When most people hear the phrase Arizona, they envision the Grand Canyon and the surrounding cactus ocean. You may even imagine it has beautiful weather all year.
Yet, Arizona has a lot more to offer than these. Some of the best Mexican cuisine can be found right in the center of Phoenix!
Mexican cuisine is popular in Arizona and the city of Phoenix. Yet, with over 300 eateries in the region, it may be difficult to know where to begin when searching for a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix.
That is why I have produced a list of the top 11 Mexican restaurants in Phoenix. These restaurants were chosen based on a variety of criteria, including but not limited to reviews from residents and reviewers, price, setting and food quality, and overall flavor. I hope you like it!
Are you going to other places in Arizona? Check out our other guides:
- 15 Best Restaurants in Prescott, Arizona
- 7 Sedona Restaurants With a View
- 10 Fun Things To Do In Goodyear Arizona
- 6 Must-Try Glendale Restaurants
- 8 Best Cave Creek Restaurants
- 5 Best Scottsdale AZ Restaurants
- 8 Must-Try Restaurants in Wickenburg AZ
Contents
The Top 11 Mexican Restaurants in Phoenix, Arizona
The Most Holy
Phoenix, AZ +160225463304117 N 16th St
There are several Mexican restaurants in Phoenix, but La Santisima stands out.
Try their quesas, which are thick, fried masa shells filled with cheese and your choice of filling and topped with additional cheese.
For fillings, I suggest the steak with mushrooms, poblano peppers, onions, and spinach from La Santisima or the succulent pork from Cochinita Pibil. If you are not a meat eater, La Santisima offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Blanco Gallo
Phoenix, +16023270880928 E Pierce St
Tortas are an essential part of any list of the greatest Mexican restaurants in Phoenix. In Phoenix, there are several huge, sloppy sandwiches, but one of my faves is from Gallo Blanco.
The Naco torta is served on ultra-fluffy bread and has carne asada, avocado, and two fried eggs. Top it with their avocado-based salsa verde to add some spice.
Don’t feel like eating a sandwich? You may also have the taco dorado, which is made with thick fried masa and topped with sautéed onions, cheese, and cilantro. You will not be let down!
The Barrio Café
+160263602402814 N 16th St #1205, Phoenix, Arizona 85006, USA
This is not Tex-Mex food. It offers the best and most authentic Mexican cuisine in Phoenix. The restaurant is housed in a low-key building with an outside patio and fascinating paintings. When we pulled into the parking lot at the rear of the restaurant, we were welcomed with a vivid artwork.
Everyone loved the handcrafted horchata, and the Oaxacan-style guacamole was out of this world. Of course, I’ve had my fair share of guacamole, but the mix of cilantro, lime, and pomegranate was out of this world.
I chose the Chili en Nogado, a traditional Oaxacan dish that did not disappoint. A traditional variation with chicken, fruits, and almonds in an almond cream sauce is equally tasty. There’s also a vegan alternative that I’m sure is delectable.
Others in our group had the chanchito pilbi tacos, which were the size of a dinner plate and topped with melted cheese. This lunch was also delicious. We didn’t have space for dessert, but I’m sure it was just as good. Give it a go!
Playa Hermosa Mariscos
Phoenix, +160246215631605 E Garfield St
You would not expect to discover wonderful seafood in a landlocked state, but Mariscos Playa Hermosa can make you forget you’re in the desert for a time.
Mariscos Playa Hermosa has roughly a dozen sites in and around Phoenix, making it one of the greatest venues to enjoy real Mexican seafood.
Whole red snapper, shrimp cocktails, and several types of crab are available in speciality meals such as Molcajete with salsa verde.
Tacos + Tequila from Cocina Madrigal
Phoenix, +160224390004044 S 16th St
Despite its humble look, Cocina Madrigal is one of the top Mexican restaurants in Phoenix.
You may savor traditional Mexican meals with a gourmet touch at Madrigal Kitchen. Try the pomegranate-chipotle marinated beef tacos with corn tortillas, fried peppers, onions, and gorgonzola cheese.
It may seem strange to put Gorgonzola on tacos, but believe me when I say that the mix of tastes works wonderfully.
Save room for dessert since the churros here are incredible! Churros packed with Bavarian cream, covered with caramel, and provided with additional cream for dipping are the greatest on this side of the border.
Carbon Ta
Phoenix, AZ +160268277012929 N 43rd Ave
TaCarbon is well-known in Phoenix for offering the greatest carne asada, and it definitely lives up to its reputation.
Tacos are often made out of simply meat and tortillas, which is the most basic taco type. Yet, it is so wonderful that you can eat it on its own, but you should stop by the salsa bar for onions, cilantro, limes, and, of course, salsa to top it off.
