Best mexican restaurants in Phoenix: find options near you

First time visiting, and I was very impressed! We stopped here on a whim while looking for a place to grab dinner. The hostess was warm and welcoming, seated us right away, and even accommodated my husband’s preferred seating request. I didn’t catch her name, but she wore glasses and was absolutely lovely. The atmosphere was beautiful, modern, and upscale, perfect for date night. Our waitress, Marcia, was fantastic. She was professional, knowledgeable about the menu, and her recommendations helped me choose a delicious meal. There was also a gentleman playing the saxophone, which added to the intimate and relaxing ambiance. My only minor critique is that the tables were a bit close together. I understand it’s a smaller dining space, so creating more privacy may not be easy. Overall, we had a wonderful experience, and I definitely recommend this restaurant if you’re ever in downtown Phoenix. 😊

We did a reservation at 9pm on a Thursday. No wait time. Music was a little bit loud. They had music like a club. Then a saxophone guy started playing and was nice. Food was good. We got mole and NY steak it was pretty good. Very soft meat. I tried tepache it was good as well. We try Paloma it was good but not stong at all. Overall I do recommend it. I would go back. Just recommend to change music one for the bar side and different for the restaurant tables If possible.

Miel de Agave left me with mixed feelings. The food was genuinely good, and the passion fruit margarita was excellent. The problem wasn’t the kitchen—it was the overall hospitality experience. From the moment we arrived, the welcome felt cold. We were told to “try to find a seat at the bar,” and once we did, it was so cold we ended up moving to the outside bar just to be comfortable. There were three employees working behind the bar, yet we still felt overlooked for much of our visit. Ironically, the barback ended up being the most attentive and helpful member of the team. The restaurant also felt unusually dark, and both the men’s and women’s restrooms were messy during our visit. That’s what makes this review disappointing. The food and drinks were worth ordering, but the hospitality didn’t match the price point. With more attention to the guest experience—from the host stand to the bar to the restrooms—I think Miel de Agave has the potential to be a restaurant I’d gladly recommend. VFI Rating: 🚶 Worth the Stop

The food here is simply fantastic, and the staff is incredibly friendly. The atmosphere is amazing, with great music to set the mood. We tried the aguachile ribeye, which was absolutely delicious. It wasn’t too spicy, just right. I also tried the quesabirria, which was authentic Mexican food. And let me tell you, my espresso martini was an absolute 10 out of 10! Our server was Marcia and she was very knowledgeable about the food, drinks and her recommendations were just perfect.

Okay…idk what’s going on here, but I feel like everyone is being pranked. I’m not sure how I had an experience like this when the overall rating is 4.8 with almost 8K reviews. Anyway…went here for my 30th, and the food was so bad, I was shocked. I’ll start with the good: the birria tacos, they come with an insane amount of meat. However, they charge $8 for chips and salsa and the chips were half empty and stale, and the salsa is quite literally just a tomato sauce from a jar. I asked for less stale chips and we got some so at least that was better. The truffle fries came out almost completely raw, we couldn’t eat them. Our waitress said they got a new chef, so maybe these problems will go away, but we didn’t order a second entree because we weren’t confident it’d be worth the price based on our appetizers, thank gosh we didn’t. Luckily, they refunded us the fries and chips and salsa, which was very nice of them, but then they tried to charge us for 2 extra drinks that weren’t even duplicates of our drinks which made the bill even more expensive than it would’ve been with the 2 removed food items. Appetizer pictured has a large hair on it, didn’t even address that because we just didn’t like the appetizer to begin with, which isn’t the restaurant’s fault. The atmosphere feels very off. The walls are painted like a fake wood, meals are rolled out on dirty carts you’d see in a school, and the share plates are actually chargers. Oh well, never again. At least the drinks were good.

A local staple! I’ve loved Chino Bandido since I was young, growing up in Phoenix. I just love how they mix their Chinese and Mexican heritage and make something new with their cuisine. The owner and staff are always so friendly and the price is right for the amount of food you get. And a free cookie? Come on now!

I’ve been coming for over a decade. The new location is a huge upgrade- same great flavor! Ask for a sample if you’re not sure what you want. I like it spicy so I always get the Pollo Diablo.

