22 Best Mexican Restaurants in San Clemente

Check out our list of the best Mexican restaurants in San Clemente. Explore a variety of Mexican flavors, from a Fish Tacos to California Burrito, and enjoy great Mexican cuisine in the city.

South of Nick's San Clemente | Mexican Kitchen + Bar Mexican • $$
110 N El Camino Real, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Carne Nortena with Seafood Enchilada
El Jefe Burrito with Ranchero Beef
Stacked Chicken Enchiladas
Stacked Birria Enchiladas
Maine Lobster Enchiladas
Guacamole for the Table
Enchiladas Divorciadas
Filet Mignon Ranchero
Seafood Chile Relleno
Filet Mignon Taquitos

“Came for lunch with my gran about a month after my grandfather passed. It was my gran's first outing since the funeral and i was worried but our server was this adorable silver haired woman named Rebecca. She had my Gran laughing the whole time. We ordered combos and the suggested jalapeño watermelon margaritas, which were spicy and refreshing. We needed a nap afterwards because we were too stuffed! My gran won't stop asking when we can go back. Thank you South of Nicks for lovely meal, and Thank you Rebecca, for helping a family member feel normal after tragedy. You are in our prayers“

4.5 Superb552 Reviews
Riviera Restaurant American • $$
2600 Avenida Del Presidente, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Lobster Benedict
Avocado Toast

“It was fantastic! Amazing craft cocktails I've never had anything like before. Food was also fantastic. Local fish, local produce, how can you go wrong. Get the Tessie for a drink, amazing cocktail ?“

4.4 Superb175 Reviews
sol agave - san clemente Mexican • $$
111 Avenida Del Mar suite 1B, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Butter Cake with Chocolate Mousse and Vanilla Ice Cream
Taquiza Carne Asada Carnitas Chicken & Shrimp Tacos
Seafood Enchiladas with Shrimp and Dungeness Crab
Carnitas Soft Taco and Chicken Mole Enchilada
Carnitas Special with Mezcal Mule
Cazuela de Pastor Al Trompo
Enchiladas de Mariscos
Grilled Romaine Salad
HH Margarita Flight
Our Famous Carnitas

“Great place and pretty authentic food and top margaritas.“

4.6 Superb155 Reviews
Sancho's Tacos Mexican • $
1101 S El Camino Real, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Surf & Turf Burrito
California Burrito
Flounder Pounder
Chicken Burrito
Steak Burrito
Chips & Salsa
Grilled Fish
Shrimp Tacos
Carnitas Taco
Quesadilla

“Amazing taco 🌮 experience“

4.4 Superb141 Reviews
Asada Cantina + Kitchen Mexican • $$
225 W Avenida Vista Hermosa Suite G, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Asada Cantina Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
Crispy Taco Plate w Corn Tortillas
Enchiladas with Grilled Vegetables
Signature Carne Asada Med Rare
Agave Honey Chicken Sandwich
Seasonal Tres Leches Cake
Cilantro Lime Steak Salad
Blackened Halibut Tacos
Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos
Crab & Shrimp Ceviche

“Very pleasing atmosphere calm peaceful elegant great peace of mind I enjoyed my food there and drinks are great as well“

4.3 Superb178 Reviews
Chelas Mexican Kitchen Mexican • $
Recommended
1011 Avenida Pico, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

BYO La Calle Street Tacos
Grilled Ribeye Burrito
Chelas Steak Burrito
Carne Asada Burrito
Chicken Quesadilla
One Pint Guacamole
Chicken Enchiladas
Breakfast Burrito
El Macho Nachos
Chile Verde Wet

“This place is awesome. We had chicken and steak Build your own tacos. Everyone loved it! We will definitely be back!! Thank you for making My Dad’s 95th great!!!“

4.3 Superb96 Reviews
7

Gema

Gema Mexican • $$$
110 S El Camino Real, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Flourless Chocolate Cake with Salted Carmel Ice Cream
Yellow Fin Tuna Tostadas
Hibiscus Ice Cream
Tomahawk Steak
Chile Relleno
Birria De Res
Halibut Taco
Charred Corn
Caqui Salad
Wagyu Steak

