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Feb 22, 2025
Restaurants & Food

Top 10 Mexican Restaurants in New York City

New York City is a melting pot of cultures, and when it comes to Mexican cuisine, the city does not disappoint. From Michelin-starred restaurants serving modern, refined dishes to small, authentic taquerias offering flavors straight from the streets of Mexico, New York City’s Mexican food scene is as diverse as it is delicious.

Whether you’re craving rich moles from Oaxaca, smoky barbacoa from Central Mexico, crispy Baja-style fish tacos, or the ultimate birria taco dunked in consommé, New York City has something to offer. In this guide, we take you through the Top 10 Mexican Restaurants In New York City, each known for its unique take on traditional and modern Mexican cuisine.

Why New York City is a Hotspot for Mexican Cuisine

New York City is a melting pot of cultures, and its Mexican food scene reflects that diversity. From Michelin-starred fine dining to hole-in-the-wall taquerias, New York City offers authentic flavors from Oaxaca, Baja California, and Mexico City. With fresh, nixtamalized tortillas, slow-cooked barbacoa, and smoky mezcal cocktails, the city has become a Top Destination For Mexican Cuisine Lovers in United States.

Looking for authentic tacos in the city? Check out our guide to the Best Mexican restaurants in New York City, from fine dining to street food. Whether you crave traditional tacos, sizzling fajitas, or gourmet Mexican cuisine, we've rounded up the top spots to satisfy your taste buds. Explore hidden gems, famous taquerias, and must-try dishes across New York City. From casual taco trucks to upscale dining, discover where to find the most flavorful and authentic Mexican food in NYC.

Where to Find the Best Mexican Food in New York City

New York City’s Mexican food scene is diverse, vibrant, and packed with incredible flavors, from high-end Michelin-starred dining to no-frills taquerias serving the most authentic street food. Whether you’re craving handmade tortillas, rich mole, smoky barbacoa, or crispy fish tacos, these Top 10 Mexican Restaurants in New York spots guarantee a delicious experience.

1. Claro (Brooklyn) – Michelin-Starred Oaxacan Excellence

Location: Gowanus, Brooklyn
Michelin Star

Nestled in Brooklyn’s Gowanus neighborhood, Claro is a Michelin-starred restaurant that transports diners straight to Oaxaca. The brainchild of Chef T.J. Steele, Claro prides itself on using handmade masa, house-made chorizo, and authentic Oaxacan ingredients like hoja santa and tlayudas.

What to Order:

Barbacoa de Cordero – Smoked lamb wrapped in avocado leaves, served with handmade tortillas.
Memelas – Thick corn cakes topped with chorizo, black beans, and queso fresco.
Queso Fundido – A gooey, melted cheese dish served with chorizo and warm tortillas.

The restaurant also offers a mezcal-forward cocktail menu, with selections sourced directly from Oaxaca. If you’re a fan of smoky spirits, be sure to explore their mezcal offerings.

2. Cosme (Manhattan) – Contemporary Mexican Fine Dining

Location: Flatiron District
Michelin Guide Recommended

Cosme is one of New York City’s most celebrated restaurants, co-founded by world-renowned Mexican chef Enrique Olvera. This sleek, modern spot takes traditional Mexican flavors and reinterprets them with high-end, artistic plating and innovative techniques.

What to Order:

Duck Carnitas – A tender, slow-cooked duck dish served with fresh tortillas.
Corn Husk Meringue – A signature dessert with a light, airy texture and deep corn flavor.
Soft-Shell Crab Tacos – A seasonal favorite that combines crisp textures with bold flavors.

Cosme’s minimalist aesthetic and sophisticated menu make it the perfect spot for upscale dining.

3. Oxomoco (Brooklyn) – The Best Wood-Fired Mexican Cuisine

Location: Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Michelin Star

If you love smoky flavors and wood-fired cooking, Oxomoco is a must-visit. Helmed by Chef Justin Bazdarich, this Michelin-starred restaurant focuses on grilled and smoked Mexican dishes in a stylish, airy space.

