We Ranked The 10 Best Mexican Restaurants In New Orleans, Louisiana And Here Is Who Came Out On Top
The man credited with bringing the word taqueria to Louisiana opened his first spot on the Fourth of July in 1988. I love that a whole piece of this city’s food vocabulary traces back to one grill on one street.
Fast forward, and New Orleans now has a Mexican restaurant on The New York Times list of the 50 best restaurants in America. That same kitchen picked up a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2025. Not bad for a town better known for gumbo and po-boys.
The range is what surprised me most. You can grab birria tacos with breakfast served all day, try huitlacoche quesadillas at dinner, or order a Creole-tinged burrito in a punk rock room.
I ranked ten favorites, from family taquerias to award-winning dining rooms. One cooks from Michoacán family recipes, and another keeps a secret nacho menu. Here are the best spots that made it to the top of our list.
1. Tacos Del Cartel New Orleans
Spinning meat on a vertical trompo is a pretty good way to win the top spot. Tacos del Cartel does exactly that with its Trompo Al Pastor, and the rest of the menu keeps the pressure on.
Founded in 2020 by Danny Cruz and Vilexis Salas, the restaurant mixes Mexican flavors with New Orleans energy. You can see it in the flower installations and neon signs that light up the room.
Start with the Rib Eye Guacamole, because regular guac suddenly feels a little shy next to it. Then move on to tacos de birria, slow-cooked and served with consommé for dunking.
The cochinita pibil tacos are marinated in achiote and slow-roasted in banana leaves. Classic carnitas and asada tacos are here too, with a green salsa that brings just enough heat.
Feeling adventurous? Try the Black Aguachile or the Coral Soft Shell Crab Taco, two dishes that show off the kitchen’s creative side.
Weekend mornings get their own treat, with brunch on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 10 AM. A full vegetarian menu and a kids’ menu mean your whole crew can find something.
Lunch starts at 11 AM on weekdays, so a midday taco break is totally doable. Takeout, delivery, and outdoor seating give you even more ways to get your fix.
Here’s a smart move: book ahead, since dinner reservations are recommended and a wait is common. Friday and Saturday nights run until 11 PM if you’re planning a late taco run.
Address: 1010 Girod St, New Orleans, LA 70113
2. Acamaya
Very few Mexican restaurants in Louisiana can say The New York Times named them one of the 50 best in America. Acamaya earned that honor in September 2024, and the praise kept rolling in.
Sisters Ana and Lydia Castro run this Bywater spot, which blends Mexico City traditions, Gulf seafood, and New Orleans flavor. Chef Ana Castro was a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist.
The list of honors reads like a trophy shelf. Esquire and Bon Appetit both named it a Best New Restaurant in 2025, and Michelin gave it a Bib Gourmand that same year.
In 2026, 50 Best ranked it number 30 in North America. That’s serious company for a neighborhood restaurant.
Mariscos lead the menu, served hot or cold. Expect aguachile verde, ceviche, a tuna tostada, and a hamachi al pastor tostada that sounds like a fun twist.
Octopus arrives with walnut salsa negra, and the Shrimp Costra comes with cheese chicharron and chipotle. The Chochoyotes feature Higgins crab, sungold tomato, sweet corn, and chanterelle.
Arroz Negro brings huitlacoche, Bangs Island mussels, squid, and shrimp to one plate. Save room for pineapple soft serve with tajin, because sweet and tangy is a great finish.
The modern, elegant room was designed by Farouki Farouki. It’s a dinner-only spot, open Thursday through Monday from 5 to 9:30 PM.
Reservations are recommended, though some seats are held for walk-ins. Plan ahead, since this is a special-occasion kind of meal.
Address: 3070 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117
3. Espíritu
Crawfish queso might be the most New Orleans thing a Mexican kitchen can make. Espíritu serves it, and honestly, that alone earns a spot near the top.
The space has a breezy, bohemian feel on Capdeville Street. Tacos and tortas anchor the menu, with plenty of creative spins along the way.
Can’t pick a salsa? Order the Flight of Salsas, which happens to be vegan and lets you sample a few at once.
Carne asada tacos and crispy shrimp tacos cover the classics nicely. The sweet potato tacos and huitlacoche quesadillas are great picks for meat-free eaters.
Speaking of which, the restaurant is gluten-free, and it offers full vegan and vegetarian menus. That makes group dinners much easier when everyone eats a little differently.
Guacamole is another strong choice for the table. Pair it with the queso and you’ve basically built a dip festival.
Dog owners, good news: pups are allowed inside and out. Live music adds to the fun, and free Wi-Fi helps if you’re squeezing in a working lunch.
Service tends to move fast, so it works for a quick bite. High chairs are available for little diners too.
Check the schedule before you go, since it closes Wednesday and Thursday. Lunch runs Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 11:30 AM, while Saturday and Sunday open at 4 PM.
