Diners' Choice: Mexican restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated July 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

4.6

4.6 (436)

$30 and under

Mexican

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

*Brunch hours are on a walk-in basis only.
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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

Larry

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent food. Oyxcan style is not just tacos and enchiladas. Very unique menu. Both food & drinks. The mole sauce was the best. It was used in a variety of dishes. For example I ordered their short ribs with mole. WOW, it was great! The service was attentive & helpful. I highly recommend this restaurant. Enjoy!

Cocina de Barrio North Park

4.9

4.9 (26)

$30 and under

Mexican

North Park

About the restaurant

*Brunch hours are on a walk-in basis only.

Cocina de Barrio by Chef Jose J. Flores

Welcome to Cocina de Barrio, the newest modern-urban Mexican restaurant located in North Park! 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 of tequila and mezcal selections, beer, 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 Monday-Friday from 3-5pm! Stay Chido!

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Outstanding service from a great team of professionals. Amazing cucumber margaritas paired with delicious flounder and out of this world mole chicken breasts. Great evening and looking forward to returning soon!

Cocina 35 Otay Mesa

4.5

4.5 (32)

$30 and under

Mexican

San Ysidro

About the restaurant

Mexican Breakfast? You got to try the Best Chilaquiles in San Diego!

Top review

Zayra

Dined on Jul 20, 2025

The food was very flavorful and portion size was great for the price . Kids friendly restaurant.

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Coronado

4.8

4.8 (278)

$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

Elana

Dined 7 days ago

Our first time to this restaurant did not disappoint. Our server, Kaylee, was amazing. She was so friendly and checked in on us just the right amount of times to make sure we never needed anything. She was also great with giving menu recommendations. The chips and salsa were good. The short rib Machaca chimichanga was delicious. It was my birthday and they had a birthday card on the table for me, which was really nice. They also gave me a complementary dessert. The food was delicious and Tuesdays they have all day happy hour. They have TVs with sports in the bar which is nice. I will definitely be coming back.

South of Nick's - Del Mar

4.8

4.8 (826)

$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

Chelsea

Dined on Jul 22, 2025

Enjoyed a nice business lunch here! The volume got a little loud with the music playing in the background, but overall was a GREAT experience with great food!

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La Puerta Mission Hills

4.7

4.7 (44)

$30 and under

Mexican

Banker's Hill

About the restaurant

La Puerta Mission Hills is the second addition to the La Puerta family. We offer the same menu as our sister restaurant in the Gaslamp which has celebrated 13 years of operation. We are dedicated to bringing a unique dining experience to the Mission Hills neighborhood which features delicious Mexican food, an extensive agave selection, handcrafted cocktails and margaritas made with fresh squeezed juice.
We invite you to join us and experience our hospitality in what we hope will be your go to Cantina for years to come.

Top review

JulienVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Our server was attentive, gave us great suggestions on what to order and was overall pleasant. The food was great too.

Casa Gabriela

4.7

4.7 (902)

$30 and under

Mexican

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Chef Gabriela Lopez brings her elevated Mexican cuisine to Downtown La Mesa. Using her grandmother's recipes from Guadalajara crossed with her cosmopolitan upbringing in Tijuana, Chef Gabriela's menu features authentic hand-crafted dishes and imaginative takes on classic dishes. All of Baja California is represented along with influences from other regions in Mexico.

The spacious outdoor garden, cozy loft, and private dining areas are the perfect places to enjoy tequila and mezcal based cocktails, family celebrations, or brunch with friends.

Top review

Emilio

Dined 5 days ago

I loved the churros. My guests loved the place. They said they will be back.

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Jalapeno-Cilantro Tempura Cauliflower

Cocina 35 Liberty Station

4.7

4.7 (197)

$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

Luz

Dined 5 days ago

I have been wanted to try it for a quiet sometime. I love to cook and I hardly go to Mexican restaurants. I am so glad I went the service and the food with amazing. I will definitely be going again and will be recommending it to my friends and family.

Jalisco Cantina - Carlsbad

4.5

4.5 (45)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Oceanside

About the restaurant

¡Bienvenido a Jalisco Cantina!

Inspired by the rich culture of Jalisco, Mexico—a region famous for its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and birthplace of the world’s finest tequilas—we bring this spirit to every dish and drink we serve.
Our scratch kitchen uses the freshest ingredients to craft flavorful, authentic dishes like birria tacos, carnitas, and made-to-order guacamole.

Pair your meal with our extensive selection of premium tequilas and handcrafted cocktails, carefully curated to reflect the essence of Jalisco. Join us at Jalisco Cantina for a dining experience that’s as vibrant and welcoming as the Mexican sun. ¡Salud!

Top review

SamVIP

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

The restaurant has a great atmosphere and ambiance. The food and drinks were very good. The chicken flautas on the seasonal menu were so light and tasty, hope they add to the menu permanently. Would definitely recommend!

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Experience

Taco Tuesdays

Cocina de Barrio Encinitas

4.7

4.7 (163)

$30 and under

Mexican

Encinitas

About the restaurant

*Brunch hours are on a walk-in basis only.

Cocina de Barrio by Chef Jose J. Flores

Welcome to Cocina de Barrio, the newest modern-urban Mexican restaurant located in Encinitas, CA! 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 of tequila and mezcal selections, beer, 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 Monday-Friday from 3-5pm! Stay Chido!

Top review

Mrs Donnette

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent happy hour prices Delish table side guacamole

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