Best Mexican in Milwaukee | Local restaurant guide

Who doesn’t love a good Mexican-style meal every now and then? If you’re looking for the best Mexican in Milwaukee, we’ve got you covered.

We are Milwaukee natives who love exploring the Milwaukee restaurant scene and are obsessed with Mexico. We spend at least a month a year in Mexico eating, drinking and enjoying the sun.

We love Mexican food so much we have it at least once a week!

Spicy sauces, juicy meats and fresh vegetables are part of Mexican cuisine. And a hands-on approach to food always makes food taste better.

So if you’re looking for the best Mexican in Milwaukee, we’ve got you covered.

1. Lazo’s Taco Shack

This hard-to-find restaurant is tucked away on Wisconsin Avenue near Marquette University and downtown Milwaukee. Parking is relatively easy in the area. We were always able to find street parking. However, the New Mexican cuisine served is worth seeking out.

Guests can enjoy a combination of traditional flavors with modern touches. Lazo’s offers breakfast, lunch and dinner menus along with daily specials. Margarita Mondays, Taco Tuesdays and Thursdays, along with a Happy Hour, cater to most choices.

With a mix of modern and Mexican, the food is fresh and exciting. We both love the Birria tacos, pictured above. The delicious shrimp tacos are popular and the raspberry chimichanga cheesecake is a hit. Visitors looking for a Mexican with something different are sure not to be disappointed. View menu

2. La Dame

This stylish restaurant offers authentic Mexican food with a modern twist. Located just south of downtown Milwaukee, guests can expect a relaxed atmosphere. With an indoor Cantina dining room and a beautiful screened patio outside. Guests can try a cocktail or one of the many tequilas on offer.

The menu is inspired by the markets of Mexico City, Puebla and Oaxaca. With a highly specialized menu, items such as sea bass or carne asada are offered. However, these traditional dishes are given a twist by adding unique ingredients. The fish gets mixed adobo, while the counter addition is smoked eggplant. A few unexpected twists take Mexican food style to another level. View menu

3. Antigua

Antigua Mexican Restaurant features Latin-inspired cuisine. Taking the lead from locations as diverse as Spain, Cuba and Colombia.

Guests can try a Valencian paella, a Cuban plantain or a Colombian empanada. Along with more typical Mexican dishes. Guests can try classics like Steak Ranchero or more inventive items like Tequila Chicken.

With culinary nods to countries like Argentina, Ecuador and Peru, the menu tempts. Guests can travel to South America with their taste buds and discover new flavors. The combinations and cooking are elegant and well executed, leaving a culinary satisfaction. Along with Tapas Thursdays and Happy Hour Tuesdays, guests can enjoy great food and special evenings. View menu

4. Taqueria Buenavista

With several branches and a food truck, Taqueria Buenavista is more of a franchise. The original restaurant, based on West Burnham Street, opened 10 years ago. This family-owned business serves traditional, authentic, home-cooked Mexican cuisine.

The decor and furniture of the restaurant is functional, nothing fancy. And the menu offers customers a wide variety of complete dinner dishes.

Diners can collect pre-orders or sit down and eat at one of the booths. The portion sizes are generous, and that includes the drinks along with the food. Hot sauces are provided, which help enhance the dishes. Popular with locals and visitors alike, this is a must-visit Mexican restaurant in Milwaukee.

5. Al Pastoras

Serving fresh Mexican food cooked to order, Al Pastor opened 20 years ago. This local family restaurant enjoys satisfying guests who crave authentic flavors. The menu includes traditional items such as tacos, quesadillas, chimichangas and burritos.

With special nights like Taco Tuesdays, guests can sample a variety of mini-tacos. If you have a large group or need catering, you can order Taco trays with up to 40 tacos! Their famous Alambre dish includes steak, bacon, ham, chorizo, pineapple, salad and tortillas. View menu

6. Guanajuato Mexican Restaurant

Located in Milwaukee’s Bayview District, Guanajuato originally opened its doors in 2007. In 2013, the owners moved to a new location and managed to become a local favorite. The family business specializes in high quality, handcrafted Mexican food.

Open 7 days a week. The owners proudly serve authentic Mexican cuisine. The restaurant is also often referred to as GTO, for short.

Guanajuato has breakfast, lunch, dinner and children’s menus, along with other specials. Guests can expect tasty, traditional dishes as well as innovative creations. The very spicy Bistec en Chile de Arbol will delight chili lovers. While the Combinacion Guanajuato dish will satisfy guests craving a Mexican option. View menu

7. Cielito Lido

Cielito Lindo is a great choice for some authentic Mexican food in Milwaukee. Located just two miles from downtown Milwaukee, in the Walkers Point neighborhood.

Guests are welcomed with a truly unique Latin American dining experience. The decor reflects the restaurant’s name, which translates to ‘Beautiful Little Heaven’. The colorful murals and ceiling help create a Mexican feel.

The very reasonable prices do not reflect the quality of the cooking. Locals and out-of-towners alike recognize the authenticity of the food. The friendly and relaxed atmosphere is part of Cielito Lindo’s charm.

With an extensive menu, guests can enjoy dishes such as quesadillas, burritos and enchiladas. The drinks on offer complement the food and the mole sauce is amazing. For a traditional taste of Mexico, stop at Cielito Lindo. View menu

8. Chilango Express

Since 2014, Chilango Express has made its home in West Allis. Originally located in a gas station, the business moved to its current location in 2019.

The restaurant’s colorful decor adds to the Mexican flavor and atmosphere. With traditional options and different dinner plates, guests can enjoy a variety of dishes. This continues with drinks like Horchata, Mexican Coke and Mango & Guayaba. Weekend specials add to the wonderful options on offer, such as Lamb Barbacoa. For a real taste of Mexico City, Chilango Express is the best. View menu

The community atmosphere blends with the colorfully designed interior and exterior. And with an open kitchen, guests can watch the staff cook at work. The food is cooked fresh to order, and the wafting aromas are mouth-watering.

The attention to detail at Paloma’s is what helps it stand out from the crowd. The various tacos on offer are a good example of this high quality. Shells made of corn or soft flour, very crispy shells or just a bed of lettuce. Fillings can be traditional, such as beef, cheese, tomato, onion and lettuce. More modern options include crispy tofu or Brussels sprouts with different toppings.

The amazing food creations are paired with the inventive cocktails on offer. The delightful ‘Paloma’ mixes fresh lime, grapefruit juice, soda and Sauza tequila. While the Tropical Mojito combines lime, mint and pineapple with rum and soda. The exquisitely crafted drinks, like the food, mean guests have a very enjoyable meal. With a taco dog option on the menu, that goes for dogs too! View menu

10. Casa de Alberto

For a friendly welcome and a great Mexican dining experience, Alberto’s is up there. With great food and attentive wait staff, guests can expect to eat well.

The owners, Alberto and Laura, always have smiles to greet new and old. With tacos, enchiladas and tostadas, guests can expect traditional fare at reasonable prices.

Mexican rice, guacamole and freshly made nacho chips are especially good. Strawberry margaritas, tequilas, fresh juices and lemonades just make any meal so special.

Where do you think the Mexican is in Milwaukee? What are your favorite Mexican restaurants in Milwaukee? We are always on the hunt for new places to try.

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