Finding meals that satisfy both my picky kids and me can be a challenge, but one staple that never fails to please us all is Mexican cuisine. We make it a tradition to visit our favorite local restaurants at least once a week, indulging in endless baskets of chips and salsa, flavorful queso, mouthwatering tacos, sizzling fajitas, and an array of other delicious dishes. And don’t forget the margaritas!
Nashville boasts a vibrant Mexican community and dining culture, offering a diverse array of both authentic and inventive regional Mexican cuisine. The options are endless for indulging in the flavors of Mexico!
Best Mexican Restaurants Around Nashville
Saint Añejo
1120 McGavock Street, Nashville
Per the website: “Saint Añejo is M Street’s premier Mexican restaurant featuring inspired Mexican cuisine, Latin mixology, and a premium tequila + mezcal menu of over 120 labels. The menu showcases creative tacos, house-made guacamole, and regionally influenced chef specialties. Saint Añejo’s cocktail list features craft margaritas and Latin mixology classics constructed with premium spirits and unique, exotic flavor profiles.”
TEQUILA TUESDAY – Every Tuesday from 4 pm – 10 pm
Half off tequila flights: Enjoy 2 oz pour of all tequila at a 1 oz value
HAPPY HOURS
Mondays 11am-10pm
Tuesday – Friday 2 pm – 6pm
Bakersfield
201 3rd Ave South, Nashville
Per the website: “Serving up authentic, Mexican street fare, and a selection of over 100 tequilas and American whiskeys. Bakersfield is a spot where the food is simple, the service is warm and the atmosphere is alive.”
Mas Tacos Por Favor
732 McFerrin Ave, Nashville
Featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives- Per Food Network” Mas Tacos Por Favor started in a 1974 Winnebago and has since become one of Nashville’s favorite eateries, known and loved for serving scratch-made Mexican cuisine. Guy adored the holiday tamales and quinoa tacos. As for the pozole verde soup? He says, the “depth of the broth is ridiculous.”
Superica
605 Overton Street, Nashville
Superica is a Tex-Mex restaurant, try their brunch on Sundays from 10A-3P. Diners rave about their enchiladas, guacamole and jalapeño margaritas!
Las Palmas
9 locations across Nashville the area – see the full list here
Las Palmas is a Nashville staple and is one the first restaurants that I remember eating around town. Always consistent with their flavors, and great for the entire family.
Specials: Click here to sign up for their e-club for a free cheese dip.
Taco Tuesdays: 1/2 off all tacos Tuesdays from 5-8pm.
They proudly donate a percentage of sales from all purchases of the Kid’s Cheese Quesadilla to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
*Daily 15% discount for seniors (60+), 15% uniform discount (Active Military and Retired Military, Active Law Enforcement, Active EMT, and Active Firefighters in uniform or with current ID)
Fonda
2316 12 Ave South, Nashville
Per the website: “Embark on a culinary journey through Mexico with our menu, where traditional favorites mingle with innovative creations, promising a feast for all your senses. Whether you’re craving the comforting embrace of a classic enchilada or eager to explore the bold flavors of our chef’s specialties, there’s something to delight every taste bud.”
HAPPY HOUR: Monday-Thursday 3-6pm
WEEKEND BRUNCH: Beginning at 10am
bartaco
2526 12th Avenue South, Nashville
1000 Woodland Street, Nashville
Per the New York Times: “As a neighborhood drop in place for lunch, a casual supper or anything in between, bartaco is hard to beat.”
Per their website: “Born out of our love to give back to our communities, we are so excited to introduce our #givingtaco program where we bring new + unique flavors to your table through limited-time tacos while giving back to the communities we love. every #givingtaco purchase powers donations to organizations making a tangible difference in our neighborhoods — $1 from every #givingtaco sold is donated to a local organization.”
Taco Mamacita
1234 6th Avenue North, Nashville
Per their Facebook “Taco Mamacita is a “Fresh-Mex” restaurant specializing in funky-fusion tacos, Peruvian chicken, fresh made guacamole and amazing margaritas!”
WEEKEND BRUNCH: Saturdays & Sundays 10am-4pm
Chuy’s
Multiple locations across Nashville – See locations here.
