50 Best Mexican Restaurants in Washington

“Brunch is amazing. Bottomless margaritas and the churros are excellent!“

“I had an amazing experience hosting a large party at El Techo. The owner and team were great! As were the food, drinks, ambiance and service. 10/10, I would recommend this place to anyone“

“We had an early dinner before attending a performance at the Ford’s Theater. We made reservations through Open Table and were immediately seated upon arrival. The service was great. Our server recommended several dishes that we loved. There were abundant vegan and vegetarian options. Chilorio de Res tacos were mouthwatering as were the Hongos en Milto ones. In fact, every dish we ordered was delicious. One dish (chilaquiles) never arrived from the kitchen but we were pressed for time so we opted to have it taken off our bill instead of waiting for them to prepare it separately. Dessert, Cafe de Olla, was phenomenal. Pics are only some of the items we tried. Great atmosphere for date night and a milestone birthday celebration. Highly recommend.“

“OUT OF THIS WORLD! I am Mexican and this food is just as great as it is in my own country, adding a touch of sophistication, fun and spark! Highly recommend it.“

“great services! good drinks!“

“Great brunches… will be back soon!“

“Clean, quick service, normal wait time for food. Real sliced beef on the nachos. See attached pic for details.“

“great happy hour until 7pm“

“Drinks and food is great!“

“I celebrated my birthday at Vera Cocina and it was a festive moment. From the moment the Belly Dancing show started, the atmosphere filled with energy. The belly dancing show was a full-body vibe and immersive. The performers didn’t just entertain; they invited us into the rhythm. The energy in the room was electric, thanks to performers who captivated every table and made sure no one felt like a spectator.

If I could wish for one more sparkle, it would be magic to see all the performers adorned in elevated costumes to match the brilliance of their presence. Still, the experience was unforgettable, a celebration of movement, flavor, and connection. Highly recommend for anyone looking to turn a meal into a moment.“

“Food was Excellent.“

“Absolutely spectacular! Highly recommend!“

“Great tacos. The pork shoulder and pork belly were excellent!“

“I am a picky eater but I was surprised with the cleanliness level, jaw dropping food and outstanding customer service...thank you very much..definitely will visit every time I am in DC“

“This was our group's third time dining at Mi Vida, and it has become a must-visit for us whenever we're at The Wharf for a show at The Anthem. As always, the food and drinks did not disappoint. We loved the variety of small plates, it allowed us to sample so many different dishes, and honestly, each one seemed better than the last. My personal favorite was the Aguachile de Atún, absolutely fantastic. The combination of raw tuna, dragonfruit, and beets was fresh, vibrant, and unforgettable. From the margaritas to the guacamole to every small plate we tried, it was truly a dinner to remember. We'll definitely be back!“

“We really enjoyed our meal at Chaia. The nachos were definitely the standout. My kids got small quesadillas and we tried a mushroom taco too which was great, but the nachos with all of the toppings were such a treat. Would love to come back! Updated from previous review on 2025-12-30“

“We had a wonderful experience at the best tacos that we’ve ever had in DC here! Esmeralda was a wonderful waitress and the environment was super fun and authentic!“

“We decided to drop in for Taco Tuesday and what an excellent choice. Our server Said was awesome. The service, food, and the atmosphere were great. The manager was graciously accommodating to our alternative requests. We'll be back soon.“

“There’s something quietly electric about Pascual, the kind of restaurant that makes you whisper to your dining neighbor, “You must try this… Don’t miss that…” Nestled in D.C.’s Capital Hill, the casual yet contemporary Mexican spot from chefs Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy has doubled its space since opening just a year and a half ago. With the addition of a new outdoor patio, the energy now spills beyond its 30-seat dining space making more room for mezcal-fueled conversation and corn-scented dishes.