Just had lunch there. First time since they moved from 19th ave and Thunderbird. The food was great and plentiful for the price. But what hit me the most was the impeccable friendly pleasant service by Lorenzo behind the counter. If we could have more people like Lorenzo, we could have a wonderful country.

Had an amazing experience here. It was my first time and they walked me through the menu, step by step. Ordering was a smooth process. Food came out hot and efficient. Great quality food as well. The jerk chicken has the perfect amount of spice. The extra care to make fresh baked cookies to was an incredible touch. Overall fantastic experience.

We used to like this place a lot. Now it’s just eh. The staff were nice and attentive. The atmosphere is dry and empty in the restaurant. The food was okay. The teriyaki chicken was dry. The cookie was delicious as always.

This was short uber ride out of the convention center area where I was staying, and was definitely worth it. I got there just at opening and got great service at the bar. Did the margarita flight, which was a great way to try a few flavors, and found a new recipe I’ll be brining home, the Chambord Margarita. The cherry smoked beef tacos lived up to the hype. I also enjoyed the fish and coconut shrimp tacos, but could have just done several of the beef. The place doesn’t look like much from the street, but a really cool vibe inside and neat the way they preserved some of the old church heritage.

I was in Phoenix for a quick visit and this restaurant came highly recommended. Parking was tough, but we managed to find something on the street. The entranceway set the tone for the restaurant itself – – inviting. The surprise is that the restaurant exist inside a building which previously existed to souls. Now it exists to feed them! I try not to comment on places I’ve only visited once. In this case, I have to because it’s unclear whether I’ll have the opportunity to go again. The drinks and chips/sauces were excellent. I had a brisket taco which I found dry and grainy. However, my dining companion had a shrimp taco that she enjoyed. Service was outstanding; atmosphere and ambience was equally outstanding. As noted above, disappointed in my taco. Perhaps I just had extraordinary expectations because of the extraordinary look of the restaurant. If for no other reason, the experience itself makes this a recommended find. Go, you just might not want the brisket.

My girlfriend and I went in here last night for the first time and we loved every detail of it. Our server Ally was very knowledgeable on the history of the building. When it was time to order, our questions were answered and she knew the amount of protein that went into the tacos. The chips and salsa was to die for, the atmosphere was busy but quiet, and the building itself beautiful surrounded with stain glass, murals and even the booth was a pew from the Methodist Church. The tacos were delicious and one of a kind. We were checked on throughout our visit and the staff was so welcoming and accommodating. We will be back in the near future

I love the atmosphere! Our server was amazing and I love that you could get tacos in lettuce cups and I was a little surprised at the prices of the tacos but they were gourmet and well worth it! Also very interesting flavors for the margarita flights. Definitely worth it for happy hour and the live music was nice too! I was there on a Friday at 4:30 which was a great time to go before it got too crowded.

I got there when they opened and was the first person there so I was seated right away. My server was excellent and very prompt with everything and explained portions well. The food was great even the chips and salsa. But the food was quite expensive! I would have still been hungry had i not ordered an appetizer. The taco portions were large for the tortillas. (i had to eat some meat to eat them as tacos) Overall good experience. I’d take the wife back for a nice date if we had 100 dollars to use on the meal.

First time in, from the outside its like Hmmmm… but once inside its quite beautiful and themed. I had a party of 5, took about 10 minutes to get seated on a Friday at noon. Which is not bad at all. The prices are great for someone like me who’s always budgeting and looking for specials. Their Lunch Specials are greatly priced. And there’s a variety to choose from. I ordered the cheese enchilada with rice and beans. The menu did not specify Olives in them, which was a surprise to me. So FYI there’s olives in them. (Not a lot of olives) Overall service was good and productive and professional. Waitress friendly (Lori aka LT) and courteous and the chip lady (Ismleda) got Refills on time and refilled chips and salsa 💯 when low. Great for families friends etc. Restrooms are clean too. Will be a returning customer.

Great sit down or takeout environment. Portions have a nice size and prices could be way more for what you get. Staff is incredibly nice and attentive. We got the 6 mini tacos, and the Funduito[i think thats how you spell it](beef). Overall the environment was dated but was nice and clean. I really liked the environment.

