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Chicharrón del Parque, bluefin tuna, flour chicharrón, salsa marisquera at Maizano. — Chicharrón del parque at Maizano in Costa Mesa.

The 18 Essential Sit-Down Mexican Restaurants in LA

Order a mezcal and enjoy some ceviche, combo plates, or pescado zarandeado

by Eater Staff Updated Apr 23, 2024, 11:20am PDT

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Chicharrón del parque at Maizano in Costa Mesa.

| Jakob Layman

by Eater Staff Updated Apr 23, 2024, 11:20am PDT

Eating one’s way through Los Angeles’s expansive Mexican restaurant scene can be gratifying and overwhelming. Home to the largest concentration of Mexicans in the United States, the city boasts a seemingly endless number of establishments specializing in tacos, tortas, and tamales — not to mention birria, barbacoa, and all manner of Sinaloan and Oaxacan specialties.

From street food to upscale spots and everything in between, LA is bursting with incredible Mexican cuisine. This list hones in on sit-down, full-service places located in traditional brick-and-mortar spaces or hidden inside residential backyards. Here are the 18 essential sit-down Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Mírate

Wear comfortable shoes at Mírate to walk up the stairs and explore the lush space. There are two bars and sprawling seating to pair with chef Joshua Gil’s pan-regional Mexican menu that includes Baja-style deep-fried fish, charred octopus tacos, albondigas, and tlayudas — all served under a retractable roof.

1712 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mírate (@mirate.losangeles)

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Loreto

In 2023, Downtown’s LA Cha Cha Chá opened a sister restaurant in Frogtown a block away from the LA River. It’s a beautiful space where chef Paco Moran utilizes mostly Mexican seafood to prepare Sinaloan-style shrimp, Baja scallops, and four types of Nayarit-style grilled zarandeado with excellent cocktails and a bustling outdoor patio. If a table isn’t available, sit at the winding bar.

1991 Blake Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039

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Outdoor dining patio with large windows at Loreto in Los Angeles. — Loreto patio.

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Ka'teen

Celebrated chef Wes Avila’s Yucatán-inspired restaurant in Hollywood offers one of the most striking indoor-outdoor spaces in Los Angeles. Start with a crudo, the citrus-marinated ceviche campechana, or spicy aguachile with kumquats and new Caledonia prawns. It would make sense to order the cochinita pibil since that dish is so regionally tied to Yucatán, but don’t sleep on the pescado zarandeado served Contramar-style with salsa verde and salsa roja.

6516 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Visit Website

A dark outdoor dining room with string lights at a new LA restaurant. — Outdoor dining area of Ka’Teen in Hollywood.

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Carnes Asadas Pancho Lopez

Find Carnes Asadas Pancho Lopez slightly off the 110 near Avenue 33. This open-air restaurant in Lincoln Heights prepares dishes from Guadalajara with birria, tortas, chilaquiles, and a saucy carne en su jugo with handmade tortillas. Though the City of Industry location offers the same menu and table service, the one in Lincoln Heights boasts ample charm.

3328 Pasadena Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jamie - Your Fun Fact Foodie (@funfactfoodie)

Alma at the Grove

One wouldn’t expect to find well-executed modern Mexican food in the heart of the Grove, one of LA’s most touristy locations. Mexico City’s Grupo Hunan took over the two-story former Dominique Ansel space with a wide menu of pan-regional dishes like queso fundido, tostadas de atun (tuna), and crispy chicken flautas. A taco sampler with five different options, such as mushrooms, quesabirria, and beer-battered shrimp, made with hand-pressed blue corn tortillas, are the ideal pick for indecisive diners.

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189 The Grove Drive, CA 90036

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An array of tacos at a modern Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles. — Five tacos to sample at Alma at the Grove

Guelaguetza Restaurant

Guelaguetza is one of LA’s essential Oaxacan restaurants. This Koreatown restaurant is where to indulge in complex moles, massive tlayudas, and platters of crispy toasted chapulines. The room feels especially festive thanks to live music and brightly colored walls.

3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Visit Website

Moles on a a colorful table with tortillas at Guelaguetza in LA’s Koreatown. — Moles at Guelaguetza in LA’s Koreatown.