Happy hour food is offered too, which is a nice bonus for budget-minded snackers. Reservations are accepted if you’d rather not leave things to chance.
Address: 520 Capdeville St, New Orleans, LA 70130
4. Margarita Kitchen
Breakfast that refuses to clock out is a beautiful thing. Margarita Kitchen serves breakfast all day, so ordering eggs at 6 PM is totally on the table.
The real star, though, is the specialty birria tacos. Birria is a rich, slow-cooked meat dish, and these tacos are what the kitchen is known for.
This spot sits on South Carrollton Avenue in the Carrollton area. It’s a casual, no-fuss place where the focus stays on the food.
Ever crave something lighter? A salad bar and a full vegetarian menu give you options beyond the meat-heavy favorites.
Small plates and quick bites make it easy to snack instead of committing to a big meal. Dessert is on the menu too, for anyone who believes lunch needs a finale.
Service is known for being fast, which helps on a busy weekday. Curbside pickup, delivery, and takeout work well if you’d rather eat at home.
Prefer fresh air? Outdoor seating is available, and kids are welcome, making it an easy family stop.
The hours are a bit quirky, so save this tip. It opens at 10 AM most days, 9 AM on Wednesday, and 11 AM on Sunday.
Most nights it closes at 8 PM, but Wednesday wraps up early at 5 PM. Plan your birria cravings around that, and you’ll be fine.
It’s also open seven days a week, which is rare and wonderful. In a city of long weekends, a dependable taco stop in Louisiana is worth bookmarking.
Address: 1434 S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118
5. AGUASANTA
Oak Street has another great reason to linger after dark. AGUASANTA brings contemporary Mexican fusion to this Uptown strip, with creative small plates leading the way.
Small plates are the whole idea here, so sharing is half the fun. Order a few, pass them around, and order a few more when the table goes quiet.
The kitchen leans gourmet without feeling stuffy. The atmosphere is casual and trendy, so you can show up in jeans and still feel like you’re treating yourself.
It also serves local specialties alongside its Mexican fusion dishes. That mix fits right into a city where food traditions love to borrow from each other.
Live music is one of the draws here. Combined with dessert and coffee, it makes a strong case for a long, relaxed evening.
Happy hour food gives early birds a reason to show up. Late-night food is offered too, which night owls will appreciate.
Families aren’t left out, either. High chairs are available, and the spot is considered good for kids.
Dinner runs Monday through Thursday from 4 to 9 PM, and until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. Sundays are closed, so don’t plan a weekend finale here.
Reservations are accepted, which helps on busier nights. Curbside pickup, takeout, and delivery are options when you want fusion on the couch.
Service is known for moving quickly. That’s handy when the small plates keep tempting you into another round.
Address: 8312 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118
6. Taqueria Corona
Fireworks weren’t the only thing lighting up New Orleans on July 4, 1988. That’s the day Taqueria Corona opened on Magazine Street, and it’s been grilling ever since.
Owner Roberto Méndez is credited with introducing the word taqueria to Louisiana. Talk about leaving a mark on the local dictionary.
The food is Mexican with an El Salvadoran touch from the chef. Tacos star, with grilled chunks of beef, pork, chicken, or shrimp in grilled flour tortillas.
Each one comes with pico de gallo and grilled green onions. Speaking of onions, the grilled cebollitas are a side worth adding.
Fish tacos and ribeye tacos get plenty of love too. The Mexican Pizza is a fun, unexpected order if you want something different.
Black beans, saffron rice, and spicy chorizo round out the plates. Ceviche, shrimp quesadillas, enchiladas, and burritos give you even more to choose from.
Thin, fresh chips and house hot sauces make the wait for your entrée a lot easier. Homemade pico shows up there too, keeping things bright.
An open-air kitchen lets you watch the cooks at work. The room is colorful and bright, with a laid-back mood that suits families and college students alike.
Timing matters here. It’s closed Mondays, open Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 9 PM, and adds lunch from 11:30 AM to 3 PM on weekends.
No reservations are taken, so just show up hungry and patient. Street parking can be tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
Address: 5932 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
7. The Velvet Cactus
Kids get their own play area at The Velvet Cactus, which might be the greatest gift a parent can receive at dinner. Meanwhile, the grown-ups get crawfish queso.
This Lakeview favorite is part of a local chain, and the space is funky and art-filled. The eclectic decor gives you something fun to look at while you wait for food.
Queso fans should start with the crawfish version, a Louisiana-style spin that fits the city perfectly. Chicken fajitas and pork pibil tacos are other popular picks.
The Gringo comes with beef or grilled chicken, and the Taco Plate covers the basics. Vegetarians can grab the Mexican Pizza, and a full vegan menu is available.
Portions are known for being generous. You might want to plan on leftovers, or at least loosen your belt a notch.
