Two of the Phoenix restaurants on this list are owned by a James Beard Award-winning chef. Multiple others have been recognized by the awards, and many of these spots frequently find themselves on national lists.
While the national spotlight shines on the Valley's outstanding Mexican cuisine, we'll take pleasure in being able to hit up any number of lauded local eateries for lunch. From over the top to under the radar, these are the 10 best Mexican restaurants in Phoenix.
Alebrijes Cafe & Grill
4900 N. Litchfield Road, Building B, Litchfield Park Plan ahead and leave plenty of time for your meal at Alebrijes Cafe & Grill. This Litchfield Park restaurant is popular and often requires a wait. But the food is oh so worth it. The kitchen focuses on Oaxacan-style Mexican food, with many of the dishes smothered in sweet, rich black mole or the slightly spicy red version. Stop by for brunch and order the chilaquiles and a coffee-infused cocktail. Or, stay a little later and enjoy a hearty burrito drenched in mole and paired with a fresh fruit-filled margarita. Make sure to check out the specials boards posted in multiple locations around the colorful dining room, which sometimes features spicy and satisfying bowls of pozole or sweet creations such as concha French toast. The restaurant offers indoor tables, bar seating and a shaded patio.
Bacanora's chef, owner and grill master Rene Andrade is a James Beard Award winner.
Jackie Mercandetti
Bacanora
1301 Grand Ave., #1Many words have been written about Bacanora, which opened in 2021. That year, Esquire magazine put it on its best new restaurants list. In 2022 The New York Times penned similar praise. And in 2024, chef and owner Rene Andrade won a James Beard Award. It's safe to say this restaurant has gotten a lot of hype and all this attention has made it one of the hardest reservations to score in the city. But the food is worth the fuss. Sure there are the flashy items — such as a tomahawk steak that will set you back around $150 — that are undeniably delicious, but it's the little details that keep us coming back for more. Soupy beans are packed with rich, meaty flavor, and the tortillas are that special Sonoran variety made slightly translucent with their rich combination of flour and lard. At Bacanora, almost everything touches an open flame, and the rotating specials are seriously special.
Chilte, the modern Mexican restaurant on Grand Avenue, continues to build national recognition.
Allison Young
Chilte
765 Grand Ave. Chilte made the transition from food truck to opening in the revamped Egyptian Motor Hotel on Grand Avenue in 2023. The modern Mexican restaurant helmed by couple Lawrence "LT" Smith and Aseret Arroyo caught the attention of local foodies for its birria, which is stuffed into hand-pressed squid ink tortillas or a Benny Blanco flour tortilla and served alongside a savory miso consommé, as well as its mole de la casa and quesadilla with grasshoppers. Chilte also has generated lots of buzz outside of the Valley, with accolades from Esquire and Bon Appetit magazines. Contrary to the restaurant’s mantra of “Me vale madre,” the care and attention the team brings to their food is evident. Chilte’s menu changes seasonally, and the owners often host collaboration events with other chefs, making it worth a visit, and a revisit, regularly.
Huarachis Taqueria
814 N. Central Ave.Can’t get a reservation at Bacanora? Head to its more casual counterpart, Huarachis Taqueria. At this hip spot filled with plants and drenched in pink neon, customers can get a taste of the sought-after Sonoran fare from James Beard Award-winning chef Rene Andrade, with some items, such as the Bacanora Beans, available here too. Huarachis allows customers to choose their own adventure from options such as individual tacos served a la carte to giant platters perfect for sharing with at least four friends. Pick between the ribeye, roasted chicken or carnitas platters served with tender tortillas, share a sheet pan of carne asada fries or split a giant torta for lunch. Wash it all down with one of the creative cocktails that are both expertly crafted and nostalgic.
Las 15 Salsas specializes in dishes from Oaxaca including multiple varieties of mole.
Jackie Mercandetti
Las 15 Salsas
722 W. Hatcher RoadAs evidenced by this list, metro Phoenix is filled with wonderful Mexican restaurants, but only a few specialize in food from Oaxaca. At Las 15 Salsas, a small, welcoming spot complete with a twinkle light-strung patio, Oaxacan food, and particularly mole, takes center stage. For those who aren't sure what to order, try the Moles de Fiesta plate, which comes with three different types of the rich sauce, including black, red, and tangy estofado. An extensive cocktail list accompanies the food and includes one of the best mezcal selections in town. Try the smoky spirit in cocktails such as the Zipolite, a spicy blend of mezcal, tamarind, lime and serrano chile, or neat with individual shots or a tasting sampler.
