Who doesn’t love a good Mexican-style meal once in a while? If you are looking for where to find the best Mexican in Milwaukee, we have you covered.
We are Milwaukee locals who love to explore the Milwaukee restaurant scene and are obsessed with Mexico and Mexican food. We spend at least a month a year in Mexico eating, drinking, and soaking up the sunshine.
We love Mexican food so much that we have it at least once a week!
We’ve got you covered if you are looking for the best Mexican in Milwaukee. Here are our favorite Mexican restaurants in Milwaukee to fulfill your cravings.
1. Lazo’s Taco Shack
This hard-to-find restaurant is tucked away off Wisconsin Ave, near Marquette University and downtown Milwaukee. Parking is relatively easy in the area. We have always been able to find street parking. Yet it is worth seeking out the new Mexican cuisine served.
Guests can enjoy a mix of traditional flavors with a modern twist. Lazo’s provides a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu and specialty days: Margarita Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, and Thursdays, along with a Happy Hour.
The food is fresh and exciting with a fusion of modern and Mexican. We both love the Birria tacos pictured above. Delicious shrimp tacos are popular, and the chimichanga raspberry cheesecake is unique. View Menu
2. La Dama
This stylish restaurant offers authentic Mexican food with a modern touch. Located just south of downtown Milwaukee, this is a higher-end and pricy Mexican restaurant but great for date nights or special occasions.
The menu is inspired by the markets of Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca. With a highly specialized menu, items like Sea Bass or Carne Asada. These traditional dishes are given a twist by adding unique ingredients. The fish gets a mixed adobo, while the sirloin’s addition is smoked aubergine. Some unexpected twists elevate the Mexican food style to another level. View Menu
3. Antigua
The Mexican restaurant Antigua bills itself as a Latin-inspired kitchen. Taking their lead from locations as diverse as Spain, Cuba, and Colombia.
Make sure to try the Valencian Paella, Cuban plantain, or a Colombian empanada. They do serve typical Mexican dishes like Steak Ranchero, but I typically opt for the more inventive items like Tequila Chicken. 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-run business serves up traditional, authentic, home-style Mexican cooking.
The decoration and the furniture of the restaurant are functional, nothing fancy. And the menu offers customers a wide range of complete dinner plates.
You can order online for pickup or dine in, but this a no frills basic dining room. The portion sizes are generous, and that includes the drinks alongside the food. Popular with locals and visitors alike, this is a must visit Mexican restaurant in Milwaukee.
5. Al Pastor
Serving fresh Mexican food cooked to order, Al Pastor opened 20 years ago. This local family-owned restaurant has been satisfying guests who crave authentic flavors. The menu includes traditional items like 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 the Bayview area of Milwaukee, Guanajuato originally opened its doors in 2007. The family-run business specializes in high-quality, hand-crafted Mexican food.
Open 7 days a week. The owners proudly serve authentic Mexican cuisine. The restaurant is often referred to as GTO as well, for short.
Guanajuato serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and has children’s menus, along with other specialties. The menu has all the traditional dishes as well as innovative creations. I usually opt for the Combinacion Guanajuato plate as it offers several Mexican items. View Menu
7. Cielito Lindo
Cielito Lindo is located just two miles from downtown Milwaukee in the Walkers Point neighborhood. The very reasonable prices do not reflect the quality of the cooking.
With an extensive menu, diners can enjoy dishes like quesadillas, burritos, and enchiladas. The drinks offered complement the food, and the mole sauce is amazing. View Menu
8. Chilango Express
Since 2014, Chilango Express has settled into its West Allis home. Originally located in a gas station, the business moved to its current location in 2019.
With traditional options and different dinner plates, visitors can savor a variety of dishes. This continues with drinks like Horchata, Mexican Coke, and Mango & Guayaba. Weekend specials add to the wonderful choices offered, like the lamb Barbacoa. View Menu
9. Paloma Taco and Tequilla
This dog-friendly restaurant in Milwaukee opened in 2020 in the Washington Heights area. With a quirky take on the Mexican taqueria and inspired cocktail creations. The attention to detail at Paloma’s is what helps it stand out from the crowd.
The various tacos offered are a good example of this elevated quality. Corn or soft flour shells, queso crunchy shells, or just a bed of lettuce. The fillings can be traditional, like beef, cheese, tomato, onion, and lettuce. More modern options include Crispy Tofu or Brussel Sprouts with different toppings.
The amazing food creations are matched by 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. There is even a canine taco option on the menu! View Menu
10. Casa de Alberto
For a friendly welcome and a great Mexican culinary experience, Alberto’s ranks up there. The owners, Alberto and Laura, always have smiles to greet new and old diners. With tacos, enchiladas, and tostadas, guests can expect reasonably priced traditional food.
The Mexican rice, guacamole, and freshly cooked nacho chips are especially good. The Strawberry margaritas, Tequilas, fresh juices, and lemonades only elevate any meal.