Here at CityBeat, we like to recommend restaurants, especially if you’re looking for places like the best Mexican restaurants in Cincinnati. But Yelpers also have a lot of passion when it comes to reviewing the restaurants they’ve tried, and sometimes you just want to know which margarita was the best in Katie B.’s experience, or if Johnny K. liked the tortas or enchiladas more.

And in Greater Cincinnati, there are a lot of excellent Mexican restaurants to pick from, and Yelp can help you sort through them to find the experience you’re craving, whether it’s authentic Mexican street fare, fantastic hole-in-the-wall vibes or out-of-the-ordinary tacos. Keep scrolling to see the Cincinnati Mexican restaurants Yelpers are drooling over.

*Note: This was the list at the time of publication. Based on ongoing input, restaurant locations in this Yelp list may change. Reviews may have been shortened or edited slightly for clarity and grammar.

No. 25: Taqueria San Marcos 5201 Carthage Ave., Norwood “Really enjoyed our visit to Taqueria San Marcos and can’t wait to come back. We ordered four tacos and cheese dip. All the tacos were good and would order again but the best two were the steak and the marinated chicken. The chips and salsa were good. Enjoyed the salsa having some spice and being onion forward. The cheese dip was delicious and thicc (that’s not a typo). Our waitress was very friendly and helpful. She recommended great tacos. The vibe inside is cool and unique. I like that they kept the diner look.” -Kyle B. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Agave & Rye Hyde Park 3825 Edwards Road, Hyde Park Diners flock to the restaurant to enjoy its vibrant murals and funky decor while chowing down on unique tacos, with proteins including kangaroo, duck, crab cakes, butter-poached lobster, crispy cauliflower, salt and pepper fries and fried chicken — in addition to more familiar bases like steak, pork carnitas and mahi mahi. With a flagship location in Covington, Agave & Rye’s Hyde Park spot is larger, with a massive patio. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
No. 23: Taqueria Ramirez 6910 Burlington Pike, Florence “I haven’t been back in a while but Taqueria Ramirez has to be the best Mexican food & selection in the NKY/Cinci area. For sure. I love the vast selection, from tacos to Gorditas y Sopes. Being Mexican American, this place is one of the most authentic you can get in this area. It has everything from food to hospitality to feel like home!” -Jade C. Photo: facebook.com/TaqueriaRamirez2
No. 22: Fuego Parilla Mexicana 1241 OH-131, Milford “Came here for the first time. I am very impressed with this place. Portions are big and the price is fair for how much you get. I got the nachos with chorizo and they do not skimp on anything. The quality of ingredients was great. Everything was fresh, and everything tasted amazing. I would recommend this place to anyone and everyone. Fuego really puts Chipotle to shame. Go try this place; you won’t be disappointed!” -John F. Photo: facebook.com/myfuego
Gomez Salsa Multiple locations, including 2437 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills Gomez’s has it all: fish tacos with Baja sauce, chips with pineapple salsa, taco salad bowls and owner Andrew Gomez’s greatest invention — the Turtle Shell. Take a tortilla, stuff it with rice, beans, sour cream, lettuce, salsa, meat, veggies and cheese, layer in a tostado for crunch, put some cheese on the top and then brown it. It’s a fat little crunchy burrito envelope — a true walking taco. Photo: Lindsay McCarty
No. 20: Condado Tacos (The Banks) 195 E. Freedom Way, The Banks “Fabulous place. Love the set up! Tacos are huge and full of flavor. The staff is amazing. Shawn was friendly, fun, and attentive!! His energy is amazing. Definitely coming back for dinner in his section. My new favorite place to eat when I visit Cinci.” -Alika D. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
No. 19: Rio Grande (Newport) 34 Carothers Road, Newport “I always enjoy ordering from Rio. The portions are big and cost is low – especially when you order/dine in during their lunch hours. My two favorite dishes are the Guadalajara and the arroz con pollo. The margaritas are also delicious! When I dine in, I always get a mango margarita on the rocks.” -Sabrina K. Photo: facebook.com/rionewport34
Best Margarita No. 9 (TIE): Mazunte 5207 Madison Road, Suite 100, Madisonville; 6216 Madison Road, Madisonville; 611 Main St., Downtown Photo: Hailey Bollinger
