18 Best Mexican Restaurants in Santa Cruz

Restaurantji's guide to Santa Cruz's top Mexican dining experiences. From the Chips and Salsa to the Quesabirria, have a fantastic Mexican dining experience and enjoy some of the town's tastiest Mexican food.

Evarista`s Comal restaurant Family • $$$
2-1245 E Cliff Dr Unit A, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Chilaquiles Rojos 2 Eggs Any Slile
Eggs Benedict Sauce on Sinde
Chile Verde and Pulled Pork
Quesabirrias Lite Toppings
French Toast and Berries
Salmon Club Sandwich
Birria with Consome
Evarista's Pancake
Regular Benedict
Machaca Scramble

“Tasty breakfast. I had the machaca scramble. The tomatilla salsa that was provided was fantastic. The meal came with a choice of different toasts, but I was able to substitute corn tortillas. I'll be returning to try the chicken fajita omelet.Vegetarian options: There are vegetarian options like chilaquiles and huevos rancheros but vegans would be hard-pressed to find something.“

4.8 Superb91 Reviews
Copal Restaurant Mexican • $$
1203 Mission St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Oaxacan Taco Plate GF
Chips and Salsa
Tamale Dinner
Black Beans
Mole Negro
Quesadilla
Chapulines
Mole Verde
Molotes GF
Garnachas

“Delicious and authentic Oaxacan cuisine, including a diverse selection of molé, nicely crafted drinks and mezcal flights. The service is great, too. I appreciate the vegetarian/vegan options.Vegetarian options: Couple of vegan molé options and vegan/vegetarian versions of multiple good appetizers. Also the expected chips and guacamole and black beans.“

4.3 Superb119 Reviews
Taqueria Los Pericos Mexican • $
139 Water St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Chile Relleno with Rice Beans & Tortillas
Perico Taco with Rice and Beans
Super Veggie Burrito & Salsa Bar
Vegetarian Giant Quesadilla
Vegetarian Burritos
Perico Super Burrito
Super Quesadilla
Chips and Salsa
Tacos Al Pastor
Carnitas Tacos

“Amazing Mexican fare right in the center of Santa Cruz. My son goes to school here and had recommended this place for their authentic Mexican cusine so finally today, I gave it a try with the rest of the family. We entered the small locale which is right in downtown Santa Cruz and close to the river at around 12:45 and you could tell immediately that this place is a hot spot for locals to grab a quick and tasty lunch. There is seating for about 15-20 people inside and two tables also outside but all seating were taken and there was a line of 4-6 people in front of us placing their order. The line however was moving fast and we placed our orders which were the carne asada super burrito and the Al pastor house super burrito. The difference is that the house burrito doesn’t have any rice in it and the standard burrito has sour cream (I think based on tasting both). And the difference between regular and super burrito is the size of course. We waited about 10-15 mins for our food to be ready and in the meantime was able to snag a couple of seats and have a visit to their amazing salsa bar for some free chips and a variety of salsa.My Al pastor burrito was amazing. Hands down one of the best tastiest and juiciest burritos of my life. My son’s carne asada burrito was also great. He said that it is as good as the chronic tacos burritos that he regards highly and always raves about. This is definitely a place that I will visit more often. The two burritos came to about $28 after tax and the place quieted down right around 1, so next time I will visit a bit later to avoid the rush. 5 elite stars!!“

4.5 Superb126 Reviews
Los Viejones Taco Truck Mexican •
236 Ocean St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

California Burrito
Quesabirria Taco
Super Burrito
Jumbo Burrito
Birria Ramen
Birria Taco
Quesadilla
Bean Bunto
Carnitas

“Great food. I ordered my favorite. Quesabirria taco. Delicious! Ive been wanting to stop here for quite some time. I drive by it alot during work. The guys are soo nice and made ordering easy. The taco was full of flavorful meat, it was heavy. I could barelyy eat it all to be honest. I like that it came with grilled onions on the side. Definately stopping by again. They do take card payments. I was able to use a restroom in the nearby building. Parking lot is small and if your like me and drive a big vehicle, your better off parking on the street.“

4.6 Superb66 Reviews
El Palomar Mexican • $$
1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Menudo not Just for Crudos Hangovers
Taco & Burrito California
Chicken Fajitas Option 4
Chips and Guacamole
Enchiladas Verdes
Chile Verde Plate
Carnitas Sliders
Seared Ahi Salad
Refried Beans
Tortilla Soup

