Diners' Choice: Mexican restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Mexican cuisine in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Cocina de Barrio

4.8

4.8 (430)

$30 and under

Mexican

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

*Brunch hours are on a walk-in basis only.
Thank you for your cooperation & support during this time!

Cocina de Barrio by Chef Jose J. Flores

Bienvenidos a Cocina de Barrio, the newest modern-urban Mexican restaurant located in Hillcrest, San Diego! We are proud to feature the culinary richness of Oaxaca as well as other Mexican regions. Stop by and enjoy our bar stocked with plenty tequila and mezcal selections, MUCHA cerveza, and wines sourced from Valle Guadalupe.

Don't forget to join us during our daily brunch (where we add a Mexican kick) and our happy hour every Tuesday-Friday from 3-5pm! Stay Chido!

Top review

TomVIP

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

Pretty pricey but good - the food was delicious but $30 entree is a little insane.

Baja Betty's

4.9

4.9 (362)

$30 and under

Mexican

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

If you are in the mood for creative, Tex-Mex inspired dishes, the fun and atmosphere of Baja Betty's in San Diego, CA is for you. This popular eatery provides diners with a colorful and entertaining setting in which to savor a full array of dishes made from the freshest and most authentic ingredients.

The menu at Baja Betty's features many expected options, such as a comprehensive quesadilla menu and array of satisfying combination platters. However, diners can also enjoy a build your own burrito or bowl, an array of house specialties and tacos and some stunning signature margaritas to wash it all down. The menu at Baja Betty's also offers a long list of tequilas and mezcals, a full range of appetizers, nachos, soups, salads and the best Taco Tuesday in town!

Top review

Laurie

Dined 6 days ago

Great server, great food and drinks. The outside seating area is great for people watching

El Agave

4.8

4.8 (2532)

$30 and under

Mexican

Old Town

About the restaurant

Experience the true flavor of Mexico at San Diego’s premier Mexican cuisine destination.
Established in 1996, El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria offers its patrons a unique dining setting within
the largest tequila museum in the United States – with over 3,000 tequilas on display – also
repeatedly voted the #1 tequila bar in the country. Nestled in historic Old Town, San Diego, it is the
perfect place to enjoy a business lunch, romantic date, rehearsal dinner or to simply relax and
unwind sipping find tequila with friends.

Top review

Mario

Dined 5 days ago

GREAT FOOD, GREAT SERVICE, MANAGER WAS VERY FRIENDLY.

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Coronado

4.8

4.8 (224)

$30 and under

Mexican

Coronado

About the restaurant

Secure your spot and experience Blanco’s fresh twist on Mexican food. Lounge long and on with tantalizing tequila flights and easy but innovative tacos. Go for the classic but fresh burrito or bowl layered with savory fillings like spicy Machaca short rib or red chili chicken, fresh salsas, and our famous house guacamole. Whether you’re hungry for something flavorful or thirsty for something fun, we’ve got everything you want at Blanco.

Top review

Scott

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent service- they brought a free cake out for my wife’s birthday- That was a nice touch.

South of Nick's - Del Mar

4.8

4.8 (746)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Del Mar

About the restaurant

An essential stop in San Diego for Southern California Mexican Cuisine.

South of Nick's Mexican Kitchen & Bar features Classic Mexican favorites, prime steaks and seafood with a So Cal twist. Fine Tequilas & Margaritas

Our food and drink meets the highest standards of quality, freshness and seasonality and combines both modern-creative and traditional styles of cooking.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

Top review

LynneVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Chandler was very friendly, offered really good food selections and was very attentive!

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4.7

4.7 (2176)

$30 and under

Mexican

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos. Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas.

In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, Baja craft beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere.

We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, LA Times and the Michelin Guide.

Top review

SVIP

Dined 7 days ago

The food was presented well. It looked great and tasted fantastic.

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Experience

Taco Tuesday!

Experience

Mother's Day at Puesto

Tahona Bar

4.8

4.8 (652)

$30 and under

Mexican

Old Town

About the restaurant

We are welcoming OpenTable online reservations for up to 6 guest for indoor and outdoor dining!
Parties of 7 or more, please email our large party coordinator at zach@tahonabar.com

Welcome to Tahona! We are the first mezcal bar and tasting room in San Diego. In our restaurant, we invite you to taste our incredible craft cocktails and our amazing contemporary Mexican cuisine featuring Oaxacan bites. In our tasting room, we welcome you to indulge on a mezcal tasting experience!

We are located next one of the most iconic historical landmark: the Campo Santo Cemetery in Old Town. Inside Tahona, you will be transported to a modern Mexican hacienda designed with hand painted tiles, handmade rope seats, traditionally crafted fabric brought from Oaxaca, hand clayed walls and more.

We also have a cozy covered outdoor patio dining experience so you will have the choice to dine inside our hacienda or on the streets of Old Town!

Top review

Nilesh

Dined on Apr 16, 2025

Great cocktails and ambience. Good food. Small portion sizes so could be enjoyed tapas style with a group

Crudo Ceviche & Oyster Bar

4.6

4.6 (216)

$30 and under

Mexican

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Authentic Baja-style, ceviche, and oyster restaurant. Unique tostadas, oysters, tiradito, clams

Top review

Irina

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent food, nice presentation and super service! Really a gem!

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4.7

4.7 (14)

$30 and under

Mexican

Point Loma

About the restaurant

Located just steps from the Pacific Ocean, La Doña brings vibrant Mexican flavors to the coast with fresh ingredients and a modern twist to Ocean Beach. From house-made classics to bold takes on traditional favorites, every bite is crafted with care and authenticity. Pair your meal with hand-crafted cocktails, a carefully curated selection of San Diego’s finest craft beers, or a refreshing classic Mexican cerveza. Whether you’re gathering for family dinner, toasting with friends, or simply savoring the moment, La Doña is where great food, good vibes, and unforgettable memories come together.

Top review

SteveVIP

Dined on Apr 15, 2025

It was good. The food was good and the drinks were great. The service was also good. I would come back again.

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Experience

Cinco de Mayo Weekend Fiesta!

Cocina 35 Liberty Station

4.6

4.6 (131)

$30 and under

Mexican

Shelter Island / San Diego Bay

About the restaurant

Our team is dedicated to bring to you the essence of Mexico, the flavors, aromas, culture, service and textures that were given to us, growing up cooking right next to our grandparents in Mexico.

We are the only restaurant in San Diego that specialized in Chilaquiles the Most traditional Mexican Breakfast.

Top review

Brianna

Dined on Apr 21, 2025

Loved everything from the food to the ambiance and costumer service!

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