Brunch is on the menu, along with a kids’ menu and high chairs. Happy hour food rounds out the deal for early diners.
Got a game to catch? It’s a good spot for watching sports, and free Wi-Fi is on hand too.
Parking is refreshingly easy, with a free lot and plenty of street spaces. In New Orleans, that’s practically a miracle.
Weeknights start at 4:30 PM and close at 9 PM. Friday and Saturday run from 11 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday goes 11 AM to 9 PM.
Reservations aren’t accepted, and there’s usually a wait. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest, so a weekday visit may be smoother.
Address: 6300 Argonne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124
8. Taquería Guerrero Inc
Menudo, pozole, and tamales on one menu? Taquería Guerrero serves the kind of homestyle Mexican dishes that feel like a family kitchen.
The setting is casual and colorful, with off-beat decor that gives it personality. It’s also spacious and clean, so there’s room to spread out.
Let’s talk tacos, the best way to start. Al pastor, tripa, and lengua are standouts, and the Tacos 3x order is a popular way to sample them.
Menudo is a hearty soup, and this version is perfectly seasoned and loaded with tripe. Pozole is another comforting bowl worth trying on a rainy day.
Craving something cheesy? The quesadilla comes stuffed with melting cheese, which is exactly what a quesadilla should do.
Wash it down with horchata, a sweet rice drink with a cinnamon kick. It pairs nicely with rich, meaty tacos.
Tamales are on the menu too, perfect for taking a few home. Your future self will thank you tomorrow.
Breakfast is a real option here, since doors open at 9 AM Tuesday through Sunday. Dinner runs until 9 PM, and the place is closed Mondays.
Service is fast, and you can choose counter service or table service. Takeout and delivery work when you’d rather eat elsewhere.
Reservations aren’t taken, so just drop in. Sunday evening tends to be busiest, while weekday mornings are calmer.
Located on North Carrollton Avenue, it’s an easy stop if you’re exploring Mid-City. High chairs make it simple to bring the little ones along.
Address: 208 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
9. El Gato Negro – Lakeview
A secret nacho menu is the kind of rumor you want to be true. At El Gato Negro in Lakeview, it really exists.
The family behind it draws on recipes from Michoacán, Mexico. The first location opened near the French Market in 2007, and this Lakeview spot followed in late 2011.
Mole lovers, this one’s for you. The Burrito Con Mole wraps chicken, vegetables, and cheese in a tortilla, then smothers it in mole poblano.
Roast chicken with mole poblano is another rich option. For something lighter, the grilled Mexican salmon salad keeps things fresh.
Feeling fancy? Lobster tacos and rack of lamb show the kitchen has range beyond the usual combo plates.
Tableside guacamole is made right in front of you, and it happens to be vegan. Chips and salsa are a classic starter, and El Mega Burrito lives up to its name.
Portions run large, so sharing is smart. Kids get their own menu, and a full vegetarian menu covers meat-free diners.
The quaint patio is a nice perk on a pleasant day. It’s a festive place to gather with friends.
Lunch runs from 11 AM to 3 PM daily, and dinner starts at 5 PM. Friday and Saturday dinners go until 10 PM, while other nights wrap at 9.
Service tends to be quick, even when Friday evening brings the biggest crowds. Takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery are options when the couch is calling.
Love it enough to explore? There’s a French Quarter location on French Market Place, too.
Address: 300 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124
10. Juan’s Flying Burrito – LGD
Steak, chicken, and shrimp walk into a tortilla, and that’s the punchline behind the Flying Burrito. Juan’s Flying Burrito has been serving its Creole-Mex style since 1997.
This Lower Garden District location on Magazine Street has a funky, punk rock feel. Local art hangs on the walls, which makes waiting for your food more fun.
Taco choices go way beyond basic. You’ll find Creole tacos, Street tacos, and even Banh Mi tacos for a wild cross-cultural bite.
Street Style Shrimp Tacos are a popular pick. Jerk chicken nachos bring Caribbean flair, and the pineapple salsa adds a sweet, tangy kick.
The burritos are massive, so come with a plan. Skillets, bowls, cheesy quesadillas, street corn, and a shrimp mango salad round things out.
Corn tortillas are sourced locally, which is a nice Louisiana touch. Full vegan and vegetarian menus mean plant-based eaters get real choices.
Breakfast fans can order huevos rancheros, which is vegetarian. It’s a solid way to start a lazy late morning on Magazine Street.
Doors open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM, so lunch and dinner are both easy. Dogs are allowed outside, and outdoor seating gives them room to hang out.
Service is quick, which matters when hunger hits hard. It’s a laid-back stop that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Reservations aren’t taken, and street parking can be tough nearby. Tuesday evenings and Friday afternoons tend to be busiest.
Love it here? Other Juan’s locations are scattered around town, including Mid-City, Oak Street, and the CBD.
Address: 2018 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130