We Ranked The Best Mexican Restaurants In Los Angeles, California, And Here Is Who Made The Cut
I’d bet there’s a taco, a mole, or a plate of ceviche you keep saying you’ll try someday. Consider this your sign to stop waiting on it.
‘Someday’ has a funny habit of never showing up on the calendar. Neither does ‘next month,’ if we’re being honest.
Meanwhile, the tortillas on this list are getting pressed by hand, the mesquite is getting lit, and the salsas are getting stirred right now.
This list includes a cafe that opens at 6 AM and a seafood counter inside a food hall. One stop here has been serving burritos since 1955.
Another started sharing Oaxacan cooking in 1994.
So here’s my playful suggestion for your next California weekend. Pick one place from this list, grab a friend, and go eat something wonderful.
1. Holbox
Fine seafood inside a food hall sounds like a riddle, yet this counter solves it with a squeeze of lime. You’ll find it inside Mercado La Paloma, where seating is shared and the energy feels easygoing.
The kitchen draws on ingredients from Baja California and the Yucatan. Ceviches and aguachiles lead the menu, and they look almost too pretty to eat.
Almost. The Ceviche Mixto brings Yucatan octopus, wild Mexican shrimp, and local white seabass together in one bright bowl.
Tacos come on house-made heirloom corn tortillas, which is a detail worth bragging about. Try the Taco De Pulpo En Su Tinta, an octopus taco cooked in its own ink.
Feeling bold? The Spot Prawns a La Talla and the grilled lobster turn a casual lunch into a small celebration.
Don’t skip the house salsas, because there’s a wide lineup to explore. Each one gives your next bite a new personality.
The Baja Fish Taco and Baja Shrimp Taco keep things classic for anyone easing into raw seafood. Guacamole here leans fresh and herby, a great partner for those tacos.
Planning something special? A tasting menu runs on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and it’s available by reservation only.
Doors stay closed on Mondays, so aim for Tuesday through Sunday. Lunch here is a fun California treat that feels like a mini vacation to the coast.
Bring a friend who loves seafood and order more plates than you planned. Your next ocean adventure waits at 3655 S Grand Ave c9, Los Angeles, CA 90007.
2. Guisados
Stew on a taco sounds simple until you taste how much patience goes into it. Guisados builds its menu around braised meats and veggie stews spooned onto handmade tortillas.
That word, guisados, actually means stews in Spanish. Fitting name, right?
The downtown spot lives inside the Broadway Arcade Building on Spring Street. It’s a relaxed place where a quick bite can easily turn into a long lunch.
Can’t decide? Go for the mini tacos, since the variety lets you sample a bunch of flavors in one sitting.
Cochinita pibil brings that slow-roasted Yucatan style to the party. Chorizo and mole round out a trio that covers smoky, spicy, and rich.
Plant-based eaters get real attention here too. The full vegan and vegetarian menus mean nobody at your table has to settle for a side salad.
Pair your plate with one of the aguas frescas, and the horchata is a smart place to start. Cool and creamy, it balances spicier bites nicely.
Hours make this a flexible pick for almost any plan. Doors open at 9 AM daily, so breakfast tacos are fully on the table.
Night owls, this part is for you. On Fridays and Saturdays, the kitchen keeps going until 1:30 AM.
That makes it a fun stop after a concert, a movie, or a long walk around downtown Los Angeles. Nobody ever regretted one more taco.
Grab a friend, split a sampler, and argue happily over your favorite stew. Find it at the Broadway Arcade Building, 541 S Spring St Unit 101, Los Angeles, CA 90013.
3. Chulita
Brunch, tacos, and a late Saturday dinner can all happen at one address in West Adams. Chulita keeps a modern Mexican menu that bends to your schedule instead of the other way around.
Doors open early most mornings, so breakfast is an easy win. Weekend brunch makes a great excuse to round up the crew.
Tacos are the heart of the menu, and you’ll see plenty of variety. Mixing and matching is half the fun.
Vegans, rejoice. A full vegan menu sits alongside a full vegetarian menu, so plant-based friends get real choices.
The Grilled Nopales are a standout pick for anyone curious about cactus. Nopales come from the prickly pear cactus, and grilling them is a classic Mexican move.
Want something smaller? Small plates make it easy to graze and share.
The mood here is relaxed and modern, the kind of spot where solo diners feel right at home. Groups fit in just as easily.
Chulita also welcomes everyone, with an LGBTQ+ friendly reputation and a gender-neutral restroom. Free Wi-Fi is a bonus if you want to linger over coffee.
On Fridays and Saturdays, the kitchen stays open until midnight. That’s plenty of time for a late taco run after a night out in California.
Catering is available too. Your next party could get a serious taco upgrade.
Pick a morning, an afternoon, or a late night, because each one works here. Head over to 5160 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016.
4. El Tepeyac Cafe
Opening at 6 AM takes dedication, and this family-run cafe has been showing up since 1955. That’s decades of burritos rolled for the Eastside of Los Angeles.
The burritos here are famously massive. Bring a big appetite or a friend who loves to share.
Start with the Hollenbeck Burrito, the menu’s best-known heavyweight. It’s the kind of meal that might cover lunch and dinner.
Vegetarians aren’t left out. The Chile Relleno Burrito wraps a classic stuffed pepper dish into handheld form.
Early birds should look at the chilaquiles. A Mini Menudo is also on the menu for anyone craving a smaller bowl of that beloved soup.
The setting is modest and homestyle, with 50s music adding a fun retro soundtrack. It feels like a slice of old Los Angeles that never stopped cooking.