No. 5: La Mexicana Restaurante Cantina and Tienda (642 Monmouth St., Newport) // No-frills in décor, but all serious with the cuisine, La Mexicana is deemed to be one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants in the area. From asada to bistec to milanesa, they’ve got the meats. But they also serve up a host of veggie options. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Condado Tacos’ happy hour runs 4-7 p.m., Monday- Friday, and offers half-priced margaritas and $1 off tacos Photo: Hailey Bollinger
No. 15: El Jinete 3972 Red Bank Road, Fairfax “I had a great time here enjoying El Jinete’s delicious food! I got the vegetarian fajita (with corn tortillas) and my friend got the mushroom quesadilla – both of which were delicious! We got two bowls of salsa when we sat down then ordered a bowl of queso for the chips. I also got a cup of coffee and it came with a few little creamers. It is a little pricey, but subtracting drinks/alcohol from our order made the price worth it!” -Maggie D. Photo: El Jinete Mexican Restaurante's Facebook
No. 14: La Jaiba Seafood and Taqueria 11941 Montgomery Road, Symmes Township “This is probably one of the best Tex Mex food I have had in Cincinnati. This place is tucked away into a corner of a little strip mall. It has a nice outdoor seating area which is a little private, and not just facing the parking lot. I went during lunch on a Wednesday. They had a steady crowd of people inside and picking up. I ordered off their extensive and reasonably priced lunch menu. I got a combo chimichanga and enchilada meal including rice, beans, and of course chips and salsa. The salsa wasn’t super hot, but had a good flavor and a nice amount of onions and cilantro. When my meal arrived I was sold after the first bite. The traditional rice and beans were flavorful not boring. The chimichanga had a nice sear on it, covered with a wonderful cheese sauce, but the ground beef filling was the star. Sometimes restaurants will just brown beef and it is bland. Well not this beef. It was flavorful and had bits of carrots and peas in it. Almost like eating mom’s roast. The same for inside the enchilada. Then I realized the enchilada was covered in mole sauce. What a treat. I can’t say enough about this place and the food. On top of that, the staff was extremely friendly. This is definitely a place to come back to, and try more options.” -Janice K. Photo: La Jaiba Seafood & Taqueria
No. 13: Taqueria San Miguel 812 Madison Ave., Covington “An actual hole in the wall I was thrilled to discover. In all honestly this may be the best Mexican food I have had in the area. The exterior isn’t extravagant like the other restaurants on the street which is a key indicator that the focus is on the food. Humble interior and you get to buy your own choice of drink from the refrigerator. The tacos were phenomenal. House-made fresh corn tortillas with your choice of meat with onions & cilantro – Al pastor was incredible. Came out piping hot with hot sauce and salsa verde at the table. We also split a Marrano Mix – grilled shrimp, steak, chicken with chorizo that comes in a molcajete. Also came with refried beans, rice, and fresh tortillas. Already looking forward to coming back!” -Shruthi S. Photo: Google Maps
Nada 600 Walnut St., Downtown Featuring a menu of modern Mexican food and a stellar location near the Aronoff, Nada serves as the perfect spot for dinner on a hectic Monday. The menu features plenty of tasty tacos, antojitos (or appetizers), enchiladas and fajitas. Nada’s patio is also a big attraction when nice weather beckons. Photo: facebook.com/eatdrinknada
Bakersfield 1213 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Part bar, part taco joint, all classy. Bakersfield specializes in gourmet tacos (pollo verde, pastor, huitlacoche, etc.), quality tequilas and whiskeys and hand-crafted margaritas made the old-fashioned way, not from a pre-made mix. Photo: Provided by Thunderdome Restaurant Group
Guti Nachos with pollo asado: corn chips topped with refried beans, guacamole, mozzarella, cilantro, onion and cotija cheese, served with sour cream, roja and verde salsas Photo: Mary LeBus
No.9: Mi Burrito Mexican Grill 4854 Union Centre Pavilion, West Chester “A more delicious and authentic alternative to popular chains like Chipotle and Qdoba. The salsa options are great and the staff is always friendly. Definitely recommend for a fast-casual Mexican food experience.” -Said K. Photo: facebook.com/miburritomg
