Ordering guide
What to order at a Mexican restaurant
Tacos, mole, ceviche, birria — Mexican cuisine is huge. Here's how to order beyond the burrito and find what each restaurant actually does best.
Must-try Mexican dishes
- Tacos al pastor
- Birria with consommé
- Mole poblano
- Ceviche
- Chiles en nogada (in season)
- Elote
Frequently asked questions
What should I order at a Mexican restaurant?
Order tacos al pastor if they have a trompo (vertical spit) — that's the signature. Otherwise birria, carnitas tacos, or mole poblano are reliable signals of a kitchen's skill. Skip the combo plates and order à la carte.
What is the most authentic Mexican dish to order?
Mole poblano, chiles en nogada, cochinita pibil and tlayudas are widely considered the most authentic regional specialities. Tacos al pastor and birria are the most authentic everyday street foods.
What is a good Mexican dish for keto or low-carb diets?
Order fajitas without tortillas, carne asada, ceviche, or any taco served on lettuce instead of a tortilla. Skip the rice, beans, and chips — ask for extra guacamole instead.
What's the difference between a taco, burrito and quesadilla?
A taco is a small, soft corn tortilla folded around filling. A burrito is a large flour tortilla wrapped tightly around fillings including rice and beans. A quesadilla is a tortilla folded over melted cheese, sometimes with extra fillings.
What's the best Mexican dish for vegetarians?
Mushroom tacos, rajas con crema (poblano peppers in cream), enchiladas with cheese or beans, and chiles rellenos are excellent vegetarian options. Always confirm the beans are made without lard.
Top Mexican restaurants right now
Ranked by community votes on DishVote.
