient, providing excellent service to diners. Many reviewers mention that they have been coming to Joselito’s for years and feel like the staff has become like family. The cozy ambiance and festive holiday decorations create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for dining and relaxing.
Joselito’s Mexican Food is not just a restaurant but also offers catering services for events. Reviewers raved about the personal touches and delicious food provided by the catering team and mentioned how Tumara gave them money-saving advice while fulfilling all of their wishes. Overall, Joselito’s Mexican Food in Los Angeles is a gem in the Tujunga area, offering fantastic food, strong drinks, and excellent service in a cozy atmosphere.
El Tepeyac
Address: 812 N Evergreen Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Phone: +1 (323) 268-1960
Website: manuelseltepeyac.com
Details: $$, Mexican restaurant
El Tepeyac in East Los Angeles is a small, family-run restaurant that has been a local favorite for over 30 years. The restaurant is known for its authentic Mexican food, generous portions, and reasonable prices. Customers can dine inside or out, and there is always a place to eat outside. The wait staff is friendly and efficient, and some of the waitresses have been there for years, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The restaurant is spotless and has an old-school interior, which adds to its charm. El Tepeyac is famous for its Hollenbeck Special Burrito, which is so large and delicious that it can be shared among two people or taken home for later. Customers can also try the original Okie or original Hollenbeck burrito, both of which are highly recommended. The guacamole is amazing, and all entrees are delicious and plentiful with very reasonable prices.
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El Tepeyac is not just a restaurant but a must-visit destination for those looking for authentic Mexican food in LA. Customers come from far and wide, and even wait in long lines just to eat there. The restaurant has a loyal following of customers who have been coming for years and enjoy meeting family and friends for lunch. Overall, El Tepeyac is a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that offers big plates and lots of Mexican flavors, making it a truly Mexican experience.
Gracias Madre
Address: 8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: +1 (323) 978-2170
Website: graciasmadre.co
Details: $$$, Mexican restaurant
Gracias Madre is a popular restaurant in West Hollywood that offers an all-vegetarian menu with a Mexican twist. The restaurant has a trendy and chic atmosphere, with both indoor and outdoor seating options available. Customers can enjoy al fresco dining and great cocktails in the bustling and vibrant outdoor dining garden. The staff is attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu.
The food at Gracias Madre is outstanding, with a wide variety of dishes that are all vegetarian and many are gluten-free as well. The menu is creative and Mexican-inspired, with dishes like enchiladas verde, gorditas, and jackfruit tacos. The nachos are a highly recommended starter to share. The flavors are great, and the dishes come together very well. The restaurant also has a large wine selection, and the margaritas are strong and delicious.
The service at Gracias Madre is exceptional, with servers who are hospitable, charming, and ready to offer great suggestions. The restaurant is popular, so it is recommended to make a reservation ahead of time. The ambiance is wonderful, and the outdoor seating area is cozy and lovely, making it a perfect spot for a romantic dinner or a brunch with friends. Overall, Gracias Madre is a fabulous restaurant that offers excellent vegetarian Mexican food, great cocktails, and a trendy atmosphere.
Broken Spanish
Address: 1050 Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Phone: +1 (213) 749-1460
Website: brokenspanish.com
Details: $$$, Mexican restaurant
Broken Spanish is a high-end Mexican restaurant located in downtown LA that offers an unusual menu with Mexican overtones. The food is delicious, with generous and authentic appetizers such as bacalao and amazing entrees like lamb shank, lamb tamales, short rib, and whole red snapper. The cocktails are delicious as well. The food is served tapas-style for family dining, and every dish has a very different and excellent flavor.
The atmosphere at Broken Spanish is vibrant and entertaining, with an energetic vibe and beautiful presentation. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and can recommend different dishes to customers. The restaurant can get very busy during peak times, so it is recommended to book well in advance. The service is excellent, even when the bar is crazy packed, and the ambiance is nice, with appropriate separation for diners.
The menu at Broken Spanish is vast and includes traditional fare, but many unfamiliar items are available as well. The restaurant offers a great selection of food served family-style, and customers can share the food between them. The beers go down well, and the margaritas are the perfect complement to the food. Broken Spanish is a highly recommended restaurant for a family occasion or just a couple. All dishes are uniquely presented, and the food presentation is wonderful. Overall, Broken Spanish is a fabulous restaurant that offers superb Mexican food, a great ambiance, and a high-end dining experience.
