Diners' Choice: Mexican restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Mexican cuisine in San Francisco Bay Area? 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!

Tia Margarita

4.8

4.8 (166)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Richmond District

About the restaurant

Serving San Francisco's Richmond since 1963, Tia Margarita is a landmark, award-winning restaurant that offers traditional Mexican recipes and FRESH LIME margaritas in a friendly and energetic atmosphere. The restaurant’s menu features an appealing range of appetizers, salads, dinner entrees and menu specials. Kickstart your appetite with some Gambas Nachos and then feast on our signature Carne Asada. Other menu highlights include the sizzling Fajitas, Chili Rellenos and the Jennie's Special.

This family-owned restaurant is an ideal place to socialize with friends and relax. Recently awarded the #4 out of 50, as the MOST FUN RESTAURANTS in the city by the San Francisco Chronicle. The restaurant is typically packed during the week, especially over the dinner window. Tia Margarita is open every day except for Mondays.

Top review

melinda

Dined 2 days ago

amazing food, amazing server! would go back again!

Cocina Hermanas

4.6

4.6 (547)

$30 and under

Mexican

Danville

About the restaurant

By embracing traditional techniques, Cocina Hermanas offers a creatively classic cuisine that marries well-known Mexican street food and family dishes with our philosophy of fresh, local and sustainable. We are excited to share our vision of modern Mexican slow food for our community to enjoy in the same family style of Mexico.
We also take our spirits and cocktails very seriously. We offer over a dozen seasonally specialty cocktails. Our selection of 80 Tequilas and Mezcals allow us to also satisfy any discerned tastes. For those looking to broaden your taste profile, try our carefully curated Flight Menu.

Top review

CarolVIP

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

Wonderful Easter Brunch! Lots of options for our family!

Discover more

Experience

Mother's Day Buffet Brunch 2025

Experience

Don Julio Agave Dinner

Experience

Cocina Hermanas Happy Hour!!!

Rancho Cantina

4.8

4.8 (66)

$30 and under

Mexican

Lafayette

About the restaurant

Step into Rancho Cantina and experience California's culinary heritage. This vibrant restaurant celebrates the rich flavors of the Golden State, blending Spanish and Mexican traditions for an authentic dining experience. The warm atmosphere features reclaimed wood, leather-backed bar stools, and Mexican tiling, creating a cozy yet upscale vibe. The open kitchen and wood-fired grill let you witness the culinary artistry as tortillas are flipped and dishes are crafted with care. Rancho Cantina's menu offers unique dishes, many cooked over the wood-fired grill. From succulent house specials to flavorful Cantiña plates, there's something for everyone. Don't miss their signature Rancho Enchiladas, available with various fillings and sauces. Complete your visit with a refreshing margarita. Their drink menu includes local beers, imported bottles, a curated selection of wines, and rancho-inspired cocktails. Enjoy a Spicy Bandelero with Xicaru Mezcal or a classic Rancho Sour with Lunazul tequila. Whether for a romantic date or a casual meal, Rancho Cantina is the perfect choice.

Top review

LeslieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Love going there. We have been regular patrons for maybe 10 years or so. Never disappoints. Wonderful staff, always enjoy seeing Avery

La Viga Seafood

4.8

4.8 (364)

$30 and under

Mexican

Redwood City

About the restaurant

Settle in or take it home and savor the vibrant flavors of La Viga Seafood & Cocina Mexicana. Our menu boasts a well-developed selection of tacos, ceviches, tapas, entrees, Mexican beers, and agave spirited cocktails, all showcasing the delicious essence of our Progressive Mexican Seafood Cuisine. Enjoy the culinary artistry that we bring to every dish. Disfruta!

Top review

LoraVIP

Dined on Apr 21, 2025

It’s my favorite restaurant when I come up near SF. I’ve probably been to la Vigra at least 12 times this year. The food is amazing!! BTW: the bread pudding is out of this world!

Discover more

Experience

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us at La Viga!

Experience

Savor the Flavors: Hora Feliz / Happy Hour

Distrito Federal

4.8

4.8 (116)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Campbell

About the restaurant

Discover the vibrant flavors of Mexico City at Distrito Federal, where each visit promises a uniquely crafted dining experience. Our skilled chefs are committed to using only the finest ingredients, ensuring every dish celebrates the authenticity of traditional Mexican cuisine. Our cocktail menu is equally enchanting, highlighting fresh produce and house-pressed juices that blend seamlessly with top-tier spirits and liqueurs. This thoughtful pairing enhances our premium dishes and elevates your dining experience.
At Distrito Federal, we're not just about dining; we're about creating memorable moments. Our swanky atmosphere, combined with exemplary service, ensures that every guest feels at home. Whether you're a food enthusiast seeking new culinary horizons or a cocktail aficionado in search of perfection, join us and become part of the Distrito Federal family. Indulge in delicious eats, soak in the chic ambiance, and relish an experience like no other.

