Sometimes you’ll stare at your phone and see nothing but tacos and margaritas. Maybe you just watched Coco for the 27th time, or maybe you just really want some Mexican food. Either way, this list of Hartford’s best Mexican spots has you covered. Most are in Parkville (because Parkville has amazing Mexican food), but you’ll find gems across the city—all worth the trip.
Tacos los mexicanos food truck
$ | (860) 877-8010 | WEBSITE
Tacos los Mexicanos’ menu is full of pretty typical Mexican street food. There’s an incredibly rich and savory birria taco with fresh cilantro, onions, and lime on top, and some crispy and flavorful carnitas tacos that we’d like for our next casual lunch. This Hartford food truck is the sort of comfortable, laid-back spot where you could bring your entire crew or someone you hope to one day convince to join your entire crew.
There’s a great picnic table set-up nearby with colorful umbrellas everywhere, and at the truck window, there are bowls of fresh limes sitting around just for squeezing.
Alebrijes Mexican Fusion
$ | (860) 748-4403 | WEBSITE
Hartford’s South End has plenty of solid Mexican spots, but you’ll consistently find a line out the door at Alebrijes on Maple Ave, and it’s easy to understand why. Their ingredients are remarkably fresh, and they pack generous, flavorful portions into their tacos and entrees. The most memorable moments here happen unexpectedly, when the aroma of sizzling pastor or chorizo drifts through the neighborhood and you simply have to pop in for a perfectly seasoned birria taco.
Coyote Flaco
$$ | (860) 953-1299 | WEBSITE
If you dropped Coyote Flaco in the heart of downtown Hartford, there would be cars lined up around the block every evening. That’s how consistently delicious the food here is. Luckily for you, this gem is tucked away in its current spot, where authentic Mexican cuisine thrives—and you can probably swing by and snag a table without much wait.
This kitchen turns out some of the best skirt steak chimichurri in the area, and they also craft outstanding homemade tamales and a selection of fresh guacamole and dips that you’ll crave long after you’ve left. Bring your family, a small group, or a date, and take advantage of the easy parking out front or back when you’re done.
Fogata Mexican Restaurant
$ | (959) 888-3152 | WEBSITE
Birria tacos are the greatest tacos. For proof of this, you should go to Fogata Mexican Restaurant in Hartford and order anything that comes with a side of them. They’re served with consommé, extremely flavorful, and stand up on the plate like little flavor fortresses. This spot is definitely on the family-friendly side, and you should save it for dinners where everyone is comfortable spending a reasonable amount. Order the fajitas and enchiladas, and it’ll be worth it.
American & Mexican Tasty Flavors Food Truck
$ | (860) 985-3532 | WEBSITE
Of all the spots on this list, American & Mexican Tasty Flavors Food Truck is the only one where you get to watch your meal cooked fresh right before your eyes. This place is part food truck and part open kitchen, and there’s a big window up front where you get to see the chefs preparing everything from scratch while you wait in line.
There’s always a pretty solid selection of things like birria quesadillas, pastor tacos, and shrimp tacos, and when your server hands over everything hot off the grill, you’ll be grateful for every last bite you ordered. As an added bonus, this place is cash-only. The only real downside is that the line gets pretty long, but it’s worth a wait. So grab some bills, and bring an appetite.
Agave Grill
$$ | (860) 882-1557 | WEBSITE
The Sangriarita at Agave Grill should come with a little red warning flag for after you drink it (it’s dangerously delicious, perfectly balanced, and we crave it constantly). Aside from the signature cocktail, we count on the chicken chimichanga and other Mexican classics at this spot for a hearty and affordable meal that’s reliably satisfying.
American & Mexican Diner
$ | (860) 728-9822 | WEBSITE
American & Mexican Diner is one of Hartford’s best-loved Mexican restaurants. Between the consistently outstanding food and warm, welcoming atmosphere, we’ve never had a bad experience here. Breakfast is the specialty, and your order should be built around whatever skillet sounds best with a side (or two) of cakey, delicious tres leches pancakes.
