Brian Nagele
Minneapolis is one of the most underrated cities in the United States. Probably the most famous city in Minnesota, Minneapolis is full of surprises.
Among its many strengths are its beautiful green parks and cultural hubs. I put the Minneapolis Institute of Art right at the top of my trip itinerary.
And that’s just one of many fascinating attractions in the city. The culinary scene is certainly not to be missed.
Maybe Mexican food isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions Minneapolis, but the culinary scene here absolutely delivers when it comes to Mexican dishes.
Trying out different Mexican restaurants here was an absolute blast during my Minneapolis adventures.
So without further ado, here is my list of the best Mexican restaurants in Minneapolis.
Centro
1414 Quincy St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone: 612-345-5527
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A Mexican cuisine staple of Minneapolis, Centro was among my first culinary destinations in the city.
The atmosphere here is unabashedly quirky and inviting. It’s great for tacos on the run or a full meal.
There are a plethora of tasty Mexican creations here. Some of the most popular include the Carnitas En Adobo Taco and Pollo a la Plancha Taco. Love tacos?
The Tacos menu has plenty to choose from. I tried the Barbacoa, and was it ever delicious! It boasts slow-cooked lamb, onion, and salsa cruda.
There are Quesadilla and Nacho options available, too. Centro is located in Minneapolis’s famous Northeast Arts District on Quincy Street. Stop by as you explore that iconic area.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Multiple locations
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No matter where you go in Minneapolis, you’ll probably find a Chipotle Mexican Grill nearby. There are nine, yes, nine, locations of this iconic restaurant all over the city!
Chipotle Mexican Grill specializes in fast and convenient food with taste bud-tingling Mexican flavors.
I was pleased to find all the Mexican cuisine classics here, including burritos and tacos.
The Burrito Bowl and Lifestyle Bowl are other tempting options. And don’t forget the salad. Chipotle has flavorful salads here for you to devour.
Pair your meal with Chips & Guacamole. That’s always a winner. I enjoyed this side dish as an accompaniment to my spicy burrito.
Jefe Urban Cocina
219 SE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: 612-255-2000
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Jefe Urban Cocina is a fun local restaurant focusing on exciting Mexican street food creations.
I was impressed by the selection of popular dishes here, including the Shrimp Tacos, Chicken Tinga Tacos, Oxtail Quesadilla, and Fried Chicken Tacos.
And how do Short Rib Tacos and Vegan Chorizo Tacos sound? Yum!
This restaurant has a lively Happy Hour from 4 to 6 in the afternoon Sunday through Thursday.
Match your drinks with some Calabaza Tacos or Cochinita Pibil Tacos. As far as drinks go, you can’t beat the Jefe Margaritas.
Jefe Urban Cocina is a favorite with locals and visitors alike. Tables go fast, so make a reservation soon.
Colita
5400 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Phone: 612-886-1606
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Ask the locals, and they’ll tell you about some of this restaurant’s legendary dishes.
Examples include Lamb Barbacoa Tacos, Cacio e Pepe Stacked Tostada, Corn Elote, and Chicken Tinga Tostadas.
As well as top-notch Mexican cuisine, Colita offers an excellent wine list. It’s a great place to enjoy a special dinner with family and friends.
I treated myself to a lovely meal of Seared Scallops with the perfect glass of white wine. For dessert, I indulged in Pineapple Almond Cake.
One feature that sets Colita apart is how it hand-grinds its tortillas in-house each and every day.
You’ll find Colita located on Penn Avenue South, quite near Oliver Avenue South.
Dominguez Restaurant
3313 E 50th St, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Phone: 612-724-8493
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I’m a big fan of family-owned restaurants, and Dominguez Restaurant fits the bill. This has been a Minneapolis institution for years. I loved how this restaurant uses traditional Mexican recipes for its dishes.
The atmosphere and decor here perfectly match the food. It’s warm and inviting, and you’ll feel transported to a simpler time.
If you’d like, you can get your meal to go, too. I tried the Shrimp Fajitas at Dominguez Restaurant. I highly recommend them.
There are a plethora of outstanding dishes here, including Taco Salad, Quesadillas, and Tacos. Head over to East 50th Street and enjoy a meal at Dominguez Restaurant.
El Taco Riendo
Multiple locations
Enjoy authentic Mexican food in a casual atmosphere at El Taco Riendo. There are two El Taco Riendo locations in Minneapolis.
El Taco Riendo Express is on 36th Avenue North, while you’ll find El Taco Riendo Central on Northeast Central Avenue.
El Taco Riendo is all about fun and fantastic Mexican food with explosive flavor. You can eat at the restaurant or get take out.
So, what dishes do the locals rave about? Well, the Carne Asada is definitely one.
Others are the Taco Salad, Elote, Spicy Chicken Tacos, Big Burrito, and Al Pastor Taco. And there are a host of other scrumptious options to choose from.
Manny’s Tortas
920 E Lake St #125, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Phone: 612-870-3930
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I headed over to Manny’s Tortas on Lake Street for one of its famous sandwiches, as well as a refreshing salad on the side.
It’s just a mile from the Minneapolis Institute of Art, so I stopped by for a sandwich after exploring that fantastic cultural attraction.
I chose the Cubana/Cuban Torta for my sandwich. It boasts Pork Tenderloin and cheese. It was incredibly yummy, so give it a try while you’re in Minneapolis.
For my salad, I enjoyed the Ensalada Cesar Con Pollo (otherwise known as Caesar Salad & Grilled Chicken).
Don’t forget dessert! I devoured the Flan/Custard. I’m a big custard fan, so I knew that had to be mine as soon as I saw it on the menu.
