# 10 Best Mexican Restaurants in Scottsdale, AZ (2026) | Scottsdale Scoop > The best Mexican restaurants in Scottsdale from upscale modern Mexican to authentic hole-in-the-wall gems. Tacos, margs, and everything in between. Source: https://guides.thescottsdalescoop.com/best-mexican-food-scottsdale --- ![Best Mexican Food in Scottsdale](/images/mexican-hero.webp) Dining & Drinks # Best Mexican Food in Scottsdale From authentic to upscale, the best Mexican food in the desert Guides › Best Mexican Food in Scottsdale Living this close to the border means Scottsdale has Mexican food that rivals anywhere in the country. From upscale modern Mexican restaurants that put creative spins on traditional dishes to authentic spots where the menu is in Spanish and the salsa is made fresh every morning, the options are incredible. Social media and Reddit threads about Mexican food in Scottsdale get heated because everyone has their favorite. These are the places that keep coming up in every conversation. Updated July 4, 2026 11 spots ### In This Guide 1 Taco Papi 2 Salsitas 3 The Mission 4 Barrio Queen 5 Los Olivos Mexican Patio 6 Old Town Tortilla Factory 7 Diego Pops 8 El Bravo Mexican Food 9 Alma School Mexican Food 10 Julio G's 11 SOL Mexican Cocina ![Taco Papi in Scottsdale](/images/taco-papi.webp) 1 ## [Taco Papi](https://www.tacopapi.com) Viral street-style tacos that live up to the hype Old Town Scottsdale Taco Papi has taken Scottsdale by storm and earned its spot at the top of every best Mexican food list in town. What started as a social media sensation has proven to be the real deal with street-style tacos that are perfectly executed every single time. The birria tacos with consomme for dipping are the signature move, but the al pastor and carne asada are just as good. The portions are generous, the prices are fair, and the line is always worth the wait. This is the taco spot that locals recommend first when anyone asks. Viral birria tacos with consomme Street-style perfection Worth the wait every time Visit Website View in Directory ![Salsitas in Scottsdale](/images/salsitas.webp) 2 ## [Salsitas](https://www.salsitasaz.com) Authentic family-run Mexican with incredible salsas Scottsdale Salsitas is the kind of family-run Mexican restaurant where everything tastes like it was made by someone's abuela who takes serious pride in her kitchen. The salsas are made fresh daily and they're genuinely some of the best in the Valley, ranging from mild to face-melting. The burritos are massive and packed with flavor, the enchiladas are smothered in rich homemade sauce, and the prices are incredibly reasonable. This isn't the trendy Mexican spot you take visitors to impress them with ambiance. This is where you go when you want the best actual Mexican food in Scottsdale. Outstanding fresh salsas Family-run authenticity Massive burritos, great prices Visit Website View in Directory ![The Mission in Scottsdale](/images/the-mission.webp) 3 ## [The Mission](https://www.themissionaz.com) Upscale modern Latin cuisine in a stunning converted space Old Town Scottsdale The Mission is the Mexican restaurant that non-Scottsdale people know by name, and it deserves every bit of its reputation. Set in a beautiful space on Brown Avenue in Old Town, the restaurant serves modern Latin cuisine that's rooted in traditional flavors but elevated with technique and creativity. The tableside guacamole is a must, the short rib enchiladas are legendary, and the margarita program is excellent. The atmosphere is dark, moody, and romantic, making it a top date night pick. Expect a wait on weekends. Tableside guacamole Legendary short rib enchiladas Stunning converted space Visit Website View in Directory ![Barrio Queen in Scottsdale](/images/barrio-queen.webp) 4 ## [Barrio Queen](https://www.barrioqueen.com) Vibrant, colorful Mexican with tableside guac and fresh tortillas Old Town Scottsdale (+ multiple locations) Barrio Queen is the place in Scottsdale where the chips are warm, the tortillas are handmade fresh, and the tequila selection is massive. The Old Town location on Stetson Drive is vibrant and colorful with Day of the Dead murals and an energy that matches. Their happy hour is one of the best Mexican food deals in town, and the carne asada tacos and street corn are standouts. It's the kind of place you bring a big group to because the menu has something for everyone and the vibe encourages you to stay and have one more round of margaritas. Handmade fresh tortillas Massive tequila selection Great happy hour deals Visit Website View in Directory ![Los Olivos Mexican Patio in Scottsdale](/images/los-olivos.webp) 5 ## [Los Olivos Mexican Patio](https://www.losolivosrestaurant.com) Old Town institution since 1945 with authentic Sonoran Mexican Old Town Scottsdale Los Olivos has been serving Sonoran-style Mexican food in Old Town since 1945 and it's still going strong. This is authentic, traditional Mexican food done right, not the modern fusion approach. The green corn tamales (seasonal) are a local legend and people wait all year for them. The patio is classic Old Town with string lights and character. It's the kind of place your grandparents ate at and your kids will eat at too. If you want to experience Scottsdale Mexican food history, Los Olivos is where you start. Open since 1945 Famous seasonal green corn tamales Classic Old Town patio Visit Website View in Directory ![Old Town Tortilla Factory