EL REY
In Center City, Stephen Starr’s El Rey pairs playful Mexican cooking with a lively, cantina-style setting. Surrounded by folk art and vintage Spanish film posters, dig into standout dishes like the campechana or chile relleno. 2013 Chestnut St., elreyrestaurant.com
Indulge in Ama's callo de hacha tostada with scallops, avocado, pickled red onion, tonnato and salsa morita.
AMÁ
In just a year, Amá has quickly become a local favorite for elevated Mexican fare. Indulge in lamb neck birria and tuna tostada, alongside a lineup of creative cocktails like the Mercado Sonora with tequila chai, rhubarb, nopal and burnt tortilla. 101 W. Oxford St., amaphl.com
Condesa's pollo asado with grilled half chicken, adobo verde, fried sweet plantains and escabeche.
CONDESA
A stone’s throw from Rittenhouse Square, Condesa boasts contemporary details and authentic flavors. Enjoy a mezcal margarita while treating your taste buds to dishes like chipotle crema empanadas. 1830 Ludlow St., condesaphilly.com
EL LIMON
Cheesy enchiladas, crispy chimichangas and more await you at El Limon. With locations in Northeast Philadelphia and Chestnut Hill, this eatery invites foodies to curb their Mexican food cravings with tostadas and enchiladas while sipping homemade tamarindo. Multiple locations, ellimontaquerias.com
EL MICTLAN
Tucked in the heart of South Philadelphia, El Mictlan delivers a warm, authentic take on Mexican cuisine. Crowd-pleasers like tacos al pastor and housemade taquitos shine, while indulgent desserts—think horchata tres leches—offer a sweet, satisfying finish. 2053 S. Beechwood St., elmictlanrestaurantpa.com
The tacos al carbon at El Vez.
EL VEZ
A longtime STARR standout, El Vez in Center City serves up bold Mexican flavors alongside one of the city’s largest tequila selections. Kick things off with the “Bazooka” Limón guacamole, then dive into red snapper a la Veracruzana before finishing with a classic tres leches cake. 121 S. 13th St., elvezrestaurant.com
LMNO
A fusion of culinary, literary and visual arts, Fishtown’s LMNO boasts a restaurant, lounge, bookstore and gallery for guests to explore. While DJs and curated playlists elevate the ambiance, try bites like the Mariscos tostadas. 1749 N. Front St., lmnophilly.com
Sor Ynéz’s spring cocktail menu perfectly pairs with their tasty bites.
SOR YNÉZ
Named after a 17th-century Mexican feminist and designed by Philly artist Miguel Antonio Horn, this East Kensington eatery blends brotherly love with Mexico City. Enjoy traditional flavors like blue masa cakes, salsa verde and house corn tortillas. 1800 N. American St., sorynez.com
Try tortilla-making classes with South Philly Barbacoa’s James Beard Award-winning chef Cristina Martínez.
SOUTH PHILLY BARBACOA
Experience authentic Mexican barbacoa slow-cooked to perfection at this local gem. Helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Cristina Martínez, this eatery serves bites like taco de pancita and hosts tortilla-making classes such as the Golden Handmade Tortilla class. 1134 S. 9th St., chefcristinamartinez.com
Tequilas' pear and cardamom cocktail
TEQUILAS RESTAURANT & BAR
Set inside a Rittenhouse brownstone splashed with vibrant murals, Tequilas has been a go-to for refined Mexican cuisine for more than three decades. Signature dishes like the ceviche Tequilas—featuring cured fish in a bright jalapeño broth—pair effortlessly with expertly crafted agave cocktails. 1602 Locust St., tequilasphilly.com
