43 Best Mexican Restaurants near Pacific Grove

“Stopped in here yesterday, as is our tradition when we visit Monterey. My son tried the house burrito and loved it. My daughter had three tacos and said they were tasty. I had the blackened shrimp tostada, which was pretty much perfect. The service is always fast and friendly, and there's always an energy vibe to the place. It's always busy, and everyone is very friendly. We got our order to go and drove a few minutes to the beach at Asilomar so we could enjoy the sunset while we ate. Great place, reasonably priced, fast service, tasty food.“

“Very good food, probably one of the best in NOCAL. Not too greasy, perfectly flavored, love the spice and salsa was great. Service was also great! Friendly, fast and efficient. Will definitely go back!Vegetarian options: I am vegan and they were very accomodating of my restrictions.Kid-friendliness: Family friendly atmosphere.Parking: Easy parking and plenty of spaces.Dietary restrictions: Good for vegetarian and vegan!“

“Fast service…friendly staff and delicious food makes Penny’s our daily breakfast stop on our yearly Pismo vacation. I usually have the Pismo Pier Omelet but this year they had a spicy sausage patty that I teamed with a biscuit and gravy DELICIOUS! Others in our group had the strawberry waffles which are light and fluffy and overflowing with beautiful strawberries and topped with whipped cream. WOW! Penny’s is not a large establishment so there may be a line but it is well worth the wait.“

“The food was delicious, I got a birria burrito and it was spectacular. Flavorful, juicy, big. The only reason this isn't 5/5 is because the atmosphere was super weird. The employees didn't greet us when we walked in, and seemed to not care that we were even there. The place was empty the entire hour we were there. It just feels weird there. Other than that, I'll definitely go back to get a burrito to go“

“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.“

“I'm not quite sure what all the hype is about. Don't get me wrong, it was "good" but a 4.8 rating? Maybe I'm just spoiled by L.A. tacos. The fish tacos were good. The tuna cevice was not the best quality tuna which made it just "okay" - YMMV“

“Amazing food with lots of different options to try, like grasshoppers. The chef is vegan, and there are lots of options for all types, carnivore, vegetarian, and vegan. Very unique and well paired flavors.Vegetarian options: Really amazing vegetarian options and flavors“

“Great views, food and drinks. In a clear sunny day you can see point lobos and pacific ocean and Carmel Valley hills. The 9th hole executive course is beautiful and well manicured. The hostess was no where to be found so the waiter, I wish I could remember his name, but he was a young Asian male with a tattoo on his hand was awesome. He checked us in, cleaned and readied a table and sat us. He also came to get us drink orders and served water several time. He deserves many kudos and recognition!“

“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!“

“We came here for lunch and had a nice meal. We ordered the camarón con pulpo seafood cocktail, mole de pollo, carnitas, and molcajete. Our favorite dish was the camarón con pulpo seafood cocktail, and we thought the mole was delicious too. The service was great, and we would definitely come back again if we’re back in Seaside!“

“Exceptional, incredible, amazing! The reviews do not lie! If you are looking for something out of the norm for Mexican food, please go here!! The staff were incredibly nice and everything was excellent and had its own special flair, you can't get this at a usual place. Best complete meal I've had in a long time!!! Highly recommend!!!“

“Authentic mexican food, great taste, rice taste authentic, refried beans are awesome. We ordered sopes al pastor and asada, they were really good. The chorizo quesadilla was crispy and very flavorful. Aguas frescas were fireee, all the flavors. Definetaly coming back. Mexican approved!“

“This is my first time visiting Seaside and I stopped by this place due to the positive reviews. Ordered to go enchiladas plate, birria tacos including consume which they had a special Thursday deal for, and the super burrito. I was totally amazed by how fresh the food was even though it was for take out. The birria tacos were crispy on the outside but the birria meat was moist on the inside packed with meat. The enchiladas were packed with chicken which shows they are not stingy with their meat. Also, the food came out fairly quick rather than having us wait a while. There are a lot of seats and tables provided. Will definitely stop by again when I come back to seaside. This place is a must if you're craving mexican food.“

“I got a vegetarian burrito and let me tell you…This burrito was so good. They definitely filled that bad boy up and I was a huge fan of that. The guac was out of this world and I loved the flavor of the grill. We also got tons of sauces, and pickled onions and grilled onions. I had food for both lunch and dinner. I was a really big fan of this one and will be coming back very often. Super good! Was supposed to just take a bite in the car and ending up taking half of it haha“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Ordered the carne asada super burrito and the chicken taquitos. Both were great and came with red and green salsas. Also ordered two kids quesadillas and they were a hit.Next time we’ll try the taco plate and carne asada nachos.They also serve breakfast burritos at very reasonable prices starting at 7am.Parking: No issue with parking, large lot and easily accessible.Kid-friendliness: Kids menu available with three options. Recommend the kids quesadillas.“

“I have eaten here hundreds of times, the food, service, atmosphere are great but what amazes me the most is the consistency, you can tell that they dont cut corners.I mostly eat off the Oaxacan dishes menu, La Tortuga helped me expand my palate and try new things.My wife gets the caldo de camarones or shrimp soup and it is one of her favorite mrals ever!“

“Loved everything about it! It's pricey but of worthy value for the quality of the food. Unique flavors that are delicious and beautifully presented. The service was great and the aesthetic/ambiance transports you to another dreamy place. Can't wait to return!“

