Packed with fresh, zingy flavors and rich, earthy spices, it's no surprise that Mexican cuisine – along with regional takes from Cali-Mex to Tex-Mex – is among the most popular in the US. To save you time, we've done the hard work for you and tracked down the best places to get your fix of Mexican and Mexican-inspired food in every state, from favorite taco spots and long-running neighborhood joints to acclaimed restaurants serving modern takes on old favorites.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the most amazing Mexican restaurant in every US state – is your favorite on our list?

Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.

Known for its cool urban decor and a menu that champions locally sourced ingredients, Birmingham spot El Barrio is one of the highest rated Mexican joints in Alabama. The restaurant offers all the classics, like quesadillas and tacos, but customers love that the menu goes beyond Tex-Mex and adds its own tasty twists. The plantain nachos and carnitas are among the standout dishes.

With cheerful decor and dishes bursting with flavor, El Dorado is the go-to spot for Mexican food in Anchorage. People love the fresh, zingy food, and the fact that the portions are more than generous (be prepared to take some leftovers home with you). Everything is delicious, from sides like rice and beans to entrées like tostadas and deep-fried seafood chimichangas.

Featured in both Netflix's Taco Chronicles and Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, you know Tacos Chiwas is going to be something special before you step through the door. The beloved family-owned restaurant now has three locations in Arizona, and each one serves up a menu of mouth-watering Chihuahua-style dishes that have been passed down through generations. The flavor-packed tacos and gorditas (stuffed masa pastries) are to die for, and the range of meat choices is practically never-ending. Customers' advice? Don't walk here – run!

Baja Grill is famous for its flavorful food – in fact, it's won several awards, including best tacos in and around Arkansas. Diners love the range of burritos and tacos (particularly the ones stuffed with blackened shrimp), as well as the enormous quesadillas and the Baja crab cakes, which are made with lump crab and drizzled with a spicy chipotle aioli.

Choosing the best Mexican restaurant in California, a state famed for Mexican cuisine, is a tall order. However, one restaurant that consistently delivers is La Taqueria, in San Francisco’s Mission District. Many say this legendary no-frills spot serves the best burritos in the state, packed with meat, fish, or vegetables – and with no 'fillers' like rice. The tacos are amazing, too.

Tacos Tequila Whiskey started out as a food truck, and now it has a bricks-and-mortar restaurant in Denver. Chef Kevin Morrison pays homage to Mexican cuisine while putting his own spin on the classics. Diners' favorite dishes include repollo tiernos (fried Brussels sprouts with spicy homemade dressing and Cotija cheese), chicharrónes (fried chicken skins with salsa), and tacos with beer-battered fish. 

Chic restaurant chain Bartaco has earned a reputation for its authentic tacos and fresh, zesty dishes – so much so that there are now 33 restaurants in 14 states, three of which are in Connecticut. The West Hartford spot is especially popular. People love the fun, beachy vibe, but, mostly, it’s the food that keeps them coming back, from flavorful cauliflower and mushroom tacos to crave-worthy street corn.

With its slogan proudly declaring 'burritos from scratch,' El Diablo – which has four casual restaurants in Wilmington, and one in nearby Newark – has proved a hit with diners. Many describe the burritos and tacos as the best they’ve tasted, while the salad bowls – or 'naked' burritos – are delicious, too. Thanks to its varied, crowd-pleasing menu and standout dishes like braised short rib, it puts other Mexican restaurants in the shade.

Located in Coral Gables, a few miles south of Miami, Talavera Cocina Mexicana is named after Mexico’s famous pottery. The inspiring menu combines classic Mexican cuisine, regional street food, and seasonal specialties. The magnificent moles are made daily from scratch, and the grilled huaraches – house-made corn masa flatbreads with black bean purée, salsa verde, and goats' cheese – are a customer favorite.

