Best Instagram Worthy Mexican Restaurants in Los Angeles
33 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
El Ruso
Handmade Sonoran tortillas from Tijuana flour with perfectly grilled meats
Notable Picks
#1
El Ruso
8.9
Featured on Netflix's Taco Chronicles and Food & Wine's Best New Restaurant 2020, this Sonoran-style truck crafts handmade flour tortillas from Tijuana-sourced flour. The mesquite-grilled carne asada and massive sobaqueras burritos showcase owner Walter Soto's commitment to authentic border flavors with meats that develop serious char.
Must-Try Dishes:
Muñeco Combo Taco, Chile Colorado Burrito, Carne Asada Taco
What Makes it Special: Handmade Sonoran tortillas from Tijuana flour with perfectly grilled meats
#2
El Taurino
8.9
An LA late-night legend since 1991, El Taurino excels at bold, richly flavored tacos and burritos, particularly their pork-heavy specialties. The mural-adorned dining room stays bustling well past midnight, making it a staple for both locals and night-shift workers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor Taco, Carnitas Burrito, Red Salsa Tacos
What Makes it Special: Open till 3 AM with iconic salsas and carne options.
8.9
A modern, upscale Mexican-inspired plant-based restaurant with vibrant, creative dishes that highlight seasonal produce. Known for their fresh, flavor-packed tacos and bowls.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jackfruit Tacos, Mole Enchiladas, Cauliflower Ceviche
What Makes it Special: Plant-based Mexican cuisine with bold flavors and beautiful presentation.
#4
Viaje
8.9
Contemporary Mexican restaurant from Baja Fish Tacos co-founder Julio Gutierrez brings multiregional Mexican cuisine to Belmont Shore. Chef Ricardo de la Vega executes refined dishes like Barbacoa de Cordero and octopus alongside craft cocktails with housemade ingredients in a modern bohemian setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Barbacoa de Cordero, Octopus, Ceviche
What Makes it Special: Chef-driven multiregional Mexican with modern techniques since 2022
8.7
A vibrant, family-run Oaxacan institution, Guelaguetza pairs live music with a legendary array of moles—showcased in their signature Festival de Moles. Locals return for the festive atmosphere, mezcal cocktails, and consistent excellence honed since 1994.
Must-Try Dishes:
Festival de Moles, Tlayuda Oaxaqueña, Chapulines (Grasshoppers)
What Makes it Special: Celebrated Oaxacan moles and live music in a festive setting.
8.7
Opened in 2025 inside Ovation Hollywood, La Popular brings a polished Mexico City–style dining room and bar to the Hollywood & Highland complex. While tacos and agave cocktails headline, hefty burritos and a brunch-ready breakfast burrito give visitors a more composed, sit-down burrito experience with views toward the Hollywood Sign.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria burrito, Carnitas burrito, Breakfast burrito
What Makes it Special: Modern CDMX-inspired dining with refined burritos and agave-focused cocktails.
8.6
Perched atop Level 8 across from Crypto.com Arena, Brown Sheep does chef-driven tacos on a rooftop terrace that runs deep into the night. Expect creative fillings like mushroom chicharron and crispy carnitas, cocktails from the adjacent bars, and a lively DJ-fueled scene that feels more night-out than taqueria.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mushroom chicharron taco, Carnitas taco, Carne asada taco
What Makes it Special: Rooftop gourmet taco truck by chef Ray Garcia with nightclub energy.
#8
Casa Madera
8.6
High-energy fine dining concept celebrating Mexico's Riviera Maya through elevated coastal cuisine and sensory experiences. From Noble 33 hospitality group, this sophisticated venue combines traditional Mexican flavors with contemporary presentation and theatrical service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seabass Ceviche, Wagyu Carne Asada, Tres Leches Reimagined
What Makes it Special: Immersive dining experience with design-driven beachside Mexican Riviera atmosphere
#9
Ka'teen
8.6
Hidden behind a foliage-lined entrance off Selma, Ka’teen opens into a lantern-lit jungle courtyard that feels far from the bustle of Hollywood Boulevard. Chef Wes Avila’s Yucatán-inspired plates, from cochinita pibil to whole grilled branzino, pair with mezcal-heavy cocktails and a club-adjacent soundtrack. It’s built for scene-y dinners where food and atmosphere share top billing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cochinita pibil, Whole grilled branzino, Charred street corn or papas
What Makes it Special: A lush, Tulum-style courtyard with Yucatán cooking and party-ready cocktails.
