Rocco Smith
Atlanta is one of the best food cities for food and culture in America.
No matter if you’re in town on business or you’re a local to the area, Atlanta has exceptional cuisine on almost every corner.
You might not have realized it, but Atlanta is a fantastic city for Mexican food.
If you’re like me, you’re a fan of all things Mexican cuisine, from classic old-world to modern recipes.
And, no matter what you’re in the mood for, Atlanta has a Mexican restaurant that promises to give you a great meal.
Read on to find out where you can find the best burritos, tacos, and enchiladas in the Atlanta area.
I’ve tried all these places myself and guarantee that you’ll be satisfied with all of them.
Check out my list of the best Mexican restaurants in Atlanta below!
Tacos La Villa
2415 Cobb Pkwy SE, Smyrna, GA 30080
Phone: 770-951-0415
We start our tour in Cumberland Square North at Tacos La Villa.
This no-frills joint offers classic Mexican dishes done simply, done well, and done fast. So if you’re looking for a great meal every time, Tacos La Villa is an attractive option.
The taco plate is an affordable way to try some of Tacos La Villa’s flavors.
It comes with three tacos (with your choice of meat), rice, refried beans, and a can of soda.
If you want something more substantial, the burrito verde is stuffed with your choice of meat and smothered with a tangy green salsa.
Nuevo Laredo Cantina
1495 Chattahoochee Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone: 404-352-9009
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Nuevo Laredo Cantina, located just steps away from Crest Lawn Memorial Park, offers homestyle food in a comfortable setting.
It’s the closest thing you can get to a family meal! Nuevo Laredo has been an Atlanta staple since opening its doors in 1992.
I recommend the torta.
This Mexican-style sandwich is piled high with your choice of protein, along with tomatoes, avocado, jalapeno peppers, lettuce, beans, onions, and chipotle mayonnaise on fresh-baked bread.
Nuevo Laredo also has an expansive margarita and tequila menu to complete the meal.
So, get in there and have a great time with friends or family. You won’t regret it!
Superica
Multiple locations
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With three Atlanta locations, Superica is one of the best-known Mexican restaurants in America.
The original Krog Street location sits inside a restored factory, which is a treat for the eyes.
But, no matter what location you go to, expect fresh Tex-Mex cuisine served in a quirky setting.
The puffy taco dinner is a specialty of the house and an absolute must-try. Fresh tortillas are lightly fried until they puff up.
After that, they get filled with either beef, chicken, or guacamole.
All that gets served alongside rice, beans, lettuce, tomato, and cheese. The tastes and textures are out of this world.
Taqueria La Oaxaquena
605 Mt Zion Rd, Jonesboro, GA 30236
Phone: 770-960-3010
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Taqueria La Oaxaquena sits just outside Atlanta proper in Jonesboro.
The short trip is worth it, though, for great tacos and Oaxacan cuisine.
The food is excellent, and the lively atmosphere and music make the meal even better.
Taqueria La Oaxaqueña has received awards from both the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Zagat!
The mole oaxaqueno is one of the restaurant’s most famous dishes, which is a well-deserved reputation.
Chicken leg and thigh simmer in a traditional Oaxacan mole sauce.
Mole sauce has cocoa in it, but it’s anything but sweet.
Like the one at this taqueria, a great mole is complex, smoky, and delicious.
Bone Garden Cantina
1425 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone: 404-418-9072
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Located at The Lumberyard Office Lofts on Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard is Bone Garden Cantina.
Since opening in 2008, this lively restaurant has been beloved for its take on Mexican comfort food and margaritas, as well as its Day of the Dead-themed decor.
The Mexican pork ribs are grilled and smoked before finishing with a pineapple-based dipping sauce.
I’m also a massive fan of the tomatillo chicken tamale.
This treat is steamed in a banana leaf and comes out perfectly.
Bone Garden also has a vast selection of tequilas and mezcals that you can get either on their own or in a cocktail.
Raging Burrito
320 Church St, Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: 404-377-3311
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Raging Burrito is a low-key eatery in the middle of Decatur.
But, despite the name, Raging Burrito will leave diners feeling happy and satisfied.
With a bar full of tequilas and craft beers to match vibrant Mexican cuisine, Raging Burrito is a hit.
The monster nachos are as giant as the name suggests and come totally covered in cheese and other goodies. They’re great to share with a big group.
The raging chimi is Raging Burrito’s twist on the classic chimichanga.
A burrito gets deep fried then drizzled with your choice of queso cheese, pineapple sauce, Thai peanut sauce, or barbecue sauce.
Bell Street Burritos
Multiple locations
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Are you a burrito fanatic? If so, Bell Street Burritos is a place you absolutely have to try out.
With three locations in Atlanta and the surrounding area, Bell Street is serving up amazing mission-style burritos.
The food is so good that they’ve been named one of the ten best burritos in America by USA Today, as well as Atlanta’s Best Burrito by local publications.
You have your choice of 14 proteins wrapped in a huge, fresh tortilla with pinto beans, jack cheese, rice, and salsa fresca.
These are simple ingredients done incredibly well. Then, for a bit extra, get it grilled!
El Rey del Taco
5288 Buford Hwy, Doraville, GA 30340
Phone: 770-986-0032
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The next time you’re on the Buford Highway and in the mood for authentic Mexican cuisine, get yourself over to El Rey Del Taco.