Newer Mexican restaurants may be snapping at the heels of this established Atlanta spot, which opened in 1992, but Nuevo Laredo Cantina remains as popular as always. The vibe is friendly, the decor is charmingly colorful, and the menu is full of Mexican and Tex-Mex crowd-pleasers, including the restaurant’s signature dish, brisket barbacoa. Even when there’s a line, it’s well worth the wait.

Wahiawa's brightly colored and hugely inviting Barrio Cafe serves up classic Mexican dishes with a twist, using locally sourced ingredients. The ceviche is a standout for customers, as are the birria tacos – though be warned, the latter are only available on Tuesdays and sell out quickly. Don't miss the delicious breakfast options, either; the churro French toast is a local favorite.

As well as being lauded for its award-winning salsa, which is made fresh daily, Despo’s is known for its focus on nutritious and regionally sourced ingredients like sustainable seafood, free-range meats, beans from Twin Falls, and cheese from Jerome. The tortilla soup comes highly recommended, while the street-style tacos and substantial burritos hit the spot with locals.

Chef Rick Bayless’ elegant, James Beard Award–winning Topolobampo, in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, takes inspiration from regional Mexican cuisine to create its fine dining dishes. The sleek dining room offers an innovative tasting menu that changes every seven or eight weeks and dishes are made with high quality, sustainable ingredients. Previous showstoppers include sopa Azteca (a tomato-based broth with pasilla chili and grilled chicken) and guinea hen mole. It’s on the expensive side, but worth the money.

There are several Bakersfield restaurants in the US, and the Indianapolis location is a real local favorite. Street food–inspired tacos and tostadas dominate the menu, while the drinks, perfectly mixed and wonderfully fresh-tasting, come highly recommended. The same goes for the fish tacos, which are packed with crispy mahi and citrus slaw, and the Johnny ensalada: a zingy, satisfying ensemble of mixed greens, bacon, Cotija cheese, and hearts of palm.

La Regia Taqueria in Iowa City is many things – it’s a one-stop shop for Mexican groceries and supplies (from spices to piñatas), it does takeout, and there’s a sit-down restaurant. It also, according to fans, serves the best and most authentic Mexican cuisine around. As well as a variety of burritos, tacos, tortas, and quesadillas, there are plenty of vegetarian and seafood options, and the cooking is reliably excellent. The fried potato tacos are a customer favorite.

At Kansas City's El Camino Real, you can watch staff slice the meat and plate up tacos in front of you. This unassuming spot, which has two locations in the city, is loved by customers for its tasty and authentic Mexican cuisine. The tacos al pastor are an absolute must-order, but you won't go far wrong with anything on the menu.

Every plate served up at Mayan Café is oh-so-pretty and packed with flavor, too. The restaurant serves authentic Mayan food, overseen by chef Bruce Ucán, whose sustainable farm-to-table approach pays homage to his Yucatán heritage, while drawing on the surrounding landscape for locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Diners say the spot serves up amazing ceviche, and the best cochinita pibil (a slow-roasted pork dish) outside Mexico.

Customers can’t get enough of the food at Juan’s Flying Burrito, which has four New Orleans locations and specializes in street tacos filled with the peppery, herby, and smoky flavors of Creole cuisine. Food is fresh and made to order, the atmosphere is fun, and the staff are excellent. Gulf shrimp is on the menu, and the jerk chicken nachos (pictured) and signature Flying Burrito are must-tries.

Taco Escobarr is a local favorite in Portland, as much for its fun and festive atmosphere as for its food. There are soft, crispy, puffy tacos, pazole (a brothy, flavor-packed soup), and chipotle sweet potato taquitos on offer – all served in a bright, colorful dining room whose ceiling is illuminated by multicolored string lights after dark. 

Located in Baltimore’s Fells Point, Tortilleria Sinaloa is small, unassuming, and hugely popular. The restaurant is beloved by many for its tasty Mexican fare, from freshly made tortillas to a dish with a Maryland twist: the tilapia fish taco with butter sauce is seasoned with Old Bay, a seasoning born in Baltimore that's traditionally used to flavor chicken wings, crab, and shrimp.

