The Spanish first settled Los Angeles back in 1784, calling it Nuestra Señora Reina de Los Ángeles Asistencia (say that 5 times fast). Since, the Hispanic population continues to influence the culture of Los Angeles, making it one of the best places in the world to eat Mexican food. This city loves its Mexican food and doesn’t care to discriminate over venue, authenticity or regionality. From food trucks slinging street tacos to the post-bar crowd in Hollywood to downtown establishments presenting the finest Baja-inspired seafood, Angelenos celebrate them all. But what do the savviest foodies consider the best Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles? Check out our Tastemakers List. We used data covering thousands of restaurants to discover the top spots in the city. For locals and visitors craving amazing Mexican fare in LA, we suggest booking a table at one of these amazing restaurants and rapido!
| Restaurants: | Petty Cash Taqueria & Bar, El Compadre - Hollywood, Petite Taqueria… |
|---|---|
| Price Range: | $$ - $$$ |
| Cuisines: | Mexican… |
| Neighborhoods: | Beverly / Fairfax / La Brea / Third St., Hollywood, West Hollywood… |
Imagine Tom Petty and Johnny Cash took a trip to Tijuana to drink mezcal and feast on street food – such is the inspiration for Petty Cash Taqueria’s vibe. It’s the brainchild of chef Walter Manzke, a...
El Compadre is an LA institution that celebrates classic Mexican dining at its kitschiest. There are now three venues across the city, but the original El Compadre on Sunset Boulevard dates to 1975 an...
Petite Taqueria is an inviting and eclectic space on La Cienega with vintage touches, vibrant art, velvet booths and candlelight. There’s an outdoor patio as well. The trendy West Hollywood eatery pre...
Downtown diners craving Tex-Mex would be hard-pressed to find a better spot than Bar Amá. Here, chef Josef Centeno elevates the classics of Tex-Mex cuisine with top-quality ingredients and an imaginat...
West Hollywood’s Toca Madera is often described in the press as sexy, probably due to its flaming drinks and super-sleek space with its centerpiece 100-foot bar of crystal quartz. Behind the bar are o...
Gracias Madre serves Mexican cuisine for the vegan and organic crowd, yet its lovely rustic space draws diners of all kinds. The team behind Gracias Madre (and the original in San Francisco) work clos...
SOL Mexican Cocina presents produce-forward Baja-style cuisine in an upscale setting in Playa Vista. There’s an outdoor patio warmed at night by fire pits. Meanwhile the airy, light-filled dining room...
Dia de Campo draws on a range of complementary inspirations, among them East LA cocinas, classic West Coast fish houses and surf shacks. All befit its location just a block from the sand in Hermosa Be...
Pink Taco, a small regional chain of restaurants plus a fleet of taco trucks, has a popular venue on Sunset Boulevard. The brand specializes in straightforward SoCal versions of Mexican classics. Expe...
For more than 40 years, Luminarias has drawn diners from all over Los Angeles with its stunning Spanish hacienda setting on a Monterey Park hilltop. Sweeping views across the San Gabriel Valley, a two...
Palmilla Cocina Y Tequila specializes in Cabo San Lucas-style seafood, and is also known for its bright, flavorful cocktails. Margaritas in many flavors and two types of sangrias made fresh daily are ...
El Cholo Café first opened downtown in 1923, making it one of the oldest as well as one of the best Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles. The current cafe, a cheerful and sprawling hacienda-inspired spa...