There are a ton of awesome Mexican restaurants in Seattle, WA. Seattle has an unstoppable food scene, and since Mexican food ranks as one of the top cuisines in the country, it’s no wonder it’s permeated every corner of the Emerald City.
People love Mexican food for its vibrant color, rich flavors, and fresh ingredients. So, whether you’re on the hunt for authentic street tacos, upscale Mexican classics, or a quick food truck lunch, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect spot on this list that’ll satisfy your cravings.
Mexican Restaurants in Seattle, WA
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Rosticeria y Cocina El Paisano
9615 15th Ave SW (get directions) | neighborhood: White Center | best for: roast chicken & tamales
As its name implies, Rosticeria y Cocina El Paisano focuses on roast chicken rubbed with red chile sauce and cooked to juicy perfection. However, they also have a grocery store next door and serve a lot of excellent Mexican classics.
For example, I can’t get enough of their tamales. They somehow infuse the masa with more moisture than other ones I’ve had. The spicy pork one especially is so comforting. I haven’t had anything I don’t like here, so they’re at the top of my list of the best Mexican restaurants in Seattle.
El Moose
website | 5242 Leary Ave NW (get directions) | neighborhood: Ballard | best for: brunch
I’ve been going to El Moose for years, back when they were called Señor Moose. They’re even on my self-guided Ballard food tour, which is a testament to how much I love them.
You can expect homestyle Mexican food with generous portions in a colorful, modern dining room decorated with artwork. They’re open all day, but they’re especially one of my favorite breakfast spots in Seattle.
I’m obsessed with their chilaquiles, which has the perfect tortilla crunch and concoction of spiced and fatty flavors. You can get it with different meat options, but I always go for the carne asada to add a touch of smokiness from the grill marks.
El Moose also makes arguably the best guacamole in the city and I love their machaca shredded beef. You can get it any time of day, either for breakfast via the machaca con papas dish or in enchiladas and tacos come dinner.
Maíz
website | Downtown (get directions) & Ballard (get directions) | best for: dishes with handmade Nixtamal corn
Maíz is one of my favorite five star restaurants in Seattle for their fresh made corn tortilla tacos served alongside eye-catching tile work at their Pike Place Market location. You basically build your own dish by first selecting how you want your corn dough (I’m partial to the sopes), then your preferred guisado, or “stewed meat” that changes daily.
Pro tip: Maíz has a fancier location called Molino in Belltown, which has a more diverse menu and even takes reservations on their website for brunch and dinner. It also gets fewer tourists since it’s not crammed next to the first Starbucks.
Alebrijes Kitchen
website | 850 NW 85th St (get directions) | neighborhood: Greenwood | best for: queso fundido
Alebrijes is a collab between the former owner of Cocina Esperanza in Ballard and the current owners of Smokin’ Pete’s BBQ. The two joined forces after Cocina was damaged in a fire and have since worked together to create this authentic and lively Mexican spot in a cozy refurbished home.
Like the best Mexican restaurants, the portions are huge and unfussy, but the flavors are comforting and complex. I like to get the two taco plate with the beef and roasted pork, both of which are perfectly shredded and deeply flavorful.
However, my absolute favorite dish here is the chorizo fundido. I panicked the first time because it appears stringy, and unfortunately melted cheese like that makes me gag. But thankfully the texture wasn’t too stringy and the flavors were top notch. Definitely start your meal with this!
Taqueria la Fondita
9811 15th Ave SW (get directions) | neighborhood: White Center | best for: street tacos
Ask anyone where to find the best street tacos and I bet Taqueria la Fondita is high on their list. This food truck looks humble, but they’re doling out some of the best carnitas in the city. I love how the crunch bits of skin counteracts the moist pork meat. And for ~$5 for 2 tacos, it’s a steal.
Pro tip: They also have another location called Taqueria la Fondita #2 down the street. Oh and that taquitos spicy elote in the back? That’s from The Best Roasted Corn Stand next door to the la Fondita #1. I unfortunately didn’t like it because it tasted as though I was eating a bag of chips, but I learned afterwards that getting the corn in the cup is the pro move.
Pancita
website | 5501 30th Ave NE (get directions) | neighborhood: Ravenna | best for: upscale Mexican
Pancita is an elevated Mexican restaurant that was originally a resident popup in the restaurant, Pair. However, they were so well received that they took over the space permanently.
The menu features traditional Mexican dishes prepared from scratch and served with more upscale, chef-y techniques. I always thought I needed to go to LA to get food like this, so I’m thankful they’re representing this kind of Mexican food in Seattle.
Don’t miss the tuna tostada, which comes out with perfectly-crisp ringlets of leek atop high-quality tuna and an explosively crunchy tostada. The beef brisket taco is another stunner that’s made entirely from scratch and melts in your mouth after the first bite. I also like the Serrano Caesar salad, which comes perfectly dressed with a surprising touch of heat you wouldn’t expect from a salad.