“I arrived with five tables. Our waitress was incredibly kind and accommodating to my friend's dietary requirements. He was very kind! Excellent assistance! The cuisine was simply delicious. It was the best restaurant cuisine I've had in years, seriously. The prices are excellent. Everyone at my table agreed that their dinner was excellent. The wasabi vinaigrette on the ahi tuna salad is delicious and a great deal for the price. The ahi tuna was excellent quality and fresh. Without a doubt, I'll be back! (Edit: I had to challenge the double charge I received when I returned to this location with my bank. From now on, I shall only be making cash payments.“

4.4 Superb101 Reviews
El Chino Mexican Restaurant Mexican • $$
2525 Soquel Dr STE A, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Beef Crunchy Taco Cheese Enchilada Rice and Beans
Lunch Special Beef Enchilada Rice & Beans
Shrimp Enchilada with Rice and Beans
Ranchero Burrito with Shredded Beef
Beef Enchilada Lunch Special
Crunchy Taco Shredded Beef
1 Enchilada Rice and Beans
Mushroom Enchilada
Huevos Rancheros
Chips and Salsa

“Good food and good service and very nice and friendly people me and my mom like to come here all the time it's great ???Vegetarian options: I'm not sure about there veggie menuParking: Plenty of parkingKid-friendliness: They don't care about your kid being thereWheelchair accessibility: They have room to get around“

4.5 Superb48 Reviews
De La Hacienda Taqueria Mexican • $
354 Washington St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Rice Beans and Cheese with Enchilada Sauce
Super Flour Vegetarian Quesadilla
Tacos Al Pastor & Beef Taco
Enchiladas Rice and Beans
Vegetarian Burrito
Al Pastor Burrito
Carne Asada Taco
Asada Quesadilla
Regular Nachos
Homemade Salsa

“We love eating at this place. We drive down from Felton to eat here all the time. They have super good carnitas and taco salad and basically everything. Plus the artwork on the walls is super cool and it’s been a family owned local business “

4.4 Superb77 Reviews
Los Pinos Mexican • $
2019 N Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Super Plain Quesadilla
Al Pastor BBQ Pork
Chimichanga Plate
Huevos Rancheros
California Fries
Bistec Ranchero
Machete Tacos
Carne Asada
Chips Salsa
Salsa Chips

“I am addicted to thier chicken sope. Its sooo delicious! As I am eating it I always think I should of gotten 2 because its just so good, but after finishing it, I always realize it was just the perfect serving, No longer hungry, no feeling of having overeaten and in my mind,I am doing the Italian gesture of squeezing the fingers of my right hand together, bringing them to my lips, smacking them, and sending all that great happiness/satisfaction into the universe.“

4.5 Superb46 Reviews
Taqueria La Katrina Mexican •
1719 Mission St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Super Burrito with Grilled Chicken
Tacos De Carne Asada Plate
Molcajete Mar Y Tierra
Taco Rice and Refrito
Roasted Jalapenos
Chips and Salsa
Quesabirria
Quesadilla
Taco Plate
Carnitas

“Review is only for the Al pastor super burrito with no beans — very flavorful rice and pork. The guacamole was more than just a sauce and had actual avocado chunks in it. It was a bit of an oily burrito - the pastor wasn’t overcooked and had actual juicy meat instead of being burnt dried bits like at some other establishments.“

4.3 Superb159 Reviews
Los Pericos Market Mexican • $$
21400 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Breakfast Burrito with Bacon & Potatoes
Cali Burrito
Taco

“One of the best burritos and tacos that I've ever eaten there the flavor is good, but what really stands out is the tenderness of the chicken meat that they serve so good so juicyVegetarian options: All items can be modified so there's no meat in it just need to ask“

4.4 Superb63 Reviews
Salsas Taco Bar Mexican • $
1710 Brommer St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Vegan California Burrito
Street Tacos
Carne Asada
Fish Tacos
Salsa Bar
Taco Bar

“My sister and I were visiting from Oregon, and we stopped at this taco bar. It was a good thing we did! The food was delicious ? and they had an amazing variety of food, including vegan food.They had a variety of homemade salsas, and we tried them all. They were delicious! The owner was so friendly and generous. Definitely will come back again when we visit!“

4.3 Superb75 Reviews
Taqueria Agave - Santa Cruz Mexican • $
1836 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Enchilada Rice and Beans
Chips and Salsa
Regular Taco

