Despite being about 2,500 miles away, one can find a piece of Mexico in the heart of Boston. From modern Mexican cuisine to authentic dishes, the neighborhoods of Back Bay, South End, and North End host some of the most intimate places to delight your palate with the flavors of Mexico. Travel through food at some of the best Mexican restaurants in Boston.
El Centro
📍472 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Tucked in the heart of the South End neighborhood you can find El Centro, one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants in Boston offering dishes that any Mexican grandmother would be putting on the table. The menu features regional classics of authentic Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting full of locals and regulars. The friendly and hospitable staff makes you feel like family, and the food echoes the sentiment.
Citrus & Salt
📍142 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116
Perhaps not the cooking your abuelita was making for dinner, but most definitely tasty and forward-thinking Mexican dishes offered at Citrus & Salt by Hell’s Kitchen’s chef Jason Santos. With a coastal Mexican-inspired menu, get ready to enjoy blue corn and tequila waffles, street corn covered on Flam’n Hot Cheeto crumbs, and agave glazed swordfish, among many other elaborate dishes that somehow make sense. However, if food is not your thing, the sexy frozen margaritas or the popular “I Didn’t Call You, Tequila Did” cocktail might fit your liquid diet.
La Neta Pinche Taco Shop
📍255 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116
Walking down the luxurious Newbury street, step into Mexico City at La Neta Pinche Taco Shop. The fast-casual taqueria offers the kind of street tacos that you would expect while strolling down Reforma at midnight. At El Centro’s sister restaurant, you can also find an array of tequilas and mezcals to wash down your tacos al pastor.
Yellow Door Taqueria
📍2297 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02124
📍354 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Trendy, hip, and modern Mexican food in Boston, that’s what describes Yellow Door Taqueria at first sight. With an inviting environment and a Cali-fare menu, this is the place to be in South End to dip your birria tacos in a flavorful tomato broth. Like the food? Look closer at the menu and don’t miss a chance to buy the kitchen staff a 6-pack. You might get some extra love put into your carnitas tacos.
[Check out our guide to the best ethnic grocery stories in Boston!]
Burro Bar
📍1357 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
With eclectic decor and a vibrant bar, Burro Bar is the perfect place to brunch Mexican style in South End. A bottomless brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays will ensure you are charged up on the weekend. From chilaquiles to huevos rancheros, and morning tacos, a variety of Mexican-inspired tapas-style dishes are perfect to share with your friends, or not.
Cósmica
📍40 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116
Set in The Revolution Hotel, Cosmica offers an ample outdoor space to sit back, relax, and indulge in Mexican food. Aside from the wonders of their Cal-Mex menu that includes dishes curated for days, Cosmica prides itself on offering cocktails that will make you feel like you are vacationing on the beautiful beaches of Baja. Follow them on social media, and become part of their Secret Taco Society to get a password and gain access to a special kitchen creation.
Check out Cosmica’s chef on Blind Kitchen
Check out chef Colton Coburn-Wood compete in our cooking competition show Blind Kitchen Boston!
Blind Kitchen Boston is a quirky food competition series, local chefs recreate each other’s signature dish, but they can only determine what the dish is using their senses of taste, touch and smell. Each chef is blindfolded during a down-and-dirty guessing phase and when the masks come off, the heat is on, with both chefs cooking what they believe is their opponent’s creation. The chefs are competing for bragging rights and a donation to their favorite charity.
Chilacates
📍275 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118
📍658 Centre St, Boston, MA 02130
📍224 Amory St, Boston, MA 02130
Flavorful bites are found at Chilacates every day of the week. It doesn’t need to be brunch on a weekend to enjoy a tasty Mexican burrito of juicy al pastor, spicy chicken tinga, or tender beef tongue. With the classics on the menu, like tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas, tamales also make a regular appearance making this place a convenient, and flavorful Mexican delight for everyone.
Tenoch Mexican
📍3 Lewis St, Boston, MA 02109
Mexican food in is not always just about tacos. Tortas sometimes are the underrated MVP when it comes to street Mexican food in Boston. What could be described as a Mexican sandwich, is one of the most practical staples of Mexican cuisine. The beauty of tortas is that in between the two pieces of sliced-open bread, you can put anything that your heart desires. Tenoch is the place to make those dreams come true. Stop by and enjoy a torta of campechana, a torta of choriqueso, or a torta adobada. Whatever mood you are in, Tenoch has a torta chingona for you.
Casa Romero
📍30 Gloucester St, Boston, MA 02115
While many restaurants offer a modern take on Mexican food in Boston, Casa Romero is the O.G. Serving authentic Mexican dishes since 1972, Casa Romero is the oldest Mexican restaurant in Boston. Enjoy one of their award-winning margaritas while sitting at their bar beautifully dressed on traditional Mexican tile. You can also feast on their refined Mexican menu on their intimate patio.
We’ve got three great shows that highlight the best of Boston! Check out Boston Rob Does Beantown, Blind Kitchen Boston and Eat Play Stay Boston.