8.5
Kalaveras brings a fresh, modern vibe to Mexican Happy Hour with creative cocktails, colorful decor, and a menu spanning street tacos to birria quesadillas. Their Happy Hour offers excellent value and a stylish crowd. Standout choices include tacos gobernador, birria tacos, and their signature churro sandwich dessert.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesabirria Tacos, Churro Sandwich, Tacos Gobernador
What Makes it Special: Modern Mexican spot with lively Happy Hour and colorful presentations.
#11
Mírate
8.5
This stunning three-story hideaway features a tree-towering courtyard and award-winning cocktails from bar director Maxwell Reis alongside Chef Alan Sanz's Baja-inspired menu. The mezcaleria showcases rare agave spirits and pre-Hispanic fermented beverages, while dishes like aguachile tatemado and short rib birria reveal sophisticated technique in a lush, vine-covered setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Aguachile Tatemado, Fried Chicken Taco, Short Rib Birria
What Makes it Special: Ranked #12 on 50 Best Bars North America 2025 with museum-quality cocktails
#12
A Tí
8.4
Modern Mexican bar from former Bestia chef de cuisine Andrew Ponce, serving inventive tacos that blend traditional Mexican flavors with LA's multicultural influences. Creative dishes like Japanese sweet potato tacos and duck confit with date mole showcase culinary innovation on blue corn tortillas, accompanied by craft cocktails including yuzu margaritas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sweet Potato Taco, Al Pastor with Cinnamon Pineapple, Duck Mole
What Makes it Special: Bestia alum's inventive fusion of Mexican tradition with global ingredients
#13
Loqui
8.4
Elevated street food inspired by Baja and the Yucatan, with achiote-marinated proteins and house-made tortillas. The fast-casual format belies the quality ingredients and careful preparation, delivering transportive flavors in bowls and tacos that showcase regional Mexican cuisine with LA polish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Achiote Chicken Taco, Spicy Garlic Shrimp Bowl, Cochinita Pibil Taco
What Makes it Special: Traditional Mexican ingredients from Baja and Yucatan with elevated fast-casual execution
#14
Mama Por Dios
8.4
A high-energy modern Mexican room that blends dinner-and-a-show vibes with a cocktail-forward happy hour. The kitchen leans luxe—seafood, steaks, and bold sauces—while the bar anchors the experience with mezcal and margarita builds that keep the crowd rolling in before the nightlife spike.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster enchiladas, Birria quesatacos, Signature mezcal margarita
What Makes it Special: DTLA’s nightlife-leaning Mexican happy hour with showy cocktails.
#15
The Hideaway
8.4
This rooftop Mexican steakhouse inside Rodeo Collection blends premium cuts with traditional Mexican flavors, offering margarita-making classes and an extensive tequila collection. The hidden gem features intimate cabanas, a stunning outdoor patio, and live entertainment that transforms dinner into an experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wagyu Carne Asada, Lobster Enchiladas, Tableside Guacamole
What Makes it Special: Beverly Hills' only rooftop Mexican steakhouse with craft margarita classes
8.4
Xecora elevates regional Mexican cuisine with vibrant Huichol-inspired decor and charcoal-grilled specialties. Dishes like octopus tacos and aguachile showcase their emphasis on seafood, gourmet plating, and top-shelf mixology, drawing foodies seeking modern Mexican in a stylish setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Octopus Taco, Aguachile, Grilled Steak with Handmade Tortillas
What Makes it Special: Showcases Mexican gastronomy and Huichol culture in every detail.
#17
El Flamin Taco
8.3
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Bright red food truck with neon signage serving al pastor from a flaming trompo alongside extensive meat and vegetarian options. Open late for the Echo Park crowd, with fresh toppings including pico de gallo, pickled onions, and multiple house-made salsas that complement their tender, well-seasoned proteins.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor Taco, Chicharron Taco, California Burrito
What Makes it Special: Spinning al pastor trompo and extensive vegetarian menu for diverse crowds
A 25-year-old food truck running a tight seafood operation where the taco dorado de camarón—shrimp folded into a crispy-fried tortilla—set the template that dozens of imitators still chase across LA. The aguachile and ceviches hold their own against full-service mariscos restaurants at street-food prices, which is why the line never really stopped forming. Cash only, no frills, just precise execution on a short menu that rewards repeat visits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taco Dorado de Camarón, Tostada Poseidón, Aguachile Rojo
What Makes it Special: Jonathan Gold-anointed food truck turning out LA's most iconic fried shrimp taco since 2001, with seafood so fresh the ceviche and aguachile compete with sit-down mariscos spots at a fraction of the price.