We love this restaurant! The food is always delicious and the employees are always friendly! Good value, great food! I highly recommend the Luna Bowl! It was so pretty and so fresh! Yum!

Valle Luna continues to impress every time I visit. The portions are generous in the best possible way — you never leave hungry, and every plate is packed with fresh, flavorful ingredients. Whether it’s their classic combo plates or one of their house specialties, the food consistently delivers that comforting, authentic taste that keeps you coming back. What really sets Valle Luna apart, though, is the staff. They’re warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly, creating an atmosphere that feels welcoming from the moment you walk in. It’s the kind of place where you’re treated like a regular even on your first visit. If you’re looking for hearty Mexican food served with true hospitality, Valle Luna is an easy recommendation. A great experience all around.

OMG!!! The food and service is so good. Portions are huge. Definitely highly recommend them.

Nice restaurant it wasn’t packed when we went. There was only a family there probably around six and a couple there. Nothing too crazy but where the hostess sat us was a bit uncomfortable and very little to no space. She sat us where the family was sitting, and they were sitting in a booth and they sat us right next to them. There is plenty of space like I said there wasn’t a lot of people in the restaurant so we were just a bit confused why they sat us there out of all places we were like in the corner. I was literally like almost sitting next to the family member. I felt like we were there with them but other than the sitting area everything was good. I ordered fajitas if you get fajitas just keep in mind that the only serve you like eight pieces of steak fajitas. Everything on that plate was vegetables pretty much the rice and beans were very good. I’m really picky when it comes to rice and beans and that Place made really good rice and beans my husband got rice and beans with chimichangas. I can’t quite remember he was satisfied with his plate. the waitress was nice and had very good service but other than that, the place was fine. The dessert wasn’t the best wouldn’t recommend that.

This was our first time visiting here, and the restaurant was nice. We were seated quickly and our waiter was very nice. There is a large selection on their menu. One thing they are lacking is a smaller portion for adults. Everything is large portions. Our drinks were delicious, but it was strange that they were not able to change our drinks. One of our parties asked for their signature drink to be blended instead of on the rocks, and they said they couldn’t accommodate us. Another asked if she could get a double in a larger glass. She would pay for two drinks, just combine them and again they said they couldn’t do that. I was formally in the industry, and these seemed like reasonable requests. The food came out quickly, and it was delicious. Our server was attentive but did not clear our empty glasses or plates, so it became very crowded. This is a great place to eat. Just know you are going to get large portions, so make sure you can take to go boxes.

Ive been going here for YEARS! One of my FAVORITE Mexican Restaurant’s. I brought my friend, who had never been and he loved it! We both had Enchiladas, mine was meatless of coarse…and I couldn’t eat it all. With the chips and salsa I had to practically loosen my pants to unseat myself. We also had a mango margarita. The waiter was on point, food delicious. I must mention, sopa is usually included but not offered on this visit. I will be back!

This place seems very authentic. The food was really good. Everyone in our party really liked their food. The salsa had a really nice bite to it. The staff were friendly. Our waiter was pretty busy, so it was a little hard to get his attention at times. The place is pretty big. It was clean.

Not gonna lie, the location is not the best. The entrance is kinda hidden, but my goodness! This legit authentic Mexican food!! You know somewhere is amazing when there’s no advertisement, but yet the place is packed all the time? This is it!! I wish I showed up when there’s live music. I’m so glad my friend recommended this restaurant for. I got a free soup as soon as I am seated, then later free chips and salsa – I’m spoiled! The server is lovely. However, I wish he would elaborate the special of the day further. All he did was said a Spanish term and didn’t tell me exactly what it was. I ended up ordering the shredded beef taco and cheese enchiladas from the lunch menu. I was going to save some leftover, but 5 minutes in, never mind lol~ 100% will return.

This is a family-friendly Mexican restaurant. It was almost full when we went there in the morning. Chilaqueles and Albondigas (meatball) soup tasted good. Menudo soup was also flavorful. Plenty of free parking. Saw a long line waiting outside when we left.