SunCafe Organic
Address: 10820 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
Phone: +1 (818) 927-4100
Website: suncafe.com
Details: $$, Vegan restaurant
SunCafe Organic is a cozy and chic vegan restaurant located in Studio City near Universal Studios in LA. The extensive menu offers a dream for vegetarians and has plenty of options for those with special dietary needs. The dishes are clearly described, and gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free options are indicated. The food is beautifully presented and bursting with flavor, with hits including the white truffle pizza, fiesta burger, pesto, omelette, risotto, and French toast. The cacao shake and chocolate cheesecake are must-tries.
The staff at SunCafe Organic is super friendly and attentive, and the service is excellent. The setting is chill, with a large seating section inside and out, and a bar area to the right. The outside patio is directly in front of the restaurant/cafe, and the parking lot is a fair size, with plenty of street parking available. SunCafe Organic is a fine dining experience of plant-based magic, great for take-out, but nothing beats the dine-in experience. The restaurant is also a very welcome place overall, catering not only to plant-based palettes but also to gender-neutral bathrooms and community support.
SunCafe Organic offers catering and cooking classes at reasonable prices, and the wine selection is pretty nice too. The restaurant has a lot of vegan options, and the raw tacos are a favorite appetizer, while the brunch florentine and smoothies are highly recommended. The atmosphere is more chic than divey, and the restaurant is one of the few that are respectful of so many dietary needs, allergies, and restrictions. Overall, SunCafe Organic is a wonderful vegan organic restaurant that offers flavorful food, excellent service, and a great location.
Pink Taco
Address: 8225 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Phone: +1 (323) 380-7474
Website: pinktaco.com
Details: $$, Mexican restaurant
Pink Taco is a lively Mexican restaurant located on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. The atmosphere is laid back, and the staff is friendly, fast, and attentive, making it a great place to enjoy authentic Mexican food and drinks. The menu offers a nice selection out of normal Mexican boundaries, including lobster quesadillas, pork tacos, taco bowls, Baja fried fish, and crispy pink tacos. The Chile Verde Queso Fundido and complimentary nachos with a delicious sauce are must-tries. The drinks are also amazing, especially the white sangria and selection of margaritas.
The restaurant is busy and lively, with great music and a buzy atmosphere, but the seating is comfortable, and the prices are very reasonable. The restaurant has a happy hour every day from 4 pm, so it’s best to arrive early to take advantage of the deals. The outdoor seating is also available, but it can be a bit too hot due to the full blast outdoor heaters. The valet parking option and public parking next door are helpful since parking in LA can be a nightmare.
Pink Taco offers excellent customer service, creating very special memories for its customers. The staff is fast, attentive, and friendly, and the waiters, bartenders, and female staff are gorgeous. The restaurant is recommended for anyone looking for a laid-back, good-priced, and great food and drinks experience in a pretentious and stuffy city like LA. Overall, Pink Taco is a unique and delicious Mexican restaurant with a great vibe, amazing food, and drink selection.
El Paseo Inn
Address: 11 Olvera St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: +1 (213) 626-1361
Website: elpaseoinn.com
Details: $$, Mexican restaurant
El Paseo Inn is an authentic Mexican restaurant located in the heart of Olvera Street in Los Angeles. The restaurant has been around since 1930 and has earned many awards for hospitality and charitable honors. The atmosphere is fun, festive, and full of history, with traditional waitstaff attire, paintings on the walls, and even musicians. The menu offers handmade tamales, tacos, enchiladas, and delicious mole, and the tableside guacamole and fresh salsa served with warm, crisp taco chips are a must-try. The portions are generous, and the frozen margaritas and macho mega margarita are perfect.
The staff at El Paseo Inn is excellent, efficient, and extremely hospitable, making it a great place for locals and tourists alike. The service is attentive, with waiters attending to large groups and even making guacamole at the table. The outdoor seating is a great place to people-watch and enjoy the scene, and the restaurant is a nice place to relax after a morning or early afternoon of sightseeing. The staff goes above and beyond to make customers feel welcome and special, and even sings happy birthday to celebrate.
The food at El Paseo Inn is delicious, and the service is even better, with waitresses like Diane and Maria B remembered for their outstanding service. The restaurant offers a great value for its price, and the complimentary wedding cookies are a nice touch. The atmosphere is cozy and fun, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and surrounded by awesome life novelty stores. Overall, El Paseo Inn is a must-visit for anyone looking for an authentic Mexican restaurant with delicious food, excellent service, and a fun and festive atmosphere in the heart of Olvera Street.