in Scottsdale](/images/old-town-tortilla-factory.webp) 6 ## [Old Town Tortilla Factory](https://www.oldtowntortillafactory.com) Charming patio dining with house-made tortillas in a converted adobe Old Town Scottsdale Old Town Tortilla Factory is one of those quintessential Scottsdale dining experiences. Set in a converted 1930s adobe home with a gorgeous outdoor patio under old mesquite trees, the setting alone is worth the visit. But the food holds up too. Their house-made flour tortillas are some of the best in the Valley, the sauces are complex and flavorful, and the regional Mexican dishes go beyond the usual taco-enchilada routine. This is the Mexican restaurant you bring visitors to when you want them to understand why people love Scottsdale dining. Converted 1930s adobe home House-made flour tortillas Beautiful mesquite tree patio Visit Website View in Directory ![Diego Pops in Scottsdale](/images/diego-pops.webp) 7 ## [Diego Pops](https://www.diegopops.com) Colorful, casual, and fun with a great patio Old Town Scottsdale Diego Pops is the casual, colorful Mexican spot in Old Town that everyone loves. The aesthetic is bright and fun with a patio that's always packed. The menu keeps things approachable with excellent tacos, burritos, and bowls at reasonable prices for Old Town. Their spicy mango margarita is dangerously good and the elote dip is a crowd favorite. It's not trying to be a high-end Mexican restaurant and that's exactly the point. Great for a casual lunch, a group dinner, or whenever you want solid Mexican food without the formality. Colorful, Instagram-worthy aesthetic Spicy mango margarita Affordable for Old Town Visit Website View in Directory ### 🌵 Get the Scottsdale Scoop Join 15,000+ Scottsdale locals who get the best events, restaurants, and hidden gems delivered every week. ![El Bravo Mexican Food in Scottsdale](/images/el-bravo-mexican.webp) 8 ## [El Bravo Mexican Food](https://www.elbravomexicanfood.com) No-frills authentic Mexican loved by locals for decades East Scottsdale El Bravo is the no-frills, authentic Mexican spot that Scottsdale locals have been eating at for years. There's nothing fancy about it and that's the whole appeal. The carne asada plate is excellent, the combination plates are huge and fairly priced, and the red salsa has real heat. Facebook and Reddit recommendations for 'best authentic Mexican in Scottsdale' always include El Bravo. It's the kind of place where the food speaks for itself and regulars have been ordering the same thing for 20 years. If you want the real deal, not the tourist version, come here. Authentic, no-frills Mexican Huge portions, fair prices Local favorite for years Visit Website View in Directory ![Alma School Mexican Food in Scottsdale](/images/alma-school-mexican.webp) 9 ## [Alma School Mexican Food](https://www.almaschoolmexicanfood.com) Cash-only neighborhood gem with serious salsa verde South Scottsdale Alma is the kind of neighborhood Mexican joint that locals guard fiercely. It's small, it's cash-only (last we checked), and the menu is straightforward Mexican comfort food done exceptionally well. The salsa verde is serious, the bean and cheese burro is exactly what you want it to be, and the prices make you wonder how they stay in business. It doesn't look like much from the outside and that's part of the charm. This is where the line cooks from the fancy restaurants eat on their day off. Neighborhood gem Outstanding salsa verde Where restaurant workers eat Visit Website View in Directory ![Julio G's in Scottsdale](/images/julio-gs.webp) 10 ## [Julio G's](https://www.juliogs.com) Elevated Sonoran Mexican with a polished, family-friendly atmosphere North Scottsdale Julio G's flies under the radar compared to the Old Town Mexican spots but North Scottsdale locals know it well. The menu is Sonoran Mexican with some elevated touches, and everything from the enchiladas to the chile relleno is executed with care. The patio is pleasant and family-friendly, and the service is warm and attentive. Their margaritas are strong and well-balanced. It's the kind of place where you become a regular because the food is consistently good and the prices are reasonable for the quality. North Scottsdale local favorite Consistent quality Family-friendly atmosphere Visit Website View in Directory ![SOL Mexican Cocina in Scottsdale](/images/sol-mexican-cocina.webp) 11 ## [SOL Mexican Cocina](https://www.solcocina.com) Coastal-inspired Mexican with a great patio and bottomless brunch Scottsdale Quarter, North Scottsdale SOL Mexican Cocina at the Scottsdale Quarter brings a coastal California-Mexican vibe to North Scottsdale. The menu leans into fresh, lighter Mexican fare with excellent fish tacos, ceviche, and creative bowls. Their bottomless brunch is one of the best deals in North Scottsdale, and the patio scene on a Saturday afternoon is hard to beat. The cocktail program features creative tequila-forward drinks that go beyond the standard margarita. It's a great option when you want Mexican food that feels fresh and light rather than heavy. Coastal-inspired Mexican Excellent bottomless brunch Great patio scene Visit Website View in Directory ## Never Miss a Scottsdale Pick Subscribe to the Scottsdale Scoop newsletter and get the best local spots, events, and inside scoop delivered to your inbox every week. It's free. Join 15,000+ Scottsdale locals. 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