Diners' Choice: Contemporary Mexican restaurants in Austin

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary Mexican cuisine in Austin? 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!

ATX Cocina

4.8

4.8 (2639)

$50 and over

Contemporary Mexican

Downtown

About the restaurant

ATX Cocina experiments with the boundaries of Mexican cuisine. We have taken traditional Mexican dishes and elevated them with modern approaches and techniques. Corn, the basis of the Mexican cuisine for thousands of years, is also the foundation of our kitchen. We nixtamalize and process our masa in house sourcing it from heirloom varieties of corn grown by small family farms in Mexico.

Top review

Jana

Dined 3 days ago

We had an amazing dinner on Tuesday evening. They have a great selection of tequila. The wine selection is a bit pricey, we had a nice bottle for about $85. For an appetizer we had the Hamachi, which I enjoyed but my husband was not really fond of. We also had the Brussel Sprouts and Sopes as an appetizer to share for the table. They were both excellent. The Brussel Sprouts had jalapenos, which gave them a nice kick. The entrees are very large, next time I think we will share. I had the whole roasted fish, which was amazing. Lots of garlic and the sauce was very flavorful. They debone the fish and it was wonderful with the homemade tortillas. My husband had the short rib, which was also delicious. It was very tender and flavorful. Our guests had the carne asada and the El Rey and both were very pleased. We shared the sweet potatoes and corn as sides. I really loved the sweet potatoes. Our service was great, even on a busy night and the manager did come by to check on us at one point. They are very conscious of food allergies, which I greatly appreciate. The entire menu is gluten free! A great place for dinner, before a show at ACL. Reservations required as they are very busy.

Suerte

4.8

4.8 (53)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

East Austin

About the restaurant

Suerte is a restaurant inspired by the people, cooking techniques, and flavors of Mexico. Nationally acclaimed Chef Fermin Nunez and his team pride themselves on the use of local ingredients from our beloved farmers to achieve something delicious and uniquely East Austin.

Top review

Dana

Dined 4 days ago

Awesome experience and love this place, but noise level during busy peak time difficult to hear each other. Five star rating!!!!

Este

4.8

4.8 (70)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

East Austin

About the restaurant

Nestled between East Austin neighborhoods, Este celebrates fresh seafood, Mexican cuisine, and charcoal cooking. From the team behind the East 6th favorite, Suerte, Chef Fermin and restaurateur Sam Hellman-Mass are taking their love for masa coastal.

In a location with a rich history, Este’s bright dining spaces, artisan decor and spacious outdoor deck bring the energy of seaside towns to East Austin. An extensive wine list and vibrant coastal-inspired cocktails are the perfect pairing for aguachiles, ceviches, oysters y otros mariscos!

Top review

Alex

Dined 1 day ago

Fantastic service and delicious food and creative drinks.

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Experience

Vino y Vinyl Tuesdays 🍷

La Piscina Ceviches & Fajitas

4.9

4.9 (722)

$50 and over

Contemporary Mexican

Downtown

About the restaurant

Located on the 5th floor of the Austin Proper Hotel, La Piscina Ceviches & Fajitas is a convivial poolside restaurant and bar serving Texas-inspired Mexican cuisine. The vibrant, open space overlooks the downtown Austin bustle as groups convene over family-style platters, ceviches and table-top sizzling fajitas, with fresh seafood grilled over a wood fire and house-made tortillas from an open comal. The bar provides an accompanying selection of frozen margaritas, native Mexican spirits, small-batch tequila and mezcal as well as an assortment of outdoor-friendly snacks.

Top review

GilmaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Food and experience were 10/10! Definitely a great spot.

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Experience

Weekend Brunch

Experience

Christmas at La Piscina

Experience

New Year's Eve at La Piscina

Mour Cocina | Bodega

4.6

4.6 (329)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

East Austin

About the restaurant

Inspired by vibrant Mexican-Indian flavors and Austin’s unique vibe, Mour Café offers meals that taste amazing with locally-sourced, planet-friendly ingredients. From breakfast to dinner, and special weekend brunches, we’re all about inclusivity. Beyond food, discover our handpicked wines from small-batch, organic producers. Dine-in or take away, but always expect a warm, friendly experience

Top review

debbyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Delicious food, a wonderful waitress and a very attractive setting! The little bodega is a bonus!! Super nice staff!! Already looking forward to going back!!

