25 Best Restaurants in New York City, New York

The truck that launched a foodie craze, Birria-Landia specializes in Mexican birria, a rich, tomato-y savory stew made with traditional goat or beef. Here, it's served folded into double-layered tacos, between two crispy ones with melted cheese called mulitas, or in a bowl in "consommé" form (also serving as a dip for those tacos). There will inevitably be a line, but that also means a number of other businesses have popped up along the block to service the line with candy, snacks, and traditional Mexican drinks like horchata. The fall-off-the-bone meat is best paired with a few slices of radish, some cilantro and a spicy sauce, and ferociously gobbled, standing up near the truck the moment it's handed to you out of the window. 

The Mexican-style grilled corn, liberally sprinkled with chili powder, lime, and cotija cheese, is undoubtedly worth getting your hands dirty at this hip luncheonette that's become something of an institution on this well-traveled corner of NoLIta. Follow up with a classic Cuban sandwich (roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and chipotle mayo), fish tacos, or one of the innovative salads.

Named for a border town between Mexico and California, this casual, easygoing Cal-Mex restaurant originated as a street cart in SoHo before opening a number of storefronts, three of which are in Brooklyn. At the Upper East Side outpost, you'll find Calexico's usual staples of burritos, quesadillas, tacos, and enchiladas: things to try include frozen margaritas, chipotle-marinated pork tacos, and esquites, a grilled corn salad mixed with cotija (aged cow's milk) cheese, lime mayo, chile powder, sour cream, and cilantro. There's also a kids' menu, weekday happy hour and a weekend brunch.

Come for the tacos, stay for the margaritas: that's what a lot of local Long Island City folks do at this popular Mexican standout. The chef is from Chiapas, but expect pan-Mexican fare, with tacos crammed with slow-cooked beef tongue or rich chorizo, among other options like a seasonal vegan taco. Whatever you do, don't skip out on their mole, whether as a plate or in enchilada form. Also worthy are refreshing fish ceviche and the albondigas, or tender meatballs, with a hard-boiled egg inside, wading in a spicy chipotle-tomato sauce.

Housed in a triangular building smack in the center of Meatpacking District action, this bi-level Mexican restaurant with ample outdoor seating does consistently solid fare. The menu boasts classic south-of-the-border staples like chicken enchiladas, variations on the theme of tacos, and nachos but the kitchen is at its best when churning out less-likely fare, such as yucca-stuffed croquetas, butternut squash and pumpkin soup, and mole-brushed short ribs. And, of course, you can wash it all down with one (or two) of several types of margaritas. 

This flagship by chef Alex Stupak (wd~50 and Allinea) applies Mexican influences toward an inventive contemporary American menu amid an open kitchen, two-level seating, and a display case adorned with ceramics in unique shapes and sizes. For the table dishes encompass queso fundido (baked cheese) with steak tartare and crab nachos with sea urchin. Taco variations are unexpected but delightful—maitake mushrooms, pastrami, dry aged beef picadillo (ground beef and potatoes simmered in a spicy tomato sauce) and lobster. Their fajitas are also unique, with jumbo tiger prawns or surf and turf, but the dessert selection has gotten much attention. In particular, the "avocado" does resemble the fruit but it's actually a creamy, lime-flavored parfait.  

At the end of 2023, lauded Chef Alex Stupak renovated this upscale taco-focused eatery to make it more casual: gone were the elegant tables and chairs, replaced by high-top tables; gone were the elevated takes on Mexican fare, substituted with large-portioned nachos and an excellent burger. The high-quality tacos and margaritas are still here, though. So is the friendly service. If you want to experience what Empellón was like for the first decade of its existence, head to the uptown location on Madison Avenue and 53rd Street.

Authentic and flavorful contemporary Mexican food, perfectly mixed cocktails, and amiable staff define this cozy restaurant, overseen by award-winning chef and cookbook author Roberto Santibañez. While happy hours at the bar are popular, stay for dinner to enjoy enchiladas with mole, lump crab croquettes with avocado serrano sauce, or poblano peppers with roasted-tomato chipotle sauce. The small space is always buzzing, plus there's backyard seating.

With colorful bottles of Jarritos (a Mexican soft drink) lining the window and sepia-toned photographs adorning the yellow walls, this small, no-frills café named after the Mayan calendar serves Mexican breakfast all day, as well as an array of tacos, tortas (sandwiches), Mexican coffee (made with star anise, cinnamon, and piloncillo, or Mexican brown sugar), chilaquiles (a breakfast dish made with fried corn tortillas and eggs), and aqua frescas. You can also order beer, cocktails, or a michelada to enjoy in the covered patio out front.

Anchoring a downtown corner under a bright neon sign, La Esquina looks like just a fast-food taqueria, with cheap tacos, but it's actually three superb south-of-the-border spots in one, including a trendy basement restaurant with a party atmosphere. The basement functions like a Mexican speakeasy, accessible through an unmarked door just inside the ground-floor taqueria.

Named after the Spanish word for “home,” this humble, progressive-thinking Mexican eatery not only welcomes foodies looking for authentic, homestyle Oaxacan fare, but displaced refugees. It's owned and operated by an undocumented family after all, who proudly shares their culinary talents to the South Bronx community. The menu has familiar handheld items, but indulge on platters like molcajete (mole with chorizo, cheese, rice, and beans, and tortillas), or a poblano chile relleno (stuffed pepper) with cheese, coated in egg batter.

The upscale-hacienda appearance of this justifiably popular restaurant showcases some of the best Mexican food in the city, courtesy of Mexican chef Richard Sandoval. Begin with a fresh mango mojito, then tuck into a delicious roasted corn soup with huitlacoche (a corn fungus) viniagrette, or adobo grilled chicken tacos with tomatillo salsa or tacos with hongos (mushrooms). Next, indulge in birria (stew) made with adobo braised, tender roasted pork short rib. The daily happy hour, only at the bar and lounge, gets busy with specials on house margaritas, wines, and Mexican beers along with tacos, nachos and other small plates. The bottomless brunch on weekends can get loud, but with unlimited cocktails and dishes you can see why.

Originating in Manhattan in 1984, this warm Mexican restaurant now has outlets in eight states. The two-story Lincoln Center location features a small, yet lively bar where the house specialty, the frozen pomegranate margarita, and freshly made guacamole are musts; dishes to try include the enchiladas Suizas in a creamy tomatillo sauce. If you're staying for more than drinks and appetizers, head for a table upstairs past the giant blue tile waterfall lined with figures of divers.

This small, mostly outdoor eatery feels more like a beach destination oasis than a New York City dining spot. For the perfect postbeach pit stop, order some Mexican-style street tacos (try the fried fish) and a cold cerveza, and bask in the chill surfer vibes as the sun goes down.

The bi-level eatery at this bustling Mexican cantina just off Broadway has a festive vibe, with several seating options: bar, balcony, main dining room, and ceviche bar. Foodies flock here for three types of guacamole (traditional, fruited, and spicy), well-executed ceviches, Mexico City–style tacos with Negra Modelo–braised brisket, and quesadillas with black truffle and huitlacoche (a corn fungus known as “the Mexican truffle”). There's an extensive tequila selection—upward of 100 brands. Another Toloache location is on the Upper East Side. Reservations are recommended, especially around pretheater dinner time.