Get the carne asada, pastor, or Hazz taco, which is carne asada topped with green chilis and melted cheese, and don’t forget the horchata.
This popular restaurant generally has a queue, but it is well worth the wait, and the line passes fast. But keep an eye out for the signage, since there are separate lines for ordering and paying.
Taverna y Cocina Ladera
Phoenix, AZ +160260622588729 N Central Ave
The iconic Mexican restaurant Ladera on Phoenix’s north side has been transformed into a sleek and colorful event venue. The brilliant hues of Mexico City, a city famed for its gastronomy more than any other in the nation, inspire the restaurant design.
This long-standing neighborhood favorite provides genuine Mexican food such as tacos, burritos, and quesadillas.
If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll appreciate the Enchiladas Verdes. Before being wrapped in corn tortillas, they are loaded with cheese and poblano peppers and smeared with green sauce.
You should also try the restaurant’s breakfast menu, which includes items such as chicken enchiladas, barbacoa hash, avocado toast, and Colombian coffee cake.
Taco Club
Phoenix, +16022644143546 E Osborn Rd
Taco Guild, housed in a historic church, provides sustainable Mexican food, artisan beer, and tequila.
The restaurant’s signature tacos, such as the chipotle cherry steak and molida lamb with sweet potato hay and Creole aioli, have been acknowledged as some of the finest in the nation, but the environment is what sets Taco Guild apart.
Whether it’s the cathedral-style dining room or the live music, eating here is a genuine sensory experience.
I’d have the chipotle cherry steak New World tacos, which come with poblano straws, chile aioli, and blue cheese.
Chiwas Tacos
Phoenix, +160235888301028 E Indian School Rd
Tacos Chiwas serves classic Chihuahua tacos, gorditas, and burritos made from recipes passed down through generations, gaining them a reputation among local reviewers.
It has even moved to a new site in 2020, which says eloquently about the community’s support.
The asada, pastor, and, of course, the chicken tacos, which are among my faves, are must-orders. With seasoned grilled chicken, pickled onions, and cilantro crema, it’s bliss in a tortilla.
Don’t miss the gorditas, which are soft masa shells filled with potatoes, beans, and your choice of red or green shredded meat.
Are you a true gourmand? I’ve collected a selection of the greatest gourmet presents for you and your loved ones. Subscriptions for cheese, meat, and sweets, as well as some classic must-have gourmet devices.
You can’t match the pricing and quality here, no matter what you purchase! Chiwas Tacos is without a doubt one of Phoenix’s greatest Mexican eateries.
Chelo Taco
+16023685316501 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix
When it comes to tacos in Phoenix, you can’t go wrong with Taco Chelo. Since it has my heart, this restaurant has earned a position on my list of the top Mexican restaurants in Phoenix.
You can’t go wrong with any of the tacos on Taco Chelos’ modest menu. Get the costra taco, a carne asada taco topped with caramelized onions and cheese. Gooey, cheesy things like these are what dreams are made of!
To round off your meal, get a side of chips, salsa, and guacamole, as well as a drink of their handmade horchata.
Restaurant Casa Corazon
Phoenix, +160233419172637 N 16th St
It’s no surprise that Casa Corazon was named one of the 100 greatest restaurants in 2021. They elevate genuine Mexican cuisine by using high-quality, fresh ingredients from Mexico. Among Phoenix’s Mexican eateries, this is a must-try.
While there are several eateries in Phoenix that provide fantastic chips and salsa, Casa Corazon’s vast salsa bar makes it my favorite.
Every day, they prepare 10 different types of salsa in-house, so they offer all of the standard tastes we love, as well as new ones like cucumber, serrano, and pineapple. Although the salsa variety is fantastic, don’t overeat since the meals are as great!
Casa Corazon’s enchiladas are delicious, and the crimson sauce is to die for. Tacos de canasta al vapor, which are beef and cheese tacos covered and steamed in red chili sauce, are also available.
When the sauce is absorbed into the tortilla, it is particularly tasty and savory. This taco will need a fork; it is not your usual taco!
The 10 Best Mexican Restaurants in Phoenix in Summary
If you questioned each Phoenix resident about their favorite Mexican restaurant, they would most certainly give you a different response. The valley boasts over 300 Mexican restaurants, so there is no lack of selections, and everyone has a favorite.
Yet, the diversity of Mexican cuisine in Phoenix is astounding, with everything from genuine meals to specialist taco businesses.
In Phoenix, the Mexican selections are almost limitless. There is a choice to fit your preferences, whether you want classic Mexican cuisine created using family recipes or a cheap and lively location for tacos with your pals.
Phoenix is recognized for its genuine Mexican cuisine, but there are a variety of different eateries that offer Mexican food, from taco stalls to hipster eats to local favorites. So, have a good time and eat well!