21 Best Mexican Restaurants in Boston, MA in 2025

You may be surprised to learn that the Mexican restaurants Boston has to offer bring authenticity to the possibilities for global dining in the city. According to a Pew Research Center analysis, about 11% of restaurants in the United States serve Mexican food. This widespread presence underscores the popularity and integration of Mexican cuisine across the nation, including in cities like Boston.

Familiar dishes like tacos and burritos are present and accounted for in the most popular Mexican restaurants in Boston, with a smattering of seafood and regional masterpieces thrown into the mix. The result is a collection of Mexican restaurants Boston connoisseurs can depend on for delicious dining.

How do you zero in on the Mexican restaurants Boston residents prefer in their own city? With a helpful guide singling out a slew of top-quality Mexican restaurants Boston eaters love the most, you can skip straight to the good stuff without wasting a single bite. From taquerias with street food favorites to sit-down haciendas serving thoughtful rarities, the Mexican restaurants Boston flaunts are some of the best eateries on the Eastern Seaboard.

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• The 21 Best Boston Mexican Restaurants
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The 21 Best Boston Mexican Restaurants

1. Taquería Jalisco

Add street taco enjoyment to your agenda with a visit to Taqueria Jalisco as your introduction to the most intriguing Mexican restaurants in Boston. This relaxed setting is a great space for adding an element of epicurean enjoyment to birthday ideas in Boston.

The Vibe

A red brick entrance leads to a vibrant Southwestern hideaway, with tiled tables lining a comfy dining area.

What to Order

The taco plate is a classic collection, with three street tacos with fillings of your choice and sides of rice and beans.

Taquería Jalisco | 291 Bennington St., Boston, MA 02128 | $$

2. Villa Mexico Café

At Villa Mexico Café, the Mexican restaurants in Boston showcase a take on the aura of a traditional neighborhood hangout. Customers rave about the birria tacos and the selection of fresh toppings, a testament to this eatery's authentic presentation of Mexican-based Boston foods.

The Vibe

Colorful décor and a wall of TV screens give this Mexican restaurant in Boston a sports bar sensibility.

What to Order

A quesadilla with marinated beef, chorizo or vegetables included to add delicious dimensions is a comfort food classic.

Villa Mexico Café | 121 Water St., Boston, MA 02109 | $$ 

3. Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar

The combination of fantastic food and luscious adult drinks at Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar makes this eatery a proud addition to the Mexican restaurants Boston has in its collection. Romantic potential abounds here too, thanks to a theatrical dining room with the spirit of a film set.

The Vibe

Diners are surrounded by gothic drama, thanks to the warm brick-and-beam architecture, stained glass displays and striking art.

What to Order

If your appetite is raring, the Duck Taquitos with duck carnitas, yellow tomato remoulade, habanero cheddar and guerro chili is an amazing choice.

Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar | Multiple Locations | $$

4. Citrus & Salt

Baja spirit infuses Citrus & Salt with a distinctive Southern California personality, a West Coast spirit not featured in many Mexican restaurants in Boston. A glowing cocktail bar sensibility here coats the heritage skull art motifs with splashy cartoon cuteness.

The Vibe

Whimsical décor like pink string lights and chandeliers give this Boston Mexican restaurant a sense of lighthearted joy.

What to Order

Try the tequila and chipotle steamed mussels, served with fideos, chorizo, roasted garlic and grilled bread. The Tacos After Ten are also a great choice, with a line-up of premium handheld bites featuring gourmet tidbits like duck confit and braised short rib for the late-night crowd to enjoy.

Citrus & Salt | 319 A St., Boston, MA 02210 | $$

5. El Pelón Taquería

The best Mexican restaurants Boston has on tap make visitors feel like family, a feature El Pelón Taqueria has leaned into for almost 30 years. Beyond hearty platters of regional Mexican specialties, the annual chile pepper eating contest is an added draw that adds a community-oriented kick.

The Vibe

This fun and friendly counter provides plenty of picnic tables and red umbrellas for outdoor dining.

What to Order

Customers rave about the tortas, which are Mexican sandwiches featuring a combination of taco toppings with pork, chicken or steak, all captured between halves of a toasted roll. 

El Pelón Taquería | 2197 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02135 | $

6. Tenoch Mexican

Humor is a key ingredient at Tenoch Mexican. What other spots among the myriad Mexican restaurants in Boston include an oversized illustrated poster with instructions detailing the proper method for eating tacos? This spot is one of the most fun restaurants in Boston serving cuisine of any kind. 

The Vibe

This cozy nook features helpful, tongue-in-cheek maps detailing Mexico’s taco-specific geography and charts explaining the various types of meat used in the kitchen.

What to Order

A quesadilla campechana fills a cheesy tortilla with chorizo and carnitas, a blend that brings succulence and spice to a single delicious dish.

