Best Group Dining Mexican Restaurants in Downtown LA
4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
El Patroncito Mexican Cuisine
A from-scratch, all-day menu where hefty breakfast and wet burritos meet homey plates and seafood.
Notable Picks
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
El Patroncito is a full-service spot where breakfast burritos, wet burritos, and seafood plates all share equal billing, backed by a loyal local following and strong recent reviews. Portions are big, salsas are bright, and the all-day menu makes it a reliable stop whether you’re rolling in for eggs and chilaquiles or a molcajete and a saucy burrito dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Burrito, Wet Burrito Red Salsa, Molcajete for Two
What Makes it Special: A from-scratch, all-day menu where hefty breakfast and wet burritos meet homey plates and seafood.
8.5
This downtown outpost of LA’s 1923-born El Cholo tradition serves classic enchiladas, fajitas, and green corn tamales in a festive, margarita-fueled setting. Large portions, strong drinks, and decades of loyal fans make it a go-to for groups before or after games at LA Live.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sonora-style enchilada with fried egg, Green corn tamales, Filet mignon or mariscos enchiladas
What Makes it Special: Downtown branch of a century-old LA Mexican institution with classic plates.
#3
Bar Amá
8.4
Josef Centeno’s downtown Tex-Mex cantina balances comfort and craft, with puffy tacos, borracho beans, and mole-leaning plates that feel personal rather than performative. The room stays lively without losing warmth, and the menu rewards both quick bites and full dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Puffy tacos with lengua carnitas, Menudo, Super nachos
What Makes it Special: Chef-driven Tex-Mex with puffy tacos as the signature.
8.2
A Wilshire-front cantina with a real downtown happy-hour pulse, where tacos are the main event and margaritas keep the room humming. The menu leans classic-to-modern Mexican, and the taco lineup holds up whether you’re here for after-work bites or a late-night reset. Expect lively energy, steady crowds, and a bar-driven flow that suits sharing plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Quesabirria tacos, House margarita
What Makes it Special: A bar-first DTLA cantina where tacos and margaritas anchor a true happy hour.