The Ultimate Guide To Mexican Restaurants in Tampa, FL
Mexico may be over a thousand miles across the gulf from Tampa, Florida, but you’d never know it when enjoying a meal at one of the many Mexican restaurants in the city. From the finest ingredients and tastiest dishes to tequila-inspired drinks, below is our list of the best Mexican restaurants in Tampa you don’t want to miss.
Photo credit: miguelitostampa.com
Miguelitos Taqueria Y Tequila
2702 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609
(813) 872-5600
Topping Tampa Magazine‘s list of the best Mexican Restaurants in the city is Miguelitos Taqueria Y Tequilas. The atmosphere of this upscale hangout is as inviting as the food itself. Choose from a full menu of tasty street-style tacos or go for one of the specialty platters, all made with local, fresh ingredients. Enjoy the specialty brunch, lunch, dinner, or make it your go-to spot for Taco Tuesdays. Also, give the chilled, infused tequila shots on tap a try. You’ll want to plan your visit here as seats inside and on the outdoor patio can fill up fast.
Photo credit: Facebook
Green Lemon
915 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 868-5463
Green Lemon is a lively restaurant hangout located in the South Howard Avenue or SoHo neighborhood near downtown Tampa. Here you have a wide variety of choices, from traditional Mexican cuisine to dishes catering to vegetarians and vegans. You’ll also find a gluten-free menu. Unique, modern dishes served in a dining room surrounding by colorful murals make this a great place to return to again and again.
Photo credit: Facebook
Lolis Mexican Cravings
10011 West Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33615,
(813) 243-1500
8005 Benjamin Road, Tampa, FL 33634,
(813) 886-7467
3324 W. Gandy Blvd, Ste. 2, Tampa, FL 33611,
(813) 374-3164
11401 N. 56th St., Temple Terrace, FL 33617,
(813) 442-6932
Starting out humbly on Hillsborough Avenue, Lolis Mexican Cravings is so good that it now sports two more locations within the city limits and a new one in adjacent Temple Terrace. You’ll want to savor their authentic, homemade Mexican dishes, from tacos to tamales to sopes to tortas. Enjoy the casual atmosphere in this friendly family-run restaurant.
Photo credit: Facebook
Bartaco
1601 W Snow Ave, Tampa, FL 33606,
(813) 258-8226
Head into one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Tampa, Hyde Park, and enjoy some of the best tacos anywhere. Choose your fillings, from the well-known mojo pork to the in-house specialties of sesame ribeye or roasted duck. You can even include fried oysters for a unique treat. There’re more than tacos, however, so mix up your dishes any way you like. The locale is exciting, and the restaurant bar is a fun place to hang out if you have extra time on your hands.
Photo credit: Facebook
Besito
205 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, FL 33609,
(813) 287-4800
Feel like you’re in Mexico with a stop at Besito for lunch or dinner. A rich cultural experience awaits you, with spectacular dishes and staff treating you like family. Try the iron skillet tacos like the Guajillo marinated port and pineapple salsa taco, a seafood tortilla pie enchilada, or the surprising Mexican-inspired Churrasco Burger. Besito offers vegetarian choices as well. Grab a quick lunch or linger for a while in the comfortable dining room. Peruse the extensive list of tequilas on offer and top it off with a handmade sangrita.
Margaritas
209 Davis Blvd., Tampa, FL 33606,
(813) 251-0558
Cross the bridge from downtown Tampa onto beautiful Davis Island. Margaritas Mexican restaurant sits in the quaint downtown area. Traditional hand-crafted recipes start with the chunky salsa and extend across the menu. Savor the savory Rellenos or Burrito Diablo, or choose a combination dish of your favorites. Order one of their namesake margaritas for a relaxing start to any meal or to help enjoy the live music at night.
