You might not really think of Las Vegas as a southwestern destination, not in the way you might think of Phoenix or El Paso as being in the Southwest. The focus here is obviously more on casinos than cowboys. However, that doesn’t stop Vegas from sharing one thing in common with some of the top southwestern travel destinations: Las Vegas does Mexican cuisine really, really well. And, no, you won’t need to step off the Strip to find these Mexican eateries. You barely need to step away from the slots.
To help you discover Vegas’s Mexican dining scene, we’re breaking down the 12 best Mexican restaurants that are located within casinos and resorts. Keep reading for everything you need to know.
The 12 Best Mexican Restaurants in Las Vegas
Whether you want classic and authentic eats or a party atmosphere, you can find it among our top picks for the best Mexican restaurants in Las Vegas.
- Border Grill – Best Overall
- Javier’s – Most Edgy & Upscale
- Casa Playa – Best Coastal Cuisine
- Chayo Mexican Kitchen – Most Fun
- Canonita – Best Location
- Gonzalez y Gonzalez – Best for Groups
- Carlos ‘N Charlie’s – Best for Partying
- Yolos Mexican Grill – Best for More Than Mexican
- Senor Frog’s – Most Well Known
- Uno Mas – Best for Street Tacos
- Hussong’s Cantina – Best for Margaritas
- Diablo’s Cantina – Best Environment
Border Grill – Best Overall
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Border Grill takes a top spot as one of the most versatile Mexican restaurants in Vegas. The restaurant, helmed by the award-winning “Too Hot Tamale” ladies, offers you your choice of either a more casual taqueria setting or a more high-end dining room setting, whatever you’re in the mood for. The menu is equally versatile, with a blend of not just Mexican cuisine, but also pan-Latino fare.
Enjoy your food as you look over the Mandalay Bay’s pool area — if you can take your eyes off the lively and beautiful restaurant interior and its outdoor dining area. Don’t miss brunch, when you can order unlimited small plates. If you come by for dinner, you’ll want to try the tacos for sure. Hand-pressed corn tortillas are filled with delightful ingredients, from ancho-crusted shrimp to rainbow cauliflower to manchego cheese grits.
Read our complete review of Border Grill in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
Javier’s – Most Edgy & Upscale
ARIA Resort & Casino
At ARIA Resort & Casino, Javier’s is a good pick for an intimate and upscale date night, with its dark and moody setting. The restaurant is covered in dark leathers and woods, with one of the highlight accent pieces being a chainsaw-carved Aztec motif. Make sure to grab your favorite tequila from the board selection, but then peruse the menu and its offerings like the Empanadas de Camaron, aka empanadas stuffed with shrimp, or the Camarones al Mojo De Aho, aka wild Mexican white prawns in a garlic white sauce.
Read our complete review of Javier’s in the Aria Resort and Casino.
Casa Playa – Best Coastal Cuisine
Encore Las Vegas
Mexican cuisine isn’t just all tacos, all the time. Every region of the country boasts its own nuances. To explore Mexico’s coastal cuisine, be sure to stop by one of the newest restaurants at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore, Casa Playa. Seafood options are plentiful here, from the Mexican blue shrimp ceviche to the Casa Playa Surf & Turf, served with Wagyu carne asada, lobster, and chorizo.
Read our complete review of Casa Playa in the Encore Las Vegas.
Chayo Mexican Kitchen – Most Fun
The LINQ
For not just great Mexican eats, but also a truly good, entertaining time, you’ve got to go to The LINQ entertainment corridor (where you’ll also find the now-iconic Las Vegas High Roller ferris wheel). There, you’ll run into Chayo Mexican Kitchen, a wide and expansive space that offers dozens upon dozens of tequila options plus a mechanical bull and views of the ferris wheel. To fuel your shenanigans for the night, load up on delicious eats like Maine lobster tacos or pork enchiladas. Save room for dessert and one of the Mexican-style brownies.
Read our complete review of Chayo Mexican Kitchen in The LINQ.
Canonita – Best Location
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
Canonita’s location blends two worlds in a surprising — but effective — manner. The restaurant sits right on the canals within The Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes, so you get the iconic Italian atmosphere, alongside all-Mexican eats. The vibe is relatively casual and the menu offers authentic options, though with a bit of an upgrade (in other words, you’ll recognize everything, but you won’t be disappointed by the same ol’ same ol’ that you could find back home).
The best part? If you stop by this restaurant after it’s closed for the evening, its next-door, late-night taco shop will serve you a limited menu to help soak up those drinks.
