Best Mexican Restaurants in SOMA
10 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
El Pípila
Handmade tortillas and regionally rooted recipes elevate simple tacos.
Notable Picks
#1
El Pípila
8.5
Daytime counter spotlighting Guanajuato flavors with handmade tortillas and bright salsas. Tacos are clean and focused, with careful seasoning and fresh masa texture.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas tacos on handmade tortillas, Pollo en salsa verde taco, Quesabirria (limited availability)
What Makes it Special: Handmade tortillas and regionally rooted recipes elevate simple tacos.
#2
Californios
8.3
The only two-Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant in the United States, where Chef Val Cantú weaves Mexican and Californian influences into a 16-course tasting menu featuring mezcal-battered black cod tostadas and house-made sourdough tortillas. Recent visitors report delicious food with well-thought-out execution, though the nearly five-hour dinner length and $325 price point can test patience. Service has drawn mixed reviews, suggesting the experience varies by evening.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mezcal-Battered Black Cod Tostada with Huitlacoche Crema, Smoked Quail in House Mole with Heirloom Corn Tortilla, Caviar-Topped Plantain Tostada
What Makes it Special: The only two-Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant in the United States, where Chef Val Cantú elevates Mexican cuisine through a 16-course seasonal tasting menu.
8
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Happy Hour Hotspots
Trendy Table Hotspots
Large Tex-Mex venue near Civic Center known for mesquite-grilled fajitas, puffy tacos, and strong margaritas. It’s a convenient pick for groups and pre-show meals with efficient pacing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Puffy tacos, Mesquite-grilled fajitas, Enchiladas verdes
What Makes it Special: Spacious Tex-Mex setup with mesquite grill and crowd-friendly pacing.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Cocktail-forward SoMa spot serving Mexican street-food standards with weekday promos and a popular happy hour. It’s a reliable choice for tacos and drinks before shows along the 9th & Folsom corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Carne asada tacos, Veggie/Meat Nacho Wednesday
What Makes it Special: Mixes strong agave cocktails with street-food tacos and weekly deals.
7.9
Family-run Mexican sports bar with a daily 3–7pm happy hour and Jalisco-leaning plates, including taco combos. TVs, casual service, and hearty portions fit game-day meetups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taco plate (choice of meat), Flautas, Birria seca
What Makes it Special: Newer SoMa cantina with daily HH and taco plates under $20.
7.8
Casual counter-service shop serving Mexico City-style tacos until 10pm nightly. Useful for a quick bite before or after a Mid-Market show when you want al pastor off the trompo and straightforward salsas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor Tacos, Carne Asada Tacos, Fish Tacos
What Makes it Special: Straightforward tacos turned fast with consistent pricing.
7.8
Compact Mid-Market taqueria turning out Mission-style burritos and tacos with a salsa bar and quick service. It’s a dependable downtown stop for a fast, filling meal under $15.
Must-Try Dishes:
Super al pastor burrito, Suiza quesadilla, Carne asada tacos
What Makes it Special: Classic Mission-style burritos with speedy counter service downtown.
7.8
Neighborhood bar running all-day Taco Tuesday with HH drink pricing and simple street-style tacos. Casual counter service and TVs make it an easy, budget stop near the Hall of Justice.
Must-Try Dishes:
Street tacos (chicken or beef), Carnitas sliders, Crunchy tacos
What Makes it Special: All-day Taco Tuesday with HH drinks at wallet-friendly prices.
7.7
Neighborhood counter-service taqueria delivering hefty burritos, tacos, and late hours for the Folsom corridor. Portions are generous and the menu has plenty of veggie options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor super burrito, Carne asada tacos, Quesadilla suiza
What Makes it Special: Big portions, late hours, and a broad menu for every craving.
7.7
Weekday food truck near the courthouse and Costco serving breakfast and classic burritos from early morning. It’s a Central SoMa staple for fast, hearty wraps on the go.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Burrito (bacon or chorizo), Carne Asada Burrito, Chile Verde Burrito
What Makes it Special: Early-morning breakfast burritos from a longstanding weekday truck.