Photo credit: mekenitacantina.com
Mekenita Cantina
6707 North Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33604,
(813) 232-8226
Head to the Seminole Heights neighborhood to one of the best Mexican restaurants in Tampa. The Mekenita Catina is a modern take on recipes found in the food lovers Oaxacan region of Mexico. Try their Citrus Grilled Chicken Enchiladas, Garlic Rubbed Smoked Pork Tacos, or any one of the unique choices on their extensive menu. Sip on their signature Tamarind margaritas or savor their homemade Mexican flan for dessert.
Photo credit: Facebook
Senor Tequila Mexican Grill
11115 Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618,
(813) 280-9955
12950 Racetrack Rd., Tampa, FL 33626,
(813)510-3488
A cross between elegant dining and casual hangout, two Tampa locations of Senor Tequila Mexican Grill are always willing to serve up a good time along with a good meal. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Mexican dishes, including flautas, shrimp tacos, mojarra, and even vegetarian fajitas. If you are looking to try something out of the ordinary, give their steak cascabel a try. Don’t leave without trying one of their scrumptious desserts, like the Churros or the Chango, a tortilla-wrapped cheesecake treat. Add a specialty drink, whether it be a house margarita or a skinny margarita, with an appetizer like ceviche tropical.
Photo credit: getbento.com
Urban Cantina
200 E Madison St, Tampa, FL 33602,
(813) 221-8226
In the mix of the downtown business district of Tampa sits the cozy Urban Cantina. Full of fresh ingredients, you’ll find all your favorites here. From quesadillas to Cantina Burritos, only the freshest ingredients will do. Order a takeout fiesta box for family or friends, or grab a chair and sip on a mango margarita, mezcalita, or your favorite cerveza.
Photo credit: Facebook
Don Julio’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine
2808 E Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL 33613,
(813) 898-2860
This family-owned restaurant is still young but winning over customers both locally and from afar. Founders Esther and Julio Rodriguez arrived in Tampa direct from Mexico back in the 1970s and fulfilled a dream by opening this restaurant in 2018. A specialty is the Birria Tacos, with its slow-cooked Mexican stew playing the starring role. Anything served on their warm handmade tortillas is also a winner. Sit in the intimate dining room or lounge on the outdoor patio for as long as you like.
Photo credit: Facebook
Taco Bus
913 E. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33604,
(813) 234-0294
505 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602,
(813) 397-2800
2320 E Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612,
(813) 977-6808
Starting out at its Hillsborough Avenue location, this expanding Florida favorite can also be found as a popular downtown food truck and another locale on Fletcher Avenue. It’s so good even Guy Fieri included it on his show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, finding the tortas to be some of the best he’s ever had. The menu is expansive, so there’s something for everyone, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. Taco Bus is a fun place to pick up a lunch to enjoy on the bay or hang out at night.
Miguel’s Mexican Seafood and Grill
3035 W. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33609
(813) 876-2587
Looking for a unique atmosphere that has an outside bar on the patio? Miguel’s Mexican seafood is the place to go! Well-known for their variety of delicious seafood dishes, they have you covered from small to large parties. Start with their Shrimp filled jalapeños and ceviche. Once you start, you will just want more of their Mexican food! Don’t worry about your next party, either–Miguel’s Mexican Seafood does offer catering with different options!
TacoSon
7521 N 56th St Tampa, FL 33617
(813) 989-2080
Never underestimate the power of their extremely amazing tacos! TacoSon is a family-owned restaurant that has all the delicious flavors in every dish they serve! It is not just a father-son relationship, but all recipes are passed down from generation to generation of the family from Sonora, Mexico. Their carne asada tacos will not disappoint nor their special of the day!
Chiles Mexican Restaurant
3247 W Columbus Dr Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 354-8335
Chiles Mexican restaurant is another reason to say, vamos Tampa Bay! Their authentic dishes bring a diversity of flavors to West Columbus Drive. El Molcajete is a well-made dish, containing a variety of proteins with onion, cactus, cheese, and green salsa! The owners from Aguascalientes, Mexico bring a different taste to each of their special antojitos.
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