Diners' Choice: Mexican restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated 05 March 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Mexican cuisine in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Baja Betty's

4.9

4.9 (352)

$30 and under

Mexican

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

If you are in the mood for creative, Tex-Mex inspired dishes, the fun and atmosphere of Baja Betty's in San Diego, CA is for you. This popular eatery provides diners with a colorful and entertaining setting in which to savor a full array of dishes made from the freshest and most authentic ingredients.

The menu at Baja Betty's features many expected options, such as a comprehensive quesadilla menu and array of satisfying combination platters. However, diners can also enjoy a build your own burrito or bowl, an array of house specialties and tacos and some stunning signature margaritas to wash it all down. The menu at Baja Betty's also offers a long list of tequilas and mezcals, a full range of appetizers, nachos, soups, salads and the best Taco Tuesday in town!

Top review

Dined 2 days ago

Always love our trips to BB’s. Tonight was no exception. Dash our waiter was outstanding. He was attentive and fun.

El Agave

4.8

4.8 (2507)

$30 and under

Mexican

Old Town

About the restaurant

Experience the true flavor of Mexico at San Diego’s premier Mexican cuisine destination.
Established in 1996, El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria offers its patrons a unique dining setting within
the largest tequila museum in the United States – with over 3,000 tequilas on display – also
repeatedly voted the #1 tequila bar in the country. Nestled in historic Old Town, San Diego, it is the
perfect place to enjoy a business lunch, romantic date, rehearsal dinner or to simply relax and
unwind sipping find tequila with friends.

Top review

SchiekyVIP

Dined today

The bar tender mixes the best drinks! I had a “tequila mule” and a “Frida and Diego” and my wife had “La Rosita.” The food is so great I ordered the octopus appetizer and the cilantro soup and my wife had duck burritos and Salad. The names are simple. The flavors stay with you all night and on. The staff make it greater.

La Doña

4.7

4.7 (8)

$30 and under

Mexican

Point Loma

About the restaurant

Located just steps from the Pacific Ocean, La Doña brings vibrant Mexican flavors to the coast with fresh ingredients and a modern twist to Ocean Beach. From house-made classics to bold takes on traditional favorites, every bite is crafted with care and authenticity. Pair your meal with hand-crafted cocktails, a carefully curated selection of San Diego’s finest craft beers, or a refreshing classic Mexican cerveza. Whether you’re gathering for family dinner, toasting with friends, or simply savoring the moment, La Doña is where great food, good vibes, and unforgettable memories come together.

Top review

TiffanyP

Dined 5 days ago

Yummy good and great staff! We had the canela waffles and they were so good

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Crudo Ceviche & Oyster Bar

4.7

4.7 (195)

$30 and under

Mexican

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Authentic Baja-style, ceviche, and oyster restaurant. Unique tostadas, oysters, tiradito, clams

Top review

GregVIP

Dined on 5 Mar 2025

We had such a great experience there. The good is amazing. And the service is right on point. Our server was amazing. I wish I could remember his name, younger guy in great shape. We will definitely be back

Cocina de Barrio

4.7

4.7 (428)

$30 and under

Mexican

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

*Brunch hours are on a walk-in basis only.
Thank you for your cooperation & support during this time!

Cocina de Barrio by Chef Jose J. Flores

Bienvenidos a Cocina de Barrio, the newest modern-urban Mexican restaurant located in Hillcrest, San Diego! We are proud to feature the culinary richness of Oaxaca as well as other Mexican regions. Stop by and enjoy our bar stocked with plenty tequila and mezcal selections, MUCHA cerveza, and wines sourced from Valle Guadalupe.

Don't forget to join us during our daily brunch (where we add a Mexican kick) and our happy hour every Tuesday-Friday from 3-5pm! Stay Chido!

Top review

AbbyVIP

Dined on 16 Feb 2025

Really good food and drinks! A quick meal because we were short on time, it was easy to get a reservation. I’ve also been here for brunch and it was just as delicious! Definitely recommend!

Cocina 35 - Downtown

4.6

4.6 (43)

$30 and under

Mexican

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Breakfast? you got to try the Best Chilaquiles in San Diego!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 2 Mar 2025

They were right..best Chilaquiles in San Diego County!

Puesto La Jolla

4.7

4.7 (2162)

$30 and under

Mexican

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos. Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas.

In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, Baja craft beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere.

We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, LA Times and the Michelin Guide.

Top review

Stephanie

Dined today

Puesto was fantastic!! Probably some of the best tacos I’ve ever had, definitely the best flour tortillas! Would highly recommend the filet mignon and shrimp tacos!

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Experience

Taco Tuesday!

Blanco Cocina + Cantina - Coronado

4.7

4.7 (202)

$30 and under

Mexican

Coronado

About the restaurant

Secure your spot and experience Blanco’s fresh twist on Mexican food. Lounge long and on with tantalizing tequila flights and easy but innovative tacos. Go for the classic but fresh burrito or bowl layered with savory fillings like spicy Machaca short rib or red chili chicken, fresh salsas, and our famous house guacamole. Whether you’re hungry for something flavorful or thirsty for something fun, we’ve got everything you want at Blanco.

Top review

MaxVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Really enjoyed our dinner. Service from front to back was excellent and the food was great.

Cocina 35 Coronado

4.6

4.6 (152)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Coronado

About the restaurant

Our team is dedicated to bring to you the essence of Mexico, the flavors, aromas, culture, service and textures that were given to us, growing up cooking right next to our grandparents in Mexico.

We are the only restaurant in San Diego that specialized in Chilaquiles the Most traditional Mexican Breakfast.

#BESTCHILAQUILESINTOWN

Top review

Miguel

Dined on 3 Mar 2025

Great food and excellent service and the restaurant view is amazing Thank you

Cocina 35 Liberty Station

4.6

4.6 (79)

$30 and under

Mexican

Shelter Island / San Diego Bay

About the restaurant

Top review