El Cabrito
website | 14631 Ambaum Blvd SW (get directions) | neighborhood: Burien | best for: tlayuda
This tiny Oaxacan spot has a focused menu of molotes, mole, and other classics alongside some familiar dishes like tacos and burritos. The carnitas and al pastor are phenomenal, particularly the pastor that’s rich in chile and pineapple. Other standouts include the guacamole and tortilla soup with deeply-roasted chicken (though I ask for no cheese because I don’t like how it melts).
My favorite dish at El Cabrito, though, is the tlayuda. This traditional Oaxacan dish is a dish-sized crisp tortilla topped with ingredients like a pizza. El Cabrito’s version has black bean puree, cabbage, Oaxacan cheese, hot sauce, tomatoes, avocado, and thinly-sliced steak. The cacophony of texture and spices are enough to turn anyone into a tlayuda fan.
La Carta de Oaxaca
website | 5431 Ballard Ave NW (get directions) | neighborhood: Ballard | best for: Oaxacan mole
I always give props to Mexican restaurants that specify the region they’re going for since it can be hard for Americanized Mexican spots to stand out otherwise. La Carta specializes in Oaxacan-style Mexican dishes where corn, beans, chilies, and mole negro sauces are the star ingredients.
Anything with mole is a must-try since they make the sauce in-house. The tacos are also handmade and come stuffed with meat. The vibe is modern, with black and white photos spread across the walls and selective pops of color to add a little flair.
Pro tip: They also have a sister spot called El Mezcalito in Queen Anne.
Birrieria Tijuana
website | 12803 Ambaum Blvd SW #2 (get directions) | neighborhood: Burien | best for: Tijuana-style quesa birria street tacos
I discovered Birrieria when they were still located in Guadalupe Market. They’ve since moved to a brick-and-mortar across the street where they’re still serving up some of the best street tacos in Seattle. Well, in Burien, but I digress…
They focus on Tijuana-style tacos which are a bit different from traditional street tacos. Instead of being small and soft, these tacos are fried and stuffed with meat, onion, and cheese. I love the cheese taco since it get a little burnt on the edges and absorbs the birria flavor from the tender meat.
Frelard Tamales
website | 6412 Latona Ave NE (get directions) | neighborhood: Greenlake | best for: tamales
Frelard Tamales is my go-to tamale spot when I’m craving cheap and delicious eats in Seattle. They’re made the traditional way with lard, which helps make for fluffy and plump masa dough. They also offer a ton of filling options that satisfy meat lovers, vegans, and sweet tooths alike.
My go-to fillings are chorizo, bean, and chicken, but they’re all good and affordable, so you might as well order a mixed bag. I typically utilize their delivery service which you can order directly from them (which is preferred) or through most third-party food delivery apps. I tend to get them fresh, but you can also order them frozen.
Pro tip: They have a brewery in Bellingham called El Sueñito!
El Camion
website | neighborhoods: Shoreline, Roosevelt, & Laurelhurst | best for: street tacos
El Camion is one of my go-to restaurants in Seattle, namely for their outrageously good street tacos. They began as a small food truck in Ballard and have since opened multiple locations across Seattle.
I’m low-key addicted to their carnitas and fish tacos, the latter of which even rivals some of the best tacos I’ve had in San Diego. The carnitas are so juicy and tender, yet they somehow manage to get that irresistible crispy edge that so few taco spots do right.
Mendoza’s Mexican Mercado
website | 7811 Aurora Ave N (get directions) | neighborhood: Greenwood | best for: picking up groceries while you eat
If you prefer to seek out hidden gems, you’ll love Mendoza’s Mexican Mercado. It’s on busy Aurora Avenue in a strip mall that most people fly right past. But it’s worth a stop because inside you’ll find a ton of Mexican grocery items, snacks, and meats ready to take home.
This spot is the real deal, as all the meats in the prepared food section have the heads and bones sticking out of the tray. I love to get tacos so I can try a bunch of the meats. The carnitas are good, but my go-to if I can only stomach one taco is the lamb barbacoa. It’s earthy and moist, served heaping in a ~$6 taco that’s larger than your typical street style size.
Carnitas Michoacán
website | 2500 Beacon Ave S (get directions) | neighborhood: Beacon Hill | best for: street tacos
Carnitas Michoacán is a hidden gem housed just down the street from upscale restaurants like Musang, Homer, and Coupe & Flute. Little do passers-by know they have hands down some of the best Mexican food in Seattle.
The tacos are authentic becuase they’re served with double corn tortillas, succulent meat, diced onion, and cilantro. The al pastor is my fave since it’s perfectly seasoned and have a beautiful chili flavor without the overwhelming heat. They also have a salsa bar with multiple options so you can add your own frills to your tacos if you so desire.
Taco Street
website | 7136 Martin Luther King Jr Way S #102 (get directions) | neighborhood: Mt. Baker | best for: Northern Chihuahua-style tacos
Taco Street is a small, no-frills spot serving Northern Chihuahua-style tacos with minimal garnishments, just perfectly cooked meat inside simple flour or corn tortillas. That said, they do offer some tacos with fancy toppings or you have the option to add your own.
