Dubai’s dining scene has evolved far beyond traditional Emirati cuisine and luxury fine dining. Over the past decade, the city has become a melting pot of international flavors, and Mexican food has carved out a serious niche here. From bustling JBR beachfront spots to hidden gems in Jumeirah, you’ll find tacos, burritos, and mole sauces that rival anything you’d get in Mexico City or Guadalajara.
But here’s the thing: not all Best Mexican restaurants Dubai are created equal. Some serve Tex Mex that’s been watered down for mass appeal. Others charge premium prices for mediocre guacamole and stale chips. After spending three years exploring Dubai’s food scene and visiting over 40 Mexican establishments across the emirate, I’ve narrowed down this list to places that truly deliver.
How I Selected These Restaurants
Every restaurant on this list was chosen based on three non negotiable criteria. First, authentic taste matters. I’m talking about proper seasoning, fresh ingredients, and recipes that respect Mexican culinary traditions. Second, ambiance plays a role. Whether it’s a casual taqueria or an upscale cantina, the vibe should enhance your dining experience. Third, value for money. Dubai can be expensive, but you shouldn’t need to break the bank for good Mexican food.
I’ve personally dined at each spot multiple times, often bringing along friends who’ve lived in Mexico or grew up eating authentic Mexican cuisine. Their feedback, combined with my own experiences and conversations with chefs, shaped this guide.
What you won’t find here are generic chain restaurants or places that phone it in with pre made salsas and frozen tortillas. These are the real deals.
Let’s dive in.
Authentic Mexican Restaurants & Hidden Gems
Lila Wood Fired Taqueria
Lila Wood Fired Taqueria is widely considered the best Mexican restaurants Dubai has to offer due to its traditional wood fired cooking and daily stone ground heirloom corn tortillas. Located on Jumeirah Beach Road in Umm Suqeim, Chef Shaw Lash runs this homegrown spot where every tortilla starts with heirloom corn imported from small Mexican farms. The restaurant nixtamalizes and stone grinds the corn daily, creating hand pressed tortillas that form the foundation of every dish.
Signature Dish: The al pastor stands out as Lila’s most distinctive offering. This lamb shoulder is marinated and cooked on a vertical spit over oakwood fire, following the traditional Oaxacan method that Lebanese immigrants brought to Mexico. The Baja-style fish tacos using locally caught hammour are equally impressive, featuring crispy battered fish topped with shaved cabbage and lime mayo balanced against arbol hot sauce.
Authentic Cooking Method: Everything at Lila goes over oakwood flames. The wood fired grill imparts a smoky depth to proteins that you simply can’t replicate with gas. From whole red snapper butterflied and grilled a la talla style to duck carnitas in blue corn quesadillas, the oakwood technique defines the menu. Reservations are essential as this 20 seat spot fills up quickly even on weekdays.
Maria Bonita
Maria Bonita ranks among Dubai’s most established best Mexican restaurants Dubai with over 15 years of serving authentic Mexican cuisine sourced directly from Mexico. The restaurant brings genuine Mexican traditions through its Mexican pilot turned restaurateur owner who follows original recipes to maintain authentic flavors. Located in Umm Suqeim with additional branches at Souk Madinat and Sustainable City, Maria Bonita focuses on familiar Mexican comfort food done right.
Signature Dish: The tableside guacamole remains Maria Bonita’s calling card. Servers prepare it fresh at your table, allowing you to customize the heat level and ingredients. Their fajitas trio lets you sample shrimp, beef, and chicken versions, each arriving sizzling with sides of guacamole, refried beans, and Mexican rice. The cactus salad offers something different for adventurous eaters.
Authentic Cooking Method: Maria Bonita stays true to slow cooking traditions. Their salsas simmer slowly to develop complex flavors, while proteins marinate for hours before cooking. The restaurant makes tortillas fresh throughout service, and their commitment to traditional preparation methods over shortcuts shows in the final product. The atmosphere leans casual with colorful Mexican decor that complements the homestyle cooking approach.