“Very excited we found this spot! We tried to go to another spot and were treated poorly, so we decided to check Jose's out. The staff is super friendly, the food was very good, and the prices were right! Customary free chips and salsa were great too.“

“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.“

“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'm just here to leave a review on behalf of my best friend and I. We are former CSUMB graduates and this was our SPOT! We miss it all the time, we talk about it all the time. Whenever we visit they still remember our face and our usual orders. To the boss Lady you know who you are We miss your restaurant, the great hospitality you provide and comfortable ambiance! The chicken tortilla soup still is the best soup ever and I've yet to find a contender. I still dream about the blackened chicken plate. Please please support this local family owned restaurant. You won't be disappointed. Don't pay attention to any bad reviews because they speak more about the character of the reviewer and they speak NOTHING about the character of this little restaurant. We can't wait to visit again, please don't forget us! With Love and appreciation, Steph & Sam“

“The sweet pans are delicious and a must try, when we got there, they were all freshly baked! Only complaint I have is the tamales, they were not cooked properly, thus they were dry, and I believe the corn husks that wrap around the tamale were not washed before steaming so the taste of dry dusty husk was strong within the tamale.Parking: Parking was fairly easy to find.“

“First time trying out Cazuelas and they have found a life long customer in me! To start off, complimentary chips and salsa! Places like this just don't exist anymore. My order was ready within less than 5 minutes of ordering. They have agua frescas! I ordered the shrimp burrito and the waitress came to my table and plopped down the thiccckest burrito I've ever seen! Perfectly wrapped and PACKED with jumbo shrimp! They did not get chintzy with the shrimp, I'm pretty sure just about every bite I took had shrimp! The flavors were all there and it was perfectly cooked. This is the place for local Mexican food and your tastebuds are missing out if you're not getting yourself here! Next time I come, which will probably be tomorrow, I'll order the tripas which I'm sure won't disappoint either! Yum!“

“If you're looking for some decent Mexican food for a decent price, this is a decent option. It's definitely not the best Mexican place around, but it's also far from the worst. Same goes for price: affordable but not dirt cheap. The food here isn't anything to write home about; that is, the meat isn't the greatest quality and the portion sizes are a little small. However, the flavor is good. The beans are hit or miss since they sometimes come out a little cold. Also, if it gets busy (not very common), it's a good idea to know how to speak a little Spanish. The servers are pretty nice but they sometimes seem like they're rushing the customer a little. Atmosphere is great; no complaints here.I order a different thing every time I come here (four times so far) since none of the individual items I've tried have stood out to me as amazing. Coming from San Diego, I know what to look for when ordering top-notch Mexican. This place hasn't hit that mark yet for me.Parking: This place doesn't have a good selection of parking. I recommend parking on the street to the right of it.“

“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.“

“Through town on a business trip, we found this restaurant. We ordered an Asada and a Chicken burrito. Quite honestly, I had better expectations of the place, since it’s a hole in the wall, which in my experience are usually the best spots. Don’t get me wrong, the food is decent but their salsas are not good at all. If they made better/tastier salsas, I would definitely give them a 5-Star review.Pros:The staff is friendly and they make the orders extremely fast. They have free chips and an open salsa bar, which is good.Cons: Salsas are not the best and or tastiest and parking is very scarce, to say the least. Also, the restroom is not ADA accessible.Parking: The parking lot has only about 10 parking spots, tops“

“These guys catered my party, and they were AWESOME! Their catering menu had lots of choices, included chips/salsa/guac, and because we had fewer people than originally planned, they left us with some burritos before they left. Having a taco truck in the driveway was also a big draw. Highly recommended.“

“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 ordered caldo de res and it's very good. I'm thankful. Atmosphere is throwback to 1960 I'm thinking? Very clean you have room and big windows for looking outside. Parking is good. Yes and the waitress is awesome friendly. I feel like I'm traveling back in time.“

“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.“

“Food was so Delicious I really recommend this place I enjoyed with my Family and friends, that we went to Salinas for attending something we come from the Bay Area and my friend told us about thisEL MILAGRO Restaurant he invaded to trying!! good people and service I will come back soon to trying a different plates !!“

“Have you ever driven by a restaurant for years and just never tried it ? I'm guilty of that, and this restaurant was impressive. After reading my friends review I had to try it and just look at my pictures. All the food plus dessert was 59$. Are you kidding me, and wow, so good. I got 4 tacos 2 Carne asada 2 pastor so much meat great flavor. These tacos have to be a half pound of meat in each, impressive. Spicy prawns with rice and beans excellent ?. I also tried chili Verde sopas outstanding flavor everything fresh and tasty,the delicate white corn sopas were outstanding. I got what I thought was a piece of bread pudding ,check out the picture, and they gave me 4 pieces with sauce, delicious. The tortillas are handmade in house so much better than store bought. I gave 4 stars for service because it can take 20 to 30 minutes for food to be prepared. I went at 1pm not busy plus I ordered lots of food .Stop driving by this gem, treat yourself they even have steak and know how to cook it ?Parking: Sometimes parking limited in front of restaurant when busy. Next door is a small strip mall with lots of parking you just have to walk 100ft to restaurant.“

“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.“

“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.“

“This place has some of the best Baja tacos I've had in central California. My wife is not big on fish but even she couldn't pass up on trying some. Would definitely recommend if your looking for the real deal California fish taco experience.“

“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!“