#19
Blue Plate Taco
8.2
This beachside Baja-meets-Santa Monica spot features ocean views, handmade tortillas made fresh all day, and a coastal approach to Mexican cuisine. Happy hour brings discounted margaritas and sustainable, organic ingredients prepared with California flair.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja Fish Tacos, Short Rib Tacos, Lobster Taco
What Makes it Special: Ocean views with organic, sustainably-sourced ingredients
#20
Bee Taqueria
8.1
Vibes:
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Hidden Gems Heaven
Chef Alex Carrasco channels his Scratch Bar and Osteria Mozza training into a reservation-only taco omakase built around Mexico City flavors — no menu, no substitutions, just a fixed sequence of composed bites like beet tinga and ceviche tostadas. The format rewards diners who want to hand over control and eat whatever the kitchen is excited about that night. A small outdoor setup in Jefferson Park with a four-space lot, so plan on street parking and an appetite for surprise.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tinga Betabel (Beet Tinga Taco), Ceviche Tostada, Arrachera Asada Taco
What Makes it Special: Chef Alex Carrasco (Scratch Bar, Osteria Mozza) created LA's first taco omakase — a reservation-only, no-substitutions chef's tasting built around Mexico City flavors
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Instagram Worthy Wonders
A women-owned street stand in the Piñata District that flash-fries then slow-simmers Michoacán-style carnitas, pressing fresh corn tortillas to order for each taco. The operation runs tight—pick your cut at the counter, eat standing or in the car, and expect outdoor boulevard noise with occasional weekend banda music from the adjacent lot. Best early in the day when the pork is freshest and the line is short.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas Tacos, Costilla (Rib Cut), Cueritos (Pork Skin)
What Makes it Special: Women-owned stand that flash-fries then slow-simmers Michoacán-style carnitas and presses fresh corn tortillas to order for every taco
#22
LA Cha Cha Chá
8.1
This vibrant Mexican rooftop brings Acapulco vibes to downtown with palm groves, string lights and a 11,600-square-foot terrace overlooking the Arts District. Weekend brunch features inventive dishes like chorizo eggs in purgatory and sope benedict alongside mezcal-forward cocktails.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chorizo Eggs in Purgatory, Sope Benedict, Tostada & Ceviche
What Makes it Special: Michelin Plate 2022 rooftop oasis with tropical Mexico City-inspired atmosphere
#23
Chulita
8
Alta California modern Mexican built around a plant-forward kitchen that treats roasted cauliflower and oyster mushroom tacos with the same seriousness as its Creekstone hanger steak, all backed by a deep mezcal and tequila program. The West Adams location draws groups who want to split shareable plates across dietary lines without anyone feeling like they got the B-menu. Expect a brunch-to-happy-hour rhythm where the cocktail list does as much work as the food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted Cauliflower Tacos, Tres Leches Cassava Waffle, Creekstone Natural Hanger Steak Tacos
What Makes it Special: Alta California modern Mexican with an extensive mezcal and tequila bar and a plant-forward menu that gives vegan dishes equal billing
#24
HomeState
8
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Instagram Worthy Wonders
This Texas-inspired breakfast spot brings queso-topped breakfast tacos and kolaches to Los Feliz with genuine Hill Country hospitality. The colorful tacos filled with scrambled eggs, brisket, and fresh pico photograph beautifully against the casual counter-service setting. Lines form early for the authentic breakfast tacos that taste like Austin transplanted to Hollywood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Tacos, Queso, Kolaches
What Makes it Special: Authentic Texas breakfast tacos rarely found on West Coast
#25
Loqui
8
A Tartine Bakery alum hand-rolls sourdough flour tortillas to order at this Platform LA counter, filling them with Yucatan-style cochinita pibil and chile-oil mushrooms that reward anyone who pays attention to the tortilla as much as the filling. The breezy outdoor setting at the shopping complex works well for a quick, focused meal where the craft is in the dough itself.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sourdough Flour Tortillas, Pork Cochinita Taco, Mushroom Taco
What Makes it Special: A Tartine Bakery alum hand-rolls sourdough-based flour tortillas to order, wrapping Yucatan-style cochinita pibil and chile-oil mushrooms at a breezy Platform LA counter
#26
Umbrella Taco
8
Umbrella Taco is a compact Melrose counter spot for chef-y tacos, salsas, and cocktails from the adjoining Umbrella bar. Locals come for punchy adobada and fish tacos that feel more crafted than typical late-night street options while still staying casual and fast.
