9 Best Mexican Restaurants in Carlsbad

“The food was fresh, cooked perfectly and very tasty!! The service was friendly and helpful and the restaurant was homey and very clean. We had the tacos birria, a giant California carnitas burrito with green chili, a taco salad, and chicken and steak tacos. Highly recommend the birria tacos, but all was delicious. The fried ice cream at the end of the meal was huge and delicious!!“

“I'm a Carlsbad native and always looking for a good place to eat. El Nopal definitely has excellent food! I haven't had a bad meal yet! My compliments to the gourmet chef!! He/she deserves that title!! I definitely recommend their food!“

“Delicious!! Haven't had anything we didn't like! And it's connected to a paleteria! Banana splits and agua frescas! Friendly staff...also check out Anomaly Deli House! Great sandwiches and salads (they also carry a variety of pan dulces!! (Pictured is the menu for breakfast burritos)“

“Came here for dinner on a Saturday and the parking lot and inside the restaurant was packed. However, we were able to be seated and helped right away. Our waitress recommended the jimador special plate, and I was not disappointed. It comes with steak, chicken, and shrimp on a bed of rice and side of tortillas. The steak was super flavorful and the best part. We also got carne asada tacos which were delicious as well. Prices are very reasonable and everything was great. Highly recommend coming here if you are in the area!“

“What an awesome find in Carlsbad! The chips and salsa are amazing. I got the chicken enchiladas and my husband got the tacos. The food was some of the best I’ve had in New Mexico! There’s also outdoor seating available if the inside is full. The staff is super friendly, the food is fresh and delicious. It’s the best food option in Carlsbad. FYI - for those uncomfortable with Spanish, I recommend you either brush up on your basic Spanish or come ready with your Google translator if you’re not good with Spanish. The menu is in Spanish and not everyone speaks English.“

“This place is so delicious! Good amount of food portions and the chili sauces are so delicious and authentic! It is a favorite food joint for our family.Vegetarian options: You can get a bean burrito or cheese quesadilla only.Parking: Easy to drive in and park off the main street.Kid-friendliness: Kid menu available and a great covered area to sit and dine outside.“

“Amazing food, you definitely get the bang for your buck! If you leave hungry, it's your own fault. Fast friendly service with ample seating. If you don't want to sit inside on a beautiful, get your grub to go and go sit outside by the river.“

“I usually get tacos here for lunch. My wife and I love them because they are not greasy. Made to order while you wait for them. Of course the shell is pre-made, as are the rest of the ingredients which make for a fast turnaround time. This time I went to get nopales and corn chips. I ended up skipping the nopales because they were old and had dark spots on them. So I only got the chips.“

“What a wonderful surprise to find such good seafood in the middle of the desert. This is definitely a comeback place. The services is great. It's a small location with a big parking lot but the prices are very reasonable and the food is outstanding. Very traditional Mexican seafood.“