13 Best Mexican Restaurants in Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs is a delightful desert getaway known for its luxury resorts and chic architecture, but did you know that it’s also home to some of the finest Mexican restaurants in Southern California?
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Palm Springs has many options to satiate your appetite for authentic Mexican cuisine, ranging from laid-back taquerias to upscale dining places.
However, with so many choices, picking just one is challenging. That’s why we’ve gathered a list of the top Mexican restaurants in Palm Springs that will satisfy your cravings and leave you feeling content. Join us on a culinary journey into Mexican cuisine in Palm Springs!
Mexican Restaurants in Palm Springs
Las Casuelas Terraza
Las Casuelas Terrazas has been a prominent restaurant for over 30 years, serving authentic Mexican cuisine. It has become an iconic spot in the desert social scene, catering to every visitor.
The restaurant’s extensive menu features family recipes for classic Mexican dishes and Californian-style favorites.
You can choose from a variety of vegetarian options for lunch, including quesadillas, Oaxaca-style beans, guacamole, and mango margaritas, and seafood options are also available.
Las Casuelas has a large capacity with indoor seating and two patios, and it’s arranged in a way that doesn’t make it feel overcrowded.
The staff is knowledgeable about the menu, and the service is attentive, with drinks refilled and food served.
The food quality is exceptional, as expected, and live entertainment, events, and dancing are offered under the stars, making for an overall delightful experience at Las Casuelas.
El Mirasol at Los Arboles
El Mirasol is located within the Los Arboles Hotel in The Movie Colony neighborhood and offers indoor and outdoor seating options.
The outdoor patio is a stunning setting, with a beautiful swimming pool surrounded, by plants, trees, and banana leaf trees, creating a serene environment.
The menu is packed with Mexican combos, appetizers, salads, and desserts, with the Chile relleno, carne asada, shrimp enchiladas, and chicken mole being the restaurant’s signature dishes.
They also have an impressive drink selection, including interesting cocktails that feature mezcal, such as the smoky-flavored Mexcalita margarita.
Enjoy a delicious margarita in El Mirasol’s beautiful enclosed courtyard, and make reservations online at their website.
La Perlita
La Perlita is a family-owned restaurant at 901 Crossley Road, just a short drive from downtown Palm Springs.
The dining room and bar side offer different atmospheres, with the bar side featuring high-top tables and a large TV for sports fans. The staff is friendly, making you feel right at home when you walk in.
As for the food, the table salsa indicates the deliciousness to come. The chicken tacos are crispy and flavorful, and the fajitas (with steak, chicken, and shrimp) are a real standout. Don’t forget to order some of their guacamole too!
As for drinks, you can’t go wrong with their Cadillac Margarita. Enjoy a delicious Mexican dining experience at La Perlita with superior service from friendly staff.
La Bonita’s
La Bonita’s located on Palm Canyon Drive has the ambiance of a hidden gem with a charming patio area to enjoy your meals. Their outstanding service, with smiling faces, welcomes you upon arrival.
As for the menu at La Bonita’s, we suggest a hard-shell taco with carnitas and a chimichanga plate with chicken and avocados.
But their chicken burrito bowl and tostada are the show’s stars, with perfect portion sizes and not too heavy on the stomach.
To wash it all down, their drinks are just as impressive. Their spicy margarita, lime margarita, and lemonade are all delicious.
Overall, La Bonita’s is worth visiting La Bonita’s! The food, drinks, and service are all top-notch.
Las Casuelas Original
Las Casuelas Original has been preparing authentic Mexican food for over six decades and is located in downtown Palm Springs.
Especially, Las Casuelas Original is a clean and comfortable restaurant that offers a warm and inviting atmosphere.
One thing that makes the restaurant stand out is its reasonable prices and large portions.
You can try the plates the menu includes an enchilada, tostada, and taco served with your choice of rice and beans, which is worth the value.
If you’re a pizza lover, try Mexican Pizza at the restaurant’s special list.
Las Casuelas Original also offers live music in the evenings, adding to the fantastic dining experience.
Maracas Mexican Cantina & Grill
Maracas Cantina has two locations in California: Palm Springs (a short 5-minute walk from downtown) and Rancho Mirage.
They focus on providing Mexican cuisine with fresh ingredients and excellent flavor. The outdoor patio is quite spacious and has a South Beach vibe with multiple umbrellas.
The restaurant’s staff is always on hand to address any queries about the menu and ensure a delightful dining experience.
Their combination plates of tamales are a must-try, which includes options like chicken in tomatillo green chili sauce, pork in adobo sauce, or shredded beef in mole sauce.
Don’t forget to indulge in their homemade desserts or perfect margaritas. Additionally, they offer 100 different tequila selections and happy hour. Visit Maracas Cantina and savor their incredible dishes.
Blue Coyote Grill
Blue Coyote is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Palm Springs, serving addictive and various foods from Mexico and the Southwest since 1992.
The menu offers a variety of popular dishes prepared with authentic Southwest and Mexican recipes, including sopas, enchiladas, botanas, molcajete, fajitas, and the must-try their delicious desserts.
The drinks at Blue Coyote are equally impressive, and we recommend trying the wild coyote margarita and strawberry mint margarita.
Blue Coyote has won numerous awards, and the restaurant is committed to offering a worry-free dining experience, offering both ‘Delivery services’ and ‘To Go’ through its website.
