Best Mexican Restaurants in Long Island City (11101)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Casa Enrique
Michelin-recognized Mexican cooking anchored by mole, braises, and bigger plates.
Notable Picks
#1
Casa Enrique
8.8
A long-running LIC destination for regionally rooted Mexican cooking that leans into big, slow-cooked plates as much as tacos. The room stays energetic, and the kitchen’s best dishes reward ordering beyond the basics—think mole, braises, and seafood with deep chile-driven flavor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole de Piaxtla, Braised lamb shank, Branzino “al pastor”
What makes it special: Michelin-recognized Mexican cooking anchored by mole, braises, and bigger plates.
8.3
A modern, cocktails-friendly Mexican spot that works best as a shareable-plates night—crispy snacks, queso, and tacos built for mixing and matching. It’s a strong pick when you want a lively room and a menu that can pivot from casual bites to a fuller dinner flow.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria tacos, Esquites de la casa, Chipotle queso & chips
What makes it special: Shareable, bar-forward Mexican built around tacos, queso, and snackable sides.
8.1
A bright, high-traffic taqueria that’s most reliable when you keep the order simple: a couple tacos, one side, and a drink. It’s not trying to be a deep-cut regional specialist, but it consistently delivers crowd-pleasing flavors with fast, predictable pacing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef birria taco, Crispy fish taco, Corn esquites
What makes it special: A polished, high-volume taco shop with dependable favorites and fast flow.
Worthy Picks
#4
MÉXOLOGY
7.8
A flexible counter-style Mexican option where the build-your-format approach (tacos, bowls, salads, burritos) makes it easy to dial in what you want. The strongest move is picking one standout protein and keeping the add-ons clean so the salsa and seasoning do the work.
Must-Try Dishes:
Skirt steak taco, Pork al pastor taco, Chicken tortilla soup
What makes it special: Choose-your-format tacos and bowls that fit fast lunches and solo meals.
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Comfort Food Classics
A no-frills neighborhood taqueria built for quick, satisfying Mexican comfort—tacos, burritos, and plates that hit hardest when you lean into classic proteins. It’s the kind of spot that works best as a repeatable weeknight order rather than a special-occasion destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Carnitas burrito, Chilaquiles
What makes it special: Fast, affordable tacos and burritos that stay reliably satisfying.
7.6
A breakfast-to-dinner Mexican cafe where the menu shines brightest on hearty morning plates and straightforward tacos. It’s not a scene spot—more of a practical neighborhood room where generous portions and comfort-forward flavors are the reason to come back.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilaquiles with eggs, Shrimp tacos, Breakfast burrito
What makes it special: All-day Mexican cafe energy with standout chilaquiles and filling plates.
7.5
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Business Lunch Power Players
A small, practical counter-style Mexican option near Court Square that plays best as a grab-and-go breakfast or quick lunch. It’s the kind of place you use as a reliable routine stop—simple builds, fast turnaround, and no need for a long sit-down.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast burrito, Chicken quesadilla, Tacos with rice and beans
What makes it special: Fast, straightforward Mexican food steps from Court Square transit.