Diners' Choice: Mexican restaurants in District of Columbia

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Mexican cuisine in District of Columbia? 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!

Paraiso

4.8

4.8 (288)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Capitol Hill

About the restaurant

A creative cuisine inspired by the streets & home kitchens of Mexico.

Top review

MillieGold

Dined 2 days ago

The food and drinks exceeded expectations. It was super delicious. Thank you to our lovely server, Maria, who gave excellent recommendations. The guac and tacos might be the best in the city. I highly recommend the Mariposa margarita and dragonfruit cheesecake!

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Experience

Bottomless Mimosas!

Experience

Paraiso Bottomless Brunch

Experience

Taco Tuesday

dLeña

4.6

4.6 (2708)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Mount Vernon Square

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Washington, DC, dLeña Restaurant & Roja Lounge offers an elevated Modern Mexican dining experience inspired by the traditions of live-fire cooking throughout Mexico. As featured in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Michelin Guide DC, the concept celebrates leña, or firewood, and the nuanced flavors smoke imparts on both its wood-fired cuisine and mezcal and tequila-centric cocktails.

Mexican-Born Executive Chef Carlos Camacho blends refined culinary technique with bold Mexican flavors, creating dishes that are both sophisticated and deeply rooted in tradition. Enjoy a vibrant dining room, outdoor patio, and an intimate cellar jazz-lounge.

In 2024, OpenTable recognized dLeña as one of the Top 100 Restaurants in America and in 2025 Top 100 Brunch Restaurants in the US and among the Top Outdoor Dining Restaurants in the US. In May 2026 YouTube creators named dLeña “Perfect Date Night Spot in Washington, DC”, while TikTok creators recognized it as “Best Date Night Spot.”

Top review

Frank

Dined 5 days ago

I love everything about the place. Food, service and feel are all off the charts!!!!

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4.6

4.6 (9866)

$30 and under

Mexican

Penn Quarter

About the restaurant

At Oyamel, José Andrés and his team combine Mexico's rich regional diversity with the vibrant urban atmosphere of Mexico City. The liveliness of the dining room is matched by the creativity of the menu and cocktail list, featuring antojitos--Mexican small plates--ceviches and tacos.

Top review

KaitlynGold

Dined 5 days ago

The food and drinks are very very good! Everything is fresh and authentic!

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4.5

4.5 (228)

$30 and under

Mexican

Tenleytown

About the restaurant

Located just steps from the Tenleytown–AU Metro Station, Guapo’s Tenleytown is a neighborhood favorite for vibrant Latin-inspired cuisine, refreshing margaritas, and a welcoming atmosphere that brings people together. Whether you’re meeting friends for dinner or grabbing a casual lunch, Guapo’s delivers flavor and energy in every visit.

From sizzling fajitas to freshly made guacamole and crowd-pleasing classics, our menu blends tradition with comfort. Planning a birthday, graduation, corporate event, or any celebration? Our private venue holds up to 150 guests and is perfect for gatherings of all sizes.

At Guapo’s Tenleytown, every meal feels like a celebration.
📞 For private events, call (202) 899-0350 or email groupdining@guaposrestaurant.com.

Top review

Katie

Dined 5 days ago

Fantastic food and service! We knew we’d be in the area for cinco de mayo and made reservations a couple weeks in advance. They were packed and with good reason. The ceviche was phenomenal as well as the margaritas.

Él Bebe - Navy Yard

4.6

4.6 (67)

$30 and under

Mexican

Navy Yard

About the restaurant

Welcome to El Bebe!

EL BEBE (translation: “he drinks”) is a new taco joint at the Navy Yard in DC. Wicked tacos, bangin’ queso, frozen margaritas, and Mexican fare served daily. Tacos before the game, tequila for date night – we’re not here to judge – we’re here to bring the flavor.

Two-hour time limit

Top review

Sara

Dined on Apr 5, 2026

Great way to wait out a rain delay at the Nats game.

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Popular dish

Chicken Tinga Quesadilla

Popular dish

Birria

Mi Vida, District Wharf

4.6

4.6 (2664)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Southwest Waterfront

About the restaurant

Chef Roberto Santibañez creates a menu inspired by Mexican street food and traditional home cooking of his country, but in a modern, elevated presentation. Guests can enjoy traditional dishes such as Carne Asada, a variety of Tacos, Seasonal Fish, Ceviches and other Contemporary Mexican creations.

Top review

JerryGold

Dined 3 days ago

The service was great, and the food was outstanding. I highly recommend trying the $44 per person menu option — you won’t regret it. They give you so much food and plenty of choices. They even acknowledged our Anniversary and brought us a special desert!

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Experience

El Express Lunch

Mi Vida, Penn Quarter

4.5

4.5 (608)

$30 and under

Mexican

Penn Quarter

About the restaurant

“Mi Vida” translates to “My Life.” However, in Mexico, “Mi Vida” means much more. “Mi Vida” is a term of endearment bestowed on close family and friends to signify love, care and importance. When one says, “Mi Vida,” they are telling someone special how much they mean to them. MI VIDA describes how we feel about our team and our guests. It is our expression of Mexican culture and cuisine as interpreted through the lens of Chef Roberto Santibañez. Our menu is rooted in the history and culinary tradition of Mexico while exploring the ever-changing boundaries of this vibrant and evolving cuisine.

Top review

jamie

Dined on May 1, 2026

Food was delicious and staff was excellent!!! It was a friend event and we had a marvelous time. The location was fantastic as well.

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Popular dish

Enchiladas Suizas

Popular dish

Enchiladas De Mole Negro

Popular dish

Tacos Dorados

Guapo's of Georgetown

4.2

4.2 (193)

$30 and under

Mexican

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Located along the Georgetown Waterfront in Washington, DC, Guapo’s offers stunning riverfront views, vibrant Latin-inspired cuisine, and a lively atmosphere that captures the spirit of celebration. Whether you're strolling the harbor or exploring the historic streets of Georgetown, our location is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a flavorful meal.

From sizzling fajitas to house-made guacamole and refreshing margaritas, our menu delivers bold flavors with a modern twist. Join us for weekend brunch, stop in for happy hour, or savor dinner with a view—every visit brings the energy of a fiesta to the waterfront.

At Guapo’s Georgetown, great food, great views, and great vibes await

Top review

Shanna

Dined on Mar 21, 2026

I was there on a date with my lady and the food was very good and I plan to come back to celebrate my birthday on Cinco de Mayo.

MXDC

4.3

4.3 (2522)

$30 and under

Mexican

Downtown

About the restaurant

Created by award-winning Chef Todd English, our menu includes small plates, entrees, and family-style dishes. The menu offers traditional foods from various regions throughout Mexico. Taco options include Pork Belly, beer-battered Mahi Mahi, and Carne Asada. Other favorites include the Seven-Chile Lamb Shank, Tortilla Soup, and our open-faced quesadillas.

Top review

AlGold

Dined 4 days ago

Great food & service. And we could actually talk because it was not noisy!

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3.8

3.8 (799)

$30 and under

Mexican

Navy Yard

About the restaurant

Aqua 301 celebrates the culture and cuisine of Mexico taking contemporary Mexican cuisine and infusing it with modern flair. This is not Tex Mex! Chef Jaime Pelayo tweaks traditional Mexican ingredients and flavor profiles through experimental ingredient combinations and serves it up waterside in Yards Park.

Top review

Mecca

Dined 7 days ago

The food was good I took my wife n son they both enjoyed it only con about the place is the non alcoholic beverages are scarce. It’s very clean and nice I feel it a very good vibe for couples or a great first date option.

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