Querida
Querida serves the best birria tacos in Dubai with tender lamb slow cooked for six hours in dried chilies and served with rich consommé for dipping. Tucked away in Al Barsha, this cozy neighborhood restaurant operates with just 13 seats and walls decorated with hand drawn art by staff. This intimate spot sources many ingredients from Mexico and features a Mexican chef led kitchen that focuses on homestyle regional dishes. The restaurant has earned recognition from Time Out Dubai, Curly Tales, and Gulf News for its commitment to authenticity.
Signature Dish: Querida’s Plato de Birria showcases the tender lamb marinated in dried chilies and slow cooked until it falls apart, capturing the deep, smoky flavors of this traditional dish. Their enchiladas Querida come baked in clay pots with homemade adobo sauce, topped with sour cream and queso fresco. Tuesday’s unlimited taco offering at AED 49 per hour draws crowds.
Authentic Cooking Method: Querida makes corn tortillas from scratch daily, and their slow cooked proteins require hours of preparation. The birria alone cooks for six hours to achieve the right tenderness and flavor depth. Fresh salsas and aguas frescas are prepared each day using seasonal ingredients. The small kitchen allows the team to maintain quality control over every dish, ensuring consistency that larger operations struggle to match. Limited seating means you should book ahead, especially on weekends.
Top Instagrammable & Fine Dining Mexican Spots
Maya by Chef Richard Sandoval
Maya by Chef Richard Sandoval brings best Mexican restaurants Dubai Marina with Arabian Gulf views and serves the best tacos in Dubai Marina including duck carnitas and achiote marinated veal options. Positioned at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort in JBR, the restaurant features floor to ceiling bi fold windows that open onto a garden terrace, making it one of the best spots for outdoor dining during cooler months. Chef Richard Sandoval’s modern Mexican approach creates dishes that look as good as they taste, from tableside guacamole to hamachi ceviche with Japanese influences.
The colorful interiors and lively weekend atmosphere attract crowds who come for the Saturday brunch and Taco Tuesdays. Expect live music, a vibrant bar scene with extensive tequila selection, and enough props (yes, including sombreros) for social media moments.
La Mezcaleria
La Mezcaleria operates two locations with stunning views: Business Bay’s 27th floor overlooks Burj Khalifa while JBR offers beachfront seating at Pavilion at The Beach. Both locations lean heavily into a party atmosphere with live DJs, colorful jungle inspired decor, and energetic crowds. The menu features Pan Latin fusion rather than strictly Mexican food, mixing tacos and quesadillas with Japanese sushi rolls and American grill options. Service can be hit or miss during busy periods, but the Instagram worthy interiors and sunset views keep people coming back.
Their Cheeky Diablo cocktail with smoked mezcal earns consistent praise. Best suited for group celebrations and brunches rather than intimate dinners.
Puerto 99
Puerto 99 maintains locations at DIFC’s Waldorf Astoria and Bluewaters Island with Marina views from the terrace and live mariachi bands performing regularly. The Bluewaters location features wood accented interiors with handmade Mexican artisan pieces throughout, creating an authentic celebratory atmosphere. The DIFC branch provides a more refined setting but has struggled with foot traffic. Food quality varies, with the guacamole receiving universal praise while other dishes split opinion.
The restaurants import ingredients from 19 Mexican states and use traditional cooking methods, but execution doesn’t always match ambition. Puerto 99 works best for drinks and starters with a view rather than as a full dining destination. The upstairs bar and outdoor spaces photograph well, particularly at the Bluewaters location.
Affordable & Family Friendly Mexican Eateries
Chalco’s Mexican Grill
Chalco’s Mexican Grill offers budget friendly burrito bowls starting at AED 45 with substantial portions that satisfy most appetites across multiple Dubai locations. Operating in JLT, Deira City Centre, and DIFC, this casual spot brings California style Mexican food at prices that won’t hurt your wallet. The lunch bowl special runs from 11 AM to 3 PM for just AED 45, which includes a tortilla less bowl with your choice of filling plus a free drink.
Portion Sizes & Value: The portions at Chalco’s are substantial enough that one meal can satisfy most appetites. Their super deluxe burrito and California monster burrito are particularly filling options. Budget friendly burrito bowls come packed with rice, beans, protein, and toppings. You can build your own burritos, tacos, quesadillas, or nachos with customizable options. Tuesday brings all you can eat tacos, and they frequently run buy one get one free deals on selected items.
