20 Best Mexican Restaurants in Monterey

“We had a potato crispy taco, a mushroom taco on a soft corn tortilla and the veggie burrito. All were tasty! The salsas were very good-wish there were a few more to choose from. We will definitely go backbecause the food was super good and made pretty quickly. As other have commented, they have some kind of Christian radio station which we didn’t care for. Interior is very plain-can see getting takeout more than eating there in the future. Yummy food and reasonably priced-burrito was huge! We wil be back. Thankful for a fully vegan place! Has onsite parking. Updated from previous review on 2026-08-19“

“I loved dining by candlelight. I had the camarones al mojo de ajo and it was delicious. Oh and the palomas were amazing!“

“Un lugar familiar buena y deliciosa comidas esmerado servicio.“

“We were visiting from the San Francisco Bay Area and decided to give La Bahia a try—and we’re so glad we did! We ordered the mahi mahi fish taco, the shrimp taco, and the surf & turf burrito. Everything was cooked to perfection. The shrimp were incredibly juicy and flavorful, the fish was fresh, and the burrito was packed with delicious ingredients and generous portions. You can tell they put care into their food. The staff was friendly, and the overall experience was fantastic. We’ll definitely be stopping by again the next time we’re in Monterey!“

“Amazing place food is well prepared and tasty!“

“Papa Chanos never disappoints! First thing I noticed walking in was how clean the restaurant was — seriously spotless. We ordered burritos, asada fries, quesadillas, and beans and rice, and everything was absolutely delicious. The portions were way bigger than expected — those quesadillas were LOADED. We got so much more food than we anticipated, which is always a win!
My son ordered the bean burrito and gave it a solid 10/10 — his words, not mine — and honestly I couldn’t argue with him. It was that good. The asada fries and beans and rice were just as satisfying.
The free chips and salsa bar is such a great touch. Fresh, flavorful, and a perfect way to start the meal while you wait. Speaking of waiting — we barely had to! Our food came out super fast, which is impressive considering how fresh and well-made everything tasted.
If you’re looking for a go-to Mexican spot with great food, generous portions, and a clean, welcoming environment, Papa Chanos is it. We’ll definitely be back!“

“best tacos for miles! thank you for being delicious!“

“good food and Service and the waiters are nice and Ploit“

“Food was amazing, and the manager and staff were friendly and accommodating. Definitely recommend!!“

“I have been coming here for years. The best Mexican Food for the best price!!!“

“Visiting from out of state. Stopped by and oh my word. The food is so good! Definitely recommend this place.“

“I had 3 asada tacos, they're not mini street tacos! They're loaded up with meat, with onion and cilantro which is optional. Very delicious salsa, the red is more spicy and very flavorful, green also flavorful but mild! Don't judge a book by its cover! Yes, its in a liquor store, but go! Plus you can buy anything else you might want too.“

“Omg the sopes, ah-mazing. This is the best Mexican food I’ve had in awhile, if ever. They were busy and I can see why. 100% worth the wait, fast friendly service and off the charts good. I had the chicken which was flavorful, green sauce, just yum. Just go.“

“Delicious Traditional but memorable dishes stop by for lunch if you're in the area.“

“We recently had the pleasure of working with Urban Kitchen for our wedding, and I truly cannot say enough good things about Rene and his team. From the very beginning, Rene was always available. No matter how many questions we had or when we called he answered the phone and made us feel like family. Rene’s communication and reliability meant everything to us.

What stood out most was how genuinely excited he was for our marriage and wedding day. It never felt like “just another event” from him. We could feel that he truly cared and wanted everything to be special for us.

The food was wonderful. The service was smooth and the entire experience helped take so much stress off our shoulders. We are incredibly grateful we chose Urban Kitchen for such an important day.

Thank you, Rene, for being a part of our story and helping make our wedding day memorable.
Victor and Lisa Marks“

“Had such a fun time at Tipsy Putt! The atmosphere was great, the games were so much fun, and it’s such a perfect spot to hang out with friends. The staff was friendly, the drinks were good and there was a really fun energy throughout the whole place. Definitely a great spot for a night out!“

“Daaaaannnnggg…those handmade tortillas! Pollo or beef tacos, you can’t go wrong.“

“Our first visit to Lalla Grill Del Monte and it was fabulous! The food was delicious. Our waiter Tino was friendly, professional, and on top of everything. Later we went to the bar. It was fully stocked and the bartender, Rae, was the bomb! Worth a visit if you are in the area! Highly recommend.“

“good food and Service and the waiters are nice and Ploit“

“This gal came of her shift, at 8:06 pm tonight, and STOKED my 7 year old boys… and me. She had the Christmas Spirit and this was the last place we expected it, and actually, the first Christmas Spirit of the Season. My kids said that was so nice… and I agree. Merry Christmas to you wonderful lady. 🎄“