Must-Try Dishes:
Adobada taco, Beer-battered fish taco, Carnitas taco
What Makes it Special: Modern, bar-adjacent taqueria with focused, chef-y tacos.
Worthy Picks
#27
Blue Burro
7.9
Modern fast-casual concept combining Baja ranch traditions with efficient service since 2019. Made-from-scratch salsas, all-day breakfast burritos, and creative options like Surf-N-Turf Quesadilla set this apart from typical quick-service Mexican. Fresh ingredients and house-made aguas frescas keep quality high despite rapid service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Burrito, Surf-N-Turf Fries, Breakfast Burrito
What Makes it Special: Fast-casual format with scratch-made salsas and all-day breakfast
#28
Trejo's Tacos
7.9
Danny Trejo's celebrity-backed taqueria brings creative fusion tacos with bold flavors and quality ingredients to downtown Santa Monica. The menu features innovative combinations like Korean BBQ and vegan cauliflower options alongside traditional preparations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Asada, Blackened Salmon Taco, Cauliflower Taco
What Makes it Special: Celebrity chef Danny Trejo's creative fusion tacos
#29
Café Tondo
7.8
A Mediterranean-Latin café-bar in Chinatown that functions as much as a cultural venue as a restaurant, with weekly jazz and bolero nights spilling into an outdoor parking-lot stage. The kitchen runs a Latin-leaning menu anchored by milanesa de pollo and ceviche de camarón, served in a space where metro trains overhead and salsa dancers on the patio set the tempo. It draws date-night couples and creatives who want dinner and a show in the same seat.
Must-Try Dishes:
Milanesa de Pollo, Pan de Elote, Tuna Tostada
What Makes it Special: Mediterranean-Latin café-bar in Chinatown doubling as a cultural venue with weekly jazz and bolero nights
7.7
Mexico City-inspired taquería from the Tu Madre team featuring mesquite charcoal-grilled meats, legendary asada fries, and signature housemade guacamoles. Opened in 2024 next to the Los Feliz Theatre, this walk-up counter spot emphasizes fresh ingredients and bold smoky flavors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Taco, Asada Fries with garlic crema, Birria Burrito
What Makes it Special: Charcoal-grilled tacos with unique guacamole varieties and fresh aguas frescas
#31
Mi Corazon
7.7
This modern mexi-goth spot opened in 2012 serves nuevo-tradicional cuisine using organic chicken, grass-fed beef, and wild-caught seafood in a striking atmosphere with día de los muertos décor. Daily happy hour runs Monday-Friday 4-7pm, featuring over 60 tequilas and mezcals from family-owned farms alongside vegan-friendly menu options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegan Enchiladas, Pozole Verde, Mole Enchiladas
What Makes it Special: Nuevo-tradicional approach with extensive tequila selection and vegan options
#32
Butterfly
7.6
José Andrés Group's rooftop taco concept atop The Shay Hotel brings polished small plates and agave cocktails to Culver City's skyline. The Baja California fish tacos and coconut ceviche deliver chef-driven technique, though the setting and celebrity pedigree drive the experience as much as the food itself.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja California Taco, Coconut Ceviche, Queso Fundido con Tequila
What Makes it Special: Celebrity chef pedigree meets rooftop setting at boutique hotel
#33
Tacolina
7.5
Baja California-inspired restaurant from Blue Plate Taco featuring farm-to-table ingredients in a lush garden setting. Chef Jonathan Juarez's menu includes organic chicken tacos, seasonal salads, and craft cocktails, though the stunning verdant patio outshines the food execution.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Taquitos, Grilled Chicken Tacos, Caesar Salad
What Makes it Special: One of LA's most beautiful outdoor dining patios