The Best Mexican Restaurants in Atlanta

This Roswell Road hot spot features authentic Oaxacan cuisine and is one of the best Mexcian restaurants in Atlanta. Head out to the Sandy Springs section to enjoy the colorful, creative Casi Cielo menu. The food mixes Oaxacan flavors with some of the down-home Atlanta tastes. Start with the tostados, featuring mahi-mahi, shrimp, chipotle aioli, and pico de gallo on a crispy tortilla. Go for the tacos at Casi Cielo. These treats come with either bone marrow, suckling pig, octopus, or skirt steak. The restaurant also boasts duck carnitas with red onions, cilantro, and black mole.

Chido & Padre's is a relaxed and fun Andrews Drive hot spot with one of the best Happy Hour menus in Atlanta. Head in to this lively location every afternoon to enjoy the fabled Chido & Padre's salsa trio. This dish features smoky guajillo, roasted serrano and tomato, and salsa verde versions. The "chef features" include a house-made chorizo dog, smoked wings, and octopus aquachile with cucumber and avocado. The margaritas are a must-get at Chido & Padre's. Go for the spicy "El Diablo," made with fresh lime, cucumber-mint puree, and tanteo habanero.

This modern, upscale spot off of Peachtree Street is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Atlanta. The sleek and stylish decor is the ideal backdrop for the elegant and inventive cuisine served. Start the meal with some of the Alma Cocina's carbon chicken wings, made with peanut salsa macha ranch. There's also pork belly pinto with pineapple and pickled onions along with Mexican chipotle shrimp. Alma boasts excellent small seafood plates, including Corvina sea bass ceviche, grilled octopus with jalapeno macha, and pork pibil tamale with bacon masa and pico de gallo.

Zocalo's authentic cuisine, impeccable service, and Midtown location make it one of the best Mexican restaurants in Atlanta. This upscale place is also an excellent spot for al fresco dining and for people-watching in the heart of Atlanta. Head in during the daily happy hour to try the "bottomless" table-side guacamole, grilled quesadilla, and Zocalo nachos. The achiote chicken wings with chipotle-guajillo barbecue is another menu highlight. Go for one of the signature Zocalo cocktails with the meal. Try the sangria swirl, mixing Zocalo margaritas with house-made sangria. There's also a spicy orange margarita with serrano-infused tequila and fresh orange.

For one of the most unique Mexican restaurants in the Atlanta area, try Nacho Daddy. This acclaimed hot spot takes nachos from pub-food appetizers to main courses with style and creativity. Trek out to the suburb of Duluth to experience the Nacho Daddy cuisine. The "cheesesteak nacho" includes marinated filet mignon, jack and cheddar cheese, yellow queso, and plenty of vegetables. Nacho daddy also features the exotic "lobster and crab" nachos, pairing butter-poached seafood with white queso, serrano aioli, and mango pico de gallo. Start the meal with some of Nacho Daddy's celebrated grilled Mexican corn off the cob with cotija cheese and cilantro.

El Taco's Virginia Highland location is a fun, lively spot for some of the best Tex-Mex in Atlanta. The creative menu includes their signature "Mexican Pizza" dish, with black beans, chili sauce, radish, Mexican cheeses, and other vegetables. Highlights also include a "short stack" of corn tortillas with pork carnitas and a sunny side up egg and a tinga quesadilla with chipotle stewed chicken and corn poblano crema. This is also one of the spots to go in Atlanta to enjoy traditional Mexican desserts. Try the fried apple pie, Mexican coke float, or an ice cream cookie sandwich.

Head out to Doraville to enjoy one of the best Mexican restaurants in Atlanta at Jimmy's. This combination Mexican restaurant and steakhouse is a modern, welcoming spot for a date night or a fun night out with friends. Try one of Jimmy's signature cocktails, like the Michelada de Caguma, Cantarito, or natural Pina Colada. Jimmy's also features a menu of imported and domestic beer favorites, including the local Sweetwater IPA. For dinner, try the Mexican burger. This mix of beef and pork meats includes ham, cheese, bacon, avocado, and grilled jalapeno. Jimmy's menu also includes house fajitas served with chicken, steak, shrimp, and ribs.