Just jetted into Phoenix and went straight to one of our favourite restaurants, Comedor Guadalajara. The wait was sort 5 or 10 minutes, and when we were seated we were treated to nacho chips and a smoking hot salsa. Then the brought us out complimentary soup which was delicious. The horchata we ordered was massive, next time we will get the children’s size! My wife ordered the shredded meat taco and chicken enchilada. I had the chimichanga with red pepper sauce. Fantastic flavours and presentation. We could only eat half of our meals and took the rest home for breakfast! Always a treat when we come to Phoenix, come here you won’t be disappointed!

I have been going to this restaurant for about 30 years now. If you’re traveling to Phoenix and want to try Mexican food, I recommend this place. My favorite dish is the chicken enchilada with mole. I also like the shredded beef tacos. The salsa for the chips is very hot, but it tastes good. There could be a line to this place when it opens, so be prepared.

They don’t do reservations. Food was good just didn’t like that they microwaved my food. If you know how rice gets in a microwave, then you know. Our gave my family the feeling like we shouldn’t be talking to him. But at least we got what we wanted. The guy that brought us to our table was extremely nice though.

Our family has always enjoyed dining here, so we chose them to cater a big party. We ordered the taco bar for 50 people; we had a few no shows, and there was plenty of food, including leftovers. The ground beef is seasoned well, but very soupy. I also order shredded chicken, although when I went to pay (a different day than placing the order), it got rung up as shredded beef, and that’s what I received. We also got a 1/2 pan of refried beans, rice, and 2 of the grilled vegetables. First off, their hard taco shells were hands down the BEST I’ve ever had. Rice and beans were great (beans come with cheese on top unless otherwise specified). All the lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and salsa was included and was a good ratio to meat. I was unhappy with the “grilled vegetables”, as they were sautéed in a lot of oil, and pretty soft. However, when I called and talked to one of the managers, Heidi, she refunded the vegetable cost, as well as a partial credit for the beef not being chicken (it was fully edible and delicious, just not what I had ordered). Pick up was easy. They do charge the 3% processing fee if not using cash. Manager Stephanie was also great to work with. I would definitely cater from them again- just not for the veggies. 😉

There is a reason this place is busy all the time. Great food at reasonable prices. The staff from the people who seat you to the waitresses are very friendly. Two items stood out. One is the pork tamale and the other is the beef taquito. Both were excellent. The salsa was also excellent.

Hey! This is awesome Mexican food! Great service and everything is always perfect! The staff is very friendly and accommodating to whatever additional changes you desire for your meal. I go here many times for a great Mexican food experience! Long established fine reputation of serving awesome food and great service!

I have eaten at this Valle Luna hundreds of times over the decades and I have never had a bad experience. The food is always delicious. The service is always fast and courteous and the atmosphere is perfect for gathering with friends and family. Really you couldn’t do any better anywhere else in the valley.

Dinner tried, order was taken verbally, received order and it was wrong, drinks were wrong, food tasted old, beans were hard and not hot, spoke to server, she offered to have them remade but time was short so we refused. Received bill, told server we will pay for drinks but not food, ate maybe 4-5 bites… terrible! Manager came out “Sam”, stated she would not remove the food from our bill so we told her we will pay for the drinks, but we will not pay for food that was not ordered and that wasn’t eaten. She stated again she would not take the food off of the order and that we needed to pay for it and we told her we will not pay for it. We paid for the drinks and we left. She treated us very rudely and told us if we did not pay for the food we were not welcome to come back to Valley Luna again and we told her that we had no intention of ever coming back. Rude staff, horrible atmosphere, restaurant looks very old and dirty, 30 minutes after leaving felt very nauseated. I would never advise anyone to go there. I don’t usually complain if food is not exactly correct but the treatment is what set it off at the end.

Carolina’s is a true staple in the OG South Phoenix neighborhood!! a definite must-visit! Their tortillas are made fresh daily, and you can absolutely taste the difference. The burritos are huge, packed with flavor, and very reasonably priced for the portion size. If you’re feeding a big appetite, this is the spot. One of my favorite things is that you can buy their tortillas by the dozen. They’re the oversized kind we call “sobaqueras” in Sonora, named for their size and the traditional way they’re made. They’re perfect for making your own burritos at home. Personally, I prefer the green chile over the red. The red chile felt like it was missing a bit of flavor for my taste, but that doesn’t take away from how much I support this place. Carolina’s has been part of our community for years. If you grew up in Phoenix in the ’90s, this spot hits you with pure nostalgia the smell of fresh flour tortillas, just like the ones your mom or abuelita used to make. Let’s keep it low key… IYKYK

First time here. I ordered the Carne asada burrito and a dozen fresh made tortillas. The burrito was delicious and massive. The pack of tortillas were still warm. The staff was friendly and efficient. I took it to go but would eat on site.

