50 Best Mexican Restaurants near Harbor City

“I recently had the pleasure of dining at this restaurant, and it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between warm and modern, creating a welcoming space that feels both relaxed and refined. The staff were attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about the menu, and genuinely eager to ensure every guest felt taken care of.

The food was the true highlight. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, with fresh ingredients and bold, well-balanced flavors. From the appetizers to the main course and dessert, every bite reflected consistency and attention to detail. Portions were generous without being overwhelming, and the menu offered a great variety to suit different tastes.

What truly sets this place apart is its commitment to quality and hospitality. Even during busy hours, service remained efficient and friendly. Pricing felt fair considering the quality of the food and overall experience.

Whether you’re planning a casual dinner, a family celebration, or a date night, this restaurant delivers on all fronts. I would absolutely return and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience.“

“We place an order for chicharon with queso pupusas, cheese quesadilla, and chicken taco dorado. Everything about the cuisine was freshly made and excellent! The chicken tacos dorados were so delicious that we wanted to keep ordering them.“

“Very special place. The lady who answered the phone made me feel like I was calling my mom to tell her I was hungry, she made me feel so happy to order. The customer service is top tier and service and food is even better. So happy I found this gem today while searching for lunch.“

“The TJ Barria Tacos are D'lish! I love the authentic flair, every bite is packed with flavor! You just can't go wrong with any item. People you gotta try this place. And their Miches fantastic! Yumm'O ☆☆☆☆☆“

“The food is Amazing 😉 love this place 😍🙌🏽If you in the area you got to stop by and try the chicken 🍗 # A+ Delicious“

“Absolutely great! The food reminded me of my family’s cooking — authentic, fresh, and full of flavor. No other place even comes close. Every bite tasted like home, from the perfectly seasoned dishes to the warm, comforting atmosphere. This restaurant deserves way more attention and should honestly be featured on the Food Network. If you’re looking for real Mexican food that leaves you craving more, this is the spot. Must try!“

“Great service and great food“

“Delicious food and plenty of seats. Not too expensive. They messed up my order one day but they allowed me to return it and they prepared a brand new plate free of charge, no questions asked.

Update (09/04/2024
Prices at this restaurant have gone way up and now they ask for tip when you pay..... it's self serve type of restaurant!! .. so i don't like that.“

“This is a small place, but it’s very clean and well-kept. Even the restroom was spotless, which I really appreciated. The staff—especially the friendly young lady—were very welcoming and kind.

The shrimp tacos were delicious“

“The friendliest cafe in Manhattan Beach“

“Beautiful little restaraunt by Manhattan Beach Pier. I’m there every year end of Aug.“

“Friendly customer service 😍. Food was very good, especially the Spanish Sticky Date Cake 😋!“

“Delicious authentic Mexican food, Great customer service!“

“El fin de semana celebramos la quinceañera de mi hija en Rivera's Restaurant y todo estuvo excelente. Desde el primer acercamiento George siempre fue muy amable y comprensivo con lo que esperábamos para nuestra fiesta. La decoración y sobre todo la comida y atención a nuestros invitados fue excelente. Estamos convencidos que volveriamos a tener otro evento con ellos.“

“I finally have a local, good, and cost effective place near my house. So far I’ve had their cheese burger and fish ceviche. The burger was big and juicy. The fries were great. The fish ceviche was spiced so if you don’t like spice like me, ask them to put the vinaigrette on the side and add to your liking. But a good overall place that I recommend. They also do take out and call in for pick up. They do Door Dash and Grub hub too.“

“We swim at this beach and we love getting breakfast tacos and burritos afterwards. This food is delicious! They have vegetarian options. Their salsas are freshly made and the habanero is muy picante! 🌶️ Add their avocado green salsa - it’s unique and delicious! Very, very nice staff working day and night.“

“Calo K's ceviche is delicious.“

“10/10 The best friendly atmosphere Relaxing Great customer service Fresh food with in mins The Dodgers game was on I really enjoyed the restaurant I will recommend this to my friends and family please visit and enjoy The best in months“

