Best Mexican Restaurants in Manhattan

The street food of Mexico City inspires Chef Cassandra Rhodes’ concise, well-conceived menu. Authentic tacos and antojitos pepper the carte, alongside homey creations like braised chicken salsa verde enchiladas, smothered in melted queso Oaxaca; or braised octopus tostadas, paired with mandarin salsa. Save room for irresistible churros, served with chocolate- and cinnamon-caramel sauces.

Duck carnitas, though pricey, are impressive with their perfectly cooked and crisped duck and eye-catching cast iron skillet plating, but it's the flavorful sweet, spicy, and nutty cobia al pastor that is an utter delight. This cooking is clever, and, at times, surprisingly delicate. Husk meringue, filled with corn mousse, is a dessert staple. 

First things first: order a mezcal from the massive selection, then settle in to peruse the list of small plates. Arctic char tostada is a classic, but the scallop ceviche with cherry tomato is sure to garner a serious following. Other winners include meltingly tender birria, best with a side of warm tortillas. The handsome and none-too-sweet tres leches cake is a required finale.

Chiapas. Puebla. San Luis Potosí. One can literally taste the regions and cities that Chef Cosme Aguilar’s menu explores, and many dishes honor his mother’s memory with recipes from his childhood. Tender chicken enchiladas with mole de Piaxtla may induce swooning, thanks to a sauce that is unexpectedly sweet yet heady, with bitter chocolate, raisins, almonds, cloves, cinnamon, chilies, garlic and sesame. 

The tequila selection here is a perfect companion to the Jalisco cooking. It's not your typical Mexican menu: think of everything from delicious and messy shrimp ajillo with hollandaise to torta ahogadas with birote salado, pork and oregano-spiked tomato sauce. Every item offered here is an amalgam of smoky, sweet and unique flavors.