Los Toros Mexican Restaurant
Address: 21743 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Phone: +1 (818) 882-3080
Website: lostoros.com
Details: $$, Mexican restaurant
Los Toros Mexican Restaurant in Los Angeles is a hidden gem with a lively, welcoming atmosphere perfect for gatherings. The restaurant offers a private room with a private entrance and bathroom for events, and the managers, Nick and Marisol, are very accommodating. The lead wait staffer, Manny, goes above and beyond to ensure all dietary needs are met. A balloon artist, Cathy, is also available for children’s entertainment. The food is delicious and plentiful, with buffet service and servers. Guests can also enjoy tableside preparation of fresh guacamole, which is said to be the best restaurant guac in a long time. Complimentary valet parking is also available.
The restaurant offers well-prepared American-style Mexican food with good portions and a full bar. The house margaritas are a hit and are not watered down. The chips, salsa, and bean dip are legendary. The service is warm and friendly, and the prices are reasonable. The restaurant is great for both business and pleasure, with plenty of parking available. The staff is very accommodating and friendly, making it a great dining experience overall.
In conclusion, Los Toros Mexican Restaurant in Los Angeles offers a lively and welcoming atmosphere with delicious food, great service, and reasonable prices. The restaurant is perfect for gatherings, with a private room available for events and a balloon artist for children’s entertainment. The tableside preparation of fresh guacamole and legendary chips, salsa, and bean dip are a must-try. The staff is friendly and accommodating, making it a great dining experience for both business and pleasure.
Los Gringos Locos
Address: 631 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Phone: +1 (818) 790-2696
Website: losgringoslocos.com
Details: $$, Mexican restaurant
Los Gringos Locos is a Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles that offers a local vibe, delicious food, and house margaritas. The menu includes grilled flautas and barbacoa, which are highly recommended. The service is excellent and the tequila used to make the margaritas is said to be the best. The restaurant has a historical marker inside, signifying that they invented tableside guacamole, which is said to be out of this world delicious. The Rock ‘n Roll Gauc cart is also a great addition, as the guac dudes listen to what customers want and make it awesome.
The atmosphere is welcoming and enjoyable, with friendly and attentive staff. The restaurant offers an awesome lunch deal on Taco Tuesday, which is a popular event. The tableside guacamole is always delicious and a must-try. The restaurant also offers take-out, which is done quickly and efficiently with good service and food. The manager is very helpful and accommodating during busy times, ensuring customers have a wonderful experience.
In conclusion, Los Gringos Locos is a must-visit Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles with a local vibe, delicious food, and house margaritas. The historical marker signifying their invention of tableside guacamole is a testament to their dedication to providing exceptional food and service. The Rock ‘n Roll Gauc cart is a great addition, and the staff is friendly and attentive. The restaurant offers a great lunch deal on Taco Tuesday and take-out is done quickly and efficiently with good service and food.
Casa Sanchez
Address: 4500 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Phone: +1 (310) 397-9999
Website: casa-sanchez.com
Details: $$, Mexican restaurant
Casa Sanchez is a Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles that has a huge, well-decorated space and caters well for large groups. The staff are lovely, friendly, and attentive, without rushing customers. The senior staff check in with customers a couple of times and are ready to sort out any problems. The wait staff are always available, and the pace of service is excellent. The crew working at the restaurant all sound as if they want to be there and are happy to do a good job.
The food at Casa Sanchez is excellent, with a focus on perfectly cooked classics and fresh fish. The heated metal frame used for the tacos ensures they stay hot, and the mole is said to be very good. The restaurant has a dinner club type atmosphere, with live music being a focus. The mariachi band is great, and the stage is well-lit and visible from most of the tables in the main room. The music is at times subtle and melodic and always feels fitting. The Millionaire Margarita is a must-try, and the Camarones Costa Azul, Chamorro De Puerco, and Codorniz Marsala are highly recommended.
The atmosphere at Casa Sanchez is beautiful, warm, and inviting. The cocktails are awesome and will quench your thirst or leave you wanting more. The service is outstanding, with servers who meet and exceed expectations with fantastic service and attention to detail. The manager and owner both check on guests to ensure they have a wonderful time and experience. The entertainment every evening includes a mariachi band and other music, with Wednesday featuring a four-member band. The highlight of the evening is the mariachi players who perform well and take requests from the audience. In conclusion, Casa Sanchez is a must-visit Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles, with excellent food, service, and entertainment.
La Fiesta Brava
Address: 259B Hampton Dr, Venice, CA 90291
Phone: +1 (310) 399-8005
Website: facebook.com/pages/La-Fiesta-Brava/117473491605923
Details: $, Mexican restaurant
La Fiesta Brava is an authentic Mexican restaurant located in Venice, Los Angeles. The restaurant’s made salsa is delicious, and the cheese enchiladas served with rice and beans are said to be the best in LA. The staff are friendly and accommodating, and the food is amazing. The restaurant offers a wide selection of Mexican food at very reasonable prices.