Maya Cuisine – Minneapolis
1840 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Phone: 612-789-0775
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Maya Cuisine is a restaurant and bar that’s legendary on the Minneapolis Mexican cuisine scene. All the dishes here are made from scratch.
Even the meats are handmade, not to mention the salsas and tamales. Ever tried Elotes before? I hadn’t, so I was keen to try this delectable roasted corn creation.
It’s roasted corn on the cob dressed with parmesan cheese and mayonnaise. It was excellent, and I don’t think you should leave Minneapolis without trying it.
Of course, the tacos and quesadillas here are Minneapolis must-haves.
Another legendary dish is the Caldo de Camaron, which features shrimp, potatoes, celery, and carrots, all drenched in chipotle broth.
And you get limes and toasted bread along with your meal.
Sonora Grill
3300 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Phone: 612-722-2500
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Looking for a place to go for Happy Hour in Minneapolis? Sonora Grill is calling your name! But this restaurant and bar’s appeal goes way beyond its bar.
It focuses on exciting Mexican dishes, including tacos, sandwiches, seafood, and more. There’s an exciting array of popular Mexican cuisine creations here.
Some examples are the Shrimp Tempura, Chicken Rojo, Elote, Fish Tempura, and Quesadilla. Pair your meal with a hand-crafted cocktail.
I discovered Sonora Grill during my rambles around the Longfellow neighborhood. And was I ever glad I did!
Make Sonora Grill part of your Minneapolis itinerary.
Salsa A La Salsa (MIDTOWN GLOBAL MARKET)
920 E Lake St #155, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Phone: 612-872-4140
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Salsa A La Salsa focuses on traditional cuisine from central Mexico. This family-owned restaurant wants to welcome you with open arms.
And indeed, I found the staff here friendly and welcoming.
There’s a tempting array of dishes here, including Taco Salad, Chimichanga, Tamale Platter, Enchilada, and Tamale.
For dessert, Flan is hard to beat. This custard concoction is unforgettably delicious.
A big part of why the dishes here are so tasty is the fresh ingredients. Salsa A La Salsa embraces all the most traditional Mexican ingredients.
How do papaya, cactus, and banana leaves sound? Head over and find Salsa A La Salsa on East Lake Street.
Taqueria El Primo
30 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone: 612-247-6610
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If you crave spicy Mexican food and just want something casual on the run, check out Taqueria El Primo. Tacos, burritos, and quesadillas are the mainstays at Taqueria El Primo.
I visited Taqueria El Primo twice. The first time, I had the Taco de Chorizo. They were so delicious, made with Chorizo Sausage.
The second time I went to Taqueria El Primo, I had the Tacos de Carnitas. These tacos contain tender shredded pork.
If you prefer burritos to tacos, check out the Burrito de Chorizo. I plan on having that next time!
Are you a vegan? No worries. Order the Vegan Burrito. It contains pinto beans, rice, tomatoes, and lettuce.
Barrio
925 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: 612-333-9953
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I heard locals and other tourists talk about Barrio, and I headed over there as soon as I could. There are so many exciting Mexican dishes here that it’s hard to know where to start.
Here are just a few examples: Mahi Mahi Tacos, Pork Belly Tacos, Ahi Tuna Tacos, and Chicken Enchilada.
Other great options are Corn Chowder, Shrimp Taco, Pork Carnitas, Steak Taco, and Queso Fundido. Barrio is all about top-notch Mexican food.
It describes itself as chef-driven, and you can taste it in the food. Love tequila?
Barrio has the best tequila selection in the city. Barrio is right in the heart of Minneapolis, in Downtown West.
Betty Danger’s Country Club
2501 Marshall St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Phone: 612-315-4997
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Without a doubt, Betty Danger’s Country Club is something a little more than off the beaten path.
Betty Danger’s Country Club offers a wide range of flavors, with Mexican-inspired creations numbering on the list.
Betty Danger’s Country Club (better known as simply “Betty Danger’s”) has a fascinating range of menus, and you can eat here for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Brunch is available on Sundays only, from 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. I thoroughly enjoyed the retro atmosphere at Betty Danger’s.
This restaurant has some great cocktails, so check them out when you go for your meal.
El Norteño Authentic Mexican
4000 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Phone: 612-722-6888
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Northern Mexico has its own unique cuisine. That’s the specialty of El Norteno Authentic Mexican. This restaurant focuses on traditional dishes from Chihuahua, Mexico.
This restaurant is family-owned and run by women. El Norteno Authentic Mexican is found quite close to the banks of the Mississippi River, which flows through Minneapolis.
I ordered a Ranchero Chicken Burrito for my meal at El Norteno. It features chicken dressed with delicious Ranchera sauce.
If you’re a vegetarian, consider The Veggie Lover Burrito. This burrito features black beans, peppers, onions, and a special combination of spices.
El Norteno Authentic Mexican is situated in the Longfellow neighborhood.
Grande Sunrise Seafood and Mexican Restaurant
5554 S 34th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Phone: 612-886-2678
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When it comes to Mexican street food dishes, Grande Sunrise Seafood and Mexican Restaurant is the place to be.
The atmosphere is simple but inviting. It’s just like eating in a family kitchen in Grande Sunrise Seafood and Mexican Restaurant’s dining room.
Love seafood? Check out the Shrimp Taco and Fish Taco. I’m a big shrimp fan, so I went with the former. It was great, so make sure you try it.
I sampled the Fajitas, too. Outstanding! Grande Sunrise is a fantastic place for a casual laid back meal with family and friends. Grande Sunrise is just about a minute’s drive from Morris Park.