“We celebrated an early Mother’s Day Saturday evening. Outstanding👏😎flavors, presentation, dessert, cocktails/ vibes..And our waiter(Luca) was personable , fun.“

4.2 Good201 Reviews
Avila's El Ranchito - San Clemente Mexican • $$
204 Avenida Del Mar A, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Chile Relleno Chicken Soft Taco Add Guacamole Rice & Beans
Tacos Black Beans and Rice
Great Chips and Salsa
Mama Avila´S Soup
Appetizer Platter
Grande Taco Salad
Guacamole Fresco
Quesadilla Avila
Nachos Especial
Chile Colorado

“Awesome food!! Been visiting (I’m from Chicago) since my daughters family moved to CA and discovered in 2008. I love the Mama Avila soup, very hearty and so delicious. There’s nothing that I’ve tried that I didn’t like. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!!“

4.2 Good167 Reviews
Wahoo's Fish Taco Mexican • $
641 Camino De Los Mares A100, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Chicken Tortilla Soup
Maui Onion Rings
Crispy Fish Taco
Fountain Drink
Shrimp Burrito
2 Fish Tacos
White Beans
Black Beans
Shrimp Bowl

“This place is a fantastic choice for a quick and worthwhile meal. They serve affordable, high-quality dishes inspired by SoCal and Latin cuisine. Even though it’s part of a chain, you can truly taste the freshness and quality of the ingredients in every bite.“

4.3 Superb56 Reviews
El Jefe Cafe Mexican • $
106 E Escalones, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Chicken Enchiladas Rancheras
Eggs and Chilaquiles
Fish & Chips 4

“Great service and great food“

4.2 Good72 Reviews
Baja Fresh Mexican • $
979 Avenida Pico Unit A, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Guacamole 8oz and Chips
Baja Burrito
Tortilla Chip
Taco Tuesday
Quesadillas
Carnitas
Fajitas
Nachos
Salads

“I called this morning to place a catering order. They do not open until 10:30 but the phone was answered on the second ring, at 10:18 am, with a pleasant employee on the line. I couldn't remember her name, but want to recognize her and her positive, can do attitude. She was VERY patient, kind and helped me through the entire ordering process. I was ordering a catering platter and an individual meal for a work luncheon this afternoon. She never made me feel like I needed to call once they had opened. It's rare to get great service these days so I wanted to make sure she knows how much I appreciated it today! Kudos to you and your team!“

4.2 Good30 Reviews
Ramones Mexican BBQ Mexican • $
E St, San Clemente

“great beach side place. Mexican treats.“

5 Superb1 Reviews
Street Tacos Mexican • $
Camino De Los Mares, Camino El Molino, San Clemente

“Found ourselves in the area at dinner time and hadn’t been there before so in we went. I had two tacos, she had a salad. They ignored the “no avocado please” request? My “fuego” carnitas was not all at fuego, but it was tasty and filling. They bring the food to you and clear your table“

4.3 Superb3 Reviews
El Pollo Loco Mexican • $
963 Avenida Pico, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Double Chicken Avocado Salad
Nachos Supremos
Chicken Bowl
Meal for Two
Two Churros
Burrito

“Yesterday i came in For lunch Right before i started eating i notice two asian people Came in a Started changing the air conditioning filters A big no-noo specialy during bussines hours and with out covering the salsa bar or any other area I asked the manager to stop them, he came out talk to them and the continued any way Check my facebook photos and videos...“

3.7 Good47 Reviews
Los Patios Cocina Mexicana Mexican • $$
111 W Avenida Palizada # 17, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Rancheros with Delicious Spanish Sauce
Ceviche Mazatlán Style
Side of Chips & Salsa
California Taco Salad
Two Enchiladas Cozumel
Special Chile Verde
Camarones Al Ajillo
Grilled Shrimp Salad
Two Enchiladas Baja
Chicken Taquitos

