The Ultimate Guide to 191 San Francisco Mexican Restaurants
THE Guide to San Francisco Mexican Restaurants
We start with five and then give you 190 more!
If you’re looking for some of the best San Francisco Mexican restaurants, you’ve come to the right place. We start by sharing five of our favorite spots. However, we also have a list of nearly 200 more dining options so you can get your fix of south-of-the-border cuisine no matter where you are in the city.
There’s something for everyone here, from classic taquerias to modern restaurants serving up inventive dishes. So next time you’re craving a burrito, enchilada, or pozole, check out one of these restaurants. Enjoy!
Nopalito
306 Broderick Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
For an upscale Mexican food experience, look no further than Nopalito. Located on Broderick Street, Nopalito doesn’t just deliver fantastic flavor but dishes crafted with local and sustainable ingredients.
With this menu, it’s impossible to go wrong, but you’ll want to pay particular attention to the seafood items like Trucha a la Plancha. These dishes are a specialty of the head chef, who is originally from Beachy, Veracruz.
While you can find the main restaurant on Broderick Street, don’t forget to check out the new 18th Street location as well. This take-out window restaurant offers a more casual vibe and even a few exclusive menu items.
Taqueria Los Mayas
331 Clement St. San Francisco, CA 94118
If you find yourself in the Richmond District of San Francisco, you’ll want to treat yourself to Taqueria Los Mayas.
Tucked away in a shop on Clement Street, Taqueria Los Mayas serves up the best of the Yucatán, aka dishes packed full of delicious citrus flavor. The restaurant makes its own tortillas on-site, so dishes like the Plantain Burrito or Shrimp Tacos are fantastic options. The restaurant’s specialty is Panuchos, a crispy-style taco famous in Yucatán. Taqueria Los Mayas serves them up with the protein of your choice. But good luck trying to order just one!
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Puerto Alegre
546 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Puerto Alegre is a classic restaurant that’s stood the test of time in the Mission District. The restaurant has been in business for over 50 years, managed by multiple generations of the Vigil family. You can certainly feel the familial atmosphere in this cozy, homey, and friendly place.
While Puerto Alegre is known for hosting art exhibits around holidays like the Day of the Dead, make no mistake – the food is still the real art. The Pozole Verde at Puerto Alegre is so delicious that we’d almost call it a mandatory order. But if that’s not for you, then the famous enchiladas and margaritas are the perfect choices.
El Buen Comer
3435 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Nothing’s quite as delicious as street food, which El Buen Comer definitely understands. This Mission District restaurant specializes in all things Mexico City-style street foods, and what more could you really ask for in a casual San Francisco Mexican restaurant?
El Buen Comer put its name on the map with the pambazo – a massive sandwich soaked in a Guajillo chili sauce and packed with either chorizo or chicken tinga. If you’re not in the mood for a sandwich, you have to give one of the mole dishes a try. Mole is a traditional Mexican sauce, and El Buen Comer’s does not disappoint.
Poc-Chuc
2886 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Poc-Chuc is the place to go for Mayan-inspired cuisine. This family-run business showcases Mayan food that has a uniquely Spanish twist. That means you can expect show-stopping Mayan-inspired dishes like Panucho on a homemade tortilla. There’s also a traditional pork stew called Cochinita Pibil alongside delicious Spanish-inspired seafood like the Camarones al Ajillo.
But if you’re torn on what to order, pick the Poc Chuc: a citrus-marinated pork dish with vegetables and beans that’s life-changing. The restaurant currently serves full dinner and take-out, but the lunch specials are an easy way to experience this Mayan cuisine more affordably.
Nearly 200 More of the Best Places for Mexican Food in San Francisco
So many choices, so little time. While this list is pretty darn long, it’s still just scratching the surface, as there are even more Mexican restaurants in San Francisco!
Did we leave your restaurant off the list? Send us the info and we’ll be sure to add it.
Support Your Local Mexican Restaurants
Fast food, casual dining, elegant cuisine – San Francisco’s Mexican restaurants cover the gamut. Get out there and try them all. Dedicated chefs and restaurant staff work diligently to offer the best food and ambiance.
And, bookmark the San Francisco guide for more of the best. The hits just keep coming!
By the way, visit our Best Mexican Food in San Francisco page written by another local expert. You’ll find a few of the top five appear on both lists.