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Gish Bac

Maria and David Ramos own one of the coziest dining rooms and most impressive Oaxacan restaurants in the city, serving stellar mole and excellent lamb barbacoa on the weekends. The latter makes Gish Bac an unmissable spot on California’s barbacoa trail. Be sure to order the horchata or jamaica to wash down the meal.

4163 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018

A platter with dark-colored mole at Gish Bac restaurant in Los Angeles. — Gish Bac’s mole.

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Guerrilla Tacos

In 2018, Guerilla Tacos planted a huge flag on a key corner of the Arts District. It remains an ideal spot to sit and order raw oysters with salsa, Baja-style fish tacos, and seasonal tacos that can include lomo saltado or green chicken chorizo. While the well-lit patio is lovely, the main dining area is ideal for a meal. The tres leches cake is a must.

2000 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

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The counter at Guerrilla Tacos stand in Downtown Los Angeles. — Guerrilla Tacos.

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Damian

Every corner of Damian is stunning. Celebrated Mexican chef Enrique Olvera opened this Arts District restaurant in 2020 where chef Chuy Cervantes prepares duck carnitas, carne asada with mole negro, and dry-aged branzino. The menu rotates with ingredient availability and seasons, especially on Monday nights.

2132 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Visit Website

Rockfish ceviche at Damian restaurant with salsa, tomatoes, and herbs. — Rockfish ceviche at Damian.

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Madre Restaurant

In 2023, Madre opened a fourth location in Santa Clarita, adding to its mini-Mexican empire in Palms, West Hollywood, and Torrance. Each is a prime spot to secure Oaxacan cooking including memelas, moles, and tlayudas — and all served alongside one of the widest selections of mezcal in the country. Do not miss brunch at the West Hollywood and Torrance locations.

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10426 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

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Deep fried masa or memelas with toppings from Madre restaurant in Los Angles, California. — Memelas from Madre.

Lares Restaurant

This classic Santa Monica Mexican restaurant has been serving amply-portioned, reasonably-priced combination plates, fajitas, and margaritas since 1968. The chicken enchiladas offer tender, shredded chicken with a tangy salsa. Fajitas come on a proper sizzling skillet with a bonus of potatoes to help mop up the brown juices. Even with inflation prices all around, the margaritas are still less than $11 apiece.

2909 Pico Blvd (29th St), Santa Monica, CA 90405

Visit Website

A Mexican combination plate of enchiladas. — Enchiladas from Lares in Santa Monica.

Campo é Carbón

Chef Ulysses Gálvez and Adriana Alvarez opened their backyard restaurant after a 2019 trip to Baja California’s Valle de Guadalupe wine country. The result is a popular monthly feast in a lush La Puente backyard. The menu changes regularly, but expect plenty of seafood and meats prepared over a custom wood grill, cocktails, and excellent service. These events regularly sell out so check Instagram for the next scheduled dinner.

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Seafood on an outdoor grill at Campo é Carbón in La Puente, California. — Campo é Carbón.

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Casablanca

Casablanca in Venice is a bit of a head-scratcher — in a good way. Located across from a Whole Foods-Chevron complex and kitty-corner to La Cabaña, the restaurant is decorated like the 1942 movie set in Morocco. Expect a roving tequila cart churning tableside margaritas, dexterous older women flipping tortillas on the dining room’s centerpiece comal, and a menu that focuses on grilled seafood dishes, with one section dedicated fully to mammoth grilled calamari steaks.

220 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jose Armando (@charrito23)

A cup of coffee, mimosa, and plate with taquitos, beans, tortillas at Casablanca restaurant in Venice, California.

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Aqui es Texcoco

Aqui es Texcoco is named after the city of Texcoco de Mora in the state of Mexico, a place considered the birthplace of barbacoa (slow-roasted lamb prepared in an underground fire pit). The restaurant’s signature pit-roasted lamb is served in a casual dining room in the City of Commerce.

5850 S Eastern Ave, Commerce, CA 90040

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Roasted chicken with salsas, limes, and radishes on a table at Aqui es Texcoco in Commerce, California. — Aqui es Texcoco in Commerce, California.

