Due to its long history of immigration, Pittsburgh has a strong affinity for cuisine from other nations, mainly Eastern Europe, Germany, and Italy.
But the city area doesn’t have a considerable history of Mexican immigrants, which doesn’t mean it’s difficult to find authentic Mexican food.
You can find several Mexican-American restaurants around the city that serve delicious food, enchiladas, tacos, burritos, and other popular Mexican items.
But if you’re looking for traditional Mexican flavors in the city’s South Side, you’ll need to search a little. However, our list of the top Mexican restaurants in Pittsburgh has more than just tasty options to satisfy your cravings.
La Palapa, Mexican Cuisine & Mezcal Bar
La Palapa is a restaurant and bar located on Pittsburgh’s bustling South Side that transforms guests into a casual Mexican dining experience.
Head Chef Jose Luis has been involved in the Spanish and Mexican restaurant industry for over 15 years and reflects that in the restaurant.
As one of the best Mexican restaurants in Pittsburgh, La Palapa offers a formal dining experience with a broad menu that includes appetizers, salads, soups, and entrees.
We recommend starting with their special tamales, steamed, wrapped in corn husks, topped with mole salsa or green (select with your choice of meat or vegetable)
If you are a meat lover, we recommend their Molcajete or Carne Asada, which includes ribeye steak, chicken, rice, shrimp, tortillas, and green ranchera salsa.
- Address: 2224 E Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA
- Check Website: La Palapa, Mexican Cuisine & Mezcal Bar
Patron Mexican Grill
Patron Mexican Grill is a locally owned business founded by Martin Bolanos, who came to Pittsburgh in 2006.
Origins of Patron represent an old family tradition of preparing authentic Mexican cuisine throughout Martins’ native Mexico.
In 2007, he launched his first restaurant in Wexford, followed by East Liberty, Fox Chapel, Cranberry, and Monroeville locations.
The restaurant is decorated with traditional Mexican cultural icons and colors. Each chair and booth have various paintings of a scene, an animal, etc. In addition, they play Mexican banda music so that you will feel the sweetness.
Our favorite dishes at Patron are enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, and seafood. Try their special Chicken Quesadilla (tortilla filled with cheese and chicken. Served with tomato, lettuce, and sour cream included).
- Address: 135 S Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA
- Check Website: Patron Mexican Grill
Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila
Situated in the Shadyside neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Tocayo is a Tequila and Taqueria bar.
Inside, small touches make a big impression, such as round recessed funky lighting fixtures, walls with candles, and cultural decorations.
Salsas, guacamole, queso, and other sides are served in tacos, which is a nice touch. Additionally, they have a great selection of burritos that are creatively and thoughtfully prepared with fresh ingredients.
For drinks, try sangria margarita; Tocayo is sure to delight you with an excellent dining experience of Mexican food in Pittsburgh, refreshing co*cktails, and a warm and inviting ambiance.
- Address: 810 Ivy Street, Pittsburgh, PA
- Check Website: Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila
Condado Tacos
Operated in Cultural District and Central Lawrenceville with locations Condado Tacos is one of the best tacos in Pittsburgh dedicated to the community.
They offer visitors the option to customize their tacos with a specialty taco list that uses ingredients and flavors from various dishes.
You can create your own taco plate, soft tacos, or hard-shell, and choose from various taco styles, such as your desired protein (steak, chicken), toppings, and salsa. They also have nachos, healthy bowls, and an extensive list of impressive specialty tacos.
Your capability to order a variety of styles at a reasonable price is an excellent setup for the city of Pittsburgh without any drawbacks. To this end, we call Condado Tacos the best base for the regular taco.
- Address: 971 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA
- Check Website: Condado Tacos
El Campesino
Currently operating six great locations, El Campesino is a family-owned restaurant serving the locals of Pittsburgh for over 25 years.
Among the Mexican restaurants in Pittsburgh, El Campesino is a unique place if you want to try authentic Mexican cuisine or are looking for a nice spot to relax and unwind.
The restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and over 50 types of tequilas, and you can find delicious homemade margaritas. Try their famous steak fajita nachos or shrimp ceviche soup.
Visit and enjoy your favorite lunch and dinner in El Campesino, and open seven days a week with specials and happy hours.
- Address: 4771 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh, PA
- Check Website: El Campesino
Las Velas
Las Velas is situated in downtown Pittsburgh’s heart on the historic Market Square.
Mexico City-born and raised restaurant owner Riviera Maya offers a delicious menu of recipes inspired by local culture and cuisine.
Conversely, Las Velas is a great place to grab a giant Corona or margarita after work with a full bar, snacks, and chips.
It’s nice that you can choose different types of meat, and if you can’t decide what to order, you may mix things up.
Las Velas gets very crowded in the afternoon, so if you’re going for lunch, we suggest getting there a little before seating.