Los Reyes de la Torta
9230 N. Seventh St.From the outside, Los Reyes de la Torta in Sunnyslope looks like any of the other aging single-level strip mall storefronts that are so common in our desert city. But inside, the restaurant seems to sprawl on forever. Pick a seat in any of the multiple rooms and settle in. The massive menu takes a while to peruse. We like to kick things off with a paper umbrella-adorned agua cremosa, a creamy blend of condensed milk and fresh fruit that comes in flavors including mango, banana and strawberry. And while the menu is huge, pictures help narrow down the choices. There are tacos, burritos, seafood cocktails, large plates and salads, but as this restaurant's name suggests, it specializes in tortas. We love La Reyna, a mountainous sandwich filled with ham, melted mozzarella, breaded chicken, breaded beef and a sausage omelet topped with chipotle sauce, chipotle dressing, tomato, caramelized onions and lettuce. All of these ingredients somehow blend to create a harmonious lunch that will certainly leave you with enough for leftovers.
If you're not sure what to order off the long menu at Mariscos Playa Hermosa, try the Plato del Capitan sampler.
Tirion Boan
Mariscos Playa Hermosa
1605 E. Garfield St. While the name Mariscos Playa Hermosa suggests this restaurant is similar to many of the seafood-filled spots in town, it really offers a little of everything. Sure, there are giant platters of shrimp, mouth-puckering aguachiles and whole fried fish on the menu, which are worth a visit on their own. But the options here go far beyond the sea. Try a selection of carne asada, fried fish, grilled shrimp and chicken all piled into a scorching hot molcajete with green culichi or red diabla sauces. Lovers of surf and turf can get a taste of the land and sea with the Langosta Playera, a plate that includes a grilled lobster tail, carne asada steak and grilled shrimp. Wash it all down with a creative cocktail that rivals the colorful interior of this bright and lively restaurant. This is a popular destination for family celebrations, so reservations are recommended, especially for groups.
At Presidio Cocina Mexicana, the Chile Relleno is smothered in a spicy, tangy ranchera salsa.
Tirion Boan
Presidio Cocina Mexicana
519 W. Thomas RoadPresidio Cocina Mexicana is an unsung hero of the Mexican food scene in Phoenix. Sure, people know about it and go for brunch on the weekends. But this place deserves to be celebrated. Tucked into a corner storefront in a strip mall off Thomas Road, this small eatery serves Michoacán-style family recipes. Pull up a seat at the bar or grab a table along the back wall of this long, thin space and settle in for an outstanding meal. The Chile Relleno is a favorite that packs a spicy punch. The fried poblano pepper is filled with queso fresco, topped with ranchera salsa, and served over rice and beans. Specials rotate, and if the mole is available, it’s a must-order dish. A pool of rich, dark mole negro blankets tender chicken in this deeply satisfying plate. Presidio Cocina Mexicana hits that sweet spot where it's perfect for a casual date night but also a hearty midweek meal. And soon, a second location is scheduled to open off Seventh Street and Palm Lane.
Santo Arcadia puts a modern spin on classic Mexican flavors, blending techniques and ingredients from Mexico and beyond.
Tirion Boan
Santo Arcadia
4418 E. Osborn RoadOriginally, Nadia Holguin and Armando Hernandez were known for their super-casual taco joint where they served delicious Chihuahuan food from an old Dairy Queen drive-thru. But this culinary power duo has come a long way from the early days of Tacos Chiwas. This is perhaps best exemplified in their recently James Beard-recognized restaurant Santo Arcadia. Floral wallpaper, hanging greenery and exposed concrete floors set the tone for this rustic yet refined eatery. And that theme is carried through in the food. Classic Mexican dishes get an elevated twist thanks to chef and co-founder Roberto Centeno. Bring a group and share platters of perfectly crisped chicken served with rich beans, fluffy rice, tender tortillas and bright, spicy salsas. Enjoy the feast with craft cocktails or a glass of wine for a delightful date night experience.
The burritos at Testal Mexican Kitchen are open ended and folded into a soft flour tortilla.
Tirion Boan
Testal
1325 Grand Ave., #1Grand Avenue has gotten a lot of press for Mexican food lately, thanks to Sonoran sweetheart Bacanora and regional eatery Chilte. But just up the street sits Testal. This small counter-service spot offers intense flavors and soul-satisfying dishes from Chihuahua and some of the most unusual burritos in town. The first thing to know is that you’ll probably want to order two for lunch. These burritos are quite small and come open on both ends, like overstuffed rolled tacos. But the beauty of their size is that it allows you to try a variety of the exceptional fillings on any given visit. The rich, bright red birria is a must, and the spicy, cheesy rajas are some of the best in Phoenix. Thin slices of roasted poblano peppers add a slight crunch to the silky sour cream-based sauce and fluffy flour tortilla. This spot also serves bowls, tacos and breakfast. But the burritos are essential to the Testal experience.