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La Casita Mexicana

La Casita Mexicana sets the bar in Los Angeles. In 2024, Jaime Martin del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu celebrate 25 years of operating this essential restaurant where the two skillfully prepare an Aztec cheese fondue served with house-made tortillas, enchiladas, and cochinita pibil.

4030 Gage Ave, Bell, CA 90201

Visit Website

A platter full of red-hued chilaquiles from La Casita Mexicana in Bell, California. — Chilaquiles rojo from La Casita Mexicana.

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Rocio's Mexican Kitchen

Rocio Camacho is known as the Goddess of Mole because her recipes are truly some of the best in the region. Rocio’s Mexican Kitchen is a cozy place to eat with carne asada, tlayudas, and chile en nogada on the menu. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables when the weather cooperates.

Open in Google Maps

7891 Garfield Ave, Bell Gardens, CA 90201

Chef Rocio Camacho stands inside her colorful Mexican restaurant Rocio’s Mexican Kitchen, wearing a white shirt. — Chef Rocio Camacho stands inside her colorful Mexican restaurant.

Coni'Seafood

This family-operated seafood specialist is owned by Connie Cassio. Order shrimp prepared in a plethora of ways: fried, sauteed, or made into ceviche. The real star is the pescado zarandeado, a whole snook coated in an umami-rich paste, shaken over coals, and served either indoors or on the covered patio.

3544 W Imperial Hwy, Inglewood, CA 90303

Visit Website

A butterflied fish that’s grilled and topped with sliced cucumbers and onions at Coni’Seafood in Inglewood. — Pescado zarandeado at Coni’Seafood in Inglewood.

Also featured in:

Maizano

It’s easy to get lost in the Mexican food wonderland of Mercado González. Certainly spend an hour or so perusing the puestos and nibbling on choice morsels, but eventually head to Maizano for a proper sit-down meal. As the only full-service experience in the sprawling emporium, Maizano serves regional plates from the Mexican states of Yucatán, Puebla, and Oaxaca, focusing on the magic of masa. Every dish under chef Alan Sanz’s watch is thoughtfully composed and highly shareable, including the chicharron del parque with blue fin tuna and the silky mole blanco with broccolini, chayote, and sprinkling of grasshoppers.

Open in Google Maps

2300 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, California 92626

Visit Website

Maizano serves regional plates from the Mexican states of Yucatán, Puebla, and Oaxaca. — A full spread at Maizano in Costa Mesa.

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Mírate

1712 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Wear comfortable shoes at Mírate to walk up the stairs and explore the lush space. There are two bars and sprawling seating to pair with chef Joshua Gil’s pan-regional Mexican menu that includes Baja-style deep-fried fish, charred octopus tacos, albondigas, and tlayudas — all served under a retractable roof.

1712 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mírate (@mirate.losangeles)

Loreto

1991 Blake Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039

In 2023, Downtown’s LA Cha Cha Chá opened a sister restaurant in Frogtown a block away from the LA River. It’s a beautiful space where chef Paco Moran utilizes mostly Mexican seafood to prepare Sinaloan-style shrimp, Baja scallops, and four types of Nayarit-style grilled zarandeado with excellent cocktails and a bustling outdoor patio. If a table isn’t available, sit at the winding bar.

1991 Blake Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Visit Website

Outdoor dining patio with large windows at Loreto in Los Angeles. — Loreto patio.

Ka'teen

6516 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Celebrated chef Wes Avila’s Yucatán-inspired restaurant in Hollywood offers one of the most striking indoor-outdoor spaces in Los Angeles. Start with a crudo, the citrus-marinated ceviche campechana, or spicy aguachile with kumquats and new Caledonia prawns. It would make sense to order the cochinita pibil since that dish is so regionally tied to Yucatán, but don’t sleep on the pescado zarandeado served Contramar-style with salsa verde and salsa roja.

6516 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Visit Website

A dark outdoor dining room with string lights at a new LA restaurant. — Outdoor dining area of Ka’Teen in Hollywood.

Carnes Asadas Pancho Lopez

3328 Pasadena Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Find Carnes Asadas Pancho Lopez slightly off the 110 near Avenue 33. This open-air restaurant in Lincoln Heights prepares dishes from Guadalajara with birria, tortas, chilaquiles, and a saucy carne en su jugo with handmade tortillas. Though the City of Industry location offers the same menu and table service, the one in Lincoln Heights boasts ample charm.

