The 9 Best Mexican Restaurants in Richmond, VA

With Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, we’re taking a look at 9 of our favorite Mexican restaurants in Richmond. So get out to one of these spots and celebrate a Mexican victory over France this weekend (what, you thought Cinco de Mayo was an independence celebration?)

Blue Habanero

In the heart of the Fan, Blue Habanero specializes in street tacos and margaritas. What more could you want? Everything is prepared from scratch, from hand-pressed corn tortillas to freshly squeezed margaritas (of which there are a plethora of flavors). We love the street corn, and you have to try the Melting Chimichanga!

Conejo

At the Patterson and Libbie corridor sits Conejo, where you can find flour tortillas made with wheat milled by Sub Rosa, or corn tortillas made with milled heirloom corn from small family farms. Executive Chef Danny Mena was born and raised in Mexico City, so if you’re looking for authentic Mexican cuisine but with a Richmond twist, Conejo is what you’re looking for! The Queso Fundido is a must-order, by the way.

Don’t Look Back

You know what you’ll find at Don’t Look Back? Excellent tacos (some might say the best in RVA) and an extensive tequila bar. We recommend the chicken skin tacos, if they have them, and the carnitas if they don’t. Or maybe get the potato tacos. Or perhaps pulled chicken. They’re all good!

En Su Boca

En Su Boca gets its inspiration from the streets of San Francisco but puts a unique Richmond spin on its cuisine. The handmade corn tortillas are killer, the margaritas are delightful, and you’ll walk away happy to have found a new regular dining spot! Don’t forget to get your burritos smothered – you’re welcome in advance.

Lalo’s Margaritas Mexican Grill

Lalo’s on Patterson has made waves with their fish tacos and quesadillas (try the Lalo – it’s got grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes, oh my!) The food is inexpensive and tasty, and they’ve also got quite an extensive margarita list, for those who are so inclined.

Lolita’s

If you’re looking for guacamole that will infiltrate your dreams for days on end, Lolita’s in Carytown is it. Owned by first generation Mexican-American sisters, Lolita’s is a love letter to Mexican culture and food. When you try a corn tortilla here, know that the corn is imported directly from Mexico, sourced from a company emphasizing heirloom varieties and supporting smaller rural villages.

Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant

You’ll have to leave the city a bit to get to Pepe’s, but it’s worth it. Get the Chesterfield Burrito (pork carnitas, need we say more?), eat as much as you can, and bring the rest home for your very own Seis de Mayo celebration the next day. The portion sizes might be bigger at Pepe’s than at any other Mexican restaurant in the Richmond area.

Tres Machos

This Midlothian Turnpike restaurant isn’t shy about kitschiness, but the flavors and friendly service make you feel right at home. Tres Machos prides itself on made-from-scratch, family recipes and treating diners with genuine kindness.

Wong Gonzalez

Wong Gonzalez opened along Grace Street’s “restaurant row” in 2016, and introduced a unique food concept to Richmond in the process: Mexican-Chinese cuisine. The idea was born in southern California, where the two cultures often collide, and brought back to Richmond with dishes such as tempura fish tacos, chorizo fried rice, and stir fry/fajita combinations.

Did you know that Wong Gonzalez is regularly a stop on our Arts District Food Tour? Try it, plus several other restaurants, in a single afternoon on a food tour!