“Amazing Experience! The Food is Delicious and Creative. The Margarita’s are just as unique and delicious, and the STAFF make you feel at home❣️🤗 Great Staff, Delicious Food & Great Drinks! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you for your wonderful hospitality❣️“

“Muy buenos los recomiendo excelente servicio“

“I stopped by this restaurant with my family, and we had a great experience overall. We had a reservation and were seated right away. Our waitress was friendly, attentive, and took our order promptly. As the restaurant became busier, we understandably did not see her as often. I do wish our drinks had been refilled more frequently, especially since I do not drink alcohol and relied more on my regular beverage. The prices were reasonable for the amount of food served, and the portions were generous. There was also plenty of parking, which made the visit easy and convenient. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and had a pleasant experience.“

“Been there many times and it is awesome! Friendly, efficient staff, delicious food, and great bartenders! The owner is also very warm and welcoming. It is such a great Redondo Beach eatery, highly recommended 👌“

“Definitely give this place a try! Friendly staff and delicious burritos - get em wet. The meat is very tender, the salsas and sauces have big time flavor and kick when you want it. Lots of tvs on the patio if you like that, but also open air if you don't.
Margs are wine-based, not full on tequila (But I don't think you'll notice.)“

“good serving… nice staffs“

“This place is SO good! I got the breakfast burrito and added cheese and avocado. Omg it was so big I had it for two meals. It was just as amazing for the second meal. Everyone that worked there was so nice, it had such a great family feel. A few customers came in while I was eating outside, and it was clear they were regulars - as i would be if I lived closer! Also, I dont eat meat and there were plenty of options!

There aren't any tables inside but there are a few outside with umbrellas if needed.“

“Friendly staff, excellent customer service. Food was delicious, salsa bar & mouthwatering hand made tortillas!“

“great food. great customer service. 40 miles drive for me and I'll make that trip every time.“

“If you’re looking for authentic, homemade Mexican food, Mr. Valdez Mexican Restaurant is an absolute gem. This cozy mom-and-pop spot truly feels like a labor of love, with everything made fresh and full of flavor.

The mole is incredible—rich, comforting, and honestly reminds me of the kind my mom used to make. It’s one of those dishes that instantly feels nostalgic. And the chile verde? Finger-licking good. Every bite is packed with fresh, vibrant flavor.

Beyond the food, what really makes this place special is the people. The owners are some of the sweetest, most genuine folks you’ll meet—truly salt-of-the-earth. You can feel the warmth the moment you walk in.

This place has quickly become one of our regular spots, and for good reason. If you appreciate real, homemade cooking and kind-hearted service, you’ll love it here.“

“omg me encanta loaded cafe .my favorite breakfast place !!! chlaquiles con Carne azada en salsa Roja y un waffle to top it off...now they have pastries 3 leches and cheesecake are bomb 💣 😋“

“Their "Ricardo's Super Burrito" is the best! I order it wet style with enchilada sauce and melted cheese on top. They also include chips and salsa with the order. Delicious!“

“Love the service and food. A true gem in the south bay.“

“I'm not going to Tijuana for just some tacos only if I go out to las pulgas!best club in Tijuana“

“Second time eating here and last time was a few months after they first opened. Tacos are still really good just a little overpriced for the size. Favorite one is la Paz fish taco on a purple tortilla. I like the 2 new added tacos which are the gobernador and the birria cheese. Michelada was ok.
The coffee stand is unique and I like their selections. Staff were all great.
Will try their menudo next time.“

“Had an amazing meal in a chic and cozy booth with spot-on decor, food presentation & atmosphere. Great margaritas!“

“This is one of our favorite spots in the south bay! We love it so much we actually had our wedding reception at the rooftop. Food and service are always great and Andrew has been fantastic at taking care of our guests on our wedding day. Love their Iris Azul, El Pistachio and all the mezcal drinks. As for food - die for tortillas and decadent Chimichangas!“

“I just got back from going here with my daughter and I always recommend this spot to family and friends, I’ve been a fan of this place since I first went about four years ago.on a date. Such delicious food and unique options on the menu. I also like the atmosphere and the people that work there are always really friendly andcool people.“