Chuy’s is a Tex-Mex chain that hails from Texas. It is worth adding Chuy’s to the list for the famous Creamy Jalapeño dip and fresh, handmade tortillas! I could make a meal of this and chips alone. Another favorite is the Chicka-Chicka Boom-Boom sauce (if you like spicy). Chuy’s never disappoints!
HAPPY HOUR: Weekdays 3-6pm (varies by location)
Birria Babe
Food Truck – Check Instagram for location.
“Birria Babe is a women owned food truck created by Chef Nadine Moore. Birria Babe was created to bring bold flavored Southern Veracruz inspired Birria to Nashville! Nadine has been serving across Nashville for 5 years. During the summer you can find the food truck at fun events all over the city. During the winter Chef Nadine offers takeout from her kitchen to stay warm offering takeout with an expanded menu. Here at Birria Babe everything is made from scratch with LOVE! Birria is a delicious traditional Mexican celebration stew that we make with LOVE . We offer multiple proteins for our Birria Traditional Lamb, Beef, and Chicken. The red crispy Quesatacos are our top seller served on local tortillas griddled until crispy then layered with melted cheese and topped with juicy shredded meat. We serve our tacos with cilantro, onions, limes, seasonal veggies, and salsas.”
Rosepepper Cantina
1907 Eastland Ave, Nashville
Known for their famous quotes and sayings on their outdoor sign, Rosepepper has a lot more to boast about inside! Voted Best Margarita- “At Rosepepper, we skip the sour mix, use only the best ingredients, and handcraft each margarita, especially for you. No wonder we’ve been chosen Best Margarita by the Nashville Scene’s Readers’ Poll for the past 11 years!” I also highly recommend the flour chips and buffalo white queso dip!
Taco Mama
1612 21st Avenue South, Nashville
Per the website: “Traveling out West and to the Gulf Coast, we had seen those cool, hole-in-the-wall taco and burrito shops in California, Texas, and Florida; laid back, funky, fun taquerias with great tasting, fresh food, and a simple approach. Who doesn’t like tacos, burritos and nachos? To compliment the food, we wanted an extensive margarita menu, again with simple, fresh, straight forward ingredients but they had to be exceptional. That’s why we hand shake them to wake up the juices and serve them on the rocks. It all plays together: People, Food, Margaritas, and Atmosphere. It’s all important, and It’s all deliberate.”
Blanco Cocina + Cantina
530 Broadway, Nashville
Per the website: “What is special about Blanco Cocina + Cantina? The laid-back party atmosphere, perfect for sipping the day away serves craveable dishes like Cheese Crisps (aka Mexican Pizza) and the Chimichanga – a Sonoran regional staple. In fact, Blanco will offer Chimichangas with decadent fillings such as short rib machaca or braised chicken. Other show-stealers include Tiger Shrimp Fajitas with spicy garlic butter, and tacos on handmade corn tortillas with Slow Cooked BBQ, roasted corn slaw, pickled onion, and crema fresca. Wash it all down with any of the house made margaritas, squeezed fresh all day long, like the Jalapeño & Pineapple Margarita with chile verde liqueur & habanero bitters or a Frozen Paloma with blood orange, grapefruit, and blanco tequila.”
El Fuego
3917 Gallatin Pike, Nashville
Burritos La Mina
84 Thompson Lane, Nashville
This is a good truck, but worth the visit! Per the website, “Burritos La Mina (“The Mine”) conveniently brings Chihuahua-style food to Nashville. Burritos La Mina is a Mexican food truck with a variety of menu options including burritos, tortas, tacos, quesadillas, and more.”
Nectar Urban Cantina
206 McGavock Pike, Nashville
Per the website: “Serving Mexican-inspired cuisine, fresh juices, craft cocktails, and locally roasted coffee, Nectar provides an immersive culinary experience in a fresh and casual environment. Our chef-curated menu incorporates seasonal items and focuses on providing fresh, healthy, and innovative dining experiences.”
Be sure and checkout the live music on the patio!