Tenoch Mexican | 3 Lewis St., Boston, MA 02109 | $

7. Chilacates Mexican Street Food

Earthy selections fill the menu at Chilacates Mexican Street Food, where the Mexican restaurants in Boston celebrate sensational street food traditions. This local chain gives the city its very own collection of fast-casual eateries that serve tacos, burritos and quesadillas brimming with heritage flavor.

The Vibe

Tidy, tight quarters decorated with Mexican art provide limited seating, so prepare for a take-out experience.

What to Order

Skip the tortilla and order your own naked burrito bowl, with fourteen different variations available, including veggie and no-meat options for the herbivores in your party. A fish taco salad is a lighter but just as tasty choice. 

Chilacates Mexican Street Food | Multiple Locations | $$ 

8. Cielo Mexican Restaurant

For a sit-down dining experience, Cielo Mexican Restaurant adds a stylish touch to the Mexican restaurants around Boston. Familiar fare receives elevated touches in recipes that lend modern magic to time-honored creations.

The Vibe

The cobblestone patio strewn with festive paper garlands resembles a slice of Mexico brought to Boston.

What to Order

A dish of pollo Milanesa with breaded chicken, vegetables and mashed potatoes spiced up with chipotle seasoning is a singular creation among the Mexican restaurants near Boston.

Cielo Mexican Restaurant | 1209 Washington St., Braintree, MA 02184 | $$

9. La Victoria Taqueria

The menu at La Victoria Taqueria focuses on the most beloved dishes in Mexican cuisine, prepared with minimal fuss for fans of straightforward fare. With Mexican restaurants around Boston like this on the agenda, you have a whole world of street food delicacies waiting to be savored.  

The Vibe

Contemporary styling makes this casual Mexican diner effortlessly stylish.

What to Order

Fill up on Torta Victoria, filled with smoked ham and pork carnitas, topped with avocado, chipotle mayonnaise and Oaxacan queso on a traditional telera roll.

La Victoria Taqueria | 12 Medford St., Arlington, MA 02474 | $ 

10. Pátzcuaro Taqueria & Bar

The menu at Pátzcuaro Taqueria & Bar assembles a lively array of tasty bites representing the fun hand-held dining traditions of the region. Whether you dash to this nearby Newton location for a quick lunch or a pick-up a prime dinner combo, this taco shop is one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants around Boston.

The Vibe

Vibrant pink walls and serape curtains give undeniable cantina energy to this cozy hall.

What to Order

Share some nachos and a large guacamole. Be sure you add a slice of tres leches cake to your bill before you head out. It's a sweet way to finish off your meal.

Pátzcuaro Taqueria & Bar | 398 Watertown St., Newton, MA 02458 | $$

11. Angela's Café

Heritage dishes from Puebla, Mexico give Angela's Café specialties with regional distinction that celebrate proprietor Mama Angela Atenco Lopez. Seafood, moles and soups augment a menu of popular dishes, providing a collection unique among the Mexican restaurants Boston has for foodies to explore.

The Vibe

Quaint simplicity gives this dining room a sweet retro feel with charming bistro décor.

What to Order

Mole Poblano de Angela showcases the specialty sauce created by Angela herself, a mix of chocolate, peanuts, almonds and raisins, perfect for scooping up with house-made tortillas.

Angela's Café | Multiple Locations | $$ 

12. Casa Romero 

Step into Casa Romero for a dose of lush mission-style ornamentation that gives the Mexican restaurants in Boston an essence of lavish history. It's a fantastic place to give your date night ideas in Boston a global refresh.

The Vibe

Vivid murals and poignant ancestral altars honor the rich spiritual pedigree of Mexican lore.

What to Order

With a Camarónes a la Diabla, this restaurant in Boston reaches peak comfort food goodness. This neighborhood favorite features sautéed shrimp in a homemade spicy chipotle sauce.

Casa Romero  | 30 Gloucester St., Boston, MA 02115 | $$

13. Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar

Seafood dishes from a different coast are just the start of exciting happenings at Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar. With mindful small bites like gluten-free short rib empanadas and a bar bubbling with craft cocktails, the Mexican restaurants Boston furnishes for your drinking and dining pleasure have seldom been so dynamic!

The Vibe

You'll feel like you've walked into a surfer's seaside bungalow when you enter this hip locale.

What to Order

Vegan eaters should dig into a grilled portobello taco, made decadent with plant-based crema and fiery fried serrano peppers. For seafood lovers, the crispy battered cod taco with cilantro lime slaw, chipotle aioli, pickled serrano and charred pineapple is a must-try.

Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar | Multiple Locations | $$

14. El Centro

Hermosillo's character comes shining through at El Centro, where the Mexican restaurants in Boston turn family-style dining into a cuisine all its own. The owner implements actual family recipes to give the menu a warm, personalized feel discerning diners are sure to appreciate.

The Vibe

Modern mission chic design gives this earthy bricked-in space a quirky warmth.

What to Order

Try the three rib eye tacos served “Sonora Style” with guacamole and pico de gallo. Pair it up with a Mezcal Mi Amor, a cocktail featuring smoked tequila, muddled ginger, lime juice and basil.

