19 Best Mexican Restaurants in Monterey

“The food here is really great and the menu is huge! There are many foods that are rarely found as vegan options, so it's a lot of fun for a vegan to try them. Service is friendly and fast food is made to order. The empanaditos are also very good, and the desserts are also very delicious. This restaurant is centrally located and can be busy at times. If the parking lot is full, there is usually free street parking just a block or two away.Vegetarian options: Restaurant is completely vegan“

“place with traditional flavors mole tacos special tortillas in corn different flavored sauces it really seemed like a super restaurant. I would definitely eat here again on my next trip. I recommend it. They also have excellent customer service.“

“The food is absolutely amazing, especially for the price. I haven't been able to find a better quesabirria taco in Monterey. The service is always very friendly, they're more stand-off-ish so if you don't like casual dining this might not be your place to go. They're very nice though. They ALWAYS have good music playing. There aren't a whole lot of tables so be cautious about visiting while they're busy. Fortunately this is a great to-go meal! I highly recommend this restaurant to any resident or traveler alike!“

“Great casual Mexican restaurant. They were so welcoming and the homemade tortilla chips and salsa were perfect. Everything was delicious and we enjoyed the homemade tortillas and delicious breakfast. Fantastic gem with parking right out front. Stop in and give Mondo a try.“

“Chili verde is great! And I absolutely love the homemade flour tortillas! But the burrito now only comes with meat, rice, and beans so anything extra will cost you (cheese, salsa, lettuce, etc). And don’t come here SUPER hungry because they are pretty small, but so is the price.“

“Delicious as always. Vegetarian burrito and lots of extra pico is my go to. BTW, the refried beans are vegetarian too. ?Vegetarian options: I called and asked about the refried beans and was assured that they were not made with lard. Lots of other options too.“

“The staff? 10 out of 5 stars The food? 8 out of 5 stars The service? 10 out of 5 stars The ambiance/ vibes? 10 out of 5 stars This team is so refreshing, genuine, and very easy to talk to and approach. The manager was very helpful and informative. Kendal was very welcoming and helped my family and I understand and truly enjoy our experience. So glad to have such a fun little spot in Cannery Row! Thank y'all for such a great time!“

“Lopez Taqueria in Monterey Bay is a hidden gem for Mexican food enthusiasts. The authentic flavors and mouthwatering dishes make it a must-visit culinary destination. From their flavorful tacos to scrumptious burritos, every bite is a delightful explosion of taste. The friendly and welcoming staff add to the overall dining experience, ensuring you feel right at home. The restaurant's cozy ambiance and attention to detail make it the perfect spot for a delicious and satisfying meal. If you're craving Mexican cuisine that hits all the right notes, Lopez Taqueria is the place to be in Monterey Bay.“

“This place is so yummmyyy!!! We came on a weekend trip to Monterey and decided to eat here. Service was great! My boyfriend and I came on a Sunday at around 8ish maybe 8:30ish and it wasn’t too packed. Shortly after, families did start arriving and it got busier. Regardless, we still got served our food in a timely manner and would definitely come again! Their outside seating is perfect! They have heaters and a fire setting that’s not super big but it’ll keep you warm. It’s also dog friendly which was cute!“

“I can recommend for a super casual meal. I had the quesadilla supreme. Packed with chopped beef, refried beans, sour cream, lettuce and pico de gallo. Cheese could've been more prominent but overall a gigantic dish that I shared one third of with my boyfriend and ate mostly with a fork. Boyfriend had the two soft tacos plate. Again, a lot to eat. He liked all of it. This is a tiny spot, with three tables. Most business seems to be takeout. But it's clean, the cooks/counter staff were friendly. This is the north end of Cannery Row, next to a garage and across from two hotels.“

“Some of the best tacos I've ever had!! Which is amazing, because I've eaten Mexican food my entire life. The meat is SO flavorful and the onions are grilled to perfection. And the smell is mouthwatering! You should definitely try their quesabirrias. Really feels like the food is made with love <3Love this place! My favorite Taco place in the area. 100% worth a stop if you're driving through or many stops if you live near by.“

“Hands down, the best Mexican restaurant in the peninsula. I personally have heard so many good things about this restaurant, as they have various locations in the peninsula. I have never tried it till now. I am boy have I been missing out!Our server was kind and friendly. Right away, he took our order for our beverages, in which I ordered an Horchata. They Horchata itself was delicious, and definitely not artificial. I went ahead and ordered the quesabirria tacos. My boyfriend ordered some Asada Gorditas, and my parents ordered their famous Molcajete, and added shrimp. Our food was served to us right away and looked super appealing. These Quesabirria tacos definitely did not disappoint. The taco it was super crispy and fall of shredded birria and cheese. Both my parents and my boyfriend love their seasoning, and how rich the food was. The flavoring of everything was just phenomenal. This location is quite big, and has both booths and tables available for sitting inside. I'll definitely be back !“

“Yo!!! This place is a must try! Who doesn't like nachos??! The flavors were bangin! The beer was cold, the dining area was super clean! The cook and the cashier were super friendly and were giving me ideas of good food spots to hit next! I can't say enough about the nachos! They were smackin!“

“I had an absolute blast here. The atmosphere was lovely, and my shrimp burrito slapped! The price was fair, and the food was quick. After a small hiccup with my order that he addressed quickly, the owner gave us some free rice and beans and even offered a free soda! The other workers were also kind. If I lived nearby, I would come here often, and I will still likely return in the future. Would highly recommend.“

“Best sports bar around! Lots of TVs, you can request a game and they will usually have it. Extra innings may be a little iffy but other than that, they usually have everything!Food is always great. Staff is great. Patio out back is awesome.“

“We hired Urban Kitchen Catering & Events for a corporate group of 90 ppl traveling from all over Europe to Monterey. They were so amazing from start to end. Rene, Bethany with staff was wonderful to work with and created a very special experience for the group. The food was also spot on! We will definitely work with them again. /Mice Coordinator at Go West Tours“

“The food was good. I ordered the garlic shrimp (10 ?) with rice, refried beans and french fries. French fries seemed a little out of place, but I figured I would try it. They put the shrimp and garlic (lots of garlic) on top of the french fries. Next time I will tell them to hold the fries. They really didn't go with the rest of the meal.“

“Very nice portions of food for cost!! I asked for extra shrimp & for the first time ever realized I didn’t have to ?Atmosphere is nice for a sit down fast food, parking is easily accessible from an across - lot - which is insanely convenient for this area!“

“I got the salad bar to-go, and they gave me a large box and a cup for some soup. The salad bar had good options, and the clam chowder was delicious. Really glad we got a chance to pick up some work lunch here, and I will definitely look for a chance to return.“