The Best Mexican Food Phoenix Has to Offer
Road-tripping through Arizona? Your visit won’t be complete without a stop at one of these ten authentic Mexican restaurants near Phoenix.
Phoenix has always been known for its flavorful, authentic Mexican cuisine. With a unique and vibrant food scene stemming from its mix of Indigenous American and Hispanic cultures, Sonoran-style cooking adds a regional spin to many traditional Mexican plates.
There’s something for every palate in Phoenix—from families looking for great tacos, enchiladas, and burritos to couples seeking a high-end dining experience to foodies seeking the flavors of Baja, Oaxaca, Mexico City, Chihuahua, and Sonora.
If you’re traveling through Arizona in a premium campervan or RV from Blacksford RV in Phoenix, you must try at least one of these ten restaurants.
Courtesy of The Mission
The Mission
Location: Old Town Scottsdale
Menus: The Mission website
Map: 3815 N Brown Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Reservations: (480) 636-5005 or OpenTable
Chef Matt Carter fuses traditional Latin American cuisine with modern cooking techniques. Meats are grilled using pecan and mesquite-flavored wood and the table-side guacamole, homemade tortillas, arepas, and salsas are all prepared fresh daily.
If you enjoy outdoor dining, the cozy patio with a fireplace sets the stage for good vibes, craft cocktails, and a three-course family dinner.
Courtesy of Blanco Cocina + Cantina
Blanco Cocina + Cantina
Location: Downtown Phoenix
Menu: Blanco Cocina + Cantina website
Map: 123 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Reservations: (602) 899-8102 or OpenTable
Well-known for its chimichangas and Mexican pizzas, Blanco Cocina + Cantina serves up all the popular favorites. A meal here isn’t complete without a margarita, which the servers put a great deal of technique into.
With its lively atmosphere and reasonable prices, Blanco Cocina + Cantina is the perfect place for lunch or dinner any day of the week.
Espiritu
Location: Mesa
Menu: Espiritu website
Map: 123 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201
Reservations: (480) 272-6825 or Toast
For an adults-only upscale dining experience, Espiritu offers guests a rotating menu featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. True to its name—meaning spirit in English—Espiritu was originally a cocktail-focused establishment but has expanded to include superb Latin American cooking.
The menu is embellished with delicious options, including skirt steak, swordfish tacos, pork shoulder, and braised ribs.
Courtesy of Comedor Guadalajara
Comedor Guadalajara
Location: Phoenix
Menu: Comedor Guadalajara website
Map: 1830 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Reservations: (602) 253-8299
Come as you are to Comedor Guadalajara for lunch or an early dinner. This local favorite features Mexican seafood and Sonoran-style cooking (wheat and flour—not corn—tortillas) on its menu and is a great option for dining without a reservation.
Some of its specialties include a variety of Carne Asada plates and Camarones (grilled shrimp). Plus, the restaurant offers large parrilladas combos with grilled meats or seafood.
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Tacos Chiwas
Location: Phoenix
Menu: Tacos Chiwas website
Map: 1028 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Reservations: Doesn't accept reservations
Taco lovers, this one's for you. With taco specialties inspired by the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua—known for its cattle industry—Tacos Chiwas is a must for beef tacos.
The restaurant welcomes families and children, offering reasonable prices and excellent service. Other menu highlights include quesadillas, gorditas, and burritos.
Courtesy of Cien Agaves
Cien Agaves Tacos and Tequila
Location: Old Town Scottsdale
Menu: Cien Agaves website
Map: 7228 E 1st Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Reservations: (480) 970-9002 or OpenTable
True to its namesake, Cien Agaves aspires to be Scottsdale’s favorite destination for tacos and margaritas. The menu features authentic Mexican favorites next to specialty creations like the Grilled Ono Taco and Tinga Taco—a crispy corn tortilla stuffed with chipotle-flavored chicken.
You’ll be faced with a hard choice between 100 premium tequilas and delicious house-made specialty margarita mixes. The outside dining offers a beautiful setting for drinks with travel companions.
Barrio Queen
Location: Old Town Scottsdale
Menu: Barrio Queen
Map: 7114 E Stetson Dr Suite 105, Scottsdale, AZ 85251; several additional locations
Reservations: Not accepted
In the heart of Scottsdale’s lively Old Town shopping district, Barrio Queen prides itself on using only authentic Latin American ingredients and techniques.
Here, you’ll find classic Mayan, Puebla, and Aztec recipes as well as its signature Killer Drinks like Death’s Door made with habanero, jalapeño, and chili de arbol-infused tequila and Ancho Reyes made with Azuñia Organic Agave Syrup and fresh lime juice.
Courtesy of The Mexicano
The Mexicano
Location: Scottsdale
Menu: The Mexicano website
Map: 4801 E Cactus Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Reservations: 602-812-2100 or OpenTable
If you’re traveling through Scottsdale, you must stop at The Mexicano. And reason number one is to order a three-foot-long quesadilla. This lively restaurant and bar serves a range of authentic and Arizona-style Mexican fare, including tacos, enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, and more.
But that’s not all, The Mexicano also features cocktail carts, make-your-own margaritas, and rotating DJs.
Dick’s Hideaway
Location: Phoenix
Menu: Dick’s Hideaway website
Map: 6008 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Reservations: (602) 265-5886 or (602) 287-8900
Anyone who visits Dick’s will say it’s a hidden gem—in part because it’s a little challenging to find. Worth the search, this rustic restaurant serves traditional New Mexican breakfast, lunch, and dinner plates in an upscale setting. Dick’s also offers burgers, salads, steaks, pastas, and fresh fish.
But the real treasures are from The Santa Fe Trail, like the relleno plate, pork mole, roasted chorizo, roasted garlic platter, bacon-wrapped shrimp, carne asada ribs, and smoked pork slow-simmered in red chili. Hungry yet?
Courtesy Torchy’s Tacos
Torchy’s Tacos
Locations: Phoenix, Gilbert, Queen Creek
Menu: Torchy’s Tacos website
Map: 1935 E Camelback Rd c 130, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Reservations: Doesn't accept reservations
Known for its delicious breakfast tacos—a rare find in Phoenix—Torchy’s Tacos has four Phoenix area locations: two in Phoenix, one in Gilbert, and one in Queen Creek. Each offers a wide variety of affordable, filling, and kid-friendly Mexican fare.
If you’re in a rush, you can take food to-go, but dining in is also welcome.
Start Your Arizona Adventure in an RV
Now that you have a great collection of restaurants to try, you need a comfortable vehicle to take you there. With an RV or campervan rental from Blacksford in Phoenix, you can road trip around beautiful Arizona and eat well along the way.