Chef Isabel herself is a ray of light. Her warmth is as memorable as the food, and on our visit, staff Emely and Jeremiah kept that energy flowing with the kind of attentiveness that makes you feel like a regular. The menu, which changes weekly, revolves around whichever heirloom corn varieties the kitchen has sourced that week. During our visit, it was Amarillo Bolita from Oaxaca and Azul Cónico from Estado de México.

We kicked things off with Guacamole and Tostadas, then went wild and ordered all the sauces: macha, verde, borracha, habanero, smoked papaya, and shishito escabeche. Each one offered a different kind of fire or funk, transforming the rest of our meal into a choose-your-own-flavor adventure.

The Kampachi Crudo was a stunner bathed in a husk cherry leche de tigre and touched with turmeric, it set a playful yet precise tone. The Bangs Island Mussels Tostada followed, topped with avocado, salsa negra, and epazote aioli that looked more like art than appetizer.

Vegetable dishes here are anything but afterthoughts. The Chayote Salad with sunflower seeds, guajillo oil, and Asian pears brought bright texture and balance, while the Infladita stuffed with squash purée, smoked goat ricotta, and uni mousse hit a deeply savory-sweet note.

The North Carolina Shrimp Tamal was tender and perfumed with huacatay. But it was the Badger Flame Beets that stopped us in our tracks, a colorful composition with hazelnut salsa macha, smoked ricotta, and opal basil. We paired that with Pork Belly Carnitas, rich and crisp with honeycrisp purée, purple shiso, and a hint of habanero.

Dessert continued the theme with a Chocolate Tamal with hoja santa ice cream and masa crumble delivered an earthy satisfaction. But the showstopper? The Nixtamalized Pear with pistachio ice cream, toasted meringue, and key lime—a refreshing reminder that a fruit as a dessert can surprise you.

The bar is just as thoughtful as its kitchen, spotlighting a tight but stellar list of agave spirits that leans into small producers and Mexican terroir. The cocktails riff on familiar classics with twists—think a Huacatay Old Fashioned with plum sake, a Fallin’ Empire with both Mexican Fernet and corn whiskey, and xila amaro, banana and lime. Inventive sips that carry the same earthy, layered flavors found on the plate.

Pascual transported us to Mexico City. The rhythm, the energy, the ever-evolving expression of corn and fire. In a city full of restaurants, this one feels like it’s simply chasing flavor, and that’s exactly what makes it shine.“

“Had a fantastic time food and service was great a very relaxing atmosphere“

“Really enjoyed our dinner at Mi Vida! I have celiac disease and was very impressed with the knowledgeable staff and server who made every effort for me to have a safe and enjoyable gluten-free dining experience. Special thank you to the chef and kitchen staff for taking extra steps to avoid cross-contamination with gluten during preparation. Excellent guacamole and house made chips, and some of the best shrimp fajitas I've had in the DMV. Will be back!“

“Flavors are good. The after taste of the tortilla was not pleasant, but the other items were great.“

“So goo that we came twice in two days while we were on vacation. Highly recommend.“

“The food was fantastic. I had the tacos and the hibiscus margaritas. The service was great too!“

“Fui almorzar y me pedí una fajita de carne y estaba muy buena, la recomendo.“

“Highly recommend,… great food and fun atmosphere.“

“It was our first time there we had a great time , service was great the food the bomb we will come back again .“

“Absolutely fantastic food!!!“

“We had a wonderful experience at the best tacos that we’ve ever had in DC here! Esmeralda was a wonderful waitress and the environment was super fun and authentic!“

“Love it and a must to eat when in DuPont circle in DC“

“Loved it! Easy ordering via kiosks in the front, with pickup at the counter. Tacos made in front of you, with a great variety. Seating is spread out with the bulk upstairs. On colder or rainy days, keep this in mind if you have a stroller or wheelchair. There's sidewalk seating in nicer days. With 4 kids, we were fortunate enough to get the large table near the kitchen. Kids loved the quesadillas and tacos. Salsa was fresh as well. Great service, as well! Overall, would definitely recommend!“

