Seriously, we are so hungry now! After perusing this comprehensive guide to the best Mexican restaurants in Tampa, we know where we are going for happy hour and dinner tonight! How fortunate are we to live in a city replete with diverse cultures, affording us multiple opportunities to easily experience unique and delicious cuisines. In our Guide to the Best Mexican Restaurants in Tampa, we covered everything from South Tampa to Plant City, USF, Riverview and more. Bookmark this page and refer to it often. Try a few places or try them all, dare you!. We bet figuring out where to start will be a tough decision!
Acapulco Taqueria / South Tampa
This hidden gem in North Hyde Park is the perfect stop for someone looking for authentic Mexican. Cheap tacos with big flavor will have you coming back for más!
Bartaco / Hyde Park
Did you know that Bartaco has a secret off-menu taco? Next time you're there ask for the secret taco, it's amazing! #bartacosecret #bartaco #bartacolife
Besito Mexican Restaurant / Westshore District
A fun place for Cinco de Mayo or just to celebrate a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, well you get the picture! Ola! Celebrate With Besito any day of the week! This upscale Mexican eatery delivers the most amazing flavor profiles, well-crafted drinks and cold beers. Besito's food is as much a treat for the eyes as the mouth!
California Tacos To Go / Several locations
Experience the best of California-inspired fish tacos and more at California Tacos To Go. This inventive Taco joint has three locations, find this Best of Tampa's Mexican Restaurant's in the University Area, South Tampa and on 4th Street in St. Pete. It's no surprise they have plans to open a fourth location. Their customers are growing in leaps and bounds. Why, you can begin with them being featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-In's and Dives and add to that what Manager Justin Mercurio calls a hyperlocal approach. Cali Tacos To Go doesn't just set up shop and do business, they get to know their customers, their goal, to put a smile on every face they see! If you are from California and missing that special something that makes a Cali Taco different, THIS is where you should be eating today! Definitely head in for Taco Tuesdays for the specials, you have not experienced true Taco heaven until you have tried a California Taco!
Cantina Laredo / Wesley Chapel
In the mood for authentic Mexican cuisine? Stop in at Catina Laredo, located in the Shops at Wiregrass. Not only are they an excellent Mexican restaurant, they also host banquets and cater as well. A few places into our Guide to the Best Mexican Restaurants in Tampa, are you getting hungry?
Capital Tacos / Wesley Chapel
Whether it's fresh salsas, house-made chorizo, authentic black beans made fresh from scratch, cane sugar sodas, craft and imported beers, hand-cut chips or their delicious taco of the month you can rest assured that you will leave full, happy and satisfied from Capital, a unique experience everyone should have, again and again!
City Dog Cantina / Channelside District
Located at Grand Central in the Channelside District, City Dog Cantina serves up Mexican fusion favorites for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and is open late. They serve traditional tacos and burritos and non-traditional items like their 'most delicious' crab cakes. A Tampa must have is the breakfast crab cake BLT! Their breakfasts are the perfect morning after food!
Green Lemon / South Tampa
The Green Lemon's modern Mexican cuisine combines the best of traditional Mexican cuisine with Green Lemon's fresh and healthy bowls, sushi style rolls and salads. Have fresh guacamole made table-side while enjoying one of the best Margaritas in town!
!Cuatro Restaurant & Bar / Lutz
What happens when down-home Cajun cooking meets Mexican and Latin flavors in a New-American bistro? !Cuatro! Located at TPC Tampa Bay, !Cuatro draws on several culinary influences for one unforgettable dining experience! Below are Taco Tuesday featured taco's: Grapefruit Adobo Shrimp Taco ( Adobo & Grapefruit Chargrilled Florida Gulf Shrimp with Pimenton Slaw) Jerk Steak Taco (Shaved Ribeye, House Jerk Marinade, Mango Salsa) and a Turkey Apple Brie Taco (Shaved Roasted Turkey, Caramelized Apples, Melted Brie, Honey Dill Cream Cheese) They use House-Made Fresh Corn Tortilla Chips and House-Made Salsa. #DineCUATRO #TacoTuesday
Mekenita Cantina / Seminole Heights
Great Mexican food in Seminole Heights! Being one of the staples in Seminole Heights, Mekenita Cantina thrives with delicious fresh ingredients with great locations next to several other restaurants and bars.
Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant / Plant City
Great Mexican in Plant City! The unique atmosphere will make you feel like you have traveled to Cancun or Cabo, the service is friendly, it's a great place to take the kids. With live entertainment, a sumptuous menu that is Vegetarian-friendly you are sure to enjoy Mi Casa.
Miguel's Mexican Restaurant / Kennedy Corridor
Miguel's has come a LONG way since day one when we sat on picnic benches at long tables drinking margaritas made with wine (the full-liquor license had not been approved when they opened). Miguel's Mexican Restaurant has developed into one of the most creative and beautiful Mexican restaurants in Tampa. The atmosphere is sleek, sexy and relaxing, Dishes include your favorites and the best queso, chips and drinks! Stop into Miquel's and experience Mexican cuisine in a bold new way! Let their experienced wait staff guide you to something great at Miguel's and celebrate!
Miguelitos Taqueria Y Tequilas
A taqueria and the love child of Miguel's (above) they give tacos, tapas, burritos, tortas and bowls a twist! Stop in for breakfast, weekend brunch, check out the mini tortilla factory and enjoy an ice cold cocktail, Tequila is on tap at Miguelitos! You will LoVe Miguelitos! Seriously! On #TapasMonday the tapas menu is 50% off all day, including the Langosta Thermidor. Happy Hour is from 2-6 pm, with 50% off House Margaritas, Sangrias & Well Cocktails. We recommend you call for priority seating: (813) 872-5600.
Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar
If you like to pair your favorite Mexican dish with a shot of tequila (like me!) then be sure to check out Rocco's Tacos at one of their nine locations today! As soon as you walk through the door, you blend in with an authentic atmosphere and start to taste delicacies that are straight out of Mexico.
Experience guacamole that is homemade right at the table. Choose from 300 different types of tequila. Get a margarita created on-site with a unique sour mix that you won't get anywhere else. Rocco's offers a varied cuisine with a noticeable focus on detail, which includes freshly prepared corn tortillas cooked on the Comal, the traditional way.
Rocco's Tacos' true Mexican flavors will set you up for a treat. This is the place to go if you're looking for late-night fun or a tasty lunch. Be sure to call and reserve a table as this is one of Tampa's best hotspots for margaritas, tacos, and nightlife.
Romi's is an experience! Seriously NO FRILLS, the menu is small but varied and delicious. A trailer with 6 covered picnic tables located next to the ordering window in a parking lot up against a building. This is the place to try when you want something out of the ordinary, authentic Mexican food, recipes passed down through the generations. That's what you get at Romi's. Hey, wait, is that Guy Fieri? He would LOVE Romi's! You need to do this!
Senor Tequila Mexican Grill / Carrollwood in North Tampa
Senor Tequila is one of Tampa's best destinations for fast, fresh Mexican fare, great drinks from the bar, and money-saving specials on many nights of the week. Stop by for tasty and delicious Mexican foodie fun! They have a great happy hour at this interesting Mexican restaurant ~ Monday through Friday 2 pm – 6 pm with Buckets of mix and match Beers (5) $15.00, Cosmopolitan Martinis $5.00, 2 for 1 Drinks, 16 oz. House Margaritas, Bloody Mary's, Draft Beers & Mojitos. No guide would be complete without Senor Tequila's Mexican Grill.
Taco Bus Downtown / Several locations in Tampa
With locations across Tampa Bay and new ones in the works (umm yeah!), there is a Taco Bus near you with their famous tacos and authentic Mexican street food. No frills, no fuss, just great food. Check them out for lunch and dinner this May 5th and any time of the year.