El Centro | 472 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA 02118 | $$ 

15. Sunset Cantina

There's something different than what other Mexican restaurants in Boston hold waiting for you at Sunset Cantina. Whether it's the laid-back ambiance, the exemplary plates or the refreshing beverages, this winsome watering hole provides a saucy escape from the city.

The Vibe

The joyful design replicates a beachside bar and grill, including slatted cabana walls and juicy island drinks.

What to Order

Fresh fajitas bring the sizzle to your table, in a skilled piled high with peppers, onions and your choice of succulent proteins.

Sunset Cantina | 916 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215 | $$

16. Taqueria El Amigo

Wandering among the Mexican restaurants around Boston means stopping by Taqueria El Amigo in nearby Waltham. The pride of generations infuses every dish with a regional sensibility that turns fresh ingredients into some of the most flavorful and adventurous food in town.

The Vibe

This sweet yet simple spot keeps things tight and tidy for visitors.

What to Order

Start with a familiar quesadilla and turn it into experimental cuisine by adding lingua (tongue) or cabeza (cheek) as a premium filling.

Taqueria El Amigo | 196 Willow St., Waltham, MA 02453 | $$

17. El Jefe's Taqueria

There's a corner restaurant character at El Jefe's Taqueria that gives the Mexican restaurants in Boston a true down-to-earth flavor. It's just the thing for East Coast eaters in search of the real deal of a Mexican meal.

The Vibe

You'll swear you've stepped into a real taqueria in the heart of the Mexican dining landscape.

What to Order

The preferred choice for customers is the Mexican bowl, with your choice of protein, hot and cold toppings, plus rice and beans.

El Jefe's Taqueria | Multiple Locations | $$

18. Cactus Mexican Grill

Simple pleasures abound at Cactus Mexican Grill, a tiny space that goes bold with big flavor. It may be a petite spot, but with the focus kept squarely on fabulous food, it's one of those treasured Mexican restaurants Boston eaters love to claim as their own.

The Vibe

Corner eatery buzz is great for dining in or doing a grab-and-go order.

What to Order

Enchiladas Veracruzanas from the specials menu features shrimp robed in zesty tomato sauce with a topping of melted cheese.

Cactus Mexican Grill | 44 Maverick Sq., Boston, MA 02128 | $

19. Sol Azteca

If you're working your way through the Mexican restaurants in Boston that residents cherish the most, a table at Sol Azteca is a must. With more than 50 years on the scene, this soulful family kitchen takes inspiration from the culinary customs of California and Mexico.

The Vibe

Natural textures and wrought-iron lighting fixtures cast hacienda illusions over one of the most convincing Mexican restaurants Boston has in its midst.

What to Order

A plate of chilaquiles lets you taste a traditional casserole with layers of chicken and tortillas seasoned with tomato and jalapeño sauce. End your meal on a sweet note with a vanilla flan.

Sol Azteca | 914A Beacon St., Boston, MA 02215 | $$

20. Mi Pueblito

The interiors of Mi Pueblito glow with a magical golden hue, making this Mexican restaurant in Boston a cozy culinary sanctuary for gourmets to sink into. In addition to an arrangement of customary Mexican staples, the menu also includes a variety of Salvadoran dishes to shake things up.

The Vibe

Handsome hand-carved chairs and booths nestled into tiled tables create an intimate tableau.

What to Order

The Mi Pueblito Plate tosses together grilled steak and shrimp with beans and rice flavored with fresh pico de gallo. It is as delicious as it sounds.

Mi Pueblito | 333 Border St., Boston, MA 02128 | $$

21. Cósmica

With the spectrum of Mexican restaurants in Boston, the best place to get a grasp on the gastropub circuit is Cósmica. Choose a few small plates and order a creative cocktail or two for a top-notch evening out with anyone who appreciates fantastic Mexican food.

The Vibe

The mood is luxurious in this artful tavern, though the garden reveals a more playful side to the Mexican restaurants Boston has waiting.

What to Order

With a wild mushroom and spinach quesadilla, vegetarian Mexican inventiveness reaches its peak. For something hearty, try the cochinita (pork) barbecue ribs with xnipec salsa.

Cósmica | 40 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116 | $$

Other Foodie Experiences in Boston

Go beyond the Mexican restaurants Boston has on hand and experiment with Mexican dishes of your own with gourmet cooking classes in Boston. You'll enjoy expert instruction in traditional techniques that help you recreate regional inventions the Mexican restaurants in Boston have tempted you with. It's the next best thing to having your own Boston Mexican restaurant!

Taking your time is a must when it comes to sampling the Mexican restaurants Boston holds within its borders. Since no two tacos are alike, be prepared to try an array of orders among several of the Mexican restaurants Boston presents before settling on the ones you like most. With a bit of curiosity and a willingness to make the rounds, you’ll find the Mexican restaurants Boston boasts are brimming with edible treasures worth relishing.

For even more ways to explore Boston and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.