Top review

Robin

Dined on Apr 19, 2025

Always great, freshly made cocktails and food. Good vibes all around.

Bar Camino

4.6

4.6 (266)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Walnut Creek

About the restaurant

Good food, good mood.

Bar Camino puts a fresh twist on Mexican-Latin food favorites, highlighting the influence of traditional Mexican ingredients and flavors throughout Latin America. The restaurant’s worldly take on Mexican cuisine includes dishes ranging from a traditional skirt steak ranchero plate to a refined King salmon with fresh plantains and cilantro rice.

Our décor combines contemporary and traditional aesthetics, with neon lights, a refinished cypress king’s table that seats twelve, and a patio featuring picnic-style tables with bright blue umbrellas.

The bar program is similarly eclectic, with a play on a dirty martini with tequila shaken tableside and tropical drinks featuring fresh strawberry, mango, and hibiscus flavors. Bar Camino will feature happy hour Monday through Friday – from 3-5 PM and a “reverse happy hour” Thur-Sat from 8 PM until close.

Top review

Paula

Dined 6 days ago

Thank you to the staff! They were absolutely wonderful. And we so appreciate the additional considerations for our special needs son. We will be back soon.

Los Agaves Napa

4.6

4.6 (484)

$30 and under

Mexican

Napa

About the restaurant

Ricky is the owner of Los Agaves Napa. Look familiar? The past 20 years he has worked at some of the best restaurants in the Napa Valley including working as a cook at Tra Vigne, front of house at La Toque, and as a manager at Bistro Don Giovanni. He knows the importance of great service, quality, and consistency of food. With 20 years of restaurant experience and passion for his heritage he hopes to bring Napa a small taste of Mexico.

Top review

ElizabethVIP

Dined on Apr 7, 2025

Excellent food and service. I will go back to this spot. Well worth it.

Tacolicious - Marina

4.7

4.7 (59)

$30 and under

Mexican

Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

About the restaurant

Tacolicious is a casual, modern Mexican restaurant with locations in San Francisco, Palo Alto and Manhattan Beach (LA). We source our ingredients responsibly, take our tacos as seriously as our cocktails, and offer a fun sit-down, full-service experience. We have outdoor dining and private rooms and do off-site catering. Go to tacolicious.com for more information; catering requests can be sent to events@tacolicious.com.

Questions? Please email us at marina_management@tacolicious.com. We reply to emails quickly!

Top review

Nessie

Dined 7 days ago

Impressive. A favourite place to eat out. Like most restaurants the noise level is too high. Am I the only one who doesn’t enjoying shouting across the table to my companions????

Margaritaville, Capitola

4.7

4.7 (12)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Capitola

About the restaurant

Welcome to Margaritaville Capitola! Our restaurant has been welcoming guests to Capitola for over 30 years. In January 2015 the original owners sold the business to Sunset Hospitality Group, a Santa Cruz family owned and operated company. We completed a full remodel of the restaurant, reinvented the food and service and opened May 7, 2015.
The new Margaritaville is dedicated to serving made from scratch Mexican seafood in a first class casual environment. Our dog-friendly heated patio is a great place to enjoy Baja fish tacos and Crispy Calamari. In addition we take pride in serving a variety of handcrafted margaritas made with fresh juice and local produce.
Sunset Hospitality is grateful for the support of Capitola and looks forward to serving the community and visitors for years to come.

Top review

Elena

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

Very family friendly and our waiter was accommodating to our needs.

Elena's

4.6

4.6 (715)

$30 and under

Mexican

Forest Hill / West Portal

About the restaurant

Welcome to Elena's -- a place where a family’s love for authentic Mexican food is celebrated and combined with California-inspired elements and signature Mexican-American dishes. We offer reservations for up to 8 guests via OpenTable. At the time of your reservation, we kindly request the entire party be present to be seated. Tables will be held for up to 10 minutes after the reservation time. For parties that arrive later, the table will be released but we will do our best to accommodate the reservation with the next available table. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to Elena’s!

Top review

Nancy

Dined 2 days ago

What an amazing add to this owners empire. Food was amazing, atmosphere made you feel like you were in Mexico, music and all. Elena hit a home run with this one!

Explore Diners' Choice best of San Francisco Bay Area

Explore more Diners' Choice lists