Families get plenty of perks, including high chairs and a kids’ menu. Little ones can try a smaller plate while grownups tackle the giants.
Weekends run a little later, with doors open until 8 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Weekdays wrap up at 7 PM, so plan an early dinner.
Short on time? Takeout and curbside pickup make it easy to grab a burrito for a picnic or a road trip.
Few places in California can claim this kind of staying power. Come see what seven decades of practice tastes like.
Set the alarm and go. Your Eastside breakfast adventure starts at 812 N Evergreen Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033.
5. El Coyote Mexican Restaurant
Christmas lights strung through colorful rooms give El Coyote a festive look that’s hard to forget. This landmark on Beverly Boulevard serves classic Mexican comfort food with plenty of personality.
Kitschy decor sets a playful mood from the start. A fireplace adds a homey touch on cooler evenings.
Chips and salsa kick things off, and they’re a great start. Then comes the hard part, which is choosing a main.
Burritos are a star of the menu here. The shrimp burrito gets special attention, so put it high on your list.
Portions run generous, and the rice deserves its own fan club. Classic plates come well-spiced and full of flavor.
Vegetarians can relax, since a full vegetarian menu is available. Kids get their own menu too, plus high chairs.
Prefer fresh air? Outdoor seating lets you enjoy your meal under the Los Angeles sky.
Timing matters here, so check the calendar before you go. The restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and opens at noon Wednesday through Sunday.
Fridays and Saturdays run until 10 PM, which makes this a fun dinner plan. It’s an easy spot to kick off a night out in the Fairfax area.
Celebrating something? This colorful room feels built for birthdays and reunions.
Catering is also available if you want that classic flavor at home. Still, the decor alone makes dining in worth it.
Grab your favorite people and come see the lights. You’ll find the party at 7312 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
6. Guelaguetza Restaurant
A bright orange building on Olympic Boulevard is your first clue that something special is cooking inside. Since 1994, Guelaguetza has served Oaxacan food in the heart of Koreatown.
The founders wanted a place that felt like home for Oaxacans living in Los Angeles. That mission still shapes the menu today.
Mole is the main event here. Negro, rojo, and coloradito are among the varieties, each with its own color and character.
Can’t pick just one? A mole sampler lets you taste several sauces side by side, which feels like a delicious science project.
Beyond mole, the menu stretches far. Tlayudas, huge empanadas, enchiladas, taquitos, and a seafood soup compete for your attention.
Breakfast fans get chilaquiles in several styles, including divorciados. Huevos rancheros are on the menu too.
Sweet tooth? Mexican hot chocolate, champurrado, and cafe de olla make perfect sips next to a slice of tres leches cake.
You can even take a piece of Oaxaca home. Oaxacan chocolate and mole are available to bring back to your own kitchen.
Live music adds to the fun, and the colorful decor keeps the energy high. Families will appreciate the kids’ menu and high chairs.
Reservations are accepted, and walk-ins are welcome. The kitchen takes Mondays off, so plan your visit for later in the week.
This is one of the most delicious history lessons in California. Head to 3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006, and say yes to the mole.
7. Sonoratown
Mesquite smoke and fresh flour tortillas make a pretty convincing argument for lunch. Sonoratown brings the flavors of Sonora, in northern Mexico, to Los Angeles.
Flour tortillas are made by hand here, and they’re soft and chewy. Corn gets plenty of love in Mexico, but Sonora is famous for flour.
Meats hit a mesquite grill, which gives them a smoky edge. Steak tacos are the move if you want the classic experience.
Have you met the chivichanga yet? This burrito cousin is a fun one to try.
Sides deserve a moment too. Grilled green onions and juicy radish slices add a fresh, crunchy contrast to that rich meat.
Ordering is simple at the counter, and the food comes out fast. That makes it a smart stop between errands or adventures.
Vegetarians can explore a full vegetarian menu. Families will find high chairs, and dogs are welcome too.
The place stays clean and tidy, with a casual setup that keeps things easy. Solo diners and big groups both fit right in.
Thirsty? The fruity aguas frescas are a sweet way to cool down after a smoky bite.
Hours are refreshingly simple, since the kitchen runs from 11 AM to 10 PM daily. No need to memorize a complicated schedule.
Sonoran flavors in the middle of California feel like a road trip without the long drive. Point yourself toward 5610 S San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019.
8. Mexicali Taco & Co.
Ever had a taco called a vampiro? Mexicali Taco & Co. serves them, and the name alone is worth the visit.
This informal spot near Chinatown focuses on Baja-style dishes like tacos and quesadillas. Rustic decor gives it a laid-back feel.
Try the crispy, cheese-topped flour tortilla taco that regulars love. It’s a fun twist on the usual taco and a must for first-timers.
Tortillas are handmade, which makes a real difference. Asada tacos and shrimp tacos on corn tortillas are popular picks.
Then there’s the Cachetada, a vegetarian-friendly menu highlight. It’s a great choice when you want something a little different.
Mole poblano also shows up, plated with care. The mix of traditional and contemporary touches keeps the menu interesting.
Here’s a bonus. The kitchen creates its own specials and is open to custom orders.
That flexibility makes it great for picky eaters and adventurous ones alike. Your whole crew can build a plate that fits their mood.
Outdoor seating lets you enjoy your tacos in the open air. It’s a relaxed setup for a sunny Los Angeles afternoon.
Service moves quickly, which is perfect for a lunch break. The prices are friendly too, so you can order an extra taco.
Plan around the hours, since the kitchen runs 11 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Saturday. Sundays are a day off.
Catering is available if you want to bring the flavor to a party. Your vampiro adventure begins at 702 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90012.