12 Best Mexican Food Restaurants in Minneapolis St. Paul

One surprising feature of the Twin Cities food scene? Its Mexican food.

You’d think a state that’s exponentially closer to Canada than it is to Mexico might struggle in the Mexican food department. At least I did, as a guy who grew up relatively close to the Mexico border in Texas.

So, imagine my surprise when I found some seriously awesome Mexican food restaurants here in the Twin Cities. This town’s tacos, enchiladas, tortas, and all sorts of other Mexican favorites can stack up with the best of them!

Without further ado, here are my personal favorites for the best Mexican food around Minneapolis and St. Paul.

P.S. – If you’re specifically craving tacos, I also wrote a whole guide to the best tacos in the Twin Cities.

Map of My Favorite Mexican Food Restaurants in the Twin Cities

The Best Casual Mexican Food Restaurants

Here are my favorite quick and casual Mexican food restaurants around town:

My favorite Mexican food in St. Paul: Tavial Grill

I’ve claimed Tavial as my favorite tacos in St. Paul before, but this place is also so much more than “just” a taqueria. They also whip up a mean torta sandwich, some unreal enchiladas, and even some of the only decent fajitas around the Twin Cities.

It’s all served in a very casual, almost diner-like vibe along St. Paul’s West 7th Street.

• Address: 1199 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
• Website: Tavial

My favorite Mexican food in Minneapolis: Maya Cuisine

Maya Cuisine is an awesome option for authentic Mexican in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis. You can either order cafeteria style up front or opt for the full table service in the back. Either way, they have a lengthy menu of all the Mexican classics, and their rendition of each is some of the best and most authentic you’ll be able to find in the whole metro.

• Address: 1840 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
• Website: Maya Cuisine

Guy Fieri’s choice: Adale Taqueria & Mercado

This cool little A-Frame building sits just south of the heart of Minneapolis, in Richfield, MN. But inside, they’re serving up an awesome collection of some of the best Mexican food in the Twin Cities.

This is probably what led the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives to have Guy Fieri check out the spot, who raved about the al pastor tacos:

I’ve got to agree with Guy, but in addition to those legendary tacos, Andale also has a full menu of Mexican food classics like burritos, enchiladas, platillos, and even more authentic options like menudo or molcajete.

P.S. – They also have some very good Mexican breakfast options, served all day.

P.P.S – The atmosphere here is fast-casual. You order at the cash register, and after the magic happens in the semi-open kitchen, they’ll call out your number over a microphone.

• Address: 7700 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, MN 55423
• Website: Andale

The most popular tequila bar: Centro

Centro is probably the least casual of the casual spots on our list. This trendy spot started in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis and has since expanded to a second location on Nicollet.

Both places are bright, airy, and popular with trendy foodies who are ready to take on some unique tacos, bowls, enchiladas, and more. Best of all? You can get it all alongside some of the coolest cocktails and tequila flights in town.

• Address 1: 1414 Quincy St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
• Address 2: 2412 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
• Website: Centro

The best burritos in the Twin Cities: Brito’s Burrito

I have a good friend who lives in St. Louis Park, and it’s become a bit of joke that every single time we meet up near his place, I’m getting a burrito from Brito’s. (Sometimes regardless of whether I’m even hungry!)

Simply put, this place has the most incredible build your own burrito I’ve ever tasted in my life. Their tortillas are perfectly soft and chewy, and their queso takes everything to the next level.

• Address: 8114 Minnetonka Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55426
• Website: Brito’s Burrito

Most popular torta sandwiches: Manny’s Tortas

If you’re thinking Mexican sandwich in the Twin Cities, then the first thought has to be Manny’s Tortas.

These tortas have developed a huge following thanks to Manny’s location inside the food building at the Minnesote State Fair. Outside of that magical State Fair week every summer, you can also find Manny’s inside the Midtown Global Food Market just south of downtown Minneapolis.

• Address: 920 E Lake St #125, Minneapolis, MN 55407
• Website: Manny’s Tortas

The most popular Mexican restaurant in St. Paul: El Burrito Mercado

Burrito Mercado is a neighborhood institution in St. Paul’s District Del Sol neighborhood. It first opened in 1979 and has been running strong as a family business ever since.

Today, this part Mexican grocery store, part cafeteria restaurant, part formal sit-down restaurant has plenty of whatever Mexican food you’re craving, and in whatever format you’d like. It’s no wonder this is one of the first spots most locals consider when they’re longing for Mexican food done right.

• Address: 175 Cesar Chavez St, St Paul, MN 55107
• Website: El Burrito Mercado

The best Mexican seafood menu: La Costa

Located right across the street from Burrito Mercado, La Costa is a really cool Mexican sports bar. While they have all the usual Mexican staples on the menu, it’s their lengthy list of seafood on the menu that sets this place apart from so many other Mexican options around town.

Under the mariscos tab, you can find nearly a dozen different options for fish tacos, ceviche, and shrimp dishes. And as a Mexican sports bar, they also have an impressive collection of cocktails, micheladas, tequila, and cervezas to go with whatever you chose. 

• Address: 194 Cesar Chavez St, St Paul, MN 55107
• Website: La Costa

For a solid Chipotle alternative: Catrina’s

If you’re craving a build your own burrito but prefer your ingredients and dollars to stay local, check out Catrina’s. This family-run business has three locations around the Twin Cities, and each one offers a fast-casual experience that consistently trumps the big national chains.

• Address 1: 332 Minnesota St # N233, St Paul, MN 55101
• Address 2: 2510 Kenzie Terrace, St Anthony, MN 55418
• Address 3: 1091 Geneva Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128
• Website: Catrina’s

The Best Upscale Mexican Restaurants

If you’re looking for a “fancier” Mexican experience in a more upscale atmosphere, these spots definitely fit the bill.

Most popular fancy Mexican restaurant in Minneapolis: Colita

If you’re looking for some fancy, unique cheffy takes on Mexican food, then I can’t think of a better option in the Twin Cities than Colita.

Colita is part of famous Twin Cities chef Daniel del Prado’s restaurant empire. (You might recognize him from other places we’ve raved about, like Martina, Rosalia, and Sanjusan.) This spot sits just south of Lake Harriet, and the short but carefully crafted menu revolves around the most elevated tacos and tostadas you’ve ever seen.

• Address: 5400 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
• Website: Colita

Most popular fancy Mexican restaurant in St. Paul / Edina: Pajarito

For another great option for fancier Mexican food, check out Pajarito. They have locations on both West 7th Street in St. Paul as well as the always bustling 50th & France section of Edina.

Both places have some really unique woodfired entrees, like the grilled octopus or chimichurri steak.

Protip: I’m partial to the St. Paul location, because unlike the Edina spot, it usually has the amazing queso fundido on the menu.

• Address 1: 605 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
• Address 2: 3910 W 50th St, Edina, MN 55424
• Website: Pajarito

Best Mexican and Korean fusion: Sooki & Mimi

I bet that wasn’t a combination you expected to see on this list!

Rest assured though, the stuff that James Beard Award Winning Chef Ann Kim is turning out at the super-unique Sooki & Mimi is the stuff of foodie dreams. We raved all about the incredible mushroom birria tacos in our full review, although fair warning that most of the menu is less traditional Mexican.

• Address: 1432 W 31st St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
• Website: Sooki & Mimi

Looking for more options? Check out my guide to the 15 best tacos in the Twin Cities.