The Hideaway
Los Angeles boasts a Mexican restaurant scene unlike anywhere else in the country. From traditional cuisine to mariscos destinations, vegan eateries and steakhouses, our city has it all. Read on for Modern Luxury’s picks for the best Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles.
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Website/ 3655 S Grand Ave 90007
A 2024 Michelin star recipient and James Beard Award nominee, this Mexican seafood restaurant has earned a renowned reputation thanks to its commitment to local ingredients, bold flavors and unpretentious presentation. Holbox wows with its rotating menu of dishes like sopa de mariscos, Santa Barbara sea urchin and baja bay scallop ceviche, aguachile de camarón with shrimp and a variety of tacos. Pair with your choice of agua fresca.
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Website/ 3014 W Olympic Blvd 90006
Since 1994, this James Beard Award-winning restaurant has been treating Angelenos to Oaxacan feasts—the kind that even impressed the late, legendary L.A. food critic Jonathan Gold. Awash in bright colors and regularly soudtracked to live mariachi, the family-owned Guelaguetza is an inviting space, ideal for memorable meals with your own loved ones. Don’t skip out on the mole that made them famous.
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Website/ 826 N La Cienega Blvd 90069
MXO Steakhouse infuses La Cienega’s Restaurant Row with a lively restaurant experience distinguished by wood-fired Mexican cuisine showcasing California ingredients. A partnership between chef Wes Avila and restaurateur Giancarlo Pagani, the West Hollywood establishment wows diners with the likes of a stunning 20-ounce, bone-in ribeye; a vibrant lobster ceviche and rich Chocoflan.
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Website/ 7312 Beverly Blvd 90036
One of Los Angeles’ most historical restaurants, El Coyote has been opened just shy of a century and has been at its current Beverly Grove location for more than 70 years. It is perhaps best known for being the last restaurant Sharon Tate ate at in her life (hence her small, illustrated portrait on the restaurant exterior), but Angelenos really flock here for loaded plates of rice, beans, tacos, enchilades and tamales and rounds of strong margaritas.
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Website/ 421 N Rodeo Dr 90210
This Mexican steakhouse from Jeffrey Best brings the party to Beverly Hills. Tucked inside the Rodeo Collection, The Hideaway is fitting for celebrations, extravagant girl dinners and special date nights thanks to a buzzy atmosphere, decadent steaks and the enticing “push for tequila” buttons. Be sure to leave room for the añejo tequila-infused flan
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Website/ 13301 Ventura Blvd 91423
Located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, Casa Vega has been in operation for 65 years and doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon. The restaurant is set on Ventura Boulevard and has been one of the longest continuously family-owned restaurants in all of Los Angeles. Currently headed by Christina Vega, this spot is serving up authentic Mexican food in an invitingly warm atmosphere, a combination that’s sure to capture hearts and appetites.
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Website/ 812 E 3rd St 90013
It’s the restaurant giving a modern take on your favorite Mexican cuisine classics. At this Los Angeles hot spot, introduce your taste buds to the fresh flavors of tostada terraza, deviche de betabel or the tostada monumento. While the main course menu items are sure to bring you the satisfaction you desire, here, it’s really all about the dessert. Choose from treats such as the boñuelo, arroz con leche, flan de zanahoria, mazapán and café de olla, or try one of three shaved ice flavors. At the end of your visit to this L.A. find, you may literally want to do the cha-cha-
cha.
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Website/ 2132 E7th Pl 90021
Looking for an upscale Mexican dining experience? Look no further than Damian. Located in the Arts District, Damian is rooted in Mexican culture while tying in the seasonal produce of California. Book a reservation and start your dinner with the mussel escabeche and smoked clam, followed by carne asada or gordita, and finally, finish it off with toasted coconut or banana leaf flan. With a multitude of unique menu options and a moody, intimate atmosphere, Damian is definitely making our list of top Mexican restaurant stops.
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Website/ Various
Let’s talk Mexican food, but more specifically, let’s talk about the Mexican restaurant that’s been open since 1923. One of L.A.'s first Mexican restaurants, El Cholo, is rooted in rich history as it has been passed down through the generations all to end up where it is today, in the hands of Ron Salisburg. This menu has everything from house guacamole to handmade flour tortillas, and let’s not forget about the house favorite, green corn tamales. Looking to take the party with you? They’ve got you covered with margaritas to-go.
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Website/ Various
Two words: Flaming. Margaritas. Established in 1975, El Compadre specializes in showcasing “the fine foods of Mexico,” and they don’t lie. Along with the infamous flaming margarita, the restaurant also serves mixed cocktails, as well as imported and domestic beers and authentic dishes. Dine inside or on the patio while enjoying the flavors of classic Mexican cuisine through the crispy tacos, steak quesadilla or vagabundo. With a menu full of options for everyone to choose from, you’ll want to put the Sunset Boulevard and Echo Park locations on your to-do list.
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Website/ 8905 Melrose Ave 90069
Come for the plant-based Mexican cuisine, and stay for diffuser-free agave spirits. At Gracias Madre, we can assure you it’s always been about using locally-sourced, organic ingredients—whether you’re coming for dinner, lunch or a weekend brunch. Here, it’s never too early to raise a glass, and they’ve got you covered with just the right amount of sweetness and bubbles. The team at Gracias Madre honors the mother residing within our hearts, above us, within the earth and of course, in all those who nurture us. graciasmadre.co
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Website/ 10250 Santa Monica Blvd 90067
Calling all tequila lovers. At Javier’s, step into the rich heritage of elevated Mexican cuisine with a captivating ambiance to match. Sit around the bar to revel in hand-shaken margaritas and a vast collection of beer and fine wine, as well as many of the world’s finest spirits. Offering one of the West Coast’s largest selections of rare tequilas, Javier’s is doing it up right when it comes to drink service, but don’t worry, they’re not dropping the ball on bringing the authentic flavors of Mexico to you via their tasty menu. Their experience-inspired Mexican specialties are created with only the best and freshest ingredients available, because here, it’s about giving you the full package.
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Website/ Various
Everyone knows that the key to whipping up noteworthy Mexican cuisine is by tapping into your creative side, and Madre is doing just that. The restaurant is home to the broadest collection of mezcal in the United States—over 400 bottles of it, to be exact. Owner Ivan Vasquez is turning heads and taking names when it comes to the Los Angeles Mexican food cuisine. Aside from the sprawling mezcal selection, the restaurant also has an extensive menu to match. With three booming locations and a lively vibe, Madre is not missing a beat.
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Website/ Various
So named after a small community in the area we now know as Chinatown, Sonoratown has always kept one simple idea at the forefront: serve tacos in the style of San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora, and the restaurant is sticking to just that. The menu offers four choices of meat from the grill to pair with any of a number of items including a burrito, quesadilla, taco, lorenza and more. Centrally located in Downtown Los Angeles, this spot keeps dishing up classic takes on modern favorites.
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Website/ 4651 W Adams Blvd 90016
Brothers Juan, Manuel and Gerardo Anaya are proving that the fresh, authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine you’ve been craving are just around the corner. Based in the heart of Los Angeles, Taqueria Los Anaya boasts "the most traditional Mexican entrees you can find outside of Mexico.” Choose from menu items such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas and sopes, or for an authentic twist, have Taqueria Los Anaya cater your next event.
See also: 10 Must-Try Margaritas In Los Angeles
Photography by: Rob Stark for The Hideaway
