Best Mexican Food in New York

Mexican food is very popular in New York. It’s a delight that everybody likes to enjoy once in a while, and that’s why there are so many restaurants that serve it all day long. I’ve made a selection of the best places to enjoy some good tacos, delicious guacamole or the best margaritas and tequilas in town.

1. Eric's Index

   • 1 Cantina Rooftop
   • 2 Tacombi at Fonda Nolita
   • 3 Dos Caminos
   • 4 Arriba Arriba
   • 5 Los Tacos No.1
   • 6 Esse Taco Williamsburg
   • 7 La Esquina Brasserie
   • 8 Santo Taco
   • 9 FAQ
     • 9.1 Where can you eat cheap Mexican food in New York?
     • 9.2 What is the best Mexican restaurant in NYC?
     • 9.3 Do you need to make reservations for the New York Mexican restaurants?

   Cantina Rooftop

   If you are looking for good Mexican food with nice prices and with a view over the city, Cantina Rooftop in Midtown Manhattan is your place. This rooftop restaurant is famous for its Margaritas, but the tasty guacamole and other Mexican dishes with a modern twist are equally delicious.

   The chef spent a year travelling through Mexico and visited thirty of its cities to bring all Mexican flavours to this trendy rooftop terrace and you can definitely tell! Enjoy some fajitas, enchiladas or tacos with a view of the city’s lights. Make sure to book in advance, this rooftop bar has a great atmosphere and is very popular.

   📍 Location: 605 West 48th Street, Hell’s Kitchen

   

2. Tacombi at Fonda Nolita

   This is one of the coolest places in Nolita. Tacombi was born in Yucatan, where the owner used to sell tacos in a Volkswagen bus in Playa del Carmen. Nowadays, the bus is comfortably parked on Elizabeth Street, ready to transport you to the streets of Mexico through the taste of their delicious tacos. And now they have several branches in Manhattan.

   As soon as you reach the door, you’ll realise right away that this is a special place. The atmosphere is very hip and I can assure you you’ll have an unforgettable experience. The menu isn’t really extensive, but the products are imported from Mexico and are very fresh. Order one of their tacos with a michelada or an agua fresca and go with the flow. You’ll almost feel the sun and breeze of the Mexican beaches.

   📍 Location: 267 Elizabeth Street, Nolita for the original branch, multiple other restaurants in Manhattan

   

3. Dos Caminos

   Dos Caminos might be the most famous Mexican restaurant in New York, and this fame is well deserved. They have several restaurants in Manhattan, where you can taste typical Mexican food in a relaxing atmosphere.

   Ask for recommendations, they’ll kindly explain all the items and ingredients on the menu. Most of the waiters speak Spanish as well. They serve brunch, lunch and dinner. The guacamole is so nice it’s perfect to enjoy at any time, day or night.

   I especially recommend their location in the Meatpacking District. It’s a great place to start a good night out, followed by dancing in one of the neighbourhood’s clubs. You can find a Dos Caminos on Times Square as well. The restaurants are always busy, especially on weekends, so I advise you to reserve in advance.

   📍 Location: 675 Hudson Street for my favourite location, with multiple other restaurants in Manhattan

4. Arriba Arriba

   Arriba Arriba has unpretentious Mexican food. It’s not the coolest restaurant in Manhattan, nor the best to go for a romantic date, but it’s perfect to enjoy a good quality Mexican meal. The food is full of flavour and it’s worth trying the “chef specials”.

   The margaritas are very famous as well, served in different sizes (El Papá, La Tia, La Mamá and La Abuela). The biggest one is huge. They also have a DJ at night, as they love to say: “There is always a party here”.

   📍 Location: 762 9th Avenue, Hell’s Kitchen

5. Los Tacos No.1

   For authentic Mexican tacos in New York, visit Los Tacos No. 1 at one of their restaurants in Manhattan. As they say themselves: “In every taco from LOS TACOS No. 1 there is a bit of true Mexican culture and flavour.” For a few dollars, you will find delicious tacos, tostadas and other dishes full of fresh ingredients. There’s even a grilled cactus taco on the menu.

   You can have your dish at Los Tacos No. 1 at a standing table and the dishes are served on cardboard plates with plastic cutlery. This makes it a great place for a quick tasty lunch during a day of sightseeing.

   📍 Location: multiple restaurants in Manhattan

   

6. Esse Taco Williamsburg

   Esse Taco is a very local spot, where you can enjoy your meal at repurposed barrels that double as standing tables. You can almost imagine you’re in a street scene in Mexico City. Although the menu is limited, the food is good: they serve delicious corn tortilla tacos with ingredients sourced from carefully selected suppliers, ranging from Wagyu beef to vegetarian options.

   📍 Location: 219 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn

7. La Esquina Brasserie

   There are multiple locations of La Esquina in Manhattan, but the brasserie in Downtown Manhattan is a particularly great place to visit. It’s literally a hidden gem, located in the basement below another Mexican restaurant. Head down the stairs and you’ll feel as though you’re setting foot in a speakeasy. Secure your table by booking in advance.

   📍 Location: 114 Kenmare Street, SoHo

8. Santo Taco

   Right above La Esquina Brasserie is Santo Taco, a great place with the look of an authentic diner. Grab a fresh taco to enjoy indoors or outside at the sidewalk tables. They’re famous for their steak trompo tacos, and I can confirm that they’re delicious!

   📍 Location: 114 Kenmare Street, SoHo