The carnitas are great, but I usually go for the barbacoa since it’s not offered at many other places. Barbacoa is stewed beef cooked with chilies until buttery soft and imbued with flavor. They also have a great selection of salsas. My favorite is the one with big pieces of fresh herbs that almost reminds me of chimichurri.
Pro tip: Taco Street has two locations, one in Mt. Baker and one in Tacoma near Point Ruston. You can order online to pick up from either location on their website.
El Quetzal
website | 3211 Beacon Ave S (get directions) | neighborhood: Beacon Hill | best for: huaraches
El Quetzal is a neighborhood joint that’s one of the more family-friendly Seattle restaurants thanks to a kids menu, back patio, and frequent live music that drowns out fussiness. But unlike other places that cater to kids, they don’t pander to simple palates with their menu. Instead you’ll find a balance of tried-and-true favorites like queso fundido alongside dishes less common in other Mexican restaurants around Seattle.
One of those dishes is huaraches. This large corn pocket is stuffed with beens and cheese and then topped with meat, salsa, and fixings. It’s huge so you should probably share, but you may not want. The pork adobada has a bright marinade that plays well with the earthy, roasted red enchilada sauce. I also love topping it with the zippy tomatillo sauce they serve with their tortilla chips.
Centro Neighborhood Kitchen
website | 643 SW 152nd St, Suite A (get directions) | neighborhood: Burien | best for: vegan options & margaritas
I always leave in a good mood after eating at Centro Neighborhood Kitchen. It’s right on the main drag of Burien, so it’s great for people watching. But it may be because they make excellent margaritas. AND you don’t have to choose which one to get, as they’re one of the few Mexican restaurants in Seattle that offer marg flights. Genius. If it’s on the menu, don’t miss the strawberry or rhubarb ones!
You’ll also find a lot of vegan and vegetarian options at Centro. Since I eat meat, I tend to stick to their carne asada, carnitas, and fish tacos. Their fish taco especially is one of my favorites because it’s somehow crispy like a baja fish taco despite being only pan-fried. It also has some toppings that make it feel almost Asian, but still distinctly Mexican.
El Taco Loco
website | 2840 NW Market St (get directions) | neighborhood: Ballard | best for: street tacos
I accidentally discovered El Taco Loco when I was hangry in Ballard one day. They were inside the Ballard Liquor Store at the time, so I was a bit apprehensive. Still, we gave it a try, and I’m so glad we did because they’ve become one of favorite Mexican restaurants in Seattle.
Since our first visit, they’ve relocated to a food truck just outside the liquor store. They still serve the same delicious, no-frills street tacos. Like Taco Street, they make tender, juicy, and expertly-seasoned barbacoa street tacos. They’re small though, so you can mix and match a bunch of flavors.
Rosita’s
website | 7210 Woodlawn Ave NE (get directions) | neighborhood: Green Lake | best for: homestyle Mexican
Rosita’s is a family-friendly Mexican spot with a big menu that’ll satisfy everyone in your group. They offer pickup and local delivery, though I like to dine in so I can sit in their moody-lit bar in the back and sip on their yummy scratch-made margaritas.
The last time I went I saw a plate of huge nachos balanced on a server’s tray and I knew I had to order them. They come fully loaded with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, refried beans, and a generous portion of guac. I even had to break out the knife and fork! That’s why they’re on my list of the best nachos in Seattle.
Pro tip: Handmade corn tortillas are available Thursday-Sunday evenings only, and they’re pretty good so consider marking your calendar!
Fogón Cocina Mexicana
website | 600 E Pine St (get directions) | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | best for: vibes
Fogón is that brightly lit and always bustling spot in the heart of Capitol Hill you’ve undoubtedly passed many times. They made it on my list having some of the best ceviche in Seattle. Since then, I’ve visited many times and can honestly say they have multiple home runs on their menu.
I recommend shuffling in during happy hour, which they offer every day from 3-6PM. That way you can order multiple small plates and try a bit of everything. I really enjoy their nachos and chicken tacos, which I usually wash down with sangria. Even the happy hour plates are big, so plan to share with a group.
Carmelo’s Tacos
website | neighborhoods: First Hill & Capitol Hill | best for: street tacos
Carmelo’s Tacos is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Seattle that only those in the know frequent. That’s because it started as just a window in Hillcrest Market. It’s since opened a brick and mortar near Seattle University and at both locations you can get their excellent handmade corn tortillas topped with meat. I’m partial to their al pastor, but the tacos are small so you can try a bunch and decide for yourself!
Tacos Chukis
website | neighborhoods: South Lake Union, Capitol Hill, Central District, and Beacon Hill | best for: street tacos
I used to go to Tacos Chukis all the time when I worked in South Lake Union. I fell in love with their street tacos not only because they’re crazy cheap but because of their topping choices.
Their signature taco chukis comes with adobada pork, grilled pineapple, melted cheese, onion, cilantro, salsa, and guac on soft and chewy corn tortillas. The balance of the grilled pineapple and melty cheese might sound weird, but I promise it works.
More to eat in Seattle
After you make your way through this list of the best Mexican restaurants in Seattle, check out my other guides for more good food.