They can also easily accommodate large groups or parties of up to 50 people in their spacious patio areas. Blue Coyote is an excellent choice for a delicious and memorable dining experience.
Loco Charlie’s Mexican Grill
Situated on N Sunrise Way in Palm Springs, Loco Charlie’s has been serving delicious Mexican and American food since 2014.
The outside and inside are decorated with festive colors, making it a fun and welcoming dining spot.
For the food, Loco Charlie’s offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a wide range of options to choose from.
If you’re in the mood for something cheesy, don’t miss their cheese quesadilla – it’s grilled and served with sour cream and guacamole. They also have a kids’ menu, making it a family spot.
In terms of drinks, Loco Charlie’s has something for everyone, with margaritas, flavored drinks, sodas, and signature coffee available on their menu.
While the prices may be a little high, the quality of the food and service makes it worth it. You won’t be disappointed with your visit to Loco Charlie’s!
Tac/Quila
Tac/Quila is a delightful Mexican restaurant in downtown Palm Springs that offers traditional food and drinks.
The restaurant has a lovely atmosphere with different seating options, including an outdoor patio and a traditional dining room.
The interior is beautifully decorated with luxurious furnishings and unique glassware, creating a romantic feel at night with the hanging lighting.
The food at Tac/Quila is divine, with the short rib enchiladas and chicken tortilla soup, particularly noteworthy. The chicken fajitas, pork tamales, and taco chips are also delicious. And for dessert, the churro ice cream sandwich is a must-try.
As for beverages, they serve more than just margaritas; they have a wide selection of wine, beer, cocktails, kombucha, and spirits.
The service at Tac/Quila is top-notch. The staff is warm, welcoming, and friendly, making the experience positive.
However, Tac/Quila gets crowded because of its popularity, so making a reservation beforehand is advisable to avoid waiting for a table.
El Patron
El Patron is a top-rated family-owned Mexican restaurant in downtown Palm Springs. Their wonderful terrace with Latin music and heated lamps makes for an unforgettable dining experience.
Free street parking has lots around the restaurant, so you don’t have to worry about finding a place.
The menu includes starters (chips and salsa), crafted tacos, desserts, salads, and vegan options.
Don’t forget to try their premium item, hard-shell tacos with beef, green salsa, and sour cream. El Patron is one of the best taco places in Palm Springs.
The pineapple tamarind or strawberry margarita is a must-try drink. Overall, El Patron is an excellent place for a quick lunch or dinner with family or friends.
Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill
Located near Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture, this family-inspired restaurant serves award-winning authentic cuisine handcrafted with the best ingredients.
Rio Azul itself is vibrant and inviting, with super cute outside seating that is sheltered from the wind by tall walls.
The extensive menu offers everything from sizzling fajitas to crispy tacos, burritos, and vegan and gluten-free options.
And if you have a sweet tooth, you won’t want to miss out on their fried ice cream or homemade caramel flan for dessert.
As for drinks, try Cadillac or skinny margaritas and some tequila flights from happy hour. All are perfectly paired with your meal.
Rio Azul has a large back room that you can reserve for catering events. Check their website to book online!
Felipe’s Palm Springs
This family-owned restaurant is located on El Cielo Rd in Palm Springs, close to the airport.
One of the things that stood out to you about Felipe’s was the patio, which boasts stunning views of the nearby mountains.
As for the food, Felipe’s serves up some of the best Mexican classics in town, and they’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They even have a Kids’ menu!
Start with chips and salsa, and don’t miss one of their best items, the carne asada plate, which comes with peppers and cheese.
Try the margaritas tower if you want a tasty drink to complement your meal. It includes flavors like guava, passion fruit, and pineapple.
If you are coming to Palm Springs from the airport, we recommend stopping by Felipe’s because it can be convenient.
Taqueria Tlaquepaque
Taqueria Tlaquepaque is located at South Palm Canyon Drive, and the restaurant’s inside a little bit can get crowded.
But, the outdoor area has many seating options that provide a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere under the shade of patio umbrellas.
Despite the indoor seating being a bit cramped, the outdoor patio is a great spot to enjoy your meal, with ample shade provided by the patio umbrellas.
Now, on to the food – wow, it does not disappoint. The standout dish has to be the carnitas plate, which is cooked to crispy perfection and is delicious.
But don’t worry if carnitas isn’t your thing – everyone in our group was more than satisfied with their tacos, nachos, burritos, fajitas, and Menudo.
Plus, the portions are generous and reasonable prices, making this a great value.
Whether dining in or taking your meal to go, Taqueria Tlaquepaque is an excellent choice for a satisfying and delicious Mexican meal in Palm Springs.
FAQs
What are the best Mexican restaurants in Palm Springs?
There are several highly-rated Mexican restaurants in Palm Springs, including Las Casuelas Terraza, El Mirasol at Los Arboles, Blue Coyote Grill, and La Bonita’s.
Do these restaurants have vegetarian or vegan options?
Many Mexican restaurants in Palm Springs offer vegetarian and vegan options. For example, Las Casuelas Terraza offers a vegetarian-style plate, while El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana has gluten-free and vegan items.
Do I need to make a reservation at these Palm Springs Mexican restaurants?
It is recommended to make a reservation, especially on weekends or during peak tourist season. Some of these restaurants also offer online reservations.
Note: Since all the information in this article is based on the date of publication, for some reason (health, economic, social), these businesses may be temporarily or permanently closed or moved to another location.
