Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in the Hartford area by diners
Just like cuisine from any country, Mexican food is not monolithic. It isn't just combo plates and tacos. (Not that there's anything wrong with that style of food; it's delicious and is responsible for popularizing Mexican food in the United States.) But Mexican food means more than that.
It reflects Mexico's diverse population鈥攕haped by waves of immigration鈥攁nd has proliferated throughout the U.S., showcasing the cuisine in all its complexity and regionality. Mexico has, and thanks to immigrant chefs and the rise of promising culinarians of Mexican descent looking to share their signature dishes, Indigenous foodways, and ingredients from various regions, diners are reframing their idea of "Mexican food."
According to a 2024 Pew Research Center analysis of SafeGraph data, , and nearly 9 out of 10 U.S. counties have at least one Mexican restaurant. The analysis also reveals that California and Texas are home to a majority of the Mexican American population and together host 2 out of 5 Mexican restaurants in the country.
These findings serve as a testament to the influence Mexican cuisine has had and continues to have in America. Which begs the question: Where does one go for the best old-school Mexican restaurants, loncheras slinging tacos out of a half-window, and innovative modern Mexican food pushing culinary boundaries?
To help you out, compiled a list of the highest-rated Mexican restaurants in the Hartford area based on diners' reviews on as of February 2025. Restaurants with at least 20 reviews tagged as "Mexican" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Hartford were included. As a result, some restaurants featured may serve other food items besides Mexican food. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than 50 locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included.
Keep reading to see if your favorite Mexican spot made the list or to discover a new restaurant to try!
#29. Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 3.0/5 (290 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 350 Roberts St. East Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican, Bars
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#28. Tequila Rio
- Rating: 3.1/5 (59 reviews)
- Address: 100 Great Meadow Road Wethersfield, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican
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#27. On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina
- Rating: 3.2/5 (241 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1519 Silas Deane Hwy Rocky Hill, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
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#26. Agave Grill
- Rating: 3.5/5 (444 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 100 Allyn St. Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican, Cocktail Bars
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#25. Salt + Lime Mexican Cantina
- Rating: 3.6/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 179 Park Road West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican, Cocktail Bars
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#24. El Santo
- Rating: 3.6/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 970 Farmington Ave. West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican
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#23. Nicolas Pizza & Mexican Eatery
- Rating: 3.6/5 (54 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1125 Willard Ave. Newington, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican, Italian, Pizza
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#22. Mexicali Cantina Grill
- Rating: 3.6/5 (202 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 935 Sullivan Ave. South Windsor, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican, Sports Bars
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#21. Tavern In The Square - West Hartford
- Rating: 3.7/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1393 New Britain Ave. West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Seafood, Tacos, Burgers
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#20. Toro Mexican Street Food
- Rating: 3.8/5 (69 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 22 Raymond Road West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican
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#19. Coyote Flaco Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 3.9/5 (114 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 635 New Britain Ave. Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican
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#18. Puerto Vallarta - Newington
- Rating: 3.9/5 (346 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2385 Berlin Tpke Newington, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican
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#17. bartaco - West Hartford
- Rating: 4.0/5 (1177 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 971 Farmington Ave. West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican
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#16. Cisco's American Breakfast & Mexican Cuisine
- Rating: 4.0/5 (150 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 254 Hartford Ave. Newington, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican, Breakfast & Brunch
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#15. El Mercado
- Rating: 4.1/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 704 Park St. Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Latin American, Mexican, Imported Food
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#14. Huasteca Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.1/5 (104 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 555 Day Hill Road Windsor, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Cocktail Bars
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#13. MexiPHO
- Rating: 4.1/5 (249 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2872 Main St. Glastonbury, Connecticut
- Categories: Vietnamese, Mexican, Noodles
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#12. Ocho Cafe
- Rating: 4.1/5 (372 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 330 North Main St. West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Bars, Mexican
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#11. Frida
- Rating: 4.1/5 (228 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1150 New Britain Ave. West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican
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#10. El Sarape Restaurant
- Rating: 4.2/5 (131 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 931 Broad St. Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican
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#9. Monte Alban
- Rating: 4.2/5 (244 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 531 Farmington Ave. Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican
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#8. El Pollo Guapo
- Rating: 4.3/5 (73 reviews)
- Address: 347 New London Tpke Glastonbury, Connecticut
- Categories: Chicken Shop, Tacos, Tapas/Small Plates
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#7. Salsas 4 Taqueria
- Rating: 4.3/5 (87 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2434 Berlin Tpke Ste 3 Oneil Plaza Newington, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican, Desserts, Salad
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#6. Sayulita
- Rating: 4.3/5 (624 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 865 Main St. South Glastonbury, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican
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#5. American & Mexican Diner
- Rating: 4.5/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 243 Zion St. Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Diners, American, Mexican
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#4. El Pollo Guapo
- Rating: 4.5/5 (342 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1044 Main St. Newington, Connecticut
- Categories: Tapas/Small Plates, Tacos, Chicken Shop
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#3. Taqueria La Grande
- Rating: 4.5/5 (131 reviews)
- Address: 169 Park Road West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican
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#2. Taqueria La Grande
- Rating: 4.5/5 (84 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 985 West Main St. New Britain, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican
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#1. La Joya - Fresh Mexican
- Rating: 4.6/5 (112 reviews)
- Address: 834 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 326 metros.
