Best Mexican Restaurants in Midtown-Times Square
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Los Tacos No.1
Tijuana-style adobada carved to order with tortillas made all day.
Notable Picks
8.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Trendy Table Hotspots
A high-velocity counter taqueria that nails Tijuana-style classics with disciplined execution and nonstop turnover that keeps everything fresh. The adobada and carne asada tacos are the clear anchors, with handmade tortillas and clean, punchy salsas. Expect a tight, standing-room vibe and a quick but friendly flow designed for repeat bites, not lingering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Adobada taco, Carne asada taco, Quesadilla with adobada
What makes it special: Tijuana-style adobada carved to order with tortillas made all day.
8.3
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
A polished, full-service Mexican spot built for Midtown crowds, with reliably strong tacos and a deep agave program. The menu leans modern but keeps flavors grounded—think well-seasoned steak and shrimp tacos, plus a guac bar that’s actually worth ordering. Best for a longer sit, cocktails, and pre-show pacing rather than a sprint meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak tacos, Baja fish tacos, Guacamole trio
What makes it special: Guac bar + mezcal focus paired with dependable Midtown-friendly tacos.
8.2
Amor Loco brings a polished, Theater District-friendly take on Mexican comfort food with strong margarita energy. The menu blends classics with a little NYC flair—nachos, enchiladas, shrimp tacos—served in a colorful, upbeat room. It’s an easy pick for groups who want festive without committing to a full rooftop party.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos de camarones, Enchiladas suizas, Sopa de tortilla
What makes it special: Broadway-adjacent Mexican with a cocktail-forward, festive feel.
#4
El Rey Tacos
8.1
El Rey Tacos, from the Casa Carmen team, brings Mexico City–style tacos and panuchos to the heart of Times Square with handmade tortillas and focused fillings. It feels like a serious taqueria hiding in a tourist zone, drawing office workers and food-obsessed locals alongside theatergoers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Panucho Yucateco, Rajas con crema taco, Carne asada taco
What makes it special: A Mexico City–driven taco counter from the Casa Carmen team in Times Square.
#5
Lolita
8
A modern Mexican cocktail bar‑restaurant mixing tacos and agave‑forward drinks in a mood‑forward setting that fits Midtown nightlife. Good for pre‑show drinks or a casual dinner with friends, with vegetarian and pescatarian options. The ambiance leans more lounge‑bar than casual taqueria, but food remains solid and reasonably priced. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish taco, Vegetarian enchilada, House guacamole
What makes it special: Tacos and cocktails in a stylish Midtown lounge.
8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A fast-casual taqueria built for Midtown reliability: efficient ordering, steady portions, and a menu that’s hard to mess up when you’re on a schedule. Best play is a burrito or bowl with a clean protein choice, then keep toppings tight so the flavors don’t blur.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas burrito, Grilled chicken tacos, Chips & guacamole
What makes it special: Fast-casual Mexican that stays consistent under Midtown volume.
Worthy Picks
7.6
Mexicue’s Midtown outpost turns its barbecue-meets-Mexican concept into a lively Broadway bar for tacos, bowls, and strong margaritas. It’s less about purist regional Mexican and more about fun, shareable plates and happy hour energy a short walk from Bryant Park.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burnt ends chili queso, Nashville hot chicken tacos, Brisket or carnitas bowls
What makes it special: Smoked meats, tacos, and cocktails blend barbecue and Mexican flavors in a buzzy Midtown bar.