Best Mexican Restaurants in East Village (10003)
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
La Palapa Cocina Mexicana
A veteran East Village kitchen for Mexico City–style classics.
Notable Picks
8.4
A long-running St. Mark’s institution, La Palapa delivers Mexico City–leaning home cooking alongside a deep margarita and mezcal bench. The menu reads classic but lands with confidence: hearty stews, expertly grilled proteins, and salsas that taste made, not scooped. It’s the kind of reliable, full-service dinner you bring out-of-towners to without overthinking it.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole poblano chicken, Cochinita pibil tacos, House margarita flight
What makes it special: A veteran East Village kitchen for Mexico City–style classics.
#2
Yellow Rose
8.3
Yellow Rose brings a Texas-rooted lens to Mexican cooking, with standout flour tortillas and a tight menu that shines in the taco lane. Expect rich guisados, smoky salsas, and a brunch that feels like a neighborhood ritual. It’s casual, busy, and best when you lean into the beefier, saucier fillings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne guisada taco, Bean & cheese taco with homemade flour tortilla, Chips with vegan queso
What makes it special: Texas-style tacos built on excellent house flour tortillas.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Electric Burrito is a compact San Diego–style shop built for takeout and fast refuels. Burritos are hefty, fries-in-the-wrap is a house signature, and the menu keeps things simple with big flavor payoff. Best for a casual grab-and-go that still feels made to order.
Must-Try Dishes:
California burrito, Breakfast burrito with fries, Birria taco special
What makes it special: San Diego burritos with fries, East Village pace.
#4
PlantMade
7.7
PlantMade is a plant-based East Village spot that leans Mexican in spirit, with tacos and bowls built around well-seasoned vegan proteins and bright salsas. The cooking is clean and crowd-pleasing, and the menu is friendly for gluten-free diners seeking a lighter take on familiar flavors. It’s a solid choice when you want Mexican-adjacent comfort without the heaviness.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria-style vegan tacos, Mushroom al pastor burrito, Churro bites with chocolate
What makes it special: Vegan Mexican comfort food with strong gluten-free coverage.
#5
Jo’s Taco
7.7
Jo’s Taco is a tiny counter spot on 14th Street doing a short list of well-executed tacos and tortas. The tortillas are supple, fillings are boldly seasoned, and the place moves quickly even when busy. It’s an easy “why isn’t this more famous?” stop for a no-frills taco fix.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor taco, Birria taco, Carne asada torta
What makes it special: Small-batch tacos with a tight, flavorful menu.
#6
Rosie’s
7.6
Rosie’s is a lively East Village cantina where margaritas and a big dining room set the tone as much as the food. The menu sticks to approachable classics—tacos, guac, mole—done competently, with the tortillas often being the highlight. Come here for a fun sit-down night with drinks in the mix.
Must-Try Dishes:
Queso fundido with chorizo, Half chicken mole poblano, Seasonal margarita
What makes it special: Big, buzzy cantina energy with strong margaritas.