Ordered the shredded beef chimi with a beer 🍺. Fresh lettuce with tomato 🍅 on the side, great guac 🥑, and stuffed full of meat and cheese. The original restaurant is where it’s at.

This place was highly recommended by the folks at the FBO at LAS. The food was good and the business was brisk. Very plain decor, but I liked the place!

The homemade taco and tostada shells were great and I loved the taco itself. I didn’t care for the enchilada sauce. It personally wasn’t my favorite but that doesn’t mean that it wouldn’t be great to someone else. I appreciated the cook to order and the staff were very nice. It was blazing hot in the restaurant and the building is older and kind of an awkward seating area.

We celebrated my dad’s retirement party at Cheladas, and it couldn’t have been a better choice! The location is perfect—it’s tucked away just enough to feel relaxed and not overcrowded by neighboring businesses. From the moment you walk in, the colorful décor creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere that truly captures the spirit of a great Mexican restaurant. Now for the best part—the food! The taquito selection was easily my favorite. The chicken taquitos were packed with flavor, and the chimichangas were absolutely delicious. Having spent time working in kitchens, I know it’s easy for restaurants to rely on frozen, pre-made food. That definitely wasn’t the case here. Everything tasted fresh, homemade, and prepared with care, which made every bite even more enjoyable. The only thing I regret is not ordering one of their beers from the bar—but that just gives me the perfect excuse to come back! Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, gathering with family, or simply craving authentic, fresh Mexican food, I highly recommend Cheladas. We had an amazing experience, and I’ll definitely be returning.

Finally tried this place for the first time last week after driving by the freeway sign for years. Just happened to be in the area after running a work errand. Service was great, loved the cozy atmosphere and the food was amazing! The salsa was a little different than what I expected; given that they use black olives as part of their recipe. But paired with their mix of air fried and regular chips it was delicious! I ordered a red beef tamale, a bean tostada, and a side of guac, rice and beans for my combo and it was fantastic! Portion sizes were great too. Its a hidden gem for sure, highly recommend Aunt Chilada’s! Can’t wait to return soon! 😁🥰

We held my best friend’s baby shower here and it was perfect! Aunt Chilada’s is so responsive and reasonably priced! The food is amazing and they are flexible, allowing for bringing some outside food which is sometimes hard to find in a venue! We had a pickle themed party and did a brining station and they let me bring in some veggies for the guests to brine! They also allowed us to bring a cake! Our server Walter was so attentive and handled our group of 40 on his own with ease and patience. I highly recommend Aunt Chiladas for any party hosting!

Aunt Chilada’s is a hidden gem in Phoenix! The setting alone is worth the visit — tucked up against the mountain with a fun, rustic outdoor patio that makes for a great atmosphere, especially in the evening. The Mexican food is delicious and full of flavor, with generous portions and that classic, comforting feel you want from good Southwestern cuisine. The chips and salsa were a great start, and the margaritas hit the spot after a day out and about. Service was friendly and attentive throughout. It’s a fun, memorable spot that feels like a true Arizona experience — highly recommend if you’re in the Phoenix area!

I was very excited to go to this restaurant. The atmosphere is good the food uuugh I was expecting better food quality since there’s always so many people here honestly. Anyways my kids cheeseburger were undercooked my son got food poisoning from eating the burger. he ate it all and it was bright pink in the middle and he finished it all he probably thought it was normal and I never checked his food until my other son complain about the meat being too red inside. sadly we ended up in the children’s hospital with a very bad abdominal he’s getting checked right now. Hope nothing serious I had the fish tacos and both of them had pieces of plastic like every bite I had I chew on some plastic 😕😕 idk what was that plastic but my fish tacos had plastic traces. The two ladies that served were rude unprofessional and nothing friendly to be working there they both had very sour faces ..