“Our favorite go to all the time authentic Mexican resturant with the most amazing Staff/friends 💯❤️❤️❤️“

3.7 Good74 Reviews
Surfin' Chicken Grill Chicken • $
71 Via Pico Plaza, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Quesadilla Cheese Quesadilla
Lunch Special Chicken Plate
Surfin Chicken Burrito
Carne Asada Quesadilla
Red Snapper Burrito
Half Chicken Plate
Carne Asada Burrito
Carne Asada Nachos
Red Snapper Plate
Fish Quesadilla

“Great flavor, great service and great prices“

4.5 Superb112 Reviews
Active Culture Cafe • $
111 S El Camino Real, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Not Your Mama’S Nachos
Wholesome Grain Bowl
Grassroots Burger
Breakfast Burrito
Wholesome Bowl
Potatoe Tacos
Veggie Burger
Big Salad

“My daily simple lunch for remote work offers many options for a pescatarian/vegetarian. Clean, organic, and delicious!!! 🙌🏾👏🏾👍🏾“

4.4 Superb98 Reviews
Franco's Famous San Clemente Bar • $$
207 S El Camino Real, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Happy Hour Quesadilla Trio
Shredded Beef Taquitos
Happy Hour Tacos
Chips and Salsa
Ensenada Taco

“This has turned into a locals hang out. Waitresses seem to know the clients well. The outside dining is perfect for happy hour as the sun starts to set and the afternoon breeze sweeps in. Umbrellas keep you in the shade earlier in the afternoon. I LOVE the FLAUTUS. Light and crispy on the outside with a moist protein topped with a generous portion of guacamole. The bar is a fun place to hang. Bartenders are busy but friendly enough. This place has patrons with the San Clemente friendliness.“

4.6 Superb39 Reviews
Pedro's Tacos Mexican • $
2313 S El Camino Real, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Carne Asada Burrito with Cheese Number One in Southern California in My Book as Far as Flavor
Bean and Cheese Burrito
Chicken Quesadilla
Trestles Burrito
Shrimp Burrito
Fried Chicken
Rolled Tacos
Guacamole
Soft Taco
Potato

“I've been coming to this place for 20 years and they never disappoint. I always get the carne asada burrito and it is the best I've had anywhere. The meat is always super juicy and the tortilla is soft. I highly recommend Pedro's Tacos to anyone looking for elite Mexican food!“

3.4 Good115 Reviews
Las Golondrinas Mexican Food Mexican • $
400 Camino De Estrella B # B, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Chicken Fajita Burrito
Carne Asada Taco
Carnitas Taco
Chile Relleno
Refried Beans
Crispy Tacos
Chile Verde
Guacamole
Tortillas
Enchilada

“YUM! This morning I had a napilitas breakfast burrito with BACON. It was so delicious especially with guacamole and their spicy red salsa! My wonderful friend Patricia made the choices super easy and cultivated an amazing experience. Thanks Patricia and Las Golondrinas! I will be back.“

3.2 Average84 Reviews
Pedro's Tacos Mexican • $
550 N El Camino Real, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Bean and Cheese Burrito
Carne Asada Burrito
Fried Chicken Taco
California Burrito
Carne Asada Taco
Trestles Burrito
Famous Fish Taco
Shrimp Burrito
Fish Burrito
Rolled Tacos

“came here for a ailuick lunch. Had the fried chicken taco, fish taco and horchata. their tacos are very big. super tasty. only bummer is they give you heinz taco sauce as their sauce. place like this should have authentic house made sauce but it's ok.“

3.3 Good135 Reviews
Taco Bell Fast Food • $
959 Avenida Pico, San Clemente

Customers` Favorites

Beefy Crunch Burrito
Ground Beef Burrito
Beefy Melt Burrito
Burrito Supreme

“This Taco Bell is located by Lowe's in San Clemente it is immaculately clean the times I've been there haven't been busy but steady the service has been great and the employees are very friendly and helpful.

Wheelchair accessibility: Currently meets the California standards for wheelchair accessibility.“

3.7 Good39 Reviews

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