The best Mexican restaurants in Austin

De Nada Cantina brings a high-energy, greenhouse-inspired vibe to the heart of East Austin, specializing in tacos and handmade blue corn tortillas. The space is a visual feast of vibrant colors and lush greenery featuring a central bar that flows onto a breezy patio, making it a favorite for the East Side’s social crowd. This neighborhood gem is part of the New Waterloo hospitality group, the same team behind local icons like Otoko and La Condesa. It has quickly become a staple in Eater Austin guides for its approachable menu and festive environment. The kitchen focuses on simplicity and technique with the slow-braised barbacoa and the crispy sweet potato tacos serving as the standout orders of the day.

Güero’s Taco Bar is a legendary fixture of the South Congress (SoCo) district, offering a quintessential Austin experience. The restaurant is filled with rock-and-roll memorabilia and a bustling dining room that has hosted everyone from local musicians to visiting presidents. Founded by Rob and Cathy Lippincott in 1986 on Oltorf, the restaurant is often credited with helping define the cultural identity of SoCo and remains a constant in The Austin Chronicle’s Best of Austin awards. The menu is expansive, but the el presidente platter and the wide array of salsas from their famous salsa bar are essential for any first-timer.

El Alma South offers a creative and colorful take on Mexican soul food, perched on a hillside near Lady Bird Lake with one of the most sought-after rooftop views in the city. The multi-level space features a rock facade and a waterfall that creates a tranquil escape from the nearby downtown traffic. Executive chef Alma Alcocer-Thomas, a veteran of the Austin dining scene, has seen her restaurant praised by The Infatuation for its consistent quality and relaxed charm. The kitchen excels at balancing traditional flavors with contemporary flair, evidenced by the duck enchiladas with mole and the refreshing ceviche verde.

Las Palomas is a cornerstone of West Lake Hills, providing a refined and serene environment for Mexican cuisine. The space features artfully decorated dining rooms and a peaceful patio that has made it a community favorite for over four decades. Originally founded in 1983 by retired diplomat Javier Corona and his wife Amelia, the restaurant is now led by their daughter, MariCarmen Corona Dale, and continues to receive accolades from Austin Monthly for its commitment to tradition. The menu is a tour of Mexico’s regional diversity with the mole poblano and the sea scallop aguachile highlighting the kitchen’s technical range.

La Condesa is a sophisticated powerhouse in the 2nd Street District, known for its award-winning interior design and inventive take on Mexico City-inspired street food. The atmosphere is polished and modern featuring dramatic architectural details like a repurposed flour vault and a vibrant bar. As a flagship of the New Waterloo group, the restaurant has earned numerous James Beard Award nominations and is a regular fixture in The Michelin Guide’s Texas selections. Chef René Ortiz’s influence on the early menu set a high bar, which the current team maintains through precision and creative sourcing. Standout items include the seasonal salsas and the arrachera steak, which showcase the kitchen’s ability to elevate simple ingredients.

Licha’s Cantina is an East Austin staple that reimagines the Mex-Can experience within a charming, converted 1930s bungalow. The setting is cozy and unpretentious with a sprawling gravel patio that captures the laidback, creative spirit of the neighborhood. The restaurant is a tribute to the comfort food of Mexico City and has been highlighted by Eater and The Austin Chronicle as one of the best spots for small plates and mezcal. The menu focuses on antojitos or street snacks with the cochinita pibil tlacoyos and the al pastor huaraches standing out for their rich, complex seasonings.

VERDAD offers a high-concept, luxury dining experience in the North Hills area, blending traditional Mexican soul with global techniques. The menu features premium selections like the Wagyu skirt steak, which demonstrate the kitchen’s willingness to experiment with luxury ingredients. The restaurant uses wood-fired grills and artisanal mezcals to create a multi-sensory experience that caters to Austin’s increasingly sophisticated and globalized palate.

Comedor is a minimalist architectural marvel in Downtown Austin that serves some of the most technically advanced Mexican cuisine in the country. The space, designed by Tom Kundig, is a sanctuary of glass, steel, and dark stone, centered around a quiet interior courtyard that feels worlds away from the city streets. Chef Philip Speer, a multiple James Beard Award semifinalist, leads a kitchen that has been praised by Food & Wine and The New York Times for its boundary-pushing creativity. As part of the Assembly hospitality group, Comedor shares a pedigree with other local favorites like Garbo’s. Signature dishes like the bone marrow tacos and the smoked tuna tostada are technical triumphs that highlight a menu dedicated to the art of nixtamalization.

Mexta delivers a taste of contemporary Mexico to the heart of Downtown Austin led by a team of internationally acclaimed chefs. The interior is elegant and airy featuring handcrafted Mexican textures and soft lighting that create a sophisticated backdrop for a high-end dinner. The restaurant is steered by MICHELIN-cred chef Jonatan Gómez Luna Torres and chef Mikel Alonso, both figures of the new generation of Mexican gastronomy who have received worldwide recognition for their innovative contributions. Eater Austin has noted the restaurant’s arrival as a significant addition to the city’s fine-dining landscape. Standout menu features include the intricate taco de lechón and the sophisticated seafood aguachiles, which reflect a philosophy of Mex-Tech cooking.