This diner-style joint is beloved for its original recipes, tacos, and late hours (often open until 1 or 2 AM).
The tacos are a must. Available as single tacos, I love to get mine with chorizo.
However, if that’s not your style, try the grilled octopus, the fish, or the beef flank.
They’re all served fresh on house-made tortillas.
After a long night, El Rey Del Taco is perfect. I bet you can’t stop yourself from ordering several!
The Original El Taco
1186 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306
Phone: 404-873-4656
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Going to a restaurant should be fun, and no place in Atlanta embodies that more than The Original El Taco, located in Virginia-Highland and the airport.
The dining room is colorful and vibrant, the drinks are spectacular, and the food is fantastic.
What else could you possibly want?
The queso royale is the perfect starter.
Melty, gooey cheese gets mixed with beef chorizo and jalapenos. Great with a beer or a margarita!
I’m also a huge fan of this place’s fajitas.
These get served up to you sizzling with all the sides and tortillas you need for the perfect meal.
La Parrilla Mexican Restaurant
Multiple locations
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La Parrilla is a small, family-friendly chain of Mexican restaurants.
Their Atlanta location sits in The District at Howell Mill.
You might hear chain and jump to conclusions, but La Parrilla serves diners Mexican classics and cocktails that stand up against the other great restaurants in Atlanta.
The signature margarita is a beautiful interpretation.
Patron reposado tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice, that’s it! It’s cool, crisp, and refreshing.
For my meal, I usually get carnitas.
It’s braised, marinated pork served with sides of rice, beans, salsa verde, and tortillas. It’s terrific as a platter or as tacos.
Mi Barrio Mexican Restaurant
571 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Phone: 404-223-9279
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Mi Barrio Mexican Restaurant, nestled right between Cabbagetown and Glenwood Park, brings a decided old-school flair to Atlanta.
The dining room is very unassuming, and the menu is straightforward.
Mi Barrio does everything they do very well.
The chile relleno is a classic. This poblano pepper is hollowed out before being stuffed with meat and cheese then cooked to perfection.
I’m also a fan of the torta sandwich at Mi Barrio.
Beef tongue isn’t for everyone, but here, it gets slow-simmered until it’s tender and delicious.
If you haven’t tried it before, it’s definitely worth it.
Minero
675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE UNIT 136, Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: 404-532-1580
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Minero is a hip restaurant with a sleek and stylish dining room right in the heart of the Ponce City Market.
The Minero team is so committed to quality that they tried over 40 varieties of corn when trying to find the perfect base for their tortillas.
That care and attention come through in everything you see and taste.
The fried catfish tacos are one of Minero’s best items.
The fried fillet comes with cabbage, red onion, radish, and a hit of tartar sauce on those perfect corn tortillas.
It brings the best of Southern and Mexican cuisines together.
Mama’s Cocina Latina
1958 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
Phone: 404-874-6152
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Mama’s Cocina Latina, located on Piedmont Road, is unique on this list in that it’s open 24 hours a day (except for Sunday-Monday).
So, no matter what time of day you want a classic take on a Mexican recipe, make your way over to Mama’s.
For me, the must-get at Mama’s is any of the empanadas.
These are available in beef, chicken, and spinach varieties. Thick tortillas get stuffed, folded, closed, and deep-fried.
The result is hot, crispy, and fantastic.
They’re great as an appetizer or as a main dish. Mama’s also serves great breakfast dishes if you get there early.
Mezcalito’s Cocina & Tequila Bar
304 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Phone: 678-705-7008
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We’re finishing up our tour of Atlanta over in Oakland at Mezcalito’s Cocina & Tequila Bar. Everything about Mezcalito’s just feels cool.
From the awesome decor to the authentic food to the fresh-made cocktails, you can feel the care in everything.
For the ultimate, get a group together and book a tequila tasting.
You get to sip on some great tequila and snack on Mexican treats. That’s a great evening.
No matter when you’re there, try the poblano soup.
Poblano peppers are blended to a smooth consistency and served with sour cream and croutons. It’s warm, creamy, and surprisingly filling.
Best Mexican Restaurants in Atlanta
- Tacos La Villa
- Nuevo Laredo Cantina
- Superica
- Taqueria La Oaxaquena
- Bone Garden Cantina
- Raging Burrito
- Bell Street Burritos
- El Rey Del Taco
- The Original El Taco
- La Parrilla Mexican Restaurant
- Mi Barrio Mexican Restaurant
- Minero
- Mama’s Cocina Latina
- Mezcalito’s Cocina & Tequila Bar
Final Thoughts
As I said, Atlanta is a fantastic food city. Of course, you can’t go wrong with brunch, steak, or pizza, but for me, Mexican food is what I keep coming back to over and over again.
Mexican food is excellent because it’s so versatile. Are you having a long day and just want to unwind with a couple of tacos and an enormous margarita? Absolutely.
Looking for somewhere special for a celebration? Mexican cuisine has you covered there too.
And the great news is that the best Mexican restaurants in Atlanta have it all, so get out there and check them out!
This list is just some of my favorites, but get out there, explore, and see if you can find a new favorite.
In the mood for seafood? Check out this list of the best seafood restaurants in Atlanta.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
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