Mexican Restaurants near Kensington

“Good service, great food!“

“I had a good time here. I ordered a chicken bowl. I wish I would have seen the fajita veggies and added them to my order (why doing an online order and picking up can be better). The staff were kind in waiting for me to be ready to order, but they seemed indifferent when interacting with me. I felt rushed through making my order (there was nobody else in line), and the staff member processing my payment seemed lethargic. The music was just hardly bearable (too loud to hear my own thoughts), but it was much better than the two previous locations I visited this month.“

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

“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.“

“This place is amazing. I had the Crispy Fish Tacos and had an amazing buy one get one deal. The place is clean, the staff are nice and welcoming, and the Tacos were amazing and fresh. My server was Brian G. He is an amazing server and greeted me with kindness as well. 5 stars and I will be coming back!!!“

“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!“

“Authentic, delicious Oaxacan food! The owners are so passionate – not only is the food spectacular but you will also come away knowing so much more about regional Mexican cuisine. DC has needed a restaurant like this for a loooooong time. Go eat there and support them as soon as possible!!!“

“I recently went for brunch and the French toast was out of this world — perfectly cooked, flavorful, and one of those dishes you keep thinking about after you leave. The whole experience was such a vibe. Great atmosphere, beautiful presentation, and bold flavors that really stand out. Definitely adding this to my go-to brunch spots!“

“Great brunches… will be back soon!“

“Drinks and food is great!“

“Tony was amazing very courteous and attentive to our experience. The owner was outstanding and was assisting with seating and giving his overall experience living in DC for over 30 years. You can tell that this restaurant is here to stay and is about the patrons that frequent it! This is a really good place to have a drink, turn up with friends or celebrate an event!!! Baseball fans come thru!! Birthday guy or girl come thru! You definitely won’t regret it and they will take care of you!!!“

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

“great happy hour until 7pm“

“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.“

“The food was great, I had a California burrito and my wife had the quesadillas. Both meals were excellent and Christian did an excellent job preparing our food. He was clean, fast, gave good portions, and was very kind. Will totally go back again.“

“Absolutely spectacular! Highly recommend!“

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

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

“Love stopping by for a quick, fresh meal! The chips and guac here are a standout — creamy, flavorful, and perfect to share while you wait. Their veg rice bowl is tasty and customizable with lots of fresh toppings, and the guacamole adds a great creamy boost to every bite. A solid casual spot for Mexican-inspired eats with good portion sizes and vibrant flavors.“

“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!“

“This was my second time here, and I am even more impressed this time! The service is very friendly and they cook everything to order so it's nice and fresh. The birria queso tacos are some of the best I have ever had (the consume is so good I literally sip on whatever is leftover!) And the lengua...omg the lengua! Tender, bursting with flavor, def some of the best I have ever had! The salsa Roja has good flavor and a nice kick to it (on the level of Diablo Sauce from Taco Bell). I overheard them say business is slow because of the weather, so do yourselves and them a favor and show them some love! They accept cash and cards, and there isn't any online ordering but you can call in your order.“

“Food was excellent, service was great!“

“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“

“Great tacos from El Chilango. It’s great value for the money and made to order. Whenever in the area I try and stop by. I’ve tried a few different types of tacos from here and I stick to the steak and mixto. Additionally the onion and habanero mix that is offered on the side is nice touch. Recommend if I. The area.“

“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.“

“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!“

“Very beautiful place the food is amazing and the service is very good thank you“

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

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

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

“The food was amazing. The service was exceptional and the people were incredible. They wanted our dining experience to be enjoyable“

“Very tasty food, pleasant atmosphere and attentive staff. Will come back,“

“Once in a while, I come across a place that does everything so well and so simply that it makes me wonder: why aren't more people doing it this way? Certainly there are no lack of taquerias anywhere but Dos Toros stands out for its wonderful ingredients, delicious food, very good prices and, last but not least, the excellent staff. Their smoky salsa, for example, is so delectable I could just drink it. Which pretty much describes how I feel about every aspect of this establishment.“

“This is one of my favorite spots here in Maryland, The burritos are always delicious and the horchata matcha is a must-try!

The staff are super friendly and I especially want to shout out Jailin , who handles orders. Her attention to detail and attentiveness are amazing. She keeps things moving quickly and always makes sure everyone gets their order right. She’s always on point. Great food and great service every time.“

“The best taco spot around.“

“We had such a great lunch. Was so good…. All the family loved it“

“Had the Pleasure of Djing there“

“Luz (Peruana) nos dió buenas recomendaciones, nos encantó la atención, buen ambiente.“

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

“it's on Langston blvd but It's really Lee highway. This is my absolute favorite location for a few reasons. Its on the way home from work, it's never overly crowded and it's by far the best bc of the staff. Rosa, Joseph and Maria have been cooking my nightly meals more then a few times and it's always an absolute pleasure bc the food is top notch, they are friendly, caring and have a knack for making you laugh as soon as you enter the door. In this age where cookie cutter nonsense is the norm they are not. They feel like a part of the neighborhood. They know people's names (or ask) and just have a very down to earth vibe about them. I even got a bonus taco. Yes you read that right. A bonus taco. Who could ask for more after a long 12 hour day. When I'm exhausted after work there is no other place I'd rather get food from then them. Thank you and cya next week.“

“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!“

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

“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!“

“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“

“First time here with the family. Loved the food. Everyone enjoyed the food. Place was clean and the service was very good. I left off 1 star for atmosphere only because of the music. I'm a Hip Hop head and I enjoyed it. My wife and I talked about other families with younger kids. The music was not something you want to hear if you have young kids or non hip hop fans for that matter. Maybe try the radio version. The owners are well within their right to play what they want so just take this as some friendly advice.“