“My favorite place to eat in all of DC and they have carna Asada fries, those that know, know it’s a treasure in San Diego that’s why I like this place so much“

“Great spot, with a very cool mural. I had the best veggie burrito — with tasty zucchini!“

“Their kitchen and bartenders are LEGIT!“

“Me gusta mucho este lugar, buen servicio, buena comida y agradable ambiente!😍😋“

“A well kept secret in the city. It is a restaurant without much pretension, which offers good quality Mexican food with careful service. The space is small, so it is ideal to go as a couple or in small groups. The price-quality ratio is good.“

“Had an amazing lunch here today - delicious taco/enchilada combo with an hibiscus margarita - Que bueno la comics! Muy excellente y caliente!“

“When I want a burrito, I dont go to Chipotle or District Taco. I come here! The ingredients are fresh and flavorful. The young lady at the front is always kind and accommodating. The fresh fruit juices are delicious. What more can you ask for!
I always get the steak burrito with shrimp!!! Always will recommend!“

“This place is sooo good. Since it opened, it has never failed us. These are authentic Mexican tacos that give you umami taste. Sweet bread is also exquisite although a little expensive, but it'sthe only the little dictator likes, so we pay the price. Best chilaquiles in town. We love this place!“

“By far a favorite lunch spot among the Jubilee Jobs staff!!“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
District Taco — 4600 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

You can feel the hustle the second you step through the door. This place was born from the streets up — from a food truck dream to a full restaurant with its own line of drinks. That’s not luck, that’s grind, discipline, and love for the people. 💪🔥

I walked in just asking for a glass of water, and Moises — the man holding it down at the front — didn’t hesitate. Instead of one simple cup, he offered me a full variety of drinks. That right there is real hospitality. You can’t teach that — it’s built from respect, from roots, from remembering where it all started. 🙌

District Taco isn’t just serving tacos — they’re serving gratitude, community, and hustle in every bite. 🌮 Every flavor hits different because it’s made with purpose.

Much love to Moises and the whole crew for keeping that same energy that started in the food truck days. From humble beginnings to building an empire, this spot is living proof that dreams taste better when seasoned with hard work.

#DistrictTaco #FromTruckToTriumph #MoisesTheRealOne #DCGrind“

“I came here with a group and had an AMAZING experience! Not only were the food and drinks incredible, but the service was super fast and attentive, plus atmosphere was top notch. HUGE shout out to our server Khalid, bartender Consita, and manager Clark who had such great vibes!“

“The food is delicious. We tried birria, steak nachos, and elote. It was all cooked and seasoned to perfection. The sauce and toppings on the nachos were so fresh and flavorful. The atmosphere was clean and upbeat. There is a few seats inside and a large patio in the front and back. This reminded me of the birria I had in Mexico City. My favorite taco shop thus far in NW DC.“

“We sat at the bar. Delicious food and drinks. Great service. We came twice on our trip to D.C.“

“Great food, great price point. Happy hour deals M-F 3-7 and all day Saturday and Sunday. I will eat there every day from today through Monday.“

“Rubens Mexican food was 5 star! He came out and handled an event for me at lighthouse point Marina. Everyone raved about the food. Delicious! I hope you get to try his Mexican food! Quality 5, Service 5, Thank you! I hope to use him again next year.“

“I am sure Korean food is the best when tasted in Korea. That's why I'm not a big fan of Korean restaurants abroad. However this one, Rice Bar in DC satisfied me for real. 다만 제 느낌에 1회용 숫가락이 좀더 크면 좋겠고 젓가락에 일본어 적힌 점이 아쉽.. 그래도 또 들리고 싶네요.“

“Friendly peoples with the best Mexican burritos in downtown DC.“

“We visited DC for four nights. We ate here twice because it was so good. The happy hour specials were delicious and good deals. The salsa is transcendent. Loved the mojito and the sangria. The carnitas, the tinga de pollo and the esquites were AMAZING! The whole staff is awesome and the atmosphere is so cool.“