Read our complete review of Canonita in the Venetian Resort Las Vegas.
Gonzalez y Gonzalez – Best for Groups
New York-New York Las Vegas
Gonzalez y Gonzalez is the best restaurant for groups on our list for one important reason: The menu doesn’t hem you in with only classic Mexican eats that won’t appeal to those who’d rather be chowing down on a burger. The menu effectively caters to diners of just about every type, thanks to a selection of items that are approachable, comfortable, and easily customizable. Someone in your group couldn’t care less for Mexican fare? Give them the wings. Got a picky eater who needs the most basic eats in order to be happy? Pare down the ground beef tacos to their liking. Everyone’s going to be happy here.
Read our complete review of Gonzalez y Gonzalez in the New York New York Las Vegas.
Carlos ‘N Charlie’s – Best for Partying
Flamingo Las Vegas
What goes best with tequila? A party. Well, and a margarita, but the party is also a must and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Carlos ’N Charlie’s.
The lively eatery is family-friendly enough during the daylight hours but, once night falls, you’ll find a totally different scene, with lots of entertainment and raucous crowds looking to have a great time. Of course, the food’s nothing to scoff at. Pick from Mexican platters or tacos (or, burgers, if you’d prefer). You can also find breakfast offerings in the morning.
Read our complete review of Carlos ‘N Charlie’s in the Flamingo Las Vegas.
Yolos Mexican Grill – Best for More Than Mexican
Planet Hollywood
This lively and fun restaurant serves more than just Mexican food. The menu encompasses Caribbean, Pacific Rim, and South American cuisine as well, for a little bit of it all. Enjoy the super-casual atmosphere and the (relatively, at least by Vegas standards) affordable prices. Start your meal off with a Margarona (or, a margarita plus a Corona) and then food options like carne asada fries, burritos, burgers, and fajitas. Save room for dessert. You won’t want to miss the flan or fried ice cream.
Read our complete review of Yolos Mexican Grill in Planet Hollywood.
Senor Frog’s – Most Well Known
Treasure Island Hotel
If you’ve ever traveled to a party-centric destination throughout the Caribbean or Mexico (like Cancun), then you likely already know Senor Frog’s. This famous chain of party-ready restaurants offers lots of events, drinks, and authentic Mexican eats.
In Vegas, the super-bright, colorful interior can get loud, so grab a table in the outdoor space overlooking the Strip. Be sure to check the restaurant’s event calendar before you go, too, so you can catch DJ sets and more nightclub-esque fun. If you’re traveling for a bachelor or bachelorette party, Senor Frog’s can also help you out with semi-private or private spaces.
Read our complete review of Senor Frog’s in Treasure Island.
Uno Mas – Best for Street Tacos
Sahara Las Vegas
If it’s specifically street tacos you’re craving, you’ve got to go to Uno Mas, where the food is simple, fresh, and oh-so-delicious. The environment is laid-back, but still fun, and the margaritas are just as fresh as the food. There’s both a dinner and a late-night menu, so you can grab a taco after you’ve had your fill of the Vegas nightlife. The limited menu’s street taco options range from fish to carne asada, chicken tinga to pork al pastor.
Read our complete review of Uno Mas in the Sahara Las Vegas.
Hussong’s Cantina – Best for Margaritas
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Hussong’s Cantina, or more specifically, the original Hussong’s Cantina, down in Mexico, is supposedly where the very first margarita was served. Now, you can taste some of that history and heritage for yourself, when you order a margarita at the Las Vegas outpost, within Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Stick around for the live mariachi music and come hungry, because this authentic Mexican menu is packed with delicious options like a three-pound burrito and Mexican grilled street corn.
Read our complete review of Hussong’s Cantina in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
Diablo’s Cantina – Best environment
Luxor Las Vegas and The Mirage Las Vegas
There are two Diablo’s Cantina locations on the Vegas Strip, one in the Luxor Las Vegas and one in The Mirage Las Vegas. Whichever one you decide to go to, you’ll find an atmosphere that’s just the right combination of being fun and exciting, without being over-the-top, loud, and in-your-face. In other words, this is a good option for those who like live music and the occasional DJ set, but you also want to be able to hear yourself talk.
Look out for can’t-miss options on the menu such as enchilada trios, fajitas, and filet mignon tacos.
Read our complete review of Diablo’s Cantina in the Luxor Las Vegas.
Read our complete review of Diablo’s Cantina in The Mirage Las Vegas.
