Brian Nagele
Las Vegas, a city of bright lights and endless entertainment, also boasts a Mexican food scene that’s as vibrant and soulful as a mariachi serenade. From the zesty tang of fresh lime to the smoky heat of chipotle, the best Mexican restaurants in this area offer a fiesta of flavors. These culinary hotspots, scattered like jewels in the neon landscape, serve up a tapestry of tastes that are as rich as the culture they represent. Whether it’s the lovingly crafted street tacos, the sizzling fajitas, or the hearty enchiladas, each dish is a masterpiece of tradition with a Vegas twist. So, let’s embark on a culinary journey that promises to be as thrilling as a roll of the dice in this city that never sleeps.
1. Javier’s
ARIA Resort & Casino, 3730 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-590-3637
Javier’s is a high-end restaurant offering traditional Mexican cuisine and premium margaritas. The vibe is lively, with eye-catching decor from floor to ceiling. The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 am to 12:00 am. The restaurant requires business casual dress to dine. I enjoyed the Chile Verde with braised pork, onions, and spicy tomatillo sauce. The Enchiladas de Camarones with shrimp enchiladas, garlic, butter, and tomatillo sauce are popular. I would recommend a combination plate with Enchilada, Chile Relleno, and Taco.
2. Border Grill Mandalay Bay
3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
702-632-7403
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In 1985, Chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken opened the original Border Grill and billed the eatery as a simple taco stand. The restaurant has expanded and grown and now hosts guests at the Mandalay Bay restaurant. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. The Spicy Shrimp Tacos with cucumber slaw, jicama, avocado balm, and chipotle aioli is a great lunch option. For dinner, the Grilled Skirt Steak is terrific; it is served with flour tortillas, roasted sea salt jalapeño, chimichurri, and a tomato-cucumber salad. The Blood Orange Margarita is an incredible cocktail with tequila, blood orange, agave nectar, fresh jalapeño, and lime with a mole rim.
3. Juan’s Flaming Fajitas & Cantina
9640 W Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89147
702-823-1400
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Juan’s Flaming Fajitas & Cantina is located near the Spring Valley neighborhood. In 2021, the restaurant was recognized by TripAdvisor as a Traveler’s Choice location. The restaurant offers lunch, brunch, and dinner throughout the week. The Shrimp Ceviche Salad with diced shrimp and avocado is cool and refreshing. The Chicken Fajitas are great, and you can select various add-ons like Monterey jack cheese, mushrooms, and sliced tomatoes. For brunch, try the Chorizo and Egg Burrito. Try one of the margarita flights with options like pina colada, mango, or raspberry if you have the time.
4. Lindo Michoacan
Multiple locations
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The owner of Lindo Michoacan, Javier Barajas, learned how to make authentic meals from nuns at a seminary in Michoacán. The restaurant has been serving the folks of Las Vegas for more than 25 years. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily. My favorite dish is the Camarones al Mojo de Ajo with Mexican Gulf Shrimp, pan-fried with fresh garlic, slices of Guajillo pepper, lemon juice, wine, olive oil, and served with fresh corn or flour tortillas. If possible, visit Happy Hour between Monday and Friday from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm for the best prices on margaritas!
5. Casa Don Juan
Multiple locations
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Casa Don Juan is a family-owned local restaurant open daily from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Frida Kahlo is the mascot for Casa Don Juan, and the artwork in the restaurant replicates her style. For breakfast, try the Huevos Con Chorizo with Mexican sausage and eggs. The Tacos De Pescado is a popular menu item. The tamales are incredible; try all options: the chicken with green sauce, pork with red sauce, or cheese with jalapenos! Try the Mexican Hot Chocolate, or for a bit more of a kick, try the tequila sunrise.
6. El Dorado Cantina
Multiple locations
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In 2014, Darin Feinstein opened El Dorado Cantina. The restaurant uses fresh ingredients from local vendors. The Las Vegas Review-Journal’s annual “Best of Las Vegas” has named El Dorado Cantina one of the best restaurants in Vegas! Restaurants are located on both The Strip and in Tivoli Village. I enjoyed the Chicken Taquitos with pulled chicken taquitos, pico de gallo, avocado sauce, and sour cream. I would also recommend the Mole Enchiladas with slow-cooked pulled chicken marinated in chiles and wrapped in fresh corn tortillas. The Veggie Burrito is incredible with rainbow cauliflower, roasted corn, black beans, cilantro rice, pico de gallo, fresh avocado, and red enchilada sauce.
7. Tacos El Gordo
Multiple locations
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Tacos El Gordo is a family-owned company serving the community for more than forty years, with the Las Vegas location operating since 2010. The restaurant opens at 10:00 am daily and offers extended late-night hours on the weekends. The eatery takes pride in serving authentic Tijuana tacos using corn tortillas and fresh ingredients. I enjoyed the Adobada Tijuana tacos with spiced pork. The Adobada is prepared in a rotisserie and shaved for each taco. The sopas and quesadillas are also excellent. Try the Asada fries as well! The tacos cost about three dollars apiece.
