Mexican cuisine dominates Los Angeles, with taquerias or taco trucks seemingly present on every street corner, and freshly made agua frescas being the preferred summer beverage for thirsty Angelenos. It’s safe to say that we are fortunate in this regard.
However, the influence of South-of-the-Border fare extends beyond just tacos, encompassing a rich variety of flavors and preparations. These can be influenced not only by seasonality and origin but also by the specific Los Angeles neighborhood one happens to be in at any given moment.
Our journey involved tasting a diverse array of dishes, including tacos, mole, tamales, and more, to compile a list of the best sit-down Mexican restaurants in L.A.
These range from old-school traditional establishments to modern culinary experiences, providing a comprehensive exploration of the city’s vibrant Mexican culinary scene.
Damian
Since making its debut during the lockdown era, Enrique Olvera’s Damian has discreetly emerged as one of the premier upscale Mexican dining establishments in the city, ranking among the best restaurants in Los Angeles overall.
Damian boasts an effortlessly stylish atmosphere and offers memorable small plates with a focus on seafood, grilled meats, and inventive vegetable mains.
Every bite at Damian reflects a dedication to traditional Mexican cooking techniques and carefully sourced ingredients. While there isn’t a single standout dish, it would be a mistake to overlook the unforgettable duck al pastor and the artful hibiscus meringue.
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Guelaguetza
Guelaguetza has been a culinary staple in Los Angeles since the Lopez family opened the restaurant in 1994. Named after an Oaxacan dance, this popular spot in Koreatown is renowned for its exceptional moles, which are served with hearty tacos, rice, meat, and vegetables.
Vibrant music typically accompanies your meal, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it’s not uncommon to see diners spontaneously getting up to dance.
If you want to recreate their dishes at home, the attached store sells jars of Guelaguetza’s moles—red, black, and coloradito—along with the ingredients to make their fantastic micheladas.
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Gish Bac
At the Mid-City restaurant, owned by Oaxaca natives David Padilla and Maria Ramos, Angelenos and their families honor everything spicy and grilled.
Large crowds savor meals like bone-in lamb served with savory refried beans topped with queso, or goat meat enchiladas in a tomato sauce with crunchy cabbage and cilantro. Bold palates choose lamb; pancita, or stomach cooked with onion, spice, and blood rich in iron, completes the picture.
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Holbox
Some of the greatest Yucatecan-style mariscos in the city can be found at this tiny, family-owned food stand inside Mercado La Paloma in South Central, run by Gilbert Cetina.
There are no wrong orders when it comes to raw seafood at Holbox; that being said, you might want to occasionally order a taco packed with plump, perfectly cooked scallops. Other options include vibrant, bold ceviches and tostadas stuffed with uni and kanpachi.
Weekend-only six-course tasting menus ease the decision-making process for those struggling with indecision, but the seafood-focused approach, recipes, and legacy of Cetina’s first award-winning restaurant, Chichen Itza, are still present here.
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Madre
This lively Oaxacan restaurant features one of the most spectacular mezcal collections in Los Angeles, if not all of California, and equally impressive food that keeps the party going all day and night.
Madre has made it easy to get some of the best tacos, tamales, moles, antojitos, and tlayudas in the area with locations in Torrance, West Hollywood, and Palms. It’s always worth looking for.
Owner Ivan Vasquez shows his dedication to each site with house-made tortillas, long-simmered braises, expertly charred grilled meats, and some painfully fresh seafood.
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Final Words
Los Angeles features a diverse and lively Mexican culinary scene, providing a variety of dining experiences from traditional family-owned eateries to contemporary interpretations of classic dishes.
This compilation showcases a handful of outstanding Mexican sit-down restaurants in L.A., highlighting the city’s flavorful and influenced gastronomic landscape.
Whether you’re in the mood for seafood, mole, tacos, or any other Mexican delight, there’s undoubtedly a perfect spot for you to explore. So, embrace your adventurous side and embark on a culinary journey through Los Angeles’ thriving Mexican food scene.