3328 Pasadena Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jamie - Your Fun Fact Foodie (@funfactfoodie)

Alma at the Grove

189 The Grove Drive, CA 90036

One wouldn’t expect to find well-executed modern Mexican food in the heart of the Grove, one of LA’s most touristy locations. Mexico City’s Grupo Hunan took over the two-story former Dominique Ansel space with a wide menu of pan-regional dishes like queso fundido, tostadas de atun (tuna), and crispy chicken flautas. A taco sampler with five different options, such as mushrooms, quesabirria, and beer-battered shrimp, made with hand-pressed blue corn tortillas, are the ideal pick for indecisive diners.

Open in Google Maps

189 The Grove Drive, CA 90036

Visit Website

An array of tacos at a modern Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles. — Five tacos to sample at Alma at the Grove

Guelaguetza Restaurant

3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Guelaguetza is one of LA’s essential Oaxacan restaurants. This Koreatown restaurant is where to indulge in complex moles, massive tlayudas, and platters of crispy toasted chapulines. The room feels especially festive thanks to live music and brightly colored walls.

3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Visit Website

Moles on a a colorful table with tortillas at Guelaguetza in LA’s Koreatown. — Moles at Guelaguetza in LA’s Koreatown.

Gish Bac

4163 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018

Maria and David Ramos own one of the coziest dining rooms and most impressive Oaxacan restaurants in the city, serving stellar mole and excellent lamb barbacoa on the weekends. The latter makes Gish Bac an unmissable spot on California’s barbacoa trail. Be sure to order the horchata or jamaica to wash down the meal.

4163 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018

A platter with dark-colored mole at Gish Bac restaurant in Los Angeles. — Gish Bac’s mole.

Guerrilla Tacos

2000 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

In 2018, Guerilla Tacos planted a huge flag on a key corner of the Arts District. It remains an ideal spot to sit and order raw oysters with salsa, Baja-style fish tacos, and seasonal tacos that can include lomo saltado or green chicken chorizo. While the well-lit patio is lovely, the main dining area is ideal for a meal. The tres leches cake is a must.

2000 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Visit Website

The counter at Guerrilla Tacos stand in Downtown Los Angeles. — Guerrilla Tacos.

Damian

2132 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Every corner of Damian is stunning. Celebrated Mexican chef Enrique Olvera opened this Arts District restaurant in 2020 where chef Chuy Cervantes prepares duck carnitas, carne asada with mole negro, and dry-aged branzino. The menu rotates with ingredient availability and seasons, especially on Monday nights.

2132 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Visit Website

Rockfish ceviche at Damian restaurant with salsa, tomatoes, and herbs. — Rockfish ceviche at Damian.

Madre Restaurant

10426 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

In 2023, Madre opened a fourth location in Santa Clarita, adding to its mini-Mexican empire in Palms, West Hollywood, and Torrance. Each is a prime spot to secure Oaxacan cooking including memelas, moles, and tlayudas — and all served alongside one of the widest selections of mezcal in the country. Do not miss brunch at the West Hollywood and Torrance locations.

Open in Google Maps

10426 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Visit Website

Deep fried masa or memelas with toppings from Madre restaurant in Los Angles, California. — Memelas from Madre.

Lares Restaurant

2909 Pico Blvd (29th St), Santa Monica, CA 90405

This classic Santa Monica Mexican restaurant has been serving amply-portioned, reasonably-priced combination plates, fajitas, and margaritas since 1968. The chicken enchiladas offer tender, shredded chicken with a tangy salsa. Fajitas come on a proper sizzling skillet with a bonus of potatoes to help mop up the brown juices. Even with inflation prices all around, the margaritas are still less than $11 apiece.

2909 Pico Blvd (29th St), Santa Monica, CA 90405

Visit Website

A Mexican combination plate of enchiladas. — Enchiladas from Lares in Santa Monica.