8. Milpa
4226 S Durango Dr Ste 101, Las Vegas, NV 89147
702-247-4147
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Milpa is a Mexican cafe serving healthier Mexican cuisine with bowls, salads, and fresh stone-ground masa tacos. The restaurant is open from Monday to Wednesday and from Friday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Near Spring Valley, Milpa is a great pitstop off the interstate. The Milpa Grain Bowl with roasted corn, squash, beans, warm lentils, and quinoa with aguajillo chile spicy dressing is a delicious option! The Short Rib Barbacoa tacos with guajillo chiles, cilantro, pickled onions, radish, and stone-ground tortillas are delicious. Also, try a Horchata Matcha!
9. Original Lindo Michoacan
2655 E Desert Inn Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89121
702-735-6828
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The Original Lindo Michoacan is one of three locations of this iconic Mexican restaurant. Thousands of people visit the original location annually. Opened in 1996, The Original Lindo Michoacan Desert Inn only had the capacity to serve twelve tables. Visit this original location for an incredible and authentic dining experience. For an appetizer, try the Gorditos de Camaron with shrimp. I also enjoyed Chipotle Caesar Salad and the combination platters with chile rellenos and cheese enchiladas. The Mexican Bulldog cocktail is an exciting Corona-rita!
10. Las Cazuelas
9711 S Eastern Ave H8, Las Vegas, NV 89183
702-837-0204
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Las Cazuelas is named after the clay pots used to cook in the old days. The restaurant serves traditional dishes. Las Cazuelas Mexican Food is closed on Wednesday but open for lunch and dinner on the other days of the week. The restaurant is located near the Silverado Ranch. I started my meal with the Tortilla Soup, made with tomato broth and served with avocado slices and cream. The Torta Carnitas includes pork carnitas topped with cilantro onions and green sauce. Definitely order the Elote—corn covered in mayonnaise, cotija cheese, and chili powder. The churros are a great end to your meal.
11. Nacho Daddy
Multiple locations
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Nacho Daddy opened in Las Vegas about ten years ago. The restaurant serves gourmet nachos and housemade specialty beverages, but beware of the Scorpion Shot. One Nacho Daddy is open on the Las Vegas Strip from 8:00 am to at least 2:00 am. The Southern Fried Chicken Nachos include popcorn chicken, a housemade BBQ sauce, white queso, and black bean corn salsa. The Fleet Mignon Nachos Grilled are topped with filet mignon, refried beans, cheese, ranchero sauce, sour cream, pico de gallo, and guacamole. My favorite bite was the Lobster and Crab Enchilada! The Pineapple Mint margarita is refreshing and tasty.
12. Hussong’s Mexican Cantina
Multiple locations
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Hussong’s Mexican Cantina has been serving folks who’ve stumbled in for 125 years! Indeed, the restaurant’s story goes that bartender Don Carlos Orozco invented the margarita in 1941. Hussong’s serves Baja Mexican cuisine every day for lunch and dinner. Start your meal with the Diablo Shrimp with sriracha aioli and pickled red onions. The Carne Asada Fries with skirt steak, jalapenos, and cotija cheese is tasty. I loved the Chimichangas made with flour tortillas and your choice of chicken, barbacoa, or carnitas. The White Sangria is a great drink, and so is the Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita!
13. Cañonita
3377 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-414-3773
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Daniel Marquez is the chef of Cañonita; he was born and raised in Mexico City and moved to California in 1991. The restaurant is open daily and for brunch on the weekends! Cañonita is located along the Grand Canal in The Venetian. I enjoyed the Rostizado Pollo with oven-roasted chicken breast, white rice, roasted vegetables, toasted seeds, and Guajillo sauce. Bottomless mimosas are available during brunch. I would recommend the Steak and Eggs, an eight-ounce grilled skirt steak with scrambled eggs, black beans, roasted serrano peppers, caramelized onions, and housemade corn tortillas. Try the Roasted Rooster cocktail, a roasted pepper-infused Monte Alban Silver Tequila, and orange liqueur.
14. Bonito Michoacan Mexican Restaurant
3715 S Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89103
702-257-6810
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Since 1998, the Bonito Michoacan Mexican Restaurant has been serving dishes from family recipes. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant serves authentic flavors in a creative and welcoming space. The brightly colored exterior is easy to spot! The menu is extensive, so you can literally have any Mexican dish you can think of at this restaurant. Try the Green Chile Burrito on the special lunch menu; it was incredible! I also enjoyed the Pollo de Cognac served with rice and beans. The jalapeno cilantro margarita is creative and tasty. Happy Hour is offered from Monday through Friday between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm.
15. El Segundo Sol
3200 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-258-1211
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El Segundo Sol aims to emulate the vibe of strolling through Mexico City. The restaurant serves authentic meals in a creative setting. Patio seating allows guests to enjoy the sunny days and take in a fantastic view of The Strip. Reservations are accepted online, and the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily. Try the guacamole and the elote. I enjoyed the braised beef tacos with cilantro rice, black beans, pico de gallo, and sour cream. The Chile Relleno with sweet corn and cheese stuffed then battered and fried and served with rice and beans. Try the watermelon margarita or the Pacifico.
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 5 credible sites and blogs, including Tripadvisor.com and Tastingtable.com.
We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible.
Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 5 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g45963-c29-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html
https://www.tastingtable.com/1176154/best-mexican-restaurants-in-las-vegas-ranked/
https://vegas.eater.com/maps/best-off-strip-mexican-restaurants-las-vegas
https://www.gayot.com/restaurants/best-lasvegas-nv-top10-mexicanrestaurants_4lv.html
https://secretlasvegas.co/mexican-restaurants/