What to Order:

Grilled Fish Tacos – Served on handmade corn tortillas with house-made salsas.
Al Pastor Pork Skewers – Smoky, marinated pork with pineapple.
Tlayuda – A crunchy Oaxacan-style tortilla loaded with beans, cheese, and meats.

Pair your meal with their outstanding mezcal cocktails, designed to complement the smoky flavors of the food.

4. Casa Enrique (Queens) – Homestyle Mexican with a Michelin Star

Location: Long Island City, Queens
Michelin Star

For authentic Chiapas-style cuisine, head to Casa Enrique in Long Island City. This Michelin-starred restaurant delivers classic Mexican comfort food with high-quality ingredients.

What to Order:

Mole de Piaxtla – A rich, complex mole sauce served over chicken.
Cochinita Pibil – Slow-roasted pork marinated in citrus and achiote.
Handmade Tamales – Soft, flavorful tamales wrapped in banana leaves.

Casa Enrique’s cozy atmosphere and award-winning food make it one of New York City’s most beloved Mexican spots.

5. Covacha (Manhattan) – An Underrated Hidden Gem

Location: Upper West Side

A newcomer to New York City’s Mexican food scene, Covacha is an intimate eatery offering regional Mexican dishes with a focus on seasonal ingredients.

What to Order:

Birria Tacos – Slow-cooked beef tacos served with consommé for dipping.
Chile en Nogada – A traditional Pueblan dish featuring poblano peppers stuffed with picadillo, covered in walnut sauce.
Tlayudas – A massive, crispy tortilla topped with beans, cheese, and meats.

Covacha’s mezcal selection and authentic flavors make it a must-visit for food lovers.

6. Tlayuda Oaxaqueña Sr San Pablo (Brooklyn) – A Hidden Oaxacan Treasure

Location: Bushwick, Brooklyn

If you’re on the hunt for the best Oaxacan tlayudas in New York City, Tlayuda Oaxaqueña Sr San Pablo is the place to be.

What to Order:

Tlayuda Especial – A crispy tortilla loaded with beans, cheese, and chorizo.
Tacos de Chapulines – Grasshopper tacos for adventurous eaters.
Handmade Tortillas – Made fresh daily for the perfect bite.

This no-frills, authentic spot is a local favorite for a reason.

7. Taqueria Ramirez (Brooklyn) – Mexico City-Style Street Tacos

Location: Greenpoint, Brooklyn

For real Mexico City-style tacos, head to Taqueria Ramirez, a small, standing-room-only taqueria that specializes in suadero, longaniza, and tripa tacos.

What to Order:

Suadero Tacos – Slow-cooked beef with deep, rich flavors.
Longaniza Tacos – Spicy Mexican sausage packed with bold seasoning.
Tripa Tacos – Crispy, perfectly fried tripe.

Their nixtamalized corn tortillas elevate each taco to perfection.

8. Ensenada (Brooklyn) – The Best Baja-Style Seafood

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Lovers of Baja California seafood will adore Ensenada. This Mexican seafood restaurant specializes in fresh, vibrant dishes.

What to Order:

Crispy Fish Tacos – Perfectly battered and fried fish with cabbage slaw.
Aguachile – Spicy, citrus-marinated shrimp.
Ceviche Verde – Fresh fish cured in lime and herbs.

Their mezcal and tequila cocktails pair beautifully with the bright flavors of the food.

9. Birria-Landia (Multiple Locations) – New York City’s Best Birria Tacos

Locations: Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan

This famous food truck is known for Tijuana-style birria tacos that are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for dipping.

What to Order:

Quesabirria Tacos – Cheese-stuffed birria tacos served with consommé.
Birria Tostadas – Crunchy, beef-filled tostadas.
Mulitas – A taco-meets-quesadilla hybrid.

If you love rich, slow-cooked beef, this is the place to go.