No. 8: Taqueria Don Chago 11449 Princeton Pike, Springdale “Do yourself a favor and order a torta! A big as your head and delicious! I would definitely come back for more!” -Angela C. Photo: facebook.com/tacosdonchago1
No. 7: El Taco Veloz 7 Martin Luther King Drive East, Corryville “What is this place? It’s your new Taco spot and more. Good times are waiting for you here. The service is friendly and fast and the ambiance is casual. The food is some of what you find usually but they have some menu items that take it up a notch, like the Cow Tongue Taco, the Burrito Veloz and more. Their drinks are delicious and a good size for the price. They are not too strong or weak but are just right. Tips to make your visit a success: 1) Pick a side. This restaurant is split into two sides. One is a typical, the other is a bar with a DJ. While the full menu is available on either side the experience will definitely be different so choose wisely. 2) Try something new. Don’t have a basic night but have an extraordinary one by trying something new to you. Whether that is a new menu item or a new drink item either way increase your experience and excite your taste buds.” -Arthur L. Photo: twitter.com/el_taco_veloz_
No. 6: El Vaquero (Corryville) 2845 Short Vine St., Corryville “Food was delicious! We both had three tacos with rice. Mine were marinated chicken and my husband’s were pork. Margaritas were big and yummy. The service was wonderful.” -Kathy J. Photo: Provided by El Vaquero
Tortilleria Garcia 5917 Hamilton Ave., College Hill; 11774 Springfield Pike, Springdale; 4200 Aero Drive, Mason Popular Springdale Mexican eatery Tortilleria Garcia has opened two additional locations in College Hill and in Mason. Omar Garcia, the restaurant’s’ owner, grew up on a family farm in Michoacan, Mexico and learned how to make corn tortillas the old fashioned way from his mother and grandmother. Garcia has committed to honoring his family’s culinary history and his restaurants uncompromisingly follow the family recipe for fresh tortillas — never using flour or preservatives. Garcia’s menu consists of straightforward Mexican classics like tamales, burritos, housemade salsas and rotisserie chicken, in addition to tacos, plus his classic tortilla shells are available in two-pound packs so you can make your own inspired creations at home. Photo: Paige Deglow Photo: Paige Deglow
No. 4: Cielito Lindo 3256 Dixie Highway, Fairfield “Low key, extremely authentic Mexican fare on weekends only (S&S from 11-4) as an all-you-can-eat buffet, $12 per person. Located in the old Capri Motel restaurant, don’t expect fancy digs, but unpretentious fresh fare like you would eat at home in Mexico. This is not Tex-Mex but the real thing. Too many items to list or show. Come hungry!” -Sue L. Photo: Google Maps
El Barril Mexican Sports Bar & Grill 940 Pavilion Ave., Mount Adams As its name suggests, El Barrill Mexican Sports Bar & Grill is part restaurant — boasting both Mexican street food and bar bites — and part sports bar. The menu ranges from street tacos, piled-high nachos and meat-stuffed burritos to more traditional bar food like loaded burgers, mozzarella sticks and wings. Enjoy your feast and an ice-cold margarita in one of three indoor dining areas, or on the first- or second-floor patios. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
No. 2: Mazunte Taqueria 5207 Madison Road, Madisonville “The beer battered tacos are my favorite, and I’ve had fish tacos both in Mexico and South America. Theirs are the best—the dinners are authentic ranchero Mexican and not swimming in cheese sauce as most entrees are served in our Americanized Tex Mex restaurants. It’s a wonderful little eatery with outdoor seating for two or ten or more.” -Mary M. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Veracruz Mexican Grill 3108 Price Ave., Price Hill, facebook.com/VeracruzMexicanGrill Authentic Barbacoa Taco: Authentic barbacoa (marinated beef) served on fresh soft corn taco with lime, onion and cilantro. Two for $4 during Taco Week. Served with an order of fresh hot chips and homemade salsa. Additional sauces available at your table. Chicken Taco: Authentic fresh chicken served on fresh soft corn taco with lime, onion and cilantro. Two for $4 during Taco Week. Served with an order of fresh hot chips and homemade salsa. Vegetarian offerings available. Photo: Provided Photo: Provided by Veracruz