This cozy spot, established in 1998, now boasts locations in Boston and Brighton. The space has become renowned for its laid-back atmosphere, friendly staff, and excellent menu. Customers regularly praise the cod tacos packed with limed onions, spicy mayo, and pickled cabbage, as well as the giant burritos and tortas. No order is complete without a plate of fried plantains, served with fire-roasted salsa.

The cuisine at El Asador is inspired by various regions of Mexico, including the coastal areas of Veracruz and Tamaulipas – and by the chef’s mom. Made using regional produce, Luis Garza’s dishes are infused with the flavors and memories of his childhood, and everything is cooked fresh, from scratch. The result is nothing less than delicious, from mouth-watering seafood dishes to the legendary guacamole, made tableside. The decor is memorable too, particularly the detailed mural painted on an outside wall.

Translating as 'the laughing taco,' El Taco Riendo is regarded as one of the best Mexican restaurants around, and has won lifelong fans thanks to its freshly prepared, authentic, and unfailingly delicious tacos, tostadas, and burritos. The restaurant has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and everything is cooked to order. The foot-long 'big burritos' and 'big tortas' are local talking points.

Customers love the gluten-free tortillas and vegan and vegetarian options at Green Ghost Tacos, whose menu showcases family recipes passed down through several generations. The food is made in small batches, using the freshest ingredients and for many diners, the birria tacos and caramel churros are standout dishes. The owner and waitstaff are particularly friendly and accommodating, too.

The first Mission Taco Joint opened in St Louis’ Delmar Loop in 2013 – and its fresh, bold flavors proved so popular that there are now several locations across the state. The restaurant takes inspiration from the Mexican-style cuisine of California (where owners and brothers Jason and Adam Tilford grew up), and diners love its breezy West Coast ambience. Dishes like Baja fish tacos keep customers coming back for more, while the 'corn off the cob,' served with garlic-lime mayo and queso fresco, is legendary.

Though it doesn't look like much from the outside, this cozy restaurant serves the most delicious Mexican food in Montana. Going strong since 2011, La Tinga is owned and run by Mexican native Evelyn Hammond, who prides herself on cooking her authentic, mouth-watering dishes from scratch, from breakfast dishes like huevos rancheros to fully loaded burritos with your choice of meat. Keep an eye out for the joint's daily specials – they're often so tasty that they sell out in the blink of an eye.

Omaha’s Agave Azteca offers traditional dishes – and lots of them. The comprehensive menu reads like an encyclopedia of Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, so there’s pretty much something for everyone. Standout dishes include the tableside guacamole, the superlative salsa, and the fajitas. Meanwhile, noteworthy desserts include the tres leches cake and the fried ice cream. People also love the eye-catching decor: the walls are adorned with murals and plenty of bold colors.

It may not have the glamor of some of the more high-end restaurants in Vegas but what Bonito Michoacán lacks in glitz, it more than makes up for in heart and authenticity. Year after year, diners rave about this family-run restaurant, which is loved for its house-made tortillas and tableside guacamole. The diverse menu is complemented by a stunning exterior, enough of a reason to visit alone.

Vida Cantina, located on Route 1, draws people off the beaten track with its modern and vibrant approach to Mexican cuisine. Chef-owner Dave Vargas pulls on his Mexican heritage to create the prettiest plates, with inspiration from the restaurant’s Portsmouth location. Diners love the inventive tacos, with delicious fillings like fried avocado, octopus, and out-of-this-world pork belly.

The vibrant decor is the first thing people notice about Orale, which has outposts in downtown Jersey City, Hoboken, and Morristown. At each location, the walls are plastered with original murals, while pendant lamps create a warm atmosphere. The food doesn’t disappoint, either, with popular menu options like bone marrow tacos, and various twists on guacamole. 