10. Carnitas Ramirez (Queens) – A Pork Lover’s Paradise

Location: Queens

Carnitas Ramirez specializes in authentic carnitas—succulent, slow-cooked pork with crispy edges.

What to Order:

Carnitas Tacos – Served with salsa and fresh tortillas.
Chicharrón – Crispy pork skin with a satisfying crunch.
Torta de Carnitas – A hearty sandwich packed with juicy pork.

This spot is a hidden gem for pork lovers.

From Michelin-starred fine dining to authentic street tacos, New York City’s Mexican food scene is second to none. Whether you're after elevated top Mexican restaurants or down-to-earth, homestyle dishes, there’s something for everyone.
Explore the Top Mexican Restaurants in New York City , serving authentic tacos, birria, mole, and mezcal cocktails in the heart of New York.
No matter your budget or taste, NYC is home to some of the Best Mexican Restaurants in the United States, each offering a unique experience that celebrates Mexico’s rich culinary traditions. So next time you're craving incredible tacos, mezcal, birria, or tlayudas, explore the city’s vibrant Mexican food scene—you might just find your new favorite spot!

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs)

1. What is the customer support number for Claro in Brooklyn?
Claro does not publicly list a customer support number. For reservations and inquiries, it's best to visit their official website or contact them through their social media channels.

2. Who is the founder of Cosme in Manhattan?
Cosme was co-founded by renowned Mexican chef Enrique Olvera.

3. How many employees work at Oxomoco in Brooklyn?
Specific employee numbers for Oxomoco are not publicly disclosed.

4. What is the average salary for staff at Casa Enrique in Queens?
Average salary details for Casa Enrique's staff are not publicly available.

5. Where is Covacha located?
Covacha is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City.

6. What are the major products and services offered by Tlayuda Oaxaqueña Sr San Pablo?
Tlayuda Oaxaqueña Sr San Pablo specializes in authentic Oaxacan dishes, particularly their signature tlayudas—large, crispy tortillas topped with beans, cheese, meats, and other traditional toppings.

7. Does Taqueria Ramirez have a customer support number?
Taqueria Ramirez does not publicly list a customer support number. For inquiries, it's best to visit their location in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, or check their social media profiles.

8. Who founded Ensenada in Brooklyn?
Specific information about the founder of Ensenada is not publicly available.

9. How many employees does Birria-Landia have?
Employee numbers for Birria-Landia are not publicly disclosed.

10. What is the average salary for employees at Carnitas Ramirez in Queens?
Average salary information for Carnitas Ramirez's employees is not publicly available.

11. Where is the headquarters of Cosme located?
Cosme's main location serves as its headquarters: 35 E 21st St, New York, NY 10010.

12. What are the major services offered by Oxomoco?
Oxomoco offers a variety of wood-fired Mexican dishes, including tacos, tlayudas, and grilled meats, complemented by a selection of mezcal and tequila-based cocktails.

13. Does Casa Enrique have a customer support number?
Casa Enrique does not publicly list a customer support number. For reservations and inquiries, it's recommended to visit their official website or contact them through their social media channels.

14. Who is the founder of Tlayuda Oaxaqueña Sr San Pablo?
Specific information about the founder of Tlayuda Oaxaqueña Sr San Pablo is not publicly available.

15. How many employees work at Taqueria Ramirez?
Employee numbers for Taqueria Ramirez are not publicly disclosed.

16. What is the average salary for staff at Ensenada in Brooklyn?
Average salary details for Ensenada's staff are not publicly available.

17. Where is Birria-Landia located?
Birria-Landia operates multiple food trucks across New York City, with locations in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.

18. What are the major products offered by Carnitas Ramirez?
Carnitas Ramirez specializes in authentic carnitas—succulent, slow-cooked pork with crispy edges, served in tacos, tortas, and by the pound.

19. Does Claro have a customer support number?
Claro does not publicly list a customer support number. For reservations and inquiries, it's best to visit their official website or contact them through their social media channels.

20. Who founded Covacha in Manhattan?
Specific information about the founder of Covacha is not publicly available.