“5 stars for hitting perfect sweet spot of price vibe atmosphere food. I knew I'd found a winner the first time I came and it started getting filled with Mexican couples and families and working guys.It feels like it's been here forever but opened fairly recently. 2008I found it because they also do a small popup for food for Moe's Alley so I figured might as well check out the mothershipBonus points for the pickled potato which I've never seen before!“

4.3 Superb74 Reviews
Tacos El Chuy Mexican •
402 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Big Flour Single Quesadilla Birria
Homemade Guacamole with Chips
Burrito & Enchiladas
Single Quesabirria
Flour Quesadilla
Corn Quesadilla
Burrito & Nacho
Tacos Carnitas
Tacos Birria
Tacos Pastor

“Let me preach for yall one sec..., I am a first generation Mexican American so I've been eating Mexican food for the 20 years that I have been alive. I grew up in the East Side of the 408(San Jose) where damn near everyone is Mexican and there is Mexican food at every corner of every street, so I have tried hundreds maybe even thousands of Mexican spots. When I tell y'all this the best quesadilla I have ever had in my life it means something. The quesadilla de maíz (corn) with tripas felt right at home. It touched my Mexican soul like no other. The tortilla was handmade and you could tell because of the flavor of the masa and the texture. The cheese was so rich and flavorful. The tripas were so perfect. Please for the gringos reading this don't be scared TRY tripas. This quesadilla genuinely, GENUINELY made my ancestors proud.“

4.3 Superb57 Reviews
Taqueria Jalapeños Mexican • $
206 Laurel St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Veggie Burrito
Super Burrito
Chicken Mole
Guacamole
Fish Taco
Avocado
Nachos
Sauce

“A great late night burrito ? spot. Clutch when you are downtown on a Friday night and need something to munch on. The Chicken mole is out of this world. Tortas are ? and include fresh jalapeños, tomatoes, onion, avocado and cheese. What better to sink your teeth into after getting back from the bar? The location is a bit small but the service is consistent and friendly.“

4.2 Good198 Reviews
Cococ The Food Truck Mexican •
41 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz

“We tried all the tacos and all the salsas; they were all deserving of their 5 star rating. What a treat! Humble Sea has high standards, this it makes sense that they would select a food vendor of high caliber. Full transparency: I had two beers on an empty stomach, but I’m also a proud/shameless food snob, so you should trust me.Vegetarian options: Grilled poblano and a mushroom potato. Both tasty!Dietary restrictions: Both vegan options were delicious for carnivores who dared.Parking: PlentyKid-friendliness: YesWheelchair accessibility: Yes“

5 Superb7 Reviews
Los Primos Taqueria Mexican • $
425 Barson St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Enchilada Plate
Salsa and Chips
Super Burrito
Al Pastor
Guacamole
Salsa Bar
Nachos

“What I expect from a Taqueria with a bonus! Big portions, good food, small dining area. Bonus is that the people behind the counter are awesome and having a dairy issue they can accommodate. They know what's in the food and how it's prepared. Did I mention it's fast! So if you have a dairy issue but want real food, stop by here.Parking: Few spots but never had a problem finding one when I went.Dietary restrictions: Non dairy available (no milk, no butter, no cheese)“

4.2 Good58 Reviews
Tacos Moreno Mexican • $
1053 Water St, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Veggie Burrito and Veggie Quesadilla
Quesadilla with Meat
Tacos Al Pastor
Vegetarian
Burritos
Regular
Tongue
Salsa
Chips

“Had the veggie tacos - I was expecting the same old fajita veggies and maybe beans that most restaurants have; but these were very good and fresh. Excellent dish and excellent portions (3 is kind of a lot of food...)Also had a flour quesadilla which was great.Will definitely come back.“

4.2 Good54 Reviews
Casa Rosita's Mexican • $$
2608 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz

Customers` Favorites

Al Pastor Asada Tacos
Molcajete De Marisco
Super Burrito
Crispy Taco
Guacamole
Enchilada
Fajitas
Nachos
Sopes

“If you have some past preconceived notions about Casa Rosita’s, I can promise you they’re wrong. The newest owners have done so much to turn the quality of the food around. The food is always amazing and the service is always extremely friendly. Do yourself a favor and support your small local neighborhood business!PS. The quesabirria tacos are super tasty and the portion is huge!“

4.2 Good52 Reviews
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