Bulk it out with a lot of sharable dishes, like the big portion burrito, some genuine huevos rancheros, and the complimentary wet burrito they serve for lunch.
El Sarape
$ | (860) 547-1884 | WEBSITE
This popular Hartford spot has a loyal following and excellent homemade salsa. It also has amazing drinks like margaritas that start at $8, and it’s perfect for a festive night out when you want to share a bunch of things (like guacamole and street tacos) and leave without spending all your money. Start with the pozole, and find street parking. This place fills up at night.
Monte Alban Restaurant
$ | (860) 523-7423 | WEBSITE
According to longtime Hartford diners, the spot that Monte Alban Restaurant now occupies is blessed. Despite its unassuming location on Farmington Ave, this particular space has consistently delivered exceptional Mexican cuisine since opening, before Monte Alban brought authentic mole and fresh, vibrant guacamole back into the neighborhood.
Compared to other Mexican places in the area, this one leans slightly more sophisticated, meaning dishes like the fish options are more refined and prices are moderate, but you’re also getting something more thoughtful than basic, assembly-line tacos. Monte Alban’s warm, cozy interior with simple but welcoming decor both inside and out, might just be comfortable enough to keep the blessings coming.
Burrito Loko
$ | (860) 470-6887 | WEBSITE
Burrito Loko is the name of a lively little spot that serves an excellent plate of shrimp tacos (don’t overthink this while you’re there). This Parkville Market location is a bit further inside than a lot of the other food stalls in the market, but the scents from the grill and fun atmosphere make it worth a walk over. They serve delicious options like birria tacos and nachos, but we like some of the standout dishes best and would come back again just for the shrimp tacos.
Orale Guey Mexican Kitchen
$ | (860) 216-8222 | WEBSITE
A hidden gem tucked away in La plaza del Mercado, Orale Guey Mexican Kitchen is one of those spots you either know about and absolutely love, or have never heard of. There is no in between. Focus on the soups, like the delicious tripe soup and caldo de res, and then make sure to get the spectacular tacos, which are well-designed and well-served.
El Nopal Mexican Restaurant
$ | (860) 231-0054 | WEBSITE
El Nopal has about as many options for tamales as there are birthday cards in CVS categorized as “funny birthday.” But unlike a card with a glittery sloth on it, you’ll actually want to spend money on these tamales. Pick your favorite (if you need a visual, they’re all made fresh to order in the kitchen) and then get some nachos with queso and guacamole. The amount of tables at El Nopal is ample, and they even have some nice family-friendly seating and a clean, welcoming atmosphere throughout.
This is some of the best Mexican food in Hartford – which, as you’ll notice from this guide, is saying something.
El Bajio
$ | (860) 296-2695 | WEBSITE
El Bajio is a Mexican restaurant in Hartford that serves flavorful and fresh food with a cute, welcoming atmosphere. The staff is friendly, smiling, and joking with customers, making you feel right at home. The food is made with care, reminiscent of a homemade meal prepared by an abuelita, with dishes like tacos, Chile Rellenos, Al Pastor, Carnitas, and barbacoa made with lamb or mutton.
The house-made salsa, guacamole, and sour cream add to the delicious experience, so use this place as a pitstop for some authentic Mexican food before you explore the city.
Viva Mexico Taqueria
$$ | (860) 216-3144 | WEBSITE
Much like a video of a toddler discovering guacamole or a perfectly timed mariachi song, the seasoned pork tacos at Viva Mexico Taqueria will never fail to please us. They come with a big pile of beans and rice on the side, and they’re one of our favorite things to eat on Park Road. The chicken and shaved pork tacos are also great, and, as an added bonus, the space is kid-friendly enough to fit you and every single one of your little ones.
There’s an inviting dining area with colorful walls and multiple high chairs where you can grab some food with your family, and there’s also a selection of Mexican beers that’s perfect for grown-up dinners.