Ladybird Taco
2229 10th Avenue South, Nashville
2300 Riverside Drive, Suite 100, Nashville
1206 Demonbreun Street, Nashville
Per the website: “We’re on a mission to enable a life-giving community by specializing in breakfast and lunch tacos. Modeled after the taco scene in Austin, Texas, Ladybird serves house-made tortillas, queso, salsa, and salads from fresh ingredients, alongside full barista service all day.”
Cinco de Mayo
Multiple locations across Middle TN- Check out the full list here.
Cinco de Mayo is another Nashville staple, opening in 2000. They are consistent with their food, and a great family atmosphere. They do provide daily specials- food and drink. The grilled chicken and cheesy rice is my favorite item here! And they always provide great service.
Taco Chela
3820 Charlotte Avenue, Ste 140B, Nashville
Food truck location: 413 Rep John Lewis Way S, Nashville
Per the website: “Taco Chela is a popular Mexican restaurant in Nashville, TN that has been winning over the hearts of locals and tourists alike with its delicious and authentic cuisine. Located in the trendy neighborhood of west Nashville and downtown Nashville, the restaurant is known for its bustling atmosphere and friendly staff. One of the things that makes Taco Chela stand out is its commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients in all of its dishes. From the tender and flavorful meats to the crisp and colorful vegetables, everything on the menu is prepared with care and attention to detail.”
Best known for tacos and margaritas!
Maiz De La Vida Restaurant
606 8th Ave South Gulch, Nashville
1100 B Stratton Ave, Nashville – Food Truck
3101 Clarksville Pike, Nashville – Tortilla Shop
Enjoy authentic Mexican flavors and dishes- choose from the standalone restaurant in the Gulch or the food truck in East Nashville!
Laura’s Cocina
4407 Nolensville Pike, Nashville
Per the website, “The overarching goal of Laura’s Cocina extends beyond being a culinary haven—it is a testament to the owners’ vision of fostering a welcoming space that celebrates cultural diversity and family traditions. Juan and Yesse aspire to create an environment where patrons not only savor the delectable flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine but also immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Mexican and Honduran cultures. Their ambition is to go beyond serving exceptional meals; they aim to build a community hub where friends and families gather to enjoy karaoke, share stories, and create lasting memories. Laura’s Cocina endeavors to be more than just a restaurant; it strives to be a cherished destination where the warmth of hospitality and the love for food converge, leaving a lasting imprint on everyone who walks through its doors.”
HAPPY HOUR: Weekdays 3-10pm. 2 for 1 margaritas
Casa Fiesta
1111 Bell Road, Antioch
Per the website: “Since Casa Fiesta’s opening on November 15, 1993, we are so proud to have been serving the Metro Nashville area for a whopping 30 years! Although times have changed, and still are changing, we are glad to have remained true to our roots of providing delicious meals for anyone who walks through our doors- which pairs well with our famous margaritas that certainly have a strong kick to it! We hope to continue serving the Metro area for many years to come.”
People rave about their chips and salsa!
Federals Tacos & Tequila
636 Division Street, Nashville
“Federales Tacos & Tequila in The Gulch is a high-energy taco and tequila bar in Nashville, known for fresh tacos, handcrafted margaritas, and a lively open-air atmosphere. Featuring a large outdoor patio, retractable roof, and signature ice shots with the iconic bell, it’s a go-to destination for nights out in Music City.”
HAPPY HOUR: Monday-Thursday 4-6pm & Friday 3-6pm
TWO HOUR BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH: Every Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm
Dos Santos
475 Gray Street #102, Nashville
This award-winning restaurant is owned by brothers Kris and Jason whose dreams became reality after opening up their first restaurant in Mexico! Bringing their culinary expertise to Denver and then to Nashville, the brothers opened Dos Santos, an authentic Mexican taqueria. Dos Santos Nashville brings scratch-made breakfast burritos, the best tacos, and refreshing margaritas to Nashville.
TACO TUESDAY: 2 for 1 – House Margs, Tinga Tacos, Porky Tacos
HAPPY HOUR: All day Monday / Every day 3-6pm
WEEKEND BRUNCH: Saturday & Sunday 10am-2pm