Great meal on a recent Friday night. They had the outdoor bar open and a band was playing also. The flour chips are addicting and the chicken enchilada and taco combo was terrific. Nice bartender too.

Cute place with great food and such nice people working. Cheese enchilada, green corn tamale, shrimp taco and seafood quesadilla, all so good and so was the pina colada

Oh my goodness! This was a fabulous experience. This wonderful authentic restaurant has the best food. Amazing service and great atmosphere. If you ever come to Phoenix, this is a must go. Every plate that I’ve tried there has been amazing. I highly highly recommend stopping in for a fabulous meal.

I used to go here with my family growing up in the 90s and remember it being the best. We just visited when we were in town and my memory was correct. Still the same amazing red chile. Still the same cheap margaritas. Awesome service and cheap prices for Phoenix.

Great anniversary dinner. Our first time here. We were originally seated at a table that was in the corner but the waitress thought we might be more comfortable at a table with better view of TVs and just overall vibe of restaurant. Service was great. Food was really good. We are always on the search for the best shredded beef taco and cheese enchilada along with chips and salsa. We would say 9 out of 10. Can’t say enough about the service too!

Popos service team is excellent. Always smiles. Very tentative. Never an empty cup. The chips come out of the fryer hot, and the salsa tastes fresh every time. The food, delicious. The food hasn’t come out sloppy, or a plated mess of food that seeps into itself. The burritos don’t fall apart. And the ingredients taste fresh. The tamales is cooked with not to much masa but just the right amount and the right amount of meat filling. The fajitas out perfectly every time I have ordered it. You gotta get out there and try this place.

I’ve been dining at this restaurant for over 45 years, hadn’t eaten there in 7 years the food is still awesome observer you can’t go wrong with the cheese and chiladas and a hard taco on the side thank you very much .mmmmmm

The food is okay. Nothing to write home about. Ironically, I’m writing about it, but it’s okay, the service was very good. The people were very friendly was nice. Good music not too loud open bar, I didn’t partake, I just got my food to go to work I did enjoy that ground beef enchilada La and I love their salsa fresh made with chips. I am an old soul but I got acid reflex indigestion, so I got to go with the mild salsa. I know sad sad day, but still good ice.Cold to go with the toasty chips, beans, rice for good topped off with a little bit of tapatio I had in my truck and it was a nice meal.It was a nice meal.Recommend you buy and check it out.That garcia’s on thirty fifth and encanto is the last remaining original family owned garcia’s restaurant

Came in for a cold refreshing Beer sat next to bar watching world cup soccer great music got chips and salsa brought to me food was great too. I recommend coming here for lunch great prices and varieties on menu..

First time here. Food was okay. Frirndpy staff. Good deals on drinks when we went on a Saturday night. Sad that the tortilla chips doesn’t taste fresh or home made and same with the salsa. Ive noticed a lot of things that could be cleaned in this place.

We were seated right away on a busy weekend night. Our server was very kind. Attentive service but we were still able to enjoy our meal and not feel rushed. The food was good quality (carne asada tacos especially) and the complentary chips and salsa are very good! Cozy atmosphere inside too, a great place to go when you are on vacation!! Will definitely visit again next time we’re in town.

Thank you for making it right I know you have franchisee however they ain’t like the original food is different when I went to my usual spot told them what happens at az mills they definitely helped me out food excellent as usual and they made up for my bad experience at the mall I know now to stick with the original thank you great customer service good always bomb and excellent and no complaints thank you for being great. Update went back again I won’t go to any other Garcia’s but this one I started going to 20 years ago they are the best when you done in service is great and good is spot on impeccable go here both the take out and the dine in is great

Food was amazing! I had always heard of this restaurant but never got a chance to try until recently, and it was worth the wait! Plates have large portions and great flavor. My personal favorite was the Pollo fundido. I highly recommend!

Came here lunch on a Saturday afternoon. The margarita was delicious. I ordered plate number 10 taco, chili Relleno and cheese enchilada Enchilada rice and beans was good taco, chili relleno not so much. Taco fell apart chili had little flavor. Food was good but not great.