El Modelo started out as a flatbread factory in 1929, when Carmen Garcia would rise in the early hours of the morning to make tortillas to sell for breakfast. Today, this no-frills spot shows no sign of losing its reputation as the best place for tortillas and tamales in the whole of New Mexico. The huevos rancheros and sopapillas – small fried pastries – are wonderful, too. New Mexico's homegrown green and red chiles play a starring role in the menu.

Located in New York City's Flatiron District, Cosme is a stylish restaurant serving contemporary Mexican-inspired cuisine. Helmed by chef Enrique Olvera, the brains behind Mexico City’s much-praised Pujol, the restaurant has a terrifically creative menu that marries regional ingredients with Mexican flavors. Dishes change seasonally, but examples include bone marrow salsa, avocado stuffed with seafood and horseradish, and husk meringue with sweetcorn custard.

Chic yet unpretentious, downtown Asheville's Limones combines Mexican chef Hugo Ramirez’s love of Californian cuisine with flavors and inspiration from his native country (plus some tips from his mother). The restaurant has a charming vibe and decor, and serves up delicious dishes like a ceviche sampler, lobster nachos, and enchiladas with short-rib beef.

Vinyl Taco looks like a hip dive bar from the outside, but it matches its cool vibes with some seriously good food. The restaurant, which has plenty of wall art and a patio fenced in by bicycle wheels, is famed for its menu of tantalizing dishes, inspired by Mexican street food. People come for the food – like tacos stuffed with pork belly – and stay for the laid-back atmosphere and great music (as its name would suggest, the restaurant has a wide selection of vinyl records).

Nada offers bright, contemporary food inspired by Mexican flavors and traditions. While tacos are at the heart of the menu, diners can also expect some classic dishes with a tasty twist. Crispy Brussels sprouts are laced with chipotle honey, for example, while taco fillings include caramelized cauliflower with garlic-whipped goats' cheese. The service and atmosphere are fantastic, too. There are two locations in Ohio, plus two more out of state.

Located just south of Oklahoma City, Tarahumara’s is a family-run cantina – and a true local gem. The menu centers around the cuisine of the Mexican state of Chihuahua, with salsas made daily from scratch using red and green chiles grown in the region. Customers can expect rustic, generously sized plates of chicken mole and chile relleno.

Husband-and-wife team Benjamin and Shannon Gonzales offer hearty Mexican cooking in their smart but chilled-out restaurant, Nuestra Cocina, whose name translates as 'our kitchen.' Diners rave about the chile relleno, the tacos, and the range of complex, deeply flavored mole sauces. There’s a dedicated in-house Señora de la Tortilla, whose sole responsibility is to roll and press corn tortillas by hand – an authentic touch that customers adore.

Blue Corn Mexican Restaurant and Bar is situated in foodie hub Philadelphia. Family owned and run, the restaurant was established in 2014 and aims to show its customers 'real Mexican food' through its authentic menus. Highlights include the huarache azteca (cactus topped with mushrooms, cheese, and pico de gallo) and ceviche de pulpo, an octopus ceviche with pico de gallo and avocado.

Hip Providence eatery Tallulah’s Taqueria, which has locations in Providence and Jamestown, offers a counter service with build-your-own bowls, burritos, tacos, tortas, and quesadillas. New and regular customers rave about the burrito bowls, the barbacoa meat, and the deliciously spicy signature shrimp cocktail, packed with fresh and tender seafood. The carnitas tacos are particularly popular – and they come filled with meat that’s been cooked to perfection.

Cool Charleston hangout MESU marries two complex, crave-worthy cuisines: Mexican and Japanese. The menu offers a selection of reliably delicious creations inspired by the culinary cultures of each country. Diners can stick to tacos (with favorites like Baja fish and barbacoa braised beef), order a platter of sushi, or grab a combination of the two. The fusion element is subtle, with tomatillo salsa in some of the sushi rolls, and tacos lifted with daikon, a type of Japanese radish.

