When you’re craving salsa roja with just the right kick and margaritas prepared with freshly squeezed lime, these best Mexican restaurants in Chicago stand out.
Savor a fragrant mole prepared in the Oaxacan tradition in Uptown. Dine on tacos at a lively rooftop lounge in West Loop. Enjoy Mexican fine dining lit by glowing candles in River North.
Whether you’re craving Tex-Mex comfort food or dishes that will transport you to a tiny barrio in Mexico City, the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago can’t be missed.
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Read on for a guide to the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago.
For modern Mexican dishes at a beach-inspired escape – Try Costera Cocina Tulum (West Loop)
Located inside Fulton Market, Costera Cocina Tulum is a coastal Mexican-inspired escape. Expect a menu of shareable, seafood-forward small plates like adobo marinated octopus and fish carnitas tacos, along with fancy steaks and tropical drinks galore—try the spicy margarita. With palm trees, custom rope work, and stone walkways, the decor also channels the beaches of Tulum. Don’t miss the year-round heated patio.
For heritage Mexican recipes prepared with fine French culinary techniques – book a table at Tzuco (River North)
MICHELIN-pedigreed chef Carlos Gaytán celebrates his Mexican heritage and French fine-dining pedigree at River North’s elegant Tzuco. With dim lighting, exposed beams, and dark wood accents, the sophisticated setting sets the stage for refined dishes like fragrant mussels with saffron beurre blanc and a Guerrero-style pork shank with habanero salsa. Pair your meal with one of over 30 bottles of curated French and Mexican wines.
For incredible tacos and standout cocktails in one of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago – visit Mercadito (River North)
When you’re craving top-notch tacos, head to Mercadito. Choose from smoked brisket, beer-battered mahi mahi, butter-poached lobster, and more wrapped in homemade corn tortillas. Grab a table on the outdoor patio or cozy up in the chic dining room with amber lighting and striking murals. Bonus points for stellar tequila- and mezcal-based cocktails and a speakeasy-style lounge.
For from-scratch Tex-Mex flavor in a lively rooftop bar – enjoy a meal at Texan Taco Bar (West Loop)
If you’re looking for a lively space to dig into Tex-Mex favorites with impressive city views, head to rooftop favorite Texan Taco Bar. Share the aged cheddar queso with friends or enjoy a plate of quesabirria tacos while watching sports on the huge flatscreen TVs. With margaritas and Texan sangria on tap, Texan Taco Bar keeps the drinks flowing and the country music pumping. Don’t miss the popular happy hour for the restaurant’s signature tacos and crowd-pleasing appetizers.
For group-friendly small plates at one of the best Mexican restaurants Chicago – grab a table at Barrio (River North)
With a rustic-industrial space, Barrio fits right into the trendy River North dining scene. Come here for shareable, Mexican small plates like cornbread with roasted poblano chili and agave sea salt butter and a lobster quesadilla, plus an extensive list of margaritas and standout zero-proof drinks. Don’t miss the popular brunch, with bottomless mimosas or bloody Marys and breakfast favorites like chilaquiles.
For Tex-Mex plates and an extensive whiskey menu – try Big Star (Bucktown/Wicker Park, Wrigleyville, and West Town)
Modeled after honky-tonk bars, Big Star in Wrigleyville, Wicker Park, and West Town serves Tex-Mex small plates paired with a deep whiskey and bourbon selection. Each restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere, complete with sturdy wooden tables and warm lighting ideal for group gatherings or casual date night. Don’t miss the queso fundido with fresh tortillas or the beer-battered fish tacos.
For Oaxacan dishes in a cozy setting – find a table at Kie-Gol-Lanee (Uptown)
Kie-Gol-Lanee is where you go for heritage Oaxacan dishes prepared with fine dining techniques. The MICHELIN Bib Gourmand restaurant is known for dishes like crispy tlayudas topped with chorizo or the signature roasted Cornish hen with rich mole. Exceptional service and a cozy space with rustic tables will transport you to the small Mexican town the restaurant is named for.
For modern Mexican cuisine in a sleek space – reserve a table at Vela (North River)
One of the best cozy restaurants in Chicago, Vela is where you go for traditional dishes from Mexico City with a twist, thanks to veteran Mexican American chef Jorge Angulo. With patterned booths, candlelit tables, and plush chairs, the showstopping dining room is the perfect setting for enjoying standout dishes like shrimp crudo, tuna tostada, and aged wagyu tabla carne, a meat-centric feast worthy of any special occasion.
For Mexican dishes with a Southern twist in one of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago – try Dove’s Luncheonette (Bucktown/Wicker Park)
Pop into Dove’s Luncheonette for Mexican-inspired Southern dishes like buttermilk fried chicken with chorizo verde gravy, masa pancakes with mole-spiced maple syrup, and brisket mash. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with vintage photos on the walls and stools overlooking the street. Cap meals here with the champurrado pie, filled with chili-infused Mexican chocolate.
For flame-grilled Mexican dishes and stellar seafood – enjoy a meal at Leña Brava (West Loop)
For flavor-packed Mexican dishes cooked over a roaring fire, Leña Brava is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago. The restaurant specializes in premium meats and Baja-style seafood, including braised short ribs with red chili salsa and roasted oysters with lemon butter. Enjoy them in a stylish space with an open kitchen and a lively bar with a deep mezcal collection.
Enjoy refined, seafood-forward small plates, elegant Oaxacan-inspired dishes, and Tex-Mex favorites when you dine at the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago. Order tableside guacamole at a lively rooftop bar or try the chef’s latest creation at a sophisticated Mexican restaurant.
Whether planning a date night or looking for a happy hour destination the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago are worth checking out.