Bulevar Mexican Kitchen

4.7

4.7 (1084)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

Arboretum

About the restaurant

Bulevar Mexican Kitchen is a place to celebrate simple pleasures with top notch margaritas and cocktails, both frozen fun ones to unique agave creations and a vast selection of agave distillates. A place where food is for sharing, food is for comforting and food is for feasting. An atmosphere that is fueled by a massive wood fired grill, a high energy bar, tall ceilings and big glass windows that push your attention to the patio and the great Austin views & sunsets. We pride ourselves on good vibes, good eats and good drinks brought to you by our staff... our Familia!!

Buen Provecho!!

Top review

KatieVIP

Dined 3 days ago

This place is fabulous. I sat at the bar, and the seating is surprisingly comfortable and the service is top notch. Some of the best birria tacos I’ve had! I will return every time I’m in town.

Nômade

4.6

4.6 (456)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

Austin

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of the South 1st district, Nomade is a Yucatecan kitchen celebrating fresh coastal seafood, artisanal spices from Merida, and wood-fired cooking. From the team behind the South Congress favorite, Lucky Robot, Chef Jay and restaurateur Adam Weisberg share their experiences in the region and hope to transport you to the lush jungles of the Yucatán.

Heirloom masa, sustainably caught seafood, and artisanal spices are used to create traditional and contemporary Yucatecan dishes. Our bar features a collection of additive free agave spirits and an Latin inspired wine list. Additionally, we are a 100% gluten-free restaurant, seed oil free, and offer an extensive plant-based menu.

#4 best new restaurant in the South by YELP
Top 15 restaurants in Austin by Fodors Travel
2024 Open Table Diners' Choice Award Winner.

Top review

ChaseVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Overall amazing experience! A little pricey, but great flavors and high quality ingredients.

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Ma'Coco - East Austin

4.6

4.6 (177)

$30 and under

Contemporary Mexican

East Austin

About the restaurant

A fresh approach to Mexican cuisine. We emphasize scratch ingredients to serve colorful, tasty & traditional bites. From tacos & enchiladas to fresh fruit frescas & cocktails, you’ll find an antojito just for you!

Top review

Kendall

Dined on Nov 9, 2024

We had a great meal! Portions were big and well priced.

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Popular dish

Carne Asada Plate

Verbena

4.5

4.5 (422)

$30 and under

Contemporary Mexican

Downtown

About the restaurant

Verbena is a restaurant and bar located in the heart of West 6th Street occupying the street side ground level of the award-winning Canopy by Hilton Hotel. The venue is comprised of a 36-seat bar and lounge, a 60-seat dining room with open kitchen, and wood-burning hearth, both which open to a lush open-air courtyard. Journey through Chef Paolo's gastronomic narrative where he pays homage to his contemporary Mexican roots. His menu is highly influenced with essences of French techniques and contains stories and flavors he's discovered throughout his travels. It is truly a memorable dining experience. Come grab a coffee and freshly baked pastry on your way to work or spend a Sunday morning over a bountiful brunch. Meet a friend for a vibrant patio lunch or gather with co-workers for drinks and dinner. You’re always welcome at Verbena.

Top review

Michele

Dined on Dec 1, 2024

We had an engagement luncheon at the restaurant. It was the perfect setting with big windows and lots of light. The staff did a wonderful job serving all 12 of our party. Highly recommend!

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4.1

4.1 (134)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

Downtown

About the restaurant

Tomalo is a worldly Mexican inspired restaurant, created by UrbanSpace Hospitality, that draws influences from various regions of Mexico and beyond. Tomalo anchors the ground level of the 44 East Ave. Residences, the skyscraper on the banks of Lady Bird Lake where East Ave meets Rainey St. We source and utilize local ingredients and a focus on community.

Reservations are recommended but walk-ins are welcomed any day of the week (closed Mondays).

Top review

Lakeisha

Dined on Nov 15, 2024

Absolutely Love this place. I had reservation as a solo guest and they made me feel so very welcomed. ALL the food was delicious and the chef personally came out to explain some of the meals.. AWESOME PLACE

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Experience

Tomalo Happy Hour

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