Diners' Choice: Mexican restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Mexican cuisine in San Diego? 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!

Baja Betty's

4.9

4.9 (352)

$30 and under

Mexican

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

If you are in the mood for creative, Tex-Mex inspired dishes, the fun and atmosphere of Baja Betty's in San Diego, CA is for you. This popular eatery provides diners with a colorful and entertaining setting in which to savor a full array of dishes made from the freshest and most authentic ingredients.

The menu at Baja Betty's features many expected options, such as a comprehensive quesadilla menu and array of satisfying combination platters. However, diners can also enjoy a build your own burrito or bowl, an array of house specialties and tacos and some stunning signature margaritas to wash it all down. The menu at Baja Betty's also offers a long list of tequilas and mezcals, a full range of appetizers, nachos, soups, salads and the best Taco Tuesday in town!

Top review

Dined 3 days ago

Always love our trips to BB’s. Tonight was no exception. Dash our waiter was outstanding. He was attentive and fun.

En Fuego Cantina and Grill

4.7

4.7 (289)

$30 and under

Mexican

Del Mar

About the restaurant

En Fuego Cantina & Grill in Del Mar is one of the original restaurants in the Village. It was established in 1995 and has been serving delicious Mexican cuisine and amazing margarita's ever since. Open daily for lunch and dinner, serving Happy Hour 7 days a week from 4pm to 6pm and Taco Tuesday every week from 4:30 till close.

En Fuego Cantina and Grill has an expansive menu with classic favorites like fresh guacamole and chips, carnitas, fajitas and enchiladas. Try one of the house specials like the Chile rellenos, a traditional recipe, with battered and stuffed Anaheim chilis topped with tomatillo sauce and a three-cheese blend.

Top review

CyndieVIP

Dined on Feb 28, 2025

They have the best shrimp burritos! The salsa is amazing too!

El Agave

4.8

4.8 (2509)

$30 and under

Mexican

Old Town

About the restaurant

Experience the true flavor of Mexico at San Diego’s premier Mexican cuisine destination.
Established in 1996, El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria offers its patrons a unique dining setting within
the largest tequila museum in the United States – with over 3,000 tequilas on display – also
repeatedly voted the #1 tequila bar in the country. Nestled in historic Old Town, San Diego, it is the
perfect place to enjoy a business lunch, romantic date, rehearsal dinner or to simply relax and
unwind sipping find tequila with friends.

Top review

Chefroxy00

Dined 1 day ago

Cool Tequila bar and ambiance. Drinks were delicious. Had the passion fruit margarita. Food..so so.

La Doña

4.7

4.7 (8)

$30 and under

Mexican

Point Loma

About the restaurant

Located just steps from the Pacific Ocean, La Doña brings vibrant Mexican flavors to the coast with fresh ingredients and a modern twist to Ocean Beach. From house-made classics to bold takes on traditional favorites, every bite is crafted with care and authenticity. Pair your meal with hand-crafted cocktails, a carefully curated selection of San Diego’s finest craft beers, or a refreshing classic Mexican cerveza. Whether you’re gathering for family dinner, toasting with friends, or simply savoring the moment, La Doña is where great food, good vibes, and unforgettable memories come together.

Top review

TiffanyP

Dined 6 days ago

Yummy good and great staff! We had the canela waffles and they were so good

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Crudo Ceviche & Oyster Bar

4.7

4.7 (196)

$30 and under

Mexican

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Authentic Baja-style, ceviche, and oyster restaurant. Unique tostadas, oysters, tiradito, clams

Top review

HusVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Best Crudo experience ever! Such flavor. I have been to Crudo many time. They have never disappointed.

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4.7

4.7 (428)

$30 and under

Mexican

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

*Brunch hours are on a walk-in basis only.
Thank you for your cooperation & support during this time!

Cocina de Barrio by Chef Jose J. Flores

Bienvenidos a Cocina de Barrio, the newest modern-urban Mexican restaurant located in Hillcrest, San Diego! We are proud to feature the culinary richness of Oaxaca as well as other Mexican regions. Stop by and enjoy our bar stocked with plenty tequila and mezcal selections, MUCHA cerveza, and wines sourced from Valle Guadalupe.

Don't forget to join us during our daily brunch (where we add a Mexican kick) and our happy hour every Tuesday-Friday from 3-5pm! Stay Chido!

Top review

AbbyVIP

Dined on Feb 16, 2025

Really good food and drinks! A quick meal because we were short on time, it was easy to get a reservation. I’ve also been here for brunch and it was just as delicious! Definitely recommend!

Cocina 35 - Downtown

4.6

4.6 (43)

$30 and under

Mexican

Downtown

About the restaurant

Breakfast? you got to try the Best Chilaquiles in San Diego!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Mar 2, 2025

They were right..best Chilaquiles in San Diego County!

South of Nick's - Del Mar

4.7

4.7 (693)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Del Mar

About the restaurant

An essential stop in San Diego for Southern California Mexican Cuisine.

South of Nick's Mexican Kitchen & Bar features Classic Mexican favorites, prime steaks and seafood with a So Cal twist. Fine Tequilas & Margaritas

Our food and drink meets the highest standards of quality, freshness and seasonality and combines both modern-creative and traditional styles of cooking.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

Top review

PaulVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Always consistently good. Food is exceptionally flavourful, hot and meticulously prepared.

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4.7

4.7 (2163)

$30 and under

Mexican

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos. Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas.

In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, Baja craft beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere.

We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, LA Times and the Michelin Guide.

Top review

Stephanie

Dined 1 day ago

Puesto was fantastic!! Probably some of the best tacos I’ve ever had, definitely the best flour tortillas! Would highly recommend the filet mignon and shrimp tacos!

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Experience

Taco Tuesday!

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Coronado

4.7

4.7 (202)

$30 and under

Mexican

Coronado

About the restaurant

Secure your spot and experience Blanco’s fresh twist on Mexican food. Lounge long and on with tantalizing tequila flights and easy but innovative tacos. Go for the classic but fresh burrito or bowl layered with savory fillings like spicy Machaca short rib or red chili chicken, fresh salsas, and our famous house guacamole. Whether you’re hungry for something flavorful or thirsty for something fun, we’ve got everything you want at Blanco.

Top review

MaxVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Really enjoyed our dinner. Service from front to back was excellent and the food was great.

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