- Address: 21 Market Square, Pittsburgh, PA
- Check Website: Las Velas
Emiliano’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar
Emiliano’s is one of the most famous Mexican restaurants in Pittsburgh, and it is family-owned and operated in six locations around the city, including South Side and North Oakland.
The menu features at Emiliano’s include delicious burritos, classic fajitas, Chimichanga nachos many more, and they prepare each item fresh every day. They also have vegetable, large grilled meat, drink, and dessert menus.
We recommend Chicken Flautas (filled with pulled chicken, fried corn tortillas, topped with cotija cheese and sour cream, and served with a Mexican side salad and rice).
In addition, happy hour at these places is always busy because they serve delicious food and offer friendly service and reasonable prices.
- Address: Many locations
- Check Website: Emiliano’s
Round Corner Cantina
Opened in the summer of 2009, Round Corner Cantina is another excellent tequila and mezcal-based Mexican bar and restaurant in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh.
You wonder where they’re taking you as you turn from the main indoor space into a little alleyway.
But then you step out onto a patio with string lights and a beautiful covered area straight out of a romantic Mexican cantina.
Try salsa and chips, a sampling of a few of their amazing tacos or sides. You could enjoy everything because it was fresh and delicious, and their service was top-notch.
Although there can be a lot of noise in several large groups, Corner Cantina is a perfect place for a romantic date night.
- Address: 3720 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA
- Check Website: Round Corner Cantina
Mad Mex
Mad Mex specializes in Mexican, Spanish, and Southeast Asian cuisine and offers a complete co*cktail bar in a relaxed and friendly environment.
As one of the best Mexican restaurants in Pittsburgh, Mad Mex operates in 9 locations around the city.
They are known for their vast burritos and offer many different west coasts inspired creations, among many other menu items.
A great feature of Mad Mex is their tequila and margarita list. You can select from various fruity flavors for your margarita.
Aside from Mexican-inspired food, you can find delicious fried wings, soups and chili, salads, and healthy vegetables.
- Address: Many locations
- Check Website: Mad Mex
Totopo Cocina & Cantina
Located in Mount Lebanon, a restaurant and bar with a casual and authentic atmosphere, the Totopo is one of the top Mexican restaurants in Pittsburgh.
Opened in the summer of 2016, “Totopo” means “tortilla chip” in the Nahuatl, Aztec language. The name was picked to honor the cultural heritage of many of the most popular dishes in Mexico.
The restaurant also offers Mexican beers and co*cktails in a relaxed, colorful atmosphere ideal for every visitor.
The restaurant’s lunch and dinner menus include authentic Mexican dishes such as tacos, quesadillas, tamales, and guacamole.
Additionally, they offer tasty tequila drinks that perfectly match the menu choices, so make sure you stop by and try what they offer!
- Address: 660 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA
- Check Website: Totopo Cocina & Cantina
Tako
Tako is an award-winning Mexican-Asian restaurant located in downtown Pittsburgh.
Its elegant, modern two-story interior features colorful murals of octopuses, wrought-iron indoor balconies and custom-carved wooden ceilings, and live DJ performances on weekends.
Their extensive Mexican spirits menu includes over 50 different mezcal and nearly 100 types of tequilas.
Their small but tasty menu offers Asian Mexican choices. E.g., Mexican Street Corn includes cotija cheese, honey chipotle mayo, oregano butter, chili, and lime.
Additionally, if you are looking for tacos here, in that case, we recommend their unique Korean tacos, including spicy cucumber, flank steak, cilantro, peanut salsa, and napa cabbage, and it will be something you have never experienced before!
- Address: 214 6th Street, Pittsburgh, PA
- Check Website: Tako
Audrina’s Mexican Grille
Audrina’s Grille is a hidden gem in the Greenfield neighborhood, a family-owned and operated restaurant. As one of the top Mexican restaurants in Pittsburgh, they serve authentic food daily.
The restaurant aims to provide consumers with an enjoyable dining experience while maintaining reasonable prices for all its products.
The menu includes burritos, Enchiladas, fajitas, salads, or tacos. Try their delicious vegan burritos, which include (pepper, mushrooms, onion, and broccoli grilled with beans and rice inside and topped with cheese sauce and sour cream).
Don’t miss their dessert menu; order the churros. They prepare them fresh and topped them with chocolate sauce, sprinkles, plus whipped cream.
- Address: 4371 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA
- Check Website: Audrina’s Mexican Grille
Note: Business statuses can change. We recommend verifying any establishment’s current location and operational hours before planning your visit.
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ByMikayla Martel
Mikayla Martel is from Australia, and she loves cooking at home. She moved to Austin, Texas, and has fully embraced the local food scene and rich culinary traditions of the American Southwest. Mikayla has fun experimenting with Mexican recipes and cooking her favorite Italian and Indian dishes. Writing about travel, food, and cooking since 2016, she joined Mealtours.com in 2021 to review and recommend the best restaurants and food.
