Mexican Restaurants in Charlotte
In the market for a margarita? Got an appetite for authenticity, Tex-Mex or fusion fare? Charlotte’s vast array of Mexican restaurants offer unique flavors, vibes and dishes to satisfy whatever you’re craving.
by Wynee Bermudez
Anita’s Mexican Grill
Area: Airport
Located in an unassuming shopping center, Anita's serves deliciously authentic Mexican dishes with counter-style service. Fill up on your favorites from carne asada to camarones. This is a local favorite for lunch, but don’t let the line scare you away from some great eats.
Ay Papi Tacos & Tequila
Area: Rock Hill
In the mood for Mexican fusion? Ay Papi’s specialty is innovative street tacos like the Bruce Lee Roy with Korean marinated beef and kimchi slaw, along with scallop tacos and an option made with slow-roasted ox tail. Pair your taco with a margarita from the extensive menu.
Azteca
Neighborhoods: Lower South End, North Charlotte, Matthews, Gastonia
With more than 20 years in the industry, this family-owned restaurant has mastered traditional Mexican food. Stop in for enchiladas, pollo poblano and burritos and stay for the extensive dessert menu with options like flan, churros and tres leches cake.
Birritaco
Area: Concord
Birritaco is a must for birria lovers. Discover birria fusions like the birria pizza, Caribbean bowl with birria beef or the quesabirria. Whichever birria option you choose, pair it with a hand-shaken margarita.
Cabo Fish Taco
Neighborhood: NoDa, Ballantyne
Inspired by the flavors brought to Baja, California, by Mexican surfers, Cabo Fish Taco has been a local favorite since its 2001 NoDa opening. Dishes like the namesake fish tacos have garnered national attention, drawing Food Network’s Guy Fieri and making this eatery one of Charlotte’s many staples to make its way onto “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.”
Dos Caminos
Neighborhood: Uptown
Sizzling fajitas are the soundtrack to this Mexican restaurant that’s decorated with the vibrant colors of Mexico City. Enjoy all of your favorites from south of the border, including fresh guacamole, tacos, enchiladas and, of course, margaritas. Take a seat in the dining room or on the outdoor patio.
Ely Tortilleria
Neighborhood: North Charlotte
Ely’s is a must for authentic Mexican favorites. From its ticket counter, this hidden-gem taqueria serves popular taco selections like asada, pastor and pollo. Stop by for discounted tacos on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
La Capital MX
Neighborhood: South End
Mole and carne asada make multiple appearances on the menu at La Capital MX, a streetside upscale restaurant with an airy interior that transports guests to the Mexican countryside. Enjoy chile lime shishito peppers with a selection of Mexican brews, craft cocktails, and extensive tequila and bourbon offerings.
La Poblanita Mexican Restaurant
Area: South Charlotte
Near the South Carolina border, La Poblanita is a family-owned and operated Mexican restaurant dishing out sopes, flautas and tamales. Finish your meal with something sweet like the homemade flan or visit the on-site candy store filled with traditional Mexican candy.
Maria’s Mexican Restaurant
Neighborhood: South Charlotte
Maria’s specializes in birria, a slow-cooked beef stew folded into corn tortillas with onions and melted cheese that’s served alongside beef broth for dipping. Order this birria as ramen, enchiladas, chilaquiles and much more. Swap the beef with chicken, shrimp or mushroom birria options and enjoy beverages from the bar, from micheladas to mimosas.
Miguel’s Mexican Restaurant
Area: Airport
Just two miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Miguel’s is a Mexican food destination that serves authentic dishes from an impressive menu. Try enchiladas, burritos, ceviche, chile rellenos and more, and take advantage of the lunch and dinner specials.
Paco’s Tacos & Tequila
Neighborhood: SouthPark, Fort Mill
From James Beard award-winning Tex-Mex culinary expert, Rob Walsh, Paco’s serves Tex-Mex cuisine. Behind the bar, there are more than 100 tequilas, making this a must for those in the market for margaritas and Mexican food with a Texas twist.
Que Onda Tacos + Tequila
Neighborhood: Uptown, University City, Huntersville, Matthews
Street tacos and comfort food combine forces at this cantina and tequila bar. Enjoy margaritas and mojitos as you dine on flautas, empanadas and tortas and indulge in desserts like tres leches and churros. Stop in for brunch dishes like huevos rancheros.
Tacos El Nevado
Neighborhood: Lower South End, East Charlotte
Traditional Mexican flavors are served in handmade tortillas at Tacos El Nevado. At this authentic Mexican spot, you can order authentic tongue and tripe tacos, or stick with the more Americanized options like chicken, chorizo and al pastor. Adventurous eaters can also order the guacamole with grasshoppers.
Tacos El Regio
Area: East Charlotte
Tacos El Regio is best known for its menu of tacos, including the fan-favorite Gringa with marinated pork and melted cheese and the Tacos Al Ambre with steak, bell pepper, onion, bacon and sausage. The menu also includes a few tortas, hamburgers and a loaded asada baked potato.
Taqueria Mal Pan
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Combining modern and classic Mexican flavors, Mal Pan is a nod to family-style cooking and influence with a chef-driven menu. Burritos, bowls, specialty enchiladas and an irresistible taco menu pair well with mezcal, house cocktails and craft beer in this beautiful dining room in SouthPark.
Three Amigos Mexican Grill & Cantina
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Three Amigos serves a faithful following from its dining room in a small shopping strip just outside of Plaza Midwood proper. Enchiladas are one of Three Amigos biggest draws, with the authentic flavors of salsa verde, mole and salsa roja. These enchiladas are so authentic that the sauces are made using traditional recipes.
Article originally written by Wynee Bermudez. Updates by Arielle Patterson in August 2025.