Family Friendly Features: The casual setup works well for families with kids who might get restless. Multiple locations mean you can find one close to wherever you’re staying or visiting. Service is quick, making it practical when dining with children. The restaurant offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options, so families with dietary restrictions can find something suitable. Takeaway and delivery options make it easy to enjoy Mexican food at home.
El Chapo’s Tacos
El Chapo’s Tacos is part of family friendly Mexican restaurants Dubai offers unlimited tacos for AED 99 on Tuesdays and a Saturday family brunch starting at 12:30 PM. Located inside Studio One Hotel in Dubai Studio City, this spot brings street style Mexican food with a party atmosphere. The colorful decor features neon lights, cacti, and even a “jail” seating area that kids find entertaining. This spot focuses on casual dining with poolside seating available during good weather.
Portion Sizes & Value: Taco Tuesday offers the best value with unlimited tacos for AED 99 per person for two hours. Individual tacos run small, which actually works well for families wanting to try different varieties. The regular menu features reasonably priced options, though portions lean toward the smaller side compared to other Mexican spots. Most reviewers mention the food is tasty but suggest going for the Tuesday deal to maximize value.
Family Friendly Features: El Chapo’s welcomes families and creates a lively environment that keeps energy levels high. Staff members receive consistent praise for being warm and accommodating, particularly with groups. The venue offers various promotions throughout the week, making it budget conscious for families planning regular outings. Booking ahead is recommended, especially for Taco Tuesdays when tables fill up quickly. The adjacent karaoke spot offers entertainment for older kids and adults after the meal.
Quick Comparison Table
| Restaurant | Location | Signature Dish |
| Lila Wood-Fired Taqueria | Jumeirah Beach Road, Umm Suqeim | Wood-fired Al Pastor |
| Maria Bonita | Umm Suqeim, Souk Madinat, Sustainable City | Tableside Guacamole |
| Querida | Al Barsha | Birria Tacos with Consommé |
| Maya by Chef Richard Sandoval | JBR, Le Royal Meridien | Duck Carnitas Tacos |
| La Mezcaleria | Business Bay, JBR | Cheeky Diablo Cocktail |
| Puerto 99 | Bluewaters Island, DIFC | Fresh Guacamole |
| Chalco’s Mexican Grill | JLT, Deira City Centre, DIFC | Build-Your-Own Burrito Bowl |
| El Chapo’s Tacos | Dubai Studio City | Unlimited Tacos (Tuesdays) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which restaurants offer Taco Tuesday deals?
- El Chapo’s Tacos: AED 99 for unlimited tacos (2 hours)
- Chalco’s Mexican Grill: All you can eat tacos with regular promotions
- Maya: Special Taco Tuesday menu with discounted prices
- Best to call ahead and confirm current deals as promotions change seasonally
Are there vegan options at Mexican restaurants in Dubai?
- Chalco’s Mexican Grill: Full vegan menu with plant based proteins, vegan cheese, and dairy free options
- Lila Wood-Fired Taqueria: Vegetable tacos and vegan friendly sides available upon request
- Maria Bonita: Veggie fajitas, bean burritos, and cactus salad (specify no cheese/sour cream)
- Querida: Can modify most dishes to be vegan by removing dairy toppings
- Always inform staff about dietary restrictions when ordering
What’s the parking situation like at these restaurants?
- JBR locations (Maya, La Mezcaleria): Paid beach parking available, valet service at most venues
- Mall locations (Chalco’s at Deira City Centre): Free mall parking with easy access
- Standalone spots (Lila, Querida): Street parking or small dedicated lots, can be limited during peak hours
- Hotel locations (Puerto 99, El Chapo’s): Valet parking available, some validate for diners
- Tip: Arrive 10-15 minutes early for popular dinner slots or use taxi/ride-sharing apps
Which Mexican restaurant is best for groups and celebrations?
- La Mezcaleria: Party atmosphere with DJ, large group seating, full bar
- El Chapo’s Tacos: Lively vibe with karaoke nearby, good for casual group outings
- Maya: Spacious terrace, weekend brunch options, handles large parties well
- Maria Bonita: Comfortable for groups, multiple locations to choose from
- Call ahead for groups of 8+ to ensure proper seating arrangements