Campo é Carbón

Chef Ulysses Gálvez and Adriana Alvarez opened their backyard restaurant after a 2019 trip to Baja California’s Valle de Guadalupe wine country. The result is a popular monthly feast in a lush La Puente backyard. The menu changes regularly, but expect plenty of seafood and meats prepared over a custom wood grill, cocktails, and excellent service. These events regularly sell out so check Instagram for the next scheduled dinner.

Open in Google Maps

Seafood on an outdoor grill at Campo é Carbón in La Puente, California. — Campo é Carbón.

Casablanca

220 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Casablanca in Venice is a bit of a head-scratcher — in a good way. Located across from a Whole Foods-Chevron complex and kitty-corner to La Cabaña, the restaurant is decorated like the 1942 movie set in Morocco. Expect a roving tequila cart churning tableside margaritas, dexterous older women flipping tortillas on the dining room’s centerpiece comal, and a menu that focuses on grilled seafood dishes, with one section dedicated fully to mammoth grilled calamari steaks.

220 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jose Armando (@charrito23)

A cup of coffee, mimosa, and plate with taquitos, beans, tortillas at Casablanca restaurant in Venice, California.

Aqui es Texcoco

5850 S Eastern Ave, Commerce, CA 90040

Aqui es Texcoco is named after the city of Texcoco de Mora in the state of Mexico, a place considered the birthplace of barbacoa (slow-roasted lamb prepared in an underground fire pit). The restaurant’s signature pit-roasted lamb is served in a casual dining room in the City of Commerce.

5850 S Eastern Ave, Commerce, CA 90040

Visit Website

Roasted chicken with salsas, limes, and radishes on a table at Aqui es Texcoco in Commerce, California. — Aqui es Texcoco in Commerce, California.

La Casita Mexicana

4030 Gage Ave, Bell, CA 90201

La Casita Mexicana sets the bar in Los Angeles. In 2024, Jaime Martin del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu celebrate 25 years of operating this essential restaurant where the two skillfully prepare an Aztec cheese fondue served with house-made tortillas, enchiladas, and cochinita pibil.

4030 Gage Ave, Bell, CA 90201

Visit Website

A platter full of red-hued chilaquiles from La Casita Mexicana in Bell, California. — Chilaquiles rojo from La Casita Mexicana.

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Rocio's Mexican Kitchen

7891 Garfield Ave, Bell Gardens, CA 90201

Rocio Camacho is known as the Goddess of Mole because her recipes are truly some of the best in the region. Rocio’s Mexican Kitchen is a cozy place to eat with carne asada, tlayudas, and chile en nogada on the menu. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables when the weather cooperates.

Open in Google Maps

7891 Garfield Ave, Bell Gardens, CA 90201

Chef Rocio Camacho stands inside her colorful Mexican restaurant Rocio’s Mexican Kitchen, wearing a white shirt. — Chef Rocio Camacho stands inside her colorful Mexican restaurant.

Coni'Seafood

3544 W Imperial Hwy, Inglewood, CA 90303

This family-operated seafood specialist is owned by Connie Cassio. Order shrimp prepared in a plethora of ways: fried, sauteed, or made into ceviche. The real star is the pescado zarandeado, a whole snook coated in an umami-rich paste, shaken over coals, and served either indoors or on the covered patio.

3544 W Imperial Hwy, Inglewood, CA 90303

Visit Website

A butterflied fish that’s grilled and topped with sliced cucumbers and onions at Coni’Seafood in Inglewood. — Pescado zarandeado at Coni’Seafood in Inglewood.

Maizano

2300 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, California 92626

It’s easy to get lost in the Mexican food wonderland of Mercado González. Certainly spend an hour or so perusing the puestos and nibbling on choice morsels, but eventually head to Maizano for a proper sit-down meal. As the only full-service experience in the sprawling emporium, Maizano serves regional plates from the Mexican states of Yucatán, Puebla, and Oaxaca, focusing on the magic of masa. Every dish under chef Alan Sanz’s watch is thoughtfully composed and highly shareable, including the chicharron del parque with blue fin tuna and the silky mole blanco with broccolini, chayote, and sprinkling of grasshoppers.

Open in Google Maps

2300 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, California 92626

Visit Website

Maizano serves regional plates from the Mexican states of Yucatán, Puebla, and Oaxaca. — A full spread at Maizano in Costa Mesa.

Related Maps