“Following a Michelin Guide. The menu offers a solid selection of ceviche and seafood dishes. We tried two types of ceviche and the marlin tacos. The ceviche portions were surprisingly generous for appetizers, while the three tacos felt a bit small for $24.
Our waiter thoughtfully asked whether we could handle spicy food — their ceviche comes with a generous amount of chili and green sauce — and offered to have it prepared milder. We appreciated that touch of attentiveness.
The food itself was fresh and flavorful with no real complaints on quality. That said, it didn't quite reach the level of culinary creativity or refinement I'd expect from a destination worth a special return visit. Service was a little disorganized, and there was an error on the bill.
A solid spot, but not a standout. Four out of five stars.“

“This is an excellent restaurant in an attractive space with attentive service. For the quality, the price is more than fair.

The traditional ceviche with fish was fresh, complex, and came with multiple sauces. The empanadas were perfectly done, with the fish ones being a bit strong for our taste and the shrimp ones being really outstanding. We also had very rich, very filling Tacos Perrones whose fish was perfectly done. They serve fried tortillas instead of corn chips, which is both attractive and delicious. My only complaint would be that my margarita was kind of light on the alcohol.

Long Beach is lucky to have this place.“

“I came with my son for dinner. The place looks clean they have 4 tables only but place it’s inviting you know they sell Birria. I order the carne en su jugo. It’s delicious very tender savory flavorful with beans, bacon and onions accompanied by 2 cheese quesadillas . The 5 tacos dorados very well portioned. Meat was tender and tasty, salsa spicy and the consome had lots of flavor. The service was friendly, fast and guy answer all my questions. I’ll definitely come back. You guys should try.☺️“

“Great food, beans excellent.“

“We recently catered a birthday party w/Casa Playa. It was pretty short notice, 3 days, but they really made our party perfect! I called and Alathena helped walk me through the menu to choose just the right amount of food. They provided the buffet racks and the sterno (saved me a couple of trips looking for them). Everything was delivered exactly on time and hot! They even provided signs to make choosing easier. The food was DE-Licious!! Crispy tacos were awesome as were the enchiladas. Our guests kept raving about the food even the next day. If you need catering, call them! They’re terrific, easy to work with and very accommodating. Thank you Alathena! LC“

“Fantastic Food & Atmosphere! I highly recommend La Playita Cafe!“

“It's a nice place. The food is good. Not the best. But their service is amazing and the ambiance is cool. It feels like you're in a Spanish hacienda“

“The food was seasoned very well. I got the chicken and steak with rice bowl. All of the ingredients were fresh. Very reasonable pricing. Super friendly service.“

“Took wife to eat mole. Mole was Ok but Chicken was horrible. mentioned it to a worker ,, she said .It was cooked the day before also asked not to get breast but got served breast anyway. wife left all the chicken didn't eat it.,mainly because it was bad tasting.“

“Love this restaurant, great Mexican food and Margaritas 🤩“

“Fantastic hidden gem! Located in north long beach, this authentic Mexican restaurant is absolutely delicious. They have plenty of nostalgic dishes that you may remember a loved cooking for you. They have soups, tacos, and special dishes such as costillitas con nopales. I was left very much happily satisfied. Parking is a nightmare, they have a small lot. It is a mom and pop shop, so please keep that in mind when you arrive. Seating is extremely limited, but they have a couple chairs out front to ensure you're taken care of. Please tip if you can as I'm positive a place like this is not common anymore these days. The ladies who serve and take orders have the most cute uniforms and friendliest of service. Anything upon request!!! Please ask before you do. They have a specific seating order and will be happy to accommodate when you ask! Oh they do serve alcohol, beers and margaritas 😬“

“So i got the burrito and its hearty. Great for the price. I think its a top place around here if id get a burrito. I haven't tried the rest of the menu but cool staff. It was a but cold inside, like jumping jacks cold so eating inside was annoying. But goo resturaunt it seems. Ill be back im sure.“

“The food was delicious, thank you 😁“

“10/10!! walked up to try to catch the mexico game .. they squeezed us in . pretty sure the owner ( chefs jacket ) . Wendy patricia and the owner and staff were so dam nice and food vibes were ah mazing !!!!!!!!! for as crowded as it was good came out fast and drinks .. it was great!“