The atmosphere at La Fiesta Brava is relaxed and family-oriented. The restaurant has a few outdoor tables out in front, which fill up quickly as many people have caught onto this amazing place. The staff are all Mexican, and the restaurant feels like it is family-run. The portions are big, and the dishes are of high quality.
The owner of La Fiesta Brava, Randy, is attentive, accommodating, polite, and cares about his customers as much as he cares for his crew. They were open for business while a production shoot was underway, and he was a one-man-band taking orders, bussing tables, and helping the crew move along so their shoot schedule wouldn’t be tied up. The restaurant does not sell liquor, but you can bring in your own beer, which is really cool. In conclusion, La Fiesta Brava is a must-visit authentic Mexican restaurant in Venice, Los Angeles, with friendly staff, great food, and reasonable prices.
Chichen Itza
Address: 3655 S Grand Ave c6, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Phone: +1 (213) 741-1075
Website: chichenitzarestaurant.com
Details: $$, Mexican restaurant
Chichen Itza is a family-owned business located inside the Mercado la Paloma food hall in south Los Angeles. The restaurant specializes in Yucatecan Food, and it offers authentic food from the Yucatan region of Southern Mexico. The restaurant makes its own corn tortillas, which are said to be so good. You can order to go, have it delivered, pick up or if you are lucky, they have a little outdoor patio for you to sit. The service is great, and parking is easy.
The food at Chichen Itza is consistently good and freshly made. The restaurant’s tamale colado is wrapped in banana leaves and then steamed until moist, and the cochinita pibil tacos are made with thin slices of pork shoulder marinated with sour orange juice, cooked over mesquite charcoal, served over a soft taco. The Tikin-Xic (fish in achiote sauce) is also excellent, and the Pibil marinated pork with pickled onions served with tortillas, rice, and black beans is wonderful. The Tostada de Ceviche is loaded with fresh fish, and the Platano Con Crema is perfect for dessert.
The atmosphere at Chichen Itza is relaxed, and the restaurant is a comfortable place to eat. The restaurant is located just a few blocks east of the University of Southern California campus and the Los Angeles Coliseum, in Mercado La Paloma, an upscale food hall that has several different restaurants offering various cuisines from around the world. It’s a favorite low-key place for many people, and the restaurant gets rave reviews all the time. In conclusion, Chichen Itza is a must-visit restaurant in Los Angeles if you want to experience an authentic taste of Yucatán cuisine in a spacious pavilion.
Yuca’s Hut
Address: 2056 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone: +1 (323) 662-1214
Website: yucasla.com
Details: $, Mexican restaurant
Yuca’s Hut is an LA institution and a must-try for anyone looking for Yucatecan-style food. The restaurant is located in a small corner of a liquor store parking lot, but the quality and flavor of the food are first-class. The menu is not large, but everything is consistently excellent, and the price-to-value ratio is off the charts. The establishment has received the James Beard award multiple times, and with good reason.
The service at Yuca’s Hut is excellent, and the staff is friendly and professional. The restaurant is family-run, and Dora has been at the helm for 47 years. The atmosphere is unpretentious, and the restaurant has a simple and straightforward approach to its food. The Cochinita Pibil is the standout dish, slow-roasted in banana leaves and served as a burrito or a taco. The beans are also delicious and a definite treat. On Saturdays, the restaurant serves tamales, which come highly recommended.
Yuca’s Hut is a small, hole-in-the-wall restaurant, but its gigantic in terms of flavor, atmosphere, and satisfaction. The food is simple, tasty, and prepared quickly. The restaurant is a great value, and the prices are very reasonable. You can grab sodas at the liquor store next door and be prepared to eat standing up if there are no tables, but it’s worth it. The restaurant started out as a way to raise money to send the youngest daughter to Brown for college, and it has been a beloved fixture in the community for over 40 years. In conclusion, if you’re looking for authentic Yucatecan-style food and a friendly atmosphere, Yuca’s Hut is the perfect spot.
In conclusion, Los Angeles is home to some of the best Mexican restaurants in the country, offering a diverse range of traditional and modern dishes. From classic street food to high-end dining experiences, LA’s Mexican cuisine scene has something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for tacos, burritos, or seafood, these restaurants deliver authentic and delicious flavors that will satisfy any craving. So, next time you’re in LA, be sure to check out these top Mexican restaurants and indulge in the city’s vibrant and flavorful culinary culture.