Taco Dirty / South Tampa
Taco Dirty mirrors the beloved Fresh Kitchen Tampa with Tex-Mex flare. One builds a bowl with different choices of bases, proteins, and sauces just like at FK, but Taco Dirty gives us bases like Mexi Red Quinoa and Avocado Citrus rice, with proteins and sauces such as Pineapple Pork, Green Pablano Chicken, and Sweet Charcoal Infused Jalepeño! With cervezas and Fountainhead Gourmet Craft Soda to wash it all down!
Taco Loco Latin Food / Plant City
Fast service with authentic and hot fresh food on your table in minutes! With happy hour daily from 3-9 pm, this very popular neighborhood restaurant in Tampa Bay hits all the bases with its Mexican cuisine and amazing drinks!
Taqueria Emanuel / West Tampa and Pinellas Park
At the corner of MacDill and Columbus many of us certainly have driven by many times, perhaps you glanced over at this unassuming strip mall Mexican Restaurant and wondered if the food is any good. It is!! And at Emanuel, you have the opportunity to try different things, items you do not see on most menus, Items like their Taco de Papa con Chorizo (Spicy sausage with potato). This time-honored authentic Mexican Restaurant in Tampa will excite your palate!
Tequilas / Ybor City
For some it's not about the food, it is about the Tequila! Many of the places gracing this 'Listicle' serve an amazing Margarita, but Tequilas, well, they have 200 different tequilas! They serve traditional Mexican cuisine and a HUGE variety of Mexican drinks. If you want to try a tequila you are not familiar with, let the bartenders at Tequila's guide you, they aim to make your day and your drinks, come enjoy Ybor!
Tijuana Flats / Several locations
Popular for their hot sauces this chain of Mexican restaurants has managed to stand out from the crowd when it comes to fresh, fast, great tasting Mexican food. Check out these Cookie dough Flautas for dessert, photo taken by local contributor Nanci DeTrapani Cernak from (This Crazy Life of Mine)! And look for the new Tijuana Flats on South Dale Mabry in South Tampa!
Tres Amigos Cantina / Brandon
This fun Mexican restaurant and bar was established in 2008 by three friends. Their goal, to offer the best Mexican cuisine at affordable prices. In this fun and friendly atmosphere, you will find authentic dishes, hand-made tortillas, and awesome drinks! They offer nightly specials and even have an app for easy ordering and coupon savings! Be sure to click through to their site to see what's going on right now, why wait!
Urban Cantina / Downtown Tampa
With two locations in Tampa the Cantina, if you have not been, is in a word, FRESH, FUN and YUM. Wait, sorry that's three, can't help it! One word does not describe this amazing place. You can dine in, carry out or easily order online from their downtown location. We love their SKINNY menu, the same great taste, freshness and yumminess with fewer calories. Happy Hours are weekdays from 3 - 7 pm, did we tell you they make everything from scratch!!
Vallarta's Mexican Restaurant / 5 Locations (Town N Country closed)
Vallarta's opened its doors in the Lutz location in Aug. of 2008. By 2009 they were voted "BEST OF PASCO". Today they have 5 locations across Tampa Bay in Brandon, Carrollwood, Tampa Palms and Temple Terrace. Check to see if there is a location near you, if not, Road Trip! The Vallarta motto: Life without Mexican food is like no life at all! Psssttt...try the Creme Caramel!
So, did we succeed? Did our Guide to the Best Mexican Restaurants in Tampa get your mouth watering for some Mexican cuisine! Do you have your list? Are you perhaps ready for an ice cold Margarita too?
We look forward to your reviews and are especially curious about the Margaritas you will be trying for a follow-up article we are planning for Best Margarita's in Tampa! We have not tried them all yet and would love to know what you think! Be sure to comment below and help us out with our in the works~Guide to the Best Margaritas in Tampa! Let us know if we missed anyone in this guide and who you would add to Guide to the Best Mexican Restaurants in Tampa.
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