Ana Line Munoz, from the western Mexican state of Michoacán, runs Sabor a Mexico with love and a passion for serving dishes inspired by her own family recipes. The modest spot is a local hidden gem, and customers rave about its enchiladas, tacos, moles, and tamales. The carne asada fries (pictured) are particularly tempting.

Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana opened in 2002, when owner Pepe Magallanes saw a need for genuine, 'un-Americanized' Mexican food in the Memphis area. Years later, the restaurant, which also has a location in Germantown, is still a family affair, serving no-nonsense dishes made with ingredients sourced from local markets. The tamales, tacos, tortilla soup, and, of course, the tortugas (sandwiches) are all highly rated.

Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega's Houston restaurants include Hugo’s, a much-loved Mexican spot, and Xochi, which brings the flavors of Oaxaca to the city. Xochi serves upscale Mexican-inspired dishes, beautifully presented in an elegant space. Diners recommend the mole dishes (the restaurant even offers a mole tasting) and inventive options like roasted pork rib served with a masa pancake.

Red Iguana is a family-run restaurant with pedigree – it’s been featured on national TV and in the press countless times, has won numerous awards, and remains one of Salt Lake City’s best-loved eating spots (so much so that there’s now a Red Iguana 2). The cantinas are on the small side and there’s often a wait, but it’s worth the trouble to experience the extensive menu, with its excellent enchiladas and irresistible moles.

Located in a quirky 1950s-style diner, El Cortijo Taqueria in Burlington serves up fresh, flavorful Mexican food with an emphasis on local produce and ingredients. The menu is filled with a delicious array of Mexican classics like burritos and tacos. Start with the house-made chips with guacamole and salsa, before diving into a giant enchilada filled with chicken or beans.

After starting out as a food truck in Arlington’s Rosslyn neighborhood in 2009, District Taco proved a runaway success – there are now around 20 locations, most of which are in Virginia. The cuisine is inspired by the Yucatán, the home region of owner Osiris Hoil, and everything is made daily and served fresh – with an emphasis on healthy, sustainable food. The fish tacos, incredible guacamole, and tasty salsa are some of the menu highlights. 

The Dominguez family opened this popular spot in Capitol Hill in 2014, and it's been going strong ever since. As you might expect, the menu focuses on the delicious cuisine of Oaxaca, a city and region famed for its spicy dishes and rich, complex mole sauce. Customer favorites at Mezcaleria Oaxaca include the mole negro, the tlayuda (a sort of Mexican-style pizza with a tortilla base), and the cabrito (stewed goat leg).

Run by Sergio Lugo-Mata, who hails from Jalisco in Western Mexico, Guadalajara Modern Mexican is loved for its menu of riotously colorful, tongue-tinglingly flavorful dishes. Expect all the classics – tacos, burritos, and fajitas – as well as tempting specials like fajita steak nachos and chicken-stuffed tamales. Customers say it's quite unlike any other Mexican restaurant in the area, and that you're hit by mouth-watering aromas as soon as you step inside.

Café Corazón, which has three locations in Milwaukee, prides itself on using fresh, local produce – which it sources from nearby farms, as well as its own land and urban garden. Customers can expect tortas, tacos, and burritos, plus a terrific brunch menu with options like migas: eggs scrambled with corn tortilla strips and melted cheese. 

Merry Piglets has been serving Jackson Hole residents and visitors since 1969, when it began as a small taco shop before growing into a fully-fledged restaurant. The decor is enjoyably kitsch (and features pigs, of course), and customers love the lively ambience, friendly service, and solid, old-school Mexican and Tex-Mex fare. Favorite dishes include the juicy, perfectly seasoned carne asada, and seafood dishes made with sustainable, wild-caught fish.

Now discover